LMS-332C question

[Scott D.]

Instead of getting an X-102 for the front and an LMS-332 at the console, I'm thinking about just getting two 332's. My question is are they going to interfere with eachother if I have both of them running at the same time? Also, how many of you have had problems with feedback from the trolling motor? I know of two guys with Minn Kota's with the Universal Sonar that have feedback issues on their 332's. One of them has the whole screen black out when he hits the trolling motor, the other guy just gets a black line at first and then clears up. thanks in advance.

[MrSkeeter]

I have the LMS-480m on the bow and the LMS-332C on the console of my Skeeter ZX185C. I've got the Minn Kota ProMax80 w/o the US.

I do see a small bit of interference when I hit the trolling motor. A black line, but will clear up after a bit.

I've read/talked to Jay Liu and I think he said that can be fixed by some grounding method. I'll need to talk to him again as I've really forgotten exactly ... But you can also give him a call as well.

[photon]

have a 332C at the console, and a 125 up front. There is some interference between the 2 when both are on......looks like vertical streaks on the screen. Seems to effect them both, but the 332 more. Might be from my settings though. I usually turn the 332 chart off(menu option) when I'm up front.

[Marc]

Scott,

There will be no difference between the 332c and the 102c if you have interference issues with your boat wiring, and no difference in the amount of crosstalk between units. Both are manageable. You should do a search on this topic on this website and you will find some lengthy discussions on these topics.

Both the 332c and the 102c have the same receiver unit, which is why there will not be a difference.

I like running a 332c on the front of my boat because I use the GPS features all the time...but I have been using Lowrance electronics since the little green box days. Many anglers have little use for a GPS on the bow. Although I believe they are missing out, it works for them because they don't know what they are missing...or maybe they don't want or have the time to learn how to use a GPS unit on the bow (just want to keep fishing simple). You have to decide if a bow-mounted GPS is of value to you.

If you do run a 332c on both the console and bow, I highly suggest adding the LowranceNet cable as well, so you can share sensor info and also only need one antenna.

The Universal Sonar in my experience doesn't cause more or less interference...what matters is how well your boat and electronics are grounded.

[da bass guy]

you do not need the 332c up front. the gps will not work unless you are going 3 miles an hour or more. go with the same unit without the gps. I think it is the x102.

[Marc]

Actually you do not need to be moving 3 mph for a GPS to work. If you are sitting perfectly still in your parking lot, and turn on your GPS, it will pinpoint your position even though you were not moving 3 mph.

While a GPS unit can be programmed to update its screen only if you are moving a specified speed, most units are set to update your position at timed intervals that the user can set. Many are set to update your position every 3 seconds.

I use a 332c unit to stay directly over key structure without the need for a marker buoy, whether I'm in river current or on a calm lake. When fishing flats and drifting with the wind or moving with your electric motor while covering lots of water with a crankbait or other search bait. Then when I catch a bass, or find some neat structure feature, I can punch in the waypoint. This way I can continue searching and return to the same spot later, or stay on the spot regardless of wind or current.

There are quite a few pros who have been doing this for years now. It works.

ciao,
Marc

[MrSkeeter]

... I use a 332c unit to stay directly over key structure without the need for a marker buoy ...

Marc,

I wonder about this myself. It's my understanding that the GPS units have an accuracy of maybe a 50 feet (or was it yards) radius. If that's the case, how can you "stay ... over key structure"??

[Marc]

Man, you guys are trying to bleed me of all my tips. I guess with a name like yours I can go ahead and share some more.

First of all, since the removal by the Government of Selective Availability, GPS signals on most days are barely degraded in accuracy at all. In most cases your accuracy with a good unit that locks onto multiple satellites will be within feet of the coordinate.

Secondly, when I save a waypoint I note the depth of the structure, and I put the depth reading as part of the waypoint name so I can remember how deep the structure is at that waypoint. For instance, I will name a spot "Rockpile 33". That tells me I'm fishing a noticeable rockpile that the top is in 33 feet.

Now when the wind blows me off a spot, I look at my GPS unit in the bow, and head toward Rockpile 33. I use the split screen with the sonar on one side, and I look at the depth reading and watch as I approach the waypoint for the depth to come back up to 33 feet. Bingo, you hit the spot first time and everytime. Once you get back on the spot you can visually verify your position by the picture on your sonar screen as well. It really isn't hard.

I also set my GPS to refresh my position at the fastest rate possible. Your manual explains how to do this.

I have more waypoint naming tricks, but I'm saving those for future discussions.