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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Thought maybe somebody here would have an idea about this. I have been using my 520C for a few weeks now, and have really liked it for the most part. But, today I was fishing a lake that has milfoil.
When in an area that had weed tips coming close to the surface the unit would stop reading depth and flash whatever the last depth it was able to read. The screen also seemed to almost stop scrolling. If I turned the unit off and then back on, it would flash 60 feet. It seemed like most times the unit was unable to clear itself until I got out into 10-12 feet of water and out of ALL weed growth.
It didn't take THICK weeds to do this. I was able to fish Suicks through the areas this would happen in. It would even happen in 8-9 feet of water if the weeds grew up high enough for the tips to be easily visable.
Tried turning sensitivity WAY up, WAY down, and everywhere in between with no luck. Set ping speed anywhere from 50-100%. Nothing seemed to help. The cheap, cheap, older Humminbird on the front of the boat never had an issue all day with losing bottom.
The Lowrance will read fine in shallow (2-4 feet) water with a harder bottom. I've also fished where cabbage is probably less than 2 feet below the boat with no problem. For some reason these weeds seemed to mess it up though.
Any ideas?
curleytail
Edited by curleytail 6/3/2008 12:16 AM
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Did you check the transducer during the day at all? Did it get bumped or have weeds on it? If it was working in other places, then it has to be something the angle it was at because it got bumped or something like weeds were attached to it. But it sounds like the transducer got bumped. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I thought of that too. The transducer was free of weeds, and it didn't get bumped. I have it set about one "click" forward from level and get a great reading when I am running as well as moving slowly...in most places. I suppose I should have adjusted it anyway to see if that made a difference, but it is awfully close to level, and I can't see one or two clicks of adjustment making that much of a difference at casting speeds. Thanks for the reply though.
curleytail
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Posts: 11
| Try turning Noise Reduction OFF!!! Learnt this tip from from Doc Sampson's seminar. Start in Sonar Menu, go to features, then to Noise Reduction and turn it off.
Good Luck |
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| I just bought a 520C three weeks ago and have the exact same problem. It's really getting to be a pain when you get over shallow weeds cause you have to go out to deeper clear water to clear the depthfinder. I tried calling Lowrance 3 days ago and got a recording saying that I could wait for a technition or avoid the wait and go online for immediate service. I waited on hold listening to the recording telling me how important my call was to them for 35 minutes.
Finally I went to their website and stated my problem. I email it in and got an immediate response saying that they had received it and they would be getting back to me. This is the end of the 3rd day of waiting and still no response.
I've tried all the same fixes as you but no luck. I'll try the noise reduction method that DragginHook mentioned. Hopefully that will work. Please let me know if you come up with a fix and I'll do the same. |
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| I think that everyone should be contacting Lowrance with this problem as pretty much everyone I know with the newer units is experiencing this to some degree or another. I know myself with 113's and my partner with 110's are frustrated.
My 104's never had these difficulties. I think these units are just pushing out TOO much power for our style of fishing. Maybe if EVERYONE contacts Lowrance we will see some changes that will help.
Dean |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | new x 25 bought over the winter, does the same thing. |
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Posts: 41
Location: Wheaton, MN | I have a new 520C also and only used it 5 times so far and i noticed I am having the same problem when it's gets really shallow. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | I just got two 520C units using the NMEA 2000 networking system, and I can't get the unit to stop flashing 60.3 for depth. I've been messing with all of the settings as well with no luck. I can't remember if I changed the noise reduction or not. I'll have to try that. If anyone figures out some of these problems please post the correction here. |
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Posts: 444
Location: Duluth, MN | I have a 27c and have the same issue. I was in a shallow soft bottomed lake last week and the unit kept losing the bottom throughout the entire lake...no matter what the speed or sensitivity setting. It reads weeds fine if the bottom is a little more firm...but if you are in a muddy bottom with weeds it struggles to keep a reading. But go full throttle across the lake and it never looses bottom. |
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Posts: 386
| Yep, same problem with my 332c and with my buddy's 520c -- what the heck can we do about this? I stayed on hold with Lowrance for about an hour and they finally answered and told me my only option is to send in the unit with a check for $199 and they will either fix the problem (no matter how big or small for the flat rate) or send me a new unit (which, from what I see here, will not likely fix the problem Lowrance is having).
Do we have ANY recourse here? |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Here's my update on this issue. I hav not fixed the problem, but I have been able to make it better.
Turn off the noise reduction off. I have also been turning the surface clutter off too, but haven't experimented with that enough to know if that helps or not. Also, put the graph into manual mode. This seems to help a LOT with the unit completely freezing up and not working again. With the unit in manual mode, it may flash depth, but the screen keeps scrolling, and it generally finds itself in a couple seconds. It may flash again, but it often keeps finding the bottom.
