Any you Lowrance guys out there....

[owent]

I'm having a problem with my HDS-7. I'm hoping there is an easy fix without having to send it in, and my warranty is outdated. The unit will only stay on when I hold the power button down. If I let go of the power button it instantly turns off. If I continue to hold the power down it runs as if nothing is wrong at all. Any of you have the same problem/resolution?

[kane-o]

to the " bass boat central " site and go to the lowrance forums, you will get an answer really fast over there.. good luck on fixing the unit

[Leon Pugh]

You do realize that unit is warranted for 2 years right. I am a bit unhappy with lowrance, I have had to units repleced because of water intrusion and the latest replacement is turning off when running.

[owent]

I actually thought the unit was only a one year warranty so Ill definitely have to look into that... thanks. Yeah Im thinking mine has to do with water intrusion considering it started acting up after a rainy day.

[Ken Sauret]

All HDS units come with a 2 year warranty so call customer service for a return authorization number and get it repaired. It sounds like the key pad is bad at the power button.

As for the comments about water inside the HDS units, Lowrance did have a problem with early units but fixed that issue months ago. What happens is an early unit sits on a shelf and finally sells and has the problem or it finally rains and water gets inside the unit exposing the problem. We had a wet year this year but if you didn't get out there in it the unit never got tested.

The engineers have been pulling samples from shipments since spring trying to get any of the new units seals to leak without any failures. They said the have broken a few but the seal holds just fine.

As for going to other web sites for answers, there are a few Lowrance Pro Staffers monitoring popular web sites so ask questions and you will get good information quicker than calling customer service in most cases. I am monitoring this site and the "other" popular one here in California so ask questions and if I don't know the answer I can get the answer. I check the web sites almost every day so just a little patience would be appreciated.

Thank you,

[Ken Sauret]

Leon,

As for the unit turning off while you are running, make sure you have the 3.0 software in the unit. The last version of software was 2.5. To check what version is currently in the unit, hit Menu, Menu, go to system and hit enter, go to the bottom to "About" and hit enter. The dialog box that appears has the version of software under the heading of "Application". Check this number with the newest version on lowrance.com and update if necessary.

[Brian D.]

Ken, I'm having problem installing the 3.0 update. Not sure if the file is correct for Win7 as the web site only mentions up to Win XP/Vista.

Keeps erroring out when I run the EXE to have the files installed on the SD card. I've all but given up. IMHO Java is a crappy install interface. Anyway, guess i have to spend time and money to get a seemingly simple update working correctly. UHg..

[Ken Sauret]

Hello Brian,

When you go to the web site and the stand alone installer doesn't work, that is when you click in the box that says to click here to install update on the SD card.

Go a little further down the page and find Troubleshooting and click the link to PC or Mac or Linux, whichever is the operating system you are using, and it should work just fine.

Here is the text on the page you're looking for;

"Troubleshooting
Please first try to download the stand-alone installer for your operating system. Choose the appropriate operating system below:
PC Win98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 | Mac OS X* | Linux "

[Marc]

+1; the stand alone installer process works just fine with Windows 7.

ciao,
Marc

[Brian D.]

Been there guys.. that file errors out when its being installed. I forget the error message and code. Ill try it again later this week.

[Dynastyworms]

Brian I'm located in anaheim and have the 3.0 chip upgrade. If you want pm me and we can meet and I'll download it to your units for you.

Z

[doug77]

Brian
If you cant figure it out UPS your unit to me and Ill do it for free-you pay the freight
Doug Chessmore
Ocean Aire Electronics
Santa Barbara,Ca
805-9629385

[Brian D.]

Appreciate the offers guys. I'll give it on last attempt. Maybe I'll but a new SD chip and start all over.

Worse case I can swing by Anglers Marine and have the fellas drop an upgrade chip into the units.

[roaroar]

I have been working with Lowrance on several issues. I am actually on my 4th unit. I am not an employee of lowerance so my statements here is just what we have been addressing with my issues that they are aware of. Each week I send a crash program to them so they can make the system better.

The issue with the unit turning off and turning back on is being address with version 3.5. I will be running this version starting this week for testing.
What actually has happen some of the mapping processes overload the memory and the unit re-boots. Seems to happen at the same place or at least the same latatude across the globe. All so with the lost of the mapping company last year there were some holes in the maps. This has been corrected. Seems to happen when you need it most.
Another issue is when it re-boots the track line is in South Africa in the Altantic ocean. 3.5 should correct this also.
They are also coming out with a western hd version that is really nice.

The water intursion was address and they should check your serial number and offer a replacement if it matches the units that were effected. Your dealer should do this for you.

As far as the unit not remaining on after the pwr button is released is an new one for me. I would have to think it is internal of the unit pwr button.
He was right about the site with the lowerance forum and also there is a site on facebook with almost live chat with a lowerance tech. not sure url but it was listed on here several months ago.