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Posts: 2024
| Folks that use the aforementioned units, what are your thoughts on them? Pros, cons? How did it compare to your last unit?
Right now I'm running a Garmin GPS/Sounder 168 that, IMO, just isn't cutting it. |
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Location: Minnesota | i use the 332c and it works perfect, the screen is a little small but otherwise ok, my dad put the 334c on his boat this year and had nothing but trouble with the built in Ant., so he switched to the 332c and no trouble, in my opinion the external ant. is the way to go |
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Posts: 1270
| I have a 332 that I bought to replace a 30 that I had. I use it in my truck, on the bow of my boat, and for ice fishing so I use it ALL the time! I love this little unit. I does everything that my 111 on the console of my boat does but only with a smaller screen. With the price that they are going for now I would not hesitate to pick one up if you are looking for a nice do-all unit. |
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Posts: 2024
| With the smaller screen do you lose detail? Problem I'm having with mine is that I'm never 100% sure what I'm looking at. 240/240 vs. 480/480 sounds pretty good. Is the next step up a 111? |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i have a 334c that is too small to see unless you're under 17 years of age, lacks any level of detail with a chip so there's no way to reasonably fish off of it and even if you wanted to the sonar works fine but GPS function is a fond reminder of it's inability to make up its mind. you can take away a glider cadence from the constant blips of "signal acquired" ... followed soon by the "signal lost" chirp... but, i will say that the 25c is amazing though!!!! .... my 334c was a $700.00 or whatever number of dollar waste of time and money. i wish i just would have ponied up another $400 or so to go from being taken to being exceedingly pleased.
anybody saying they can fish off the lakemaster or navionics chips on a 334c screen doesn't spend much time in the boat or is lying to you to make somebody feel good for not buying the bigger unit.
it's just aggrevating to spend that much money and see someone going there with their own. at least give the satisfaction of making the potential buyer aware.
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Posts: 1438
| 332c for two years now.
I love mine, but don't spend as much time on the water as the Sled man. My only complaint is the small screen. I zoom mine when I'm fishing and back it off when I'm running. The detail hasn't been a problem for me. I have the FHS map chip.
I know that I've heard numerous complaints about the internal antenna.
Besides, that huge orb on top of Sled's shoulders has probably interrupted the time/space continuum and refracted the satellite signals in a less than compatible way.
Scott |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | I have heard they fixed the 334 problems of crapping out on the signal? Is this true? It used to be if you tilted the unit much it woudl lose GPS siganl. Other than that I thought the 332 and the 334 were the same unit (size, map potential, screen, etc.)???
TIA,
James |
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Posts: 2024
| Thank you, John! That's exactly what I was hoping someone might say. I wanted opinions of both good and bad.
Looks like I might need to stand on a street corner in downtown Chicago and man up with the extra $$$. |
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Posts: 5874
| Bigger is better. I have a 334 for the bow, and the X111 for the console. I bought the 334 because I will use it on the ATV while on the ice this year. Alot of people had issues with the GPS not locking in. I did, too. Sent it in, and they returned it. Works flawlessly, now.
Would I want the 334/332 for my only sonar/GPS? No. I'd rather have my X-15, as the screen is that much bigger. But for the bow sonar, and as a backup GPS, I am happy with it. Would I put one on the bow and the console? No. I'd go with the X-25/6 on the console, at a minimum.
Sled, get that 334 in to Lowrance this winter! It will work fine. |
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| anybody saying they can fish off the lakemaster or navionics chips on a 334c screen doesn't spend much time in the boat or is lying to you to make somebody feel good for not buying the bigger unit.
sled, are you running yours with a split screen?
if so, it's your own dang fault for thinking you'd be able to use the map in that way. especially with those old squinty eyes of yours...
i spend plenty of time in the boat, and i'm not lying.
i love mine, but notably, i have a 3600 dedicated GPS and a separate 102c dedicated depth finder that i run side-by-side. so i don't have to split the screen like you do with the 332/334. i run the Lakemaster chips and have been extremely satisfied. i also haven't had any of the troubles other people talk about with finding/keeping a satellite signal - i believe there was a problem in initial units but that Lowrance fixed it quickly.
split screens are a trick to think you're getting twice for your money, but the viewable size it tiny. go with the separate units, no matter what brand or model you prefer. why by a giant screen (like the 111) just so you can split it in half? penny wise, pound foolish.
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | The 334 had problems initially, Lowrance sent out 700 bad units. Since Mid-June, I'd say they have the problem fixed. It was a software issue that led to dropped signals.
