Lowrance Question....

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:22 pm

I'm looking to upgrade my 480 w/ GPS to an LCX-17m Sonar with GPS

Does anyone know if I can just simply swap out the units using my cables/plugs/connectors used with the 480, or do I have to run new wires/connectors?

thanks for any help
Tomas

Rob D · Post by **Rob D** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:40 pm

I went from a X135 to the LCX17M, was able to keep the same transducer, but changed the power cable. You do have to hook up the NMEA power source to have power for the GPS antena, and you have to run a cable for the antena. Was one of the easiest hookups I have done except I had to figure out the hard way that I needed that NMEA power. Good luck.

MrSkeeter · Post by **MrSkeeter** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:10 pm

Yes the LMS480m and the LCX17 use the same cables and transducers ... but IMHO, not worth the 'upgrade' ... if you were to do an upgrade go with either the LMS332C/LMS334C or the LCX-25C ...

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:13 pm

it sounds like it would work because the 480 is GPS ready so it sounds like i can just plug her in

thanks for the input

Tomas · Post by **Tomas** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:18 pm

hey, thanks Skeeter for the input!

one more question since you seem to be well knowledge in this stuff...what about the navionics card/memory?
which one is good for california lakes and the delta

thanks again for the help

MrSkeeter · Post by **MrSkeeter** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:44 pm

Thomas'

I personally did the same "upgrade", went from a 480m to a 17m, then to a 332C ... I love the 332C that I have now.

Concerning the maps, I use the Lowrance Hotmaps Elite WEST for lakes and the Lowrance NauticPath for the Delta. The Navionics chip, I don't have any personal experience with. I've heard good and bad about it. But one thing for sure, it's much more expensive than either of the Lowrance maps.

Both the Hotmaps and the NauticPath can be purchase locally for $99 or over the internet for ~$80. The Navionics maps are maybe $150-200 or so ... they may have more lakes, but you would still want one for the Delta. Gene at the hook recommended the NauticPath for the delta and I'm really happy with it.

You can go to the lowrance site and check it out to see if the Hotmaps will meet your needs. The lakes they support are very detailed. But they don't support some lakes like Oroville (but I personally know that lake well enough).

ash · Post by **ash** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:42 am

Rob D wrote: You do have to hook up the NMEA power source to have power for the GPS antena, and you have to run a cable for the antena. Was one of the easiest hookups I have done except I had to figure out the hard way that I needed that NMEA power. Good luck.

Quite true on the NMEA power cable the book is vague. The install took me some time, but this was my first install and I had to re-run the ducer and GPS puck. If you are just doing power and GPS I figure about an hour and 1/2 from start to finish.