Lowrance LMS-332C

[2iar]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience or opinions on this combo?

I'm just exploring some options at this stage, but this looked pretty good in the price range (I particularly like the 480x480 resolution).

Good luck,
Mike

[slacky]

I bought one for christmas and the gps module has shit its self.I was talking to a dealer and was told that I should have waited for the next model.Not only problem with module but also a problem with buttons.great unit when its going and not at lowrancewrance getting fixed

[Blue_Escape]

Hey Mike,
I picked up one at last years T&T show for my tinnie! Tin boat only has a small side console so I went for the combo to save space. Couldn't be happier with it and no probs in last 12+ months. The 480x480 resolution is fantastic and colours are brilliant even in direct sunlight. Due to the great graphics I can split screen GPS/Sounder and get usefull info from both simultaneously. I did a lot of research and came to same conclusion that this was the best package around for what I wanted - compact (combo) unit, great graphics, (relativelly ;) )good price. I mainly stick to estuary / bay, if you are heading into bluewater might want to pay a bit more for the 337C? Like all electronics there will always be a new model around the corner...sometimes better, sometimes not...but you have to jump in and get your feet wet some time. :D

Cheers
Blue

[2iar]

Thanks for the input guys.

I suppose a dicky unit can happen with any brand, but it seems to be what I'm after when it's working.

My main reson for looking at this one is that I've only got a small dash, but big enough to fit this dash mounted, whereas I wouldn't be able to fit decent individual GPS & sounders. I realise that the general feeling is that having a combo is putting all your eggs in one basket, but I'll hang on to the handheld etrex as backup GPS.

I won't be heading offshore, so the single beam should do - I did notice that they now seem to come in both internal & external GPS antennae options (the internal being a bit dearer). What do you guys have? Do you use Navionics, and if so is it any good?

Thanks again,
Mike

[Blue_Escape]

Mike,
I have the model with external antenna which I think is better for reception. Haven't heard much about the internal models so can only assume they woul get poorer signal under cabin roof or canopy. Remember GPS signals are very weak so take every advantage.

Yes, I've got a Navionics Gold XL chart ....has so far ;) kept me off any sand bars, reefs etc. so can't complain, main beacons appear to be correct as well. Plus it looks "pretty" ::) on the 332C!

Blue

[2iar]

Thanks Blue,

I had the same thoughts on internal vs external myself. The internal's more expensive and the external antennae looked so small that it wouldn't be any problem finding a spot for it. I'll probably go go for external then.

Good to hear about the card, that's just what's needed with my navigational skills...how easy (ie expensive) is it to shift your marks between the unit and you PC?

Thanks again for the advice,
Mike

[Fishin_Dan]

Definately go the external antennae Mike. Better reception. You should be able to mount it either just in front of your windscreen (Hello hole saw to your fibreglass! ;D ), or you could also mount it on top of your canopy...

If you get yourself a rocket launcher just before you get this combo, you could mount the antennae on that ;)

[Fishin_Dan]

how easy (ie expensive) is it to shift your marks between the unit and you PC?

From the look of the details on the website, when you buy the mapping kit, it comes with a card reader that you connect to your computer. You use that (along with the software) to upload your points to the card. You then plug the card into the unit, and it gets them all from there.

In regards to converting all your marks over, I have software I can give you that will do it for you. Happy to show you how to do it when the time comes.

Cheers,
Dan

P.S - That unit does look very nice! It will go well in the spot you're thinking of!!!

[2iar]

Definately go the external antennae Mike. Better reception. You should be able to mount it either just in front of your windscreen (Hello hole saw to your fibreglass! ;D ), or you could also mount it on top of your canopy...

If you get yourself a rocket launcher just before you get this combo, you could mount the antennae on that ;)


I reckon it will go fine on top of the dash behind the compass - it's shaped like a mushroom with quite a small diameter. I don't think the canopy would cause any issues, afterall the cheapo eTrex works fine there. I could easily re-locate it if there are ny problems.

Good luck,
Mike

[2iar]

how easy (ie expensive) is it to shift your marks between the unit and you PC?

From the look of the details on the website, when you buy the mapping kit, it comes with a card reader that you connect to your computer. You use that (along with the software) to upload your points to the card. You then plug the card into the unit, and it gets them all from there.


Yeah, but the portable card reader costs a few bucks (~ $300). It might be easier if you can connect a laptop directly to the unit and grab them off. I don't imagine I'd do this often enough to justify buying the reader.

Then again, I know what I'm like in tackle shops ::)

good luck,
Mike

[Fishin_Dan]

You could just manually type all the spots in.... ::)

Depending on what type of card it is, you could possibly use one of those "Multi-Card" readers you can get for computers... You see them on ebay all the time cheap. Maybe they would work?

Does anyone know if that is possible?

[bay_firey]

G'day Mike

Only used mine a couple of times now but am more than happy with it
Very easy to read in daylight and at night

As for a card reader all you need is a $50 multi card reader from your local electronics/computer shop. The lowrance units use standard sd/mmc cards. Just don't try using your map card to transfer waypoints etc, use a seperate card - no more than $30 - $50 dollars from the same shop as the reader

From my research the xl3 card for the east coast should set you back between $350 - $400, would pay to shop around before commiting your hard earned.

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Mike,

You are on the right track.

Give me a call before you part with your money ;)

Cheers

Pete

[2iar]

G'day Mike,

You are on the right track.

Give me a call before you part with your money ;)

Cheers

Pete


Thanks Pete, I was hoping you'd say that ;)

I'm sure the wife's got an old Palm Pilot kicking around that uses MMC, so I might get around needing a Lowrance card reader and save a few bucks.

I'll give you a shout in a few months - I'm a bit behind budget after the repairs :(

Good luck,
Mike