We have the 334 and 332 on Clearance for 550.00. I bought a 334 and 102C (also on clearance) for the new Tuffy.
If you're planning on using this for serious trolling, you'll be dissapointed...to me, the screen is too small. When you split screen, you do have the ability to re-size, but running both the sonar and gps at the same time is sort of fruitless.
The negatives are a zoom that isn't all that great and screen redraws, with the chip being in it, being slow. |
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Posts: 479
Location: Eden Prairie & Pine Island | 332c on the dash--great unit! I formerly had a 19 on the dash...larger screen but B&W...color on 332c makes up for loosing the larger screen, but hey, in this sport bigger is still better. A 25c is sweet. |
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| GMG,
How much is the 102c on clearance for???? |
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Posts: 2024
| Ok so I don't want to start another thread, but what then do you guys suggest I get to replace my current console GPS/Fishfinder (Garmin 168)? Try and find a deal (if you know of any please PM me) on a bigger X-25C or 111? Thoughts? |
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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Shep...
where did you send the unit? My does the same thing that Sled described. Drives me nuts. Seems to work OK on pewaukee though.
thedude |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Bukes - 11/3/2006 9:49 AM
GMG,
How much is the 102c on clearance for????
400.00 |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | esox50 - 11/3/2006 10:51 AM
Ok so I don't want to start another thread, but what then do you guys suggest I get to replace my current console GPS/Fishfinder (Garmin 168)? Try and find a deal (if you know of any please PM me) on a bigger X-25C or 111? Thoughts?
If you can find a 111 on the web, they're going for 1200-1300.00 I've seen. |
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Posts: 385
| Good info. Just persuaded me to run the other way from the lcs334. Maybe I'll go lms 332 on the bow. Running a lcx25 at the console. I wanted a more compact option for the bow to conserve on space, but still have GPS for quickly logging a spot while fishing. |
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | I have the 334c on my console. I don't have the signal problem as it is on a Ram mount on the gunnel with an unobstructed view. I have heard of people w/ problems getting a signal, but most are in an obstructed view sitiations. For me, the 334C works okay on the console, but it would be too small for the bow. I will use it in split screen or GPS only, but I also have a back up graph on the console. Plan on using it ice fishing this year, we'll see how the signal works for that this season.
If I were looking to buy it I would avoid it. I have heard more bad than good with the 334c, my situation is good, but seems that I am in the minority.
GotOne |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I've had no problems at all w/ my 334c; it works great in my smaller boat where a bigger unit or multiple units are not practical. Add to that, my ABU Record is still functioning quite well too. 
S. |
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Posts: 5874
| My advice to anyone that wants a 334 is to go ahead and buy it. I believe they are shipping good units now. If yours does not lock on with the internal antenna, send it to Lowrance, and they'll fix it. There should be an address sticker in the box. Call them up, and get an RGA, UPS it, and you'll have a working unit back soon.
Mine would not lock in at all, on the internal antenna. Seeing as how I didn't see getting my boat for a while, I sent it in. It came back, I powered it up, and it locked in, inside my garage, with only two windows to peak through. Just like my big X-111 with the external Receiver.
If you are looking for an X-111, Boatersworld. com has combo's for $1299. I saw Cabela's had X25's on sale a while back. Look in the bargain cave. |
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Posts: 69
Location: oak lawn IL | when buying mine lots of people had said the 334 had problems with the int ant but it was fixed now, i still went with the 332 to be on the safe side and i'm glad i did....i'll be putting a 102 on the bow this spring.
shure the 111 has a big screen but are we fishing or watching tv?? |
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Posts: 1270
| At first I also thought the 111 had a screen that was more for bragging rights than for actual use. That was until I put one on my boat. You can split the screen and each screnn is still bigger than the screen on a 332 or most other units. When you are running wide open it is really nice to have a huge screen like the 111. |
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Posts: 2024
| Ok, so fellas... anyone selling their 111 or 25/26C?  |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | heard the 25c's are on sale at Gander for around $800.00. before you even consider buying the 334c put the chip in it on simulate the distance you will be from it, put a sun simulator over your shoulder and tell me you can see the little line and read the number ... and lambeau that's with the full screan. now, i am getting older and have a little white on the chin although not nearly as much as Shep. next do the same with the 25c. i'd love to have the 100 series but they're just too expensive for my boat budget ... the 25c is rock solid awesome and is so much better than the smaller screens with so many more usable navigational and fishing utility because of the visibility and detail that comes out of the mapping chips that if you can afford it you should buy it over the smaller screans if you can.
otherwise, i'll sell you a 334c if you need one with a discounted price. here's the tell of the tape ... i bet i get zero serious offers for it!
