Lake Champlain United - Forums

My Lowrance combo (LMS-334c) has died. It won't power up. I called Lowrance for authorization to send it in for repair.
I was told my unit was manufactured in 2006, AND PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE! They suggested I check the power
cord for a 12v reading (it is fine). They said remove the Navionics ship and try the SET and/or RESET procedures (still
nothing). So I guess I have no choice but to replace it. Lowrance suggests their HDS-5 Gen2 ($699) is a similar unit and I
could use my old transducer (200kHz). Cabela's has this unit on sale for $649, WITH a 83/200 transducer.

My dilemma is this. I'm kind of disgusted with Lowrance, in that they won't repair a unit only 7 years old. How complicated
can it be to fix it? Anyway, I'm seeking any suggestions you may have as to a replacement. The HDS-5 seems okay, but I
would like to hear what you guys might propose, in roughly the same price range.

Thanks for your help.

Ed

If you are just looking for a gps I highly recommend an iPad........ Down load the navionics ap..... And you have a solid gps with a 10 inch screen for under 700.00 dollars pluss you have an iPad.......The data plan is 19.00 a month. I have been useing mine for 3 years with out a hiccup. Hundreds and hundreds of hours trolling with this.
The only down fall is you have to keep it dry.... in my old boat I covered it with a zip lock bag.... But if you have a top and sides you are all set. If you have any questions about this unit feel free to give me a call.
Todd

I have always had great service from Lowrance. I owned a HDS-8 that I had problems with while still under warranty and they replaced it with no problems. I now have a HDS-9 touch and a HDS-7 touch and love both units. A 7 year old unit is pretty old when talking electronics. They're always upgrading and improving on them. Their like computers after a year or two there outdated. You can do so much with the new units with options like downscan, getting live engine info, operating downriggers to name a few.

Regarding the ipad, you can get a previous model for much less, too. I got the ipad 2 when the 3 had been out a while, saved some $$. While you do need the 3G or 4g model in order to get the GPS, you don't need to subscribe to a data plan in order for the GPS to work. Bought a waterproof case for $50 on amazon, good to go. Now if there was only an app for speed and temp at the ball...

I have an HDS-5M,which is a gps only,I added a navionics chip for L Champlain and it is hard to beat for the $550 cost.you can get the combo unit for a few dollars more.You don't need the touch version and I understand your opinion of Lowrance,but they still make a heck of a unit.My sonar is a Vexilar edge,which is the most user freindly sonar I have ever seen,it also is the best at showing fish you will ever find.they don't make the black and white one anymore and the color version is $800 bucks,but their service is impeccable.When you call them you get a real person who knows what he is talking about.I have had this unit for ten years and they will still fix it. the backlight goes out every 2 or 3 years and I send it in and they repair whatever is wrong,it usually costs about a hundred bucks for the overhaul.and worth every penny. If the darn thing ever does quit for good I would by the new color unit in a minute.by the way,the new color version doesn't need a backlite.

I've seen at least three of the i-pad set ups in action and would also recommend one if you have the room for the nice 10" screen.

I would agree with Todd.. Thorny uses the I pad and I really like the size of the display and the detail it shows....Having said that if you need a combo unit with a sonar I would look at the Raymarine A65 series touch screen. Their repair center is right over in New Hampshire.. and the Raymarine is dependable. I have one of thier A 70D's ...now replaced by the A 65 touch and it has never missed a beat.....

I believe The I Pad thing and the smart Phone thing is going to be starting revolution, when it comes to fishing. Look at what Vexilar is doing with the technology http://vexilar.com/ they are taking your I pad and smart phone and turning it into a fish finder and camera .. Via wireless connection . I have to keep up with the latest technology trends because of my job and i believe you will see more of this type technology in the future not only from vexilar but other major companies like Lowrance and hummingbird.
I do have the Navionics on My I phone and i love it not only as a Back up for trolling on the big lake but its awesome when i am Ice fishing because i can GPS hotspots and then go back to them later.
If i had to make Decision on what Fish finder unit to buy , i would say buy what you can afford but having the feature of Down scan and side scan imaging is a huge bonus. Allot of fisherman believe this features are only good for bass fisherman but they will also work very well when trolling the big lake , when tuned in just right you should be able to pick up schools of smelts , and alewives on the screen. You should be able to see structure that you thought were just rocks but now look more like a sunken ship.
Fish On
Capt: Joe

I updated to the HDS-5 Gen2 earlier this year. Check out the GPS Store (gpsstore.com). I picked mine up for $620. They also had a $100 rebate program going at the time. Until then, I was running a Garmin GPS and a Lowrance X-51. Both were outdated and I'd snapped my transducer and was unable to find a replacement.
'still figuring out all the "whistles and bells" on the HDS-5.
Good luck in your search!

With the HDS Gen2 and the Touch you can add the wifi and see and adjust you're unit from you're Ipad and if you are running 2 units you now only need 1 Navionics chip; both units will share the map.