I think putting the unit in manual mode was the biggest help. Also, when in manual adjust the sensitivity down quite a ways - that is a big help also.
curleytail |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I used to always set my sensitivity manually, but w/ my 334c it works best on auto. When I do that I have no trouble. But, my transducer is shooting through the hull. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | Here's the problem I have experienced so far for my two 520C units. The transducer was not reading anything. The unit would not even recognize that it was hooked up. I finally talked with Lowrance and they told me to check what software was in the unit, because the 520C requires the 2.3.0 software. Well, neither of my units had this software in them. I had to go buy a SD reader/writer and a SD card (for a total of $30) to download the software off of the Lowrance website. Now the sonar works, but how ridiculous is this situation. Lowrance is allowing the stores they distribute to (Cabelas') to sell these units with a transducer that will not work with the unit as is when they sell it. When I buy something like this from Cabelas' I want everything to work out of the box. If everything won't work as is then I atleast want to know what to do to fix the problem instead of scratching my and getting really pissed off for two weeks. This was a simple fix that caused me alot of headaches. In my whole experience with this purchase I don't recommend Lowrance or Cabelas'. Atleast for purchasing items such as this. Half of the people at both the Richfield and Hoffman Estates Cabelas' locations were not helpful, and were downright rude. I was also told that the Hummingbird customer services and sales reps are about 100 times better than Lowrance. I hope this helps someone with their future purchases. |
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Posts: 5874
| I'll agree that Cabela's is maybe not the best place to buy electronics from. Now, I used to get my stuff from Thorne's and Reeds, and they always were very helpful to make sure my units had the latest working firmware versions. They would check them, and if needed, would load them before they shipped. Jason at Thorne's is a great guy, and even was ready to send a MMC overnight to Sabaskong Bay Lodge for Lunkerhunter and his new X-15 several years ago.
You'll not pay more at these two places, but you will get excellent service. Jolly Anns marine is another great place to your electronics.
As for having to buy an SD card and reader, I think that is money well spent. You can use the card to log sonar data files, and save waypoint, trails and eoutes. And the reader can be used to downlod this info to your waypoint manager, and to transfer pictures to and from your digital camera, too. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Monoprice.com got me a card reader for like eight bucks and a little shipping. You still need to download the drivers off Lowrance's site, but the reader came with the USB cord. I found a memory card at Best Buy for I think $15. Now, I gotta get my kid to teach me how to use all this stuff! m |
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| Wanderer, I agree with you 100%. Both companies leave the burden to us to see if Lowarance actually loaded the correct software. Then, if they didn't it is up to us to pay extra to get it right. Pretty shoddy customer service. I am a member of Muskys Inc. and 2 other fishing clubs and Cabelas and Lowrance is about to be in for some of the worst advertising they ever heard of. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I had the very same issues with both my lcx 25 and lcx 111, that is, until I backdated the software from the newest version(I think it was 2.0 and went back to 1.7). The software update apparently made adjustments to wattage output in shallow water to make it 'better' but it actually exaccerbated the issue. Now, I am not sure if you can back date the software for the 522, but I would highly recomend it if you can. The very few other updates that I lost in the process(a couple extra backlights and some waypointing features) didn't mean anything to me, as I can now read in shallow water again. If you go to some of the walleye sites, you'll see how many people have been having the same issue. I know I will shop around next time(hopefully no time soon, as I do like the units and am comfortable with them). Luckily I don't rely on them save for the GPS feature and basic depth.
My big issue right now is an innordinate amount of clutter. I keep the surface clutter off or on low, noise reduction off, ping at 75%(most of the time), and chart speed high. I have tried everything but just get alot more clutter than the old monochrome jobs used to. at least the old ones had clutter that I felt I could 'read through'. Now, it shows 'things' nearly no matter where I am, and I often wonder if it is truly a school of bait or not.
Also, I like to run both units on at the same time. I expect some clutter then, and interference but here is my issue. When both units are on, my front unit will show the bottom picture correctly but show the depth data reading number the same as the rear one. This happens even when the trolling motor is stowed and I am running... front unit will be reading rear units depth number until I shut rear unit off. Wish I could get rid of this. I like keeping the rear unit on for the guy in back to look at.
Edit: Please don't take this as a bash on Lowrance by any means. Know that many folks have had similar software issues, and that your unit should be able to be fixed without sending it in. An up/backdate is often all that is needed to correct the shallow water/weed issue. I was told that it is a known issue and is being worked on(that was eons ago in electronics terms back in mid fall 2007).
Edited by Reef Hawg 6/29/2008 1:26 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'm w/ you Reef Dawg, I like the new color stuff...mine haven't had any issues except some feedback from the trolling motor but that is resolved, knock on wood...but I sorta miss the clear readablity of my old 1996 X70A!
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Bought the new Humminbird 1197 for the consol and moved the X15 up to the bow. Really like the new side imaging. Great new stuff that unlocks way more secrets to anglers than just under the boat. Check out these units. WOW.
