Lowrance GPS/FF Problem

[Empty Pockets]

Hi Dogs - canone of you please help me out? At the sportsman's show I bouht a Lowrance LMS-339 GPS/fishfinder with built-in GPS antenna. When I fit-checked it in all the likely mounting locations, I found that the antenna was subject to interference, so now I'm looking to trade for the LMS-337 model (external antenna). I sent a request in to Lowrance on Sunday, but they haven't responded yet.

So now for the help request:
1) Does anyone know of something I should be doing differently to avoid the antenna interference?
2) Has anyone had any experience with product-support at Lowrance? Are they likely to help me with an exchange, or is this a dead-end effort?
3) Anyone interested in trading up from a 337 to a 339?

I appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks,
Ted

[Lepper]

what kind of boat and where are you wanting to put it at?

Where are your other electronics located as well? VHF antenna ect..?

[5 Salt]

Your unit is NMEA 2000 capable - should be able to plug an external GPS receiver into the network and get signal.

If not take it return it to the business you purchased from and purchase the unit you want.



From Lowrance web site.....

Lowrance now brings multi-device data communications networking within easy reach of even smallest boats and budgets with the new complete LowranceNET™ system.

Based on the new NMEA 2000® standard, the nonproprietary LowranceNET™ solution offers unique advantages in a networking package for multi-station sensing and display of boat systems and engine functions. Those key benefits include simplicity, easy installation, versatility and ease of sensor/display/system expansion, excellent performance and amazing affordability.

About NMEA 2000®
Its the new world standard in marine electronics data protocol, established by the National Marine Electronics Association, for networking multiple instruments on boat. Simply put, any NMEA 2000® compatible device (sensor, sonar, GPS, multi-function gauge, etc.), regardless of brand, will share and/or display user-selectable data with any or all other display instruments installed in a NMEA 2000® network.


What LowranceNET™ Offers
With the new Low-cost, high-performance LowranceNET™, NMEA 2000® compatible networking system, owners of small to large boats can purchase a series of affordable and easy-to-install intelligent sensors (Electronic Probes - EPs) to monitor an array of vital Engine and boating functions.

For example, the use of an EP-10 Fuel Flow Sensor, in conjunction with a NMEA 2000® compatible LGC-2000 GPS or EP-25 Speed Sensor, can provide comprehensive fuel management capability onboard. You'll know precisely how far and how much operational time you have left, fuel-wise, based on your current speed. That's an incredible benefit to any boater, particularly to coastal anglers and boaters!

Find Out More
Take a look at a comparison list of the all-new, revolutionary LowranceNET™ system vs. a "black box" system. Find out which Lowrance products are LowranceNET™ compatible. View an interactive sample LowranceNET™ network to get more familiar with a few of the more popular LowranceNET™ products. And even design your own customized LowranceNET™ network with this online interactive application - the LowranceNET™ Designer!

[Paddler]

Unfortunately, I believe the antenna unit is $200. I would think Lowrance would help you out. I wanted an internal antenna also, but they don't make it yet for the largr units. Wonder if this is why?

[Empty Pockets]

Thanks Dogs !

The boat's a Maxum 23' cuddy, so there's not a lot of room in the cockpit (it's pretty low-profile). I don't have a fixed-mount VHF yet, and there were no other electronics on at the time.

Thanks again,
EP

[BiteFactory]

Hmmm... what is the power/ground situation? Sufficient gauge wire for the distance? Bad connections in the power/ground system? Small gauge (16ga or smaller?) wire connecting gps/ff to helm power? What does install guide recommend for wiring?

Once had interference in an XM antenna when I started my fishfinder because I had done a quick hack job installing it before a lake trip. I now have two separate +/- 10ga pairs from the battery to the helm for electronics and for wipers/bilge/lights/etc... Each with it's own fuse panel and ground block.

[tracker]

Seems to me that with the metal boat, that could be your problem. All that metal could be blocking the signal. If trees can do it then I would think a metal bow would work even better as a siganl stop. Did you try using a long enough power cord so that you could clear the inside of the cockpit and get it outside? At least you could make surew the unit is working at all.

Also if you still have the box and receipt then you could take it back for an exchange without much hassle in most cases. If not over thirty days then should be no problem.

[StickFish]

is the antenna under the windshield? Was the motor running at the time? What is the voltage level of the battery? What message were you receiving that indicated you had interference?

Lowrance has good customer service but I'd be surprised if they traded the unit out for a 337 - place you bought it might, but expect a repack fee

[Good News]

i have the 337 and love it have had bigger and better but 337 is great only help i can give is i have there regional managers card with some numbers his is 509 682 3379 good luck don

[5 Salt]

Call Lowrance and tell then your current NEMA 2000 external attenna gives an error message every time you turn our your radar.

They will send you a new GPS module (radar sheilded) for $85.00 but only if you insist they send it first as you cannot have the ship down for two weeks while returns/replacement travels back and forth. Tell them they can charge your credit card and later, credit it back when you return the original. I had to ask three times but got it done in the end. Just keep telling them you cannot have the boat down from 1-2 week waiting on the mail etc...

Make sure you tell them your current external attenna is 3 ft above the plane of the radar sweep but stills get an error message which is only fixed by shutting down radar and re-starting the Lowrance.

Error message is " GPS Module Error" I will confirm exact wording tomorrow when I get to my boat.

[OuterLimits]

My buddy just purchased and installed the Lowrance 337 and is very happy with the functionality and the external antenna.