12-30-2013, 10:34 PM
My showdown had a leak on the screen that allowed water to get inside if it rained or you splashed on it, and I had to take it apart several times to get the leak sealed up, but it has functioned well. My only real complaint other than the leak is that it has issues powering up if the batteries aren't pretty new or if the unit doesn't stay warm. To work around this, I would just power it on before I left the truck and leave it powered on, or I would put it inside my clothing so my body heat would keep it warm.
I've since updated to a Lowrance Elite 4x Ice Machine. It has multiple softwater modes and it is in color. Both things I like. I have really fallen in love with this unit, except........ It stopped working on me during my last trip. I found the fuse was blown. I put a new fuse in, but it still wouldn't power up. I'm an electronics technician by trade, so I did some testing on it and found that power was getting to the console, but it still won't power up. I bought it at Cabelas, so I took it back (only had it since May and they have a 1 year over the counter warranty). They said the fastest way to get back up would be for them to give me a refund and then order a new one. So that's the route we went. When I went in to order the new one, I found they have a $100 rebate on that unit. So, I'm getting a new unit in 5 days and then $100 dollars in a few weeks (however long the rebate takes). Can't beat that with a fishing rod. I only hope the new one is more reliable, cause I sure love the unit. If I haven't scared you off from it by now, you can get one at Cabelas for $299, then send in the $100 rebate and you are in fat city for $199. Again, I think this unit is awesome, as long it will keep working. Lowrance is a great company, so I'm hoping I just got a lemon.
I've since updated to a Lowrance Elite 4x Ice Machine. It has multiple softwater modes and it is in color. Both things I like. I have really fallen in love with this unit, except........ It stopped working on me during my last trip. I found the fuse was blown. I put a new fuse in, but it still wouldn't power up. I'm an electronics technician by trade, so I did some testing on it and found that power was getting to the console, but it still won't power up. I bought it at Cabelas, so I took it back (only had it since May and they have a 1 year over the counter warranty). They said the fastest way to get back up would be for them to give me a refund and then order a new one. So that's the route we went. When I went in to order the new one, I found they have a $100 rebate on that unit. So, I'm getting a new unit in 5 days and then $100 dollars in a few weeks (however long the rebate takes). Can't beat that with a fishing rod. I only hope the new one is more reliable, cause I sure love the unit. If I haven't scared you off from it by now, you can get one at Cabelas for $299, then send in the $100 rebate and you are in fat city for $199. Again, I think this unit is awesome, as long it will keep working. Lowrance is a great company, so I'm hoping I just got a lemon.