As for Lowrance I would always ask if they were up to the latest versions for softwear. Simply open the box and plug it in at the display counter where you are going to purchase the graph. A 800 number, quick phone call and your set.
I had some problems with my x15 in weeds up to the surface but over all it was and still is a great unit. |
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Location: Lakeville, MN | I have the same problem with a new 112C. Loss of depth in shallow and over weeds. Enough emails to customer support and Lowrance will have to address. In the meantime, Lowrance's FAQ section states:
Losing bottom over weeds: When trolling over weed beds in 20ft of water or less, you may experience vertical bars, loss of the chart picture, or the digital depth. First, do a soft reset of the unit. Click here to find the reset procedure for your unit. Then go to the Full Sonar Chart screen. Press Menu and select Sonar Features. Now turn the Chart Manual Mode to On. This will leave everything in Automatic Mode except the depth. Now go back to the main menu and set the depth range for the depth you are in such as 0-20 feet.
You may have to copy and paste the attached hyperlink:
http://primus.lowrance.com/support/resultDisplay.do?gotoLink=6&docT...
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Posts: 172
| for what it's worth, i have a 110 and a 104. the 104 has never had this problem and the 110 just started doing what you describe for the first time THIS year. i've had both these units for a number of years. i have to believe 100% it is a software issue, maybe this info will help someone track down the actual root cause... |
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| I agree 100% with MNMatt. I had two 104's on my last boat without a glitch. Now nothing but problems with a pair of 113's. I am also convinced that it is software issues. I think that Lowrance caters to their "deep" sea type fisherman. The older software seemed to control the power better allowing for the type of fishing that we do. I am sure that their will be a huge shift in the electronics market share for fresh water fisherman if they can't resolve these issues. My point in a previous post is that everyone needs to contact Lowrance with their complaints to see if the software can be changed.
Everyone I have talked to is having some degree of similar problems with the newer units as well as "destroying" transducers. I've went through two as well as my partner. Software/power related? I thgink so. Before this year I never replaced a transducer in the last 15 years! Dean |
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Posts: 1
| First time posting, just registered
Just bought our first boat (used) and wanted to replace the existing Hummingbird 400tx with a combination GPS unit
Bought a Lowrance 522 from Cabela's and now I'm worried after seeing the issues on both the unit and the customer service from Lowrance
Haven't taken the unit out of the box yet so its probably returnable
Any other suggestions for a combination unit
We spend a week or two in Minnesota (Leech Lake) chasing Muskies and Walleyes, the rest will be in Illinois with a couple of trips on Lake Michigan
Mostly in water 10' to 30' except for a couple of attempts on Salmon/Trout with downriggers
Appreciate any advice
Great site!
Bob |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Bob,
You'll be fine. That's a very good unit. For all those that have had issues with there units there are three times the amount of people who haven't. Lowrance is just like Mercury in the fact that Lowrance is the most popular and largest electronics company out there. So when you have thousands more using there product versus the competition there is bound to be more problems.
In my experience, for a company is large as Lowrance, the customer service is pretty good if you ask me. It may take a few minutes being on hold or a few phone calls to get through but when you do, they really do help you. It's not some person from another country, at least not the ones I've talked to. |
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Posts: 5
Location: Frost | my Lowrance 520 does the exact same thing so I don't think it's a coincidence, I do however think it makes it pretty much worthless for a lot of muskie fishing applications, wish someone had some answers |
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| Wanderer, go to overlay data and uninstall your depth. Then exit, then go back to overlay data to the sonar and reinstall the depth, this should fix your problem. Locking up on the shallow water in weeds drop the ping speed to 25%, drop the color line to 60% and drop the sensitivity. If still having problems go to http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Contact/ and they should be able to help.
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Thanks Ron! I really appreciate the help! Folks, listen to want captron said there, he's the one man that would know what to do!
Thanks again Ron! |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I just sent my 38HD in for a problem they never heard of before, it didn't read chips properly. The new one they sent me...flashes the depth in the weeds. The 510 on my bow did the same thing (the flashing depth bit), until I sent that one in. I had to send my 3500 Global map in a week ago as well.
I am batting three for three, well actually four for four if you count my loaner that isn't working. Five for five if you count the 330 on my last boat that had to go in. The report I get from a LOTW lodge owner that sees these things come in by the boatloads (ok, bad pun) to his resort, is that they are having an amazingly high rate of failures at his place. Seems to be a bit of an issue to me. The service part of the issue is good, but as I told the last tech on the phone, I should not know my RA# by heart, that is just not a good sign.
My next rig won't be blindly rigged with Lowrance, that much I know. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Here is some other help I received via email.
Hi Tim,
Most people are going the wrong way on
the settings. If they go down on the settings it will also help keep the
units updated because of new fixes all the time.
Edited by Merckid 6/27/2008 1:53 PM
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