Lowrance GPS' and Chartplotters

[SEMIJim]

Thot I'd start taking a look at GPS' and chartplotters. Searched this sub-forum and found comments to the effect that Lowrance products were good, and a heckuva lot less expensive than Garmin. (That second part certainly seems true.) So, perusing Lowrance's site, I found a product that fits my "GPS budget": Lowrance 5300C iGPS Chartplotter. It seems to be a new product for them in 2007, but I'm wondering if anybody's used one of these?

One of the things I'm wondering about is the internal antenna. The advantage I see is I could put a bracket in a place nearby the tiller or on the binnacle (if a wheel), and another in the cabin, and easily move the unit from point-to-point. But I wonder about the performance of the internal antenna version as opposed to the external antenna version.

Next up is the Lowrance LMS-522C iGPS Sonar/GPS Chartplotter Combo. Much to my surprise, this unit, which appears identical to the 5300C iGPS, but with the addition of sonar, appears to sell for only another $60 to $100? Are these sonars effective and useful? Worth the additional cost, or just trick gadgets with which to amuse one self and impress guests?

Lowrance, for their sonar-equipped models, talk about "transom-mounted" sonar transducers. Sounds like a simple install for the transducer? (Or am I just clueless?)

TIA,
Jim

[T34C]

I am currently using an older Lowrance chartplotter w/sonar and can only report excellent results. It takes a little getting used to the different commands from on e company to another, but one you know how to work a Lowrance, you can use any of their models. the sonar works great and can be used with a thru-hull mount. (search threads for a discussion of this recently). Let me know if you have specific questions. I don't know the model mentioned, but as I said they all tend to function the same with same buttons on face.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by T34C

I am currently using an older Lowrance chartplotter w/sonar and can only report excellent results. It takes a little getting used to the different commands from on e company to another, but one you know how to work a Lowrance, you can use any of their models. the sonar works great and can be used with a thru-hull mount. (search threads for a discussion of this recently). Let me know if you have specific questions. I don't know the model mentioned, but as I said they all tend to function the same with same buttons on face.

Through hull or IN hull?

I'm not up for putting anymore holes in the bottom of my boat, but am thinking another sounder backing up the orignal might be a good idea should the old one go Tango Uniform.

[T34C]

Originally Posted by midlifesailor

Through hull or IN hull?

I'm not up for putting anymore holes in the bottom of my boat, but am thinking another sounder backing up the orignal might be a good idea should the old one go Tango Uniform.

It can be mounted inside the boat, but the transducer actually shoots thru the hull. I think having it as backup is a good plan, however with the ability to have all the data on one screen you might end up with the old one as the back up.

[SEMIJim]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Guess nobody 'round here has used either of what I'm looking at. Oh boy: I get to be a pioneer!

[T34C]

I looked at the the 520 and the 525 today, but didn't see a 522. Not sure the difference in the 520 and 525 as both look similar. Both semed like good units and very much like the 320 I currently use.

[Everlong]

i have bought the 522 and used it forabout a month, ilove it, screen is nice, readable in sunlight etc. Love the sonar function on it. Worth every cent.

[BarryL]

Hello,

I am on my second Lowrance unit. The first one was sold along with the boat. I bought the second one (LMS337C DF) for the new boat. BTW, the 522 and 337 are about the same unit).

You are correct that that 522 and 5300 are the same unit, with the addition of SONAR on the 522. The SONAR is great, you can use it like a simple depthfinder, or like a fishfinder (if you fish) and to see what the bottom is like if you anchor out. The unit comes with a 'transom mount' transducer. If your boat has a solid 'glass hull you can mount the xducer inside the hull and it will work great. On my last boat I epoxied the xducer in and it worked great. Since then I have heard that toilet bowl wax works, so I tried it on this boat and it has been working great since April.

The internal antenna works great as long as the unit is mounted outside. A dodger or bimini won't cause any problems. The internal antenna makes mounting the unit easy because there is one less wire to run.

A couple of things to know about the new Lowrance units. They use the new style NMEA 2000 network. The SONAR uses a separate cable. Note that the cable connectors are big (about 1" diameter) and can't be cut. So you need a way to run them. I am still working that out.

They also support the older NMEA 0183 (or whatever it is called). I have my DSC radio connected that way.

Anyway, in conclusion, I believe that Lowrance units are a great value and work well. The screen is bright and clear, the high detail charts are cheap (about $60 for the entire US), and the SONAR is great to have. Compared to a comparable Garmin unit, the Lowrane is about half the price.

One last thing, download the product emulator onto you PC and play with it. It's a great way to learn the unit before you buy one, and good to practice with after you install it.

Barry

[SEMIJim]

Thanks for the detailed follow-up, BarryL. (Also thanks to T34C and Everlong. Guess I missed your follow-ups, previously.)

Okay, looks like I'd have to go w/the external antenna, then. We were briefly considering a boat with a wheel, but we've both come to the conclusion that a 28-30 foot boat with a wheel isn't for us. So, since we'll almost certainly have a tiller boat, I think mounting it just inside the companionway, on an articulated arm, will be the way to go.

Are you certain the cables can't be cut and then spliced back together? The only way I can think of getting a 1" connector from the transom to inside the cabin would be through one of the engine compartment vents. Kinda crude, but I suppose it would work.

Oh, and yeah: I intent to fool with the product emulator at some point. Right now, tho, we're still concentrating on finding a boat to put the danged chartplotter on!

Jim

[camaraderie]

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