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | maybe magruter or anyone else in the boat with me can attest as well. my 334c mounted in front with the 25c at the helm and when we're fishing i've got the guy in the back keeping me on my path looking at the 25c ... otherwise i get a feel for the spot based on the shape on the 25c screen ... go up front and fish ... and then every once in awhile put the rod down and go check where i am against the spot ... using the depth part of the 334c to move on the spot. it's good exercise, but come on!
when you're talking about the difference between a good and bad day being boat control and having the boat on the right spot there is no argument to support the 334c's with any chip in it .... unless you've got a school of suckers under you and you're face is right in front of the screan. |
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Posts: 814
| Sled and Reelman are right on the money!!! I have a 110c by the tiller in the back and a 334c up front on the bow....I can split my 110 and still have 2 larger SPLIT screens than one whole screen on the 334....plus being that the 110c is a MUCH higher powered unit the color on the map chips is ALOT better than the same chip in the 334..such as sub. vegatation, different water shadings also show up alot better...if you don't believe me call Lowrance for yourself they will tell you the 110c and the 25c are way more powereful than the 332 or 334 and therefore show greater detail!!! Do yourself a favor and look for the best deals for a 111,110,26,25c and you will be happy! No need to run 2 units, excess wires,more clutter,2 ram mounts, 2 low powered units I don't get it. |
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| there is no argument to support the 334c's with any chip in it...
there is a difference in how close the zoom goes between the Lakemaster and Navionics chips.
sled, aren't you running the Navionics chip? it doesn't zoom nearly as close as the Lakemaster, as previously discussed in other threads ad nauseum.
my experience is that on a lake such as Leech where the Lakemaster chip has 1 foot contour lines, i was able to see very subtle changes on the map quite easily and adjust the boat accordingly. it became a game of seeing it on the map, and then watching the depth finder rise or fall by 1 or 2 feet exactly as the map showed. and gee, all while standing up and casting.
have you even tried adjusting your settings?
one trick with the Lowrance units that helps bring out contrast for easier visibility: put it in "night" mode, even during the day...
is it a huge screen? no.
but be realistic: at $400 vs $1200 it's more than functional.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | thanks for the reality mskyhntr ... i've got both chips, doesn't matter. detail is ridiculously different with the higher powered units and the ability to see details at a glance is there. the smaller underpowered units aren't realistic to fish off of.
i will say though that with the higher powered units i prefer the navionics chip to the lakemaster chips. plus, we were able to pick up eagle lake on my navionics which saved us some time and money last year. |
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Posts: 5874
| Yep, I got a bit more white on the chin than you, Sled. So listen to your elders, and don't talk back! hehe
I like my 334, but I don't use the boawmount for it's GPS. I use it for sonar mostly when I'm on the bow casing. I did use my 334 on a friends boat several times this summer, and also on other's boats that had the same combination. I do use the GPS mode when running to spots, and put the Ground speed up in BIG letters. East to see that way. I don't use a map in mine either when casting.
Now, if I could have bought the 25 for the price they are now, I probably would have. Maybe I still will, but I'll definately use the 334 for Icefishing. If you have not sent it back to Lowrance, do it, and stop the complaining about the antenna losing lock. They will fix it. I suspect you might like it a bit better. |
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| but, i will say that the 25c is amazing though!...my 334c was a $700.00 or whatever number of dollar waste of time and money. i wish i just would have ponied up another $400 or so to go from being taken to being exceedingly pleased.
detail is ridiculously different with the higher powered units and the ability to see details at a glance is there. the smaller underpowered units aren't realistic to fish off of.
so how exactly were you "taken"?
if the difference between the high-power and lower-power units is so easy to see, why didn't you see it before deciding to buy the 334? did you check out the power differences? did you go to a store and look at the displays side-by-side? or just order them online sight unseen? i went to Reed's and compared. i knew what i was getting when in ordered my 102 and 3600, and i've been very satisfied with what i got for the price.
you make it sound as if Lowrance tricked you somehow...
everyone has their own preferences and experiences.
perhaps: not realisitic to fish off of for YOU is a more accurate statement?
