08-05-2024, 05:01 AM
Quite a timely topic. I recently discovered my 2005 Lowrance LCX 111c HD has been dating all of my newly created waypoints to November 2004. Further, I think it's been going on for a couple of years. I never really paid much attention. More recently it's been zooming out to the east or to the south and back. According to my map, I went to Spain and back in seconds. This throws off my trip calculater big time, it has read over 10,000 miles and maximum speeds of nearly 400MPH.
It appears to be my external GPS antenna that's at fault. I ordered a new, very much updated one, but Lowrance has changed their cabling and connectors in the interim. Still working on that and hopefully it will get fixed soon.
Lowrance told me that it was most likely my display failing. I have an older standard radar, the new ones are broadband and much better at close range, so much better for collision avoidance. I've considered upgrading in the past but never did.
I also have cable steering in my boat with a Simrad rotary autopilot, which required wiring back then. Newer stuff is all plug and play, but only Lowrance and Simrad offer cable steer autopilots now.
My criteria for buying new stuff is whether it will put more fish in my boat or complete failure. If I can't get my Lowrance working, I'll have to replace it, of course. I'd go the a 12" Simrad display, radar and AP, in addition to a new VHF radio. The NSS12 evo3S is about $3700 plus transducer, the radar is $1900, the AP is $1450 (but does patterns). It will have Downscan, Sidescan and standard sonar, I'm not convinced it will put more fish in my boat. Total cost could be ~$7000. We'll see.
It appears to be my external GPS antenna that's at fault. I ordered a new, very much updated one, but Lowrance has changed their cabling and connectors in the interim. Still working on that and hopefully it will get fixed soon.
Lowrance told me that it was most likely my display failing. I have an older standard radar, the new ones are broadband and much better at close range, so much better for collision avoidance. I've considered upgrading in the past but never did.
I also have cable steering in my boat with a Simrad rotary autopilot, which required wiring back then. Newer stuff is all plug and play, but only Lowrance and Simrad offer cable steer autopilots now.
My criteria for buying new stuff is whether it will put more fish in my boat or complete failure. If I can't get my Lowrance working, I'll have to replace it, of course. I'd go the a 12" Simrad display, radar and AP, in addition to a new VHF radio. The NSS12 evo3S is about $3700 plus transducer, the radar is $1900, the AP is $1450 (but does patterns). It will have Downscan, Sidescan and standard sonar, I'm not convinced it will put more fish in my boat. Total cost could be ~$7000. We'll see.
Single main, no kicker. 