does anybody own a LOWRANCE 26c HD

FishTy · 02-20-2007, 05:27 PM

I was just wondering if anybody has this unit?
and if you've had any problems
mines been into LOWRANCE twice NOW in less then 6 months!

just wondering if they are lemmons!!!

trying to get LOWRANCE to let me pay difference to exchange for different model ....but they won't do it as of yet! just replaced it last time, and by what there saying thats what there going to do again..
problem is warrenty only lasts so long then what???
it wasn't cheap!

Ty Lake

Catching Nemo · 02-20-2007, 05:39 PM

There are a lot of happy Lowrance owners but there are also a lot more unhappy ones than probably any other major marine electronics company.
If you do a search here or on thehulltruth you will find a lot of issues with Lowrance (ducers, unshielded cables, etc). However, it does seem that they have decent customer service and are quick to own up to issues with their products.

I like their screens and I like the nifty features but won't buy one until the dust settles and they make a more consistent product. I've personally had excellent results with Garmin, Raymarine and Standard Horizon in FF's and CP's. Furuno, Simrad, and even Humminbird are on my list before Lowrance. That isn't to say that these brands don't have problems but they seem to have less of them when counting happy and unhappy user posts.

FishTy · 02-20-2007, 06:43 PM

I'm really happy with the unit when it works.. maybe third time will be the charm!

Ty Lake

WaterDog · 02-20-2007, 07:11 PM

I have one and it's been sent in once. The issue was not really fixed and I doubt I would by a Lowrance again. I like it as far as the maps, resolution, and ease of use but I think I'd go a different route next time.

fishingls · 02-20-2007, 07:17 PM

If you want a real insite to the challenges at Lowrance. Go to Cabela's bargain barn. I've never seen that many units on close out anywhere.

WaterDog · 02-20-2007, 07:43 PM

Lowrance is clearing out all the old units because they have changed all the model numbers.

Lowrance has not had any product since Dec and now new product is not due out until sometime in March. Makes it a bit though if a customer wants a unit on their new boat and you can't get it.

driftin buy · 02-20-2007, 08:37 PM

We have that model on our new boat. So far it has been great but the boat has only been on the water 15 times or so. I would like to know what kind of trouble you are having if you don't mind sharing.

FishTy · 02-20-2007, 09:01 PM

my problems were=

the first problem was most likely my fault. It was out of the boat while boat was getting serviced. and on my workbench and it just simply fell over.. not on the floor or anything just tipped over is all.. didn't worry me at all.. till I went to hook it back up. It wouldn't even come on..pretty FRAGEL peice of equipment I would say. so now I have a Peliken Case!
it goes in when its not in the boat! BUT they replaced it
and the second time there was something wrong with it right of the bat! but didn't relize the card reader wasn't working till I bought the new 2007 Navionics card and it wouldn't read it.. so back it went again! they said the card reader was bad...and it would be 2 weeks before they would have one ready for me!! SOOOO Now I WAIT!!!! hope fiishing don't get too good yet! KIND of BUMMED OUT!!!

Ty Lake

Bluto · 02-20-2007, 10:31 PM

I put a 26C HD in my boat a year and a half ago. Had a problem with the screen right out of the box, but they replaced it within the week and have had no problems since. I like the unit, but will probably go Furuno or Raymarine next time for the better radar options.

FishTy · 02-21-2007, 03:36 PM

I talked to LOWANCE today! and they are always nice people to talk to on the phone .. no complaints there! they basically told me that other people are in the same boat as me with the 26C..with a lttle back talking that it is a good unit which I agree when its working I love it! Its the best toy in my boat!! BAR NONE!! and also saying they have had some problems with that unit! and also they said that before my unit goes off warrenty ,that they would recomend that I get the extended warrenty!
Costing another $180 for 2 years...so I guess after that. my hands are tied.... guess I'm getting a extended Warrenty.. and hope by then, they get the issues with it fixed.....I HOPE!!! I have never spent that much for a fishfinder before... and just thought that since I was Buying a new boat I would treat myself to a nice depthfinder!! well only till warrenty is off and it breaks again.. then going back to a GARMIN had my garmen for over 8 years not one flaw... PlUS to add salt to the wound they said that they don't even have any to replace it right now!! could be atleast 2 weeks

NOW REALLY BUMMED OUT....guess good time to change line on reels and shine blades!!

Ty Lake

fishingls · 02-21-2007, 04:13 PM

Do yourself a favor, Garmin makes good units-however I think the 900 series from Humminbird beats anything Garmin offers. This is from someone who used think of anything from Humminbird as junk. I bought oa 900 series two years ago based just on specifications alone. It has been a great unit. This is also from someone who thought Raymarine, Furuno and Lowrance were the three best choices. I used two of those three brands for the prior 20 years.

Three years ago rumors were that Lowrance was in serious trouble. It appears the rumors were true with what I have heard about their products and with the ownership change.

TH · 02-21-2007, 05:27 PM

any word on the Lowrance 28c HD?
just ordered one for the new boat?

Catching Nemo · 02-21-2007, 06:08 PM

Fishty,

Ebay is screaming your name right now. LNIB Lowrance 26c HD mounted and only used once.........

Forget the extended warranty. If anything, they should give it to you for free. That certainly generates a lot of confidence when the Tech Support guys are telling you to spend another $180 for when (not if) your sounder goes down again. It might not be apples to apples but when Honda found a potential problem on my BF130 they extended the warranty for free. I would have told them to pound sand for telling me to pay them "X" amount of dollars to cover a known defect in their design.

nwsh · 02-21-2007, 07:44 PM

I just took my new 21' NR Seahawk our for it's first float last weekend. I have a new Lowrance X107CDF FF (being replaced by the 510 I think) which appeared to work great when I was going thru the slow speed break-in. When I picked up the speed it flipped out. I was in 400+ feet of water and it registered 3.5 feet. I about @#$%! Thought there was a sand bar I didn't know about. At times the screen would be filled with black dots. I turned it off then on and when I slowed down it would work. It appears the transducer is mounted per specs, but the dealer ran the cable from the dash to the transducer tie wrapped to the rest of the cables going to the engine. Not sure if that's the problem, but would appreciate hearing from anyone with similiar problems.

Catching Nemo · 02-22-2007, 05:54 AM

Running the ducer cable with the control cables shouldn't be a problem unless they crimped it somewhere. If it is being run with a power cable then you can have problems caused from electrical interference.

Bluto · 02-22-2007, 03:00 PM

I could also be that the ducer might need some adjusting. The turbulance coming off the bottom of the boat at speed could be messing up your signal if it isn't mounted just right.

D-tangle · 02-22-2007, 10:48 PM

My 25c turns off occasionally. I think it is because I have it wired through the battery that runs the motor. Doh! I will change that soon. The unit is crystal clear and I love it though.

If I had a unit that was defective and Lowrance wanted me to buy an extended warranty for 180 bucks, I would ship it back and ask for a different unit and model in trade. There is no way a known defect should cost you more. That is blackmail. Lowrance just went down a notch in my book.