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i took the advice i found on these boards and perhaps some of the advice i should have taken either wasn't available or may have been deleted because it was not considered a "positive" post?
i figure i get taken whenever i spend a lot of money for something and it doesn't work ... the 25c works and the 334 doesn't ... if i had known the maps show up differently on different units based on power i would have looked to see the difference. i just figured the map would show up the same and they just don't. i was prepared to spend 2k for new electronics ... i ended up spending about 1800 ... for another 400 bucks i would have been happy .... instead i saved 400 bucks and have one i like and one i don't ... now i've got to sell the one at a discount and purchase the other and i've lost one summer and a bunch of money to do what i should have done in the first place. i'm a user and don't like to learn all the details ... the 25c is idiot (me) proof and will overwhelm you with capability simply ...
no matter how you argue the features and functionality of the 334 ... it bottom-line does not compare to the 25c |
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Posts: 814
| Night Mode? Why should you have to put your 332 in Night Mode in the day? You shouldn't have to.. sounds like a visibility problem to me...I can see my 110 from the bow without night mode...no comparison in my eye..yeah there cheaper but you also get what you pay for...One other thing I noticed as well as others who have used the 332 is there is tons of clutter or interference on the screen under 20fow where my 110 is clear, and yes I am not in auto sensitivty mode and my sens. is set to 70%. I use my 334 for sonar only and when I get enough dough for a 25c it will be here on the boards for a Discount! |
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Posts: 5874
| Sled, No, the 334 does not compare with the X25, in size, and in some functionality. But that is why Lowrance makes 5 different sizes of all their models, so you have a choice. I don't recall a post here asking for advice on which units you might get. You can state all day long that the 334C is not a good unit, and I'll tell you into tomorrow that it is a good unit, and does exactly what it was designed for. I know exactly why I bought my 334C, and I have no regrets. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here, some even offer good advice on occaision! hehehe
When you use the term high-powered, excatly what do you mean? To me, high-power/low-power means the output rating of the Sonar. That wouldn't have any affect on the the ability to display GPS data, or mapping. Now, I do believe you cannot zoom down as much on a 334 as you can on the 25 or the 111. Is that the issue? Just like a computer monitor, you can get a lot more info/resolution on a 19" LCD monitor than you do on a 15".
ARe you going to send that 334C in to get the antenna lock issue resolved? If you do, I'm sure you won't have to discount it too much below the current market price. That would be $549, which I just saw at Fleet Farm this weekend. Not sure where Cabela's is. I did see the X25 in the Bargain Cave at $649? I think I may just pick one up, and put that on the console when I sell the boat next year.
Edited by Shep 11/6/2006 12:21 PM
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| i took the advice i found on these boards and perhaps some of the advice i should have taken either wasn't available or may have been deleted because it was not considered a "positive" post?
so it's our fault? lol...poor Sled, victim of an evil internet conspiracy!
our editorial policy is to leave up specific personal experiences (positive or negative - much like this thread), but to not allow broad generalized bashing (ie., "this sucks because it just does").
online advice is a great place to start, but hardly the last word, especially when spending $2k on gear. get some suggestions and then use it as the basis to do your own homework.
what made you decide that the Motorguide Digital was a good trolling motor for your purposes? reading about someone's opinion online, or actually running a boat with it?
no matter how you argue the features and functionality of the 334 ... it bottom-line does not compare to the 25c
neither does it's bottom line price.
at Reed's right now the 332/334 is $600; the 25cCombo is $1150; the 111c is $1850.
why would you expect their performance to be comparable to each other? it's half the cost!
imho, the lower-price units offer performance comparable to their PRICE. i'm satisfied with mine.
i hardly expect an Abu 6500 to perform like a Shimano Calcutta, but that doesn't mean it doesn't offer good performance for it's price.
what you're saying is that you want performance only available from a more expensive unit; that's very different than "the 334 sucks"...you get what you pay for, and someone with a smaller budget might find that paying $600 for a decent graph and GPS combo to be quite cost-effective.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i said "boards" which isn't mutually exclusive, so the answer is no to the question mike. and "poor" sled maybe could be moderated? .... i guess i'd just hate to see somebody make the same "mistake" i made. to me if you buy a gps with the capability to use a chip you would expect to have enough definition on the chip to be able to fish a piece of structure using only the icon on the topo of the map. you cannot do it effectively on the 334c whereas you certainly can and then some on the "higher powered" 25c. also, you would think as a registered purchaser that you might be notifiied of a defect and not struggle with it all year. i'm just trying to help people not make the same mistake i did. to counter it sounds like you've recommended the unit for the complete purpose i state in this post and that being said .... i hope some at least investigate and understand the performance vs. their expectations of the purchase because it's a lot of dough.
so far most have discussed using the unit for sonar and it is great for that although i will concur that every time you hit the juice on the trolling motor you get clutter on the 334c and i can't answer for what happens on the 25, 26 or the 110's ... but i didn't have that occurance with the garmin 168 i had with a universal sonar before.
i'll be sending it in to have the antenna fixed .... any buyers? .... so far no offers.
no complaints about the site .... i think some of the products that don't deliver should be noted .... that's all.
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| I think it's kind of wierd the 334/3600c can zoom in farther without a chip in it....that being said, I have a 3600c (basically the 334c without sonar) on the front and it works fine...I don't put a chip in it, because really on most lakes I fish it is just as easy to just know how the contours lay out before putting the trolling motor down...the gps is basically just used for marking follows or to duplicate paths down an edge/break etc...the sonar next to it is how i "see" where I'm at...that being said, I can see how a 334 might be a bit small when using a chip up front...at the console a 334/332 is great...i use 2, 332's at the console and that works great...one for sonar, one for gps...
for the money they are great units and like it's been said,,,you get what you pay for...the 25 is an nice upgrade if you want something that can zoom in further with a bigger screen
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I went with the 332 because I didn't want the antenna problem of the 334. So far, I've been happy with the unit.
One positive customer service story to share....my original 332 died the very first day of my trip to Bay Store on LOTW. The case was not sealed and rain water shorted out the unit. Although Lowrance does not take calls on the weekend, I called them right away Monday morning. They told me they'd send me a new unit overnight. I get back from fishing and there it is ready for me. I was pleased to say the least that they could get that to me in pretty much the middle of nowhere.
One trick to share....you don't have to mount the puck to the boat...I made an aluminum bracket for the puck and I mounted it on the side of the 332 (using the bracket screw) so I can move the unit anywhere with no need for an extra puck or removing the puck from the boat. I've seen a few people do this. works well.
Jono
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Posts: 5874
| All of the Lowrance units zoom deeper without a chip in it. I can't answer for Garmin, or any of the others. And I do know that some units can zoom to smaller units than others. The one thing I have experienced is that I have yet to see a map that is accurate enough to show me on an actual breakline that I am on. The Lakemasters on some lakes are very close, but even they are not close enough to actaully zoom in too far. |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Garmin is 20ft, no matter if its using a chip or not. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i had the garmin products before this year (b&w) and had some difficulties with them losing the bottom on plane ... running blind was frustrating and i found that i just compensated for it by knowledge of the water and less "venturing" on plane which directly relates to reluctance and potential hazards. prior to last year i was upgrading and didn't care what it took and wanted to go to color lowrance (mainly for the transducer issue i had with the garmin) ... to me lowrance shines on the transducers and then i can't imagine life without color anymore.
i guess it all has to do with expectations. my "expectations" were completely satisfied with the 25c and although there is probably a good argument for the accuracy vs. the topo shape of the structure on the higher def maps, but once you work your icon on them and combine it with your sonar it's idiot-proof which is just what i need. other than some i'm not a technician ... i expect that of the guy that makes the product. i prefer using the stuff time and time again and have it deliver to my "expectations" ... maybe i expected beyond the products technology and that was my bad ... now after learning what i've learned from the products i expect i'm getting a second 25c for next season.
again, any takers on a barely used 334c? .... it will have the antenna working by the time you buy it and you'll get it much cheaper than new ...
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Posts: 5874
| There you go, Sled. Get that thing back from Lowrance, and put it up on the swap board, here, on WF, IceFirst, and SalmonFirst. Heck, put it on Muskyhunter. Like I said, Fleet Farm is selling them now for $549. So I would expect you'll get something around $350-$450, maybe more. Remember Cabela's has the X25C for $649 now?
On second thought, put it on E-bay. You'll probably get enough to pay for a new X-111!
Edited by Shep 11/7/2006 2:53 PM
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Posts: 2024
| Shhhhh, Cabelas doesn't have a good deal on X-25s! Neither does www.boatersworld.com for the 111 ($1299)...  |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | just went to the site and i think the purchase might come early ... that's a great deal. i paid $1145.00 for mine last spring including the navionics chip and that was almost $150.00 savings at the time. it's a great unit and a bargain at these numbers!
so, lambeau ... a solution found for my "problem" from Shep of all people! whodathunkit |
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Posts: 181
| Johnysled, I emailed you about your depthfinder let me know how much. |
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Lowrance 332C/334C units