Wallgeye
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Wondering if anyone else is having this issue. I have had the boat out eh, 5 times or so this year, for opener my 113c worked ok. was out on the St. Croix and also was working ok. Last week, I hit Mil lacs and found that my sonar would act up if I stayed in the weeds for a while.
Here's what happened. Motored through a flat that was 20fow and showed weeds coming up 8 feet or so, cabbage from what came up with the hook a few times. When we came across on a drift over this flat, the depth started going hokey and the sonar screen started hiccuping before it stopped and the depth was reading something off base like 400 ft and flashing. I rebooted everything a couple times, no luck. We took off and after a few minutes in deeper water and moving everything started working properly again.
I then spent a day at a friends cabin on thursday and had the same issues, under 20fow and weeds while drifting would eventually cause the unit to start acting erratically and then lock up. It would reset if I started to move and got into deeper water.
I had some issues last year with the 113 locking up in shallow water (less then 5fow and weedy) and heard others were having issues and this was supposed to be addressed with a software update from Lowrance.
I did move my transducer this spring to make room for a Humminbird puck and am wondering if I am just not set correctly. Since adding a kicker to the boat last year I have fought to get the boat loaded level on the trailer. When I set the transducer up I tried to take into account the boat was not sitting level on the trailer.
Just how close to dead on do I need to be with the transducer being square to the bottom?
Has anyone else had some issues with units locking up again this year?
Mine acts like the transducer is being unplugged and can't understand why, I replaced the transducer last year while trouble shooting a similar problem that turned out to be a bum unit, of course the new unit Lowrance sent me is now out of warranty. This is one of those problems I cant seem to locate a physical cause to, 'cept the fact I am over weeds and drifting or anchored seems to be the only thing that sets it off.
I have had this happen with and without the humminbird on at the same time. I have some interference with both units on, the side scan seems to shrug off the lowrance interference and the Lowrance give me some static on the screen but not enough to make me shut one off in favor of the other.
Battery voltage with the main engine off was 12v so I dont think it is a voltage issue.
Thanks for any suggestions!
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fireball
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Download the latest update form Lowrance.
set your ping speed to around 80%
set to autodepth and sensitivity..
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jak
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Only can your question about transducer mounting. If your trans. is slightly off center, as in your sitting on one side of the boat and the boat tilts to one side or the other. This will not affect the reading as the pulse is a cone. The depth reading will always be the shortest 'ping'. So if the trans. is tipped slightly as long as one edge of the cone is vertical you will get an accurate reading of depth below the boat.
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*Nick*
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Did you move it since I seen it? I really think the mounting wasn't that good. And were you running the Bird with that too, did you try turning bird off and seeing if that made any difference?
Edited by *Nick* (06/28/08 03:45 PM)
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Bob Schroden
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I have been having the exact same issues with my 522C.
It works fine when not in weeds and in deeper that 12' water.
Shallow weedy areas, nothing but a flashing depth.
I have exchanged units twice, tried two different transducers, tried every setting low to high with the same result, a flashing depth.
I know it is not the transducer because I do not have any problems with my 102C hooked up the the same transducer.
I even tried calling Lowrance, waited on hold for 35 minutes, and they told me to turn down the sensitivity down. Tried that, no help.
My current unit has the newest 2.4 version, the other two had the 2.1 & 2.3, with no difference on any of them.
My unit is still under warranty, I may up exchanging again.
I really wish someone had a answer to this problem, I'm all ears! 
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dandorn
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Bob,
Did Lowrance e-mail you the 2.4 update and if so did they
state what it was supposed to fix or add?
I just checked the Lowrance site and they're still showing
the 2.3 as the latest update.
Thanks,
Dan
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Bob Schroden
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Hi Dan,
My last exchange of the 522 last week had the 2.4 pre loaded on the unit.
I do not know the difference between the 2.3 & 2.4.
My first 522 had 2.1.
My second had 2.3.
My current third unit has 2.4.
All have the same result with the flashing depth in shallow weedy water.
Any other suggestions?? 
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dandorn
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Lowrance Support
That's all I got for ya.
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Wallgeye
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I'll try messing with the settings, they are not too far off from default anyway so I can always reset back to factory.
This has been somewhat of an issue since "upgrading" to the 113c last spring, my 332c would not hiccup no matter how shallow or weedy things got. Like I said, after fighting all last summer I finally rma'd my 113 and it was replaced with a new unit, all I was told was that something internal failed. I was not getting any depth at all with that, as if the transducer was not even hooked up. I think internal connections for it went bad, all I would get was water temp.
Nick,
I did move the lowrance puck a bit, the guys that installed the 'bird set the lowrance way too high, bottom of it was not even near the bottom of the boat. So, I really only lowered it to where it shoule be. Yes, the two transducers are no more then 3 inches apart but they really do work pretty good, I get SI bottom readings at 15mph or so still with the bird and I do not lose bottom at 5mph now with the Lowrance. With both units on, I only get a bit of interference showing on the screen of the Lowrance, the bird does not seem bothered by the other transducer in SI mode. I have tried this with the bird off, with the broadband on and off and any other combination I can think of. My software was updated before opener, am running ver. 2.3 dated 3/10/08 in the 113 and the 37.
I am not so sure the problem is not the nut behind the wheel though!  Really, from someone who builds his own computers and does some gaming, the way the unit reacts is like it is getting more information then it can handle and is "lagging" as they say in the gaming world. I'll mess with ping speed and sensitivity settings some, already run it in autodepth.
I am coming off my midnights and heading to Mil lacs this afternoon for a day and a half. Will get some time to poke around with it some.
The transducer seems fine fore and aft, the side to side looks ok the the ol' eyeball. Because of the cant to the passenger side I always get when trailered and the angles of the hull I was never confident I was dead on with the left to right.
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll poke around some more and see what happens!
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Waxy
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I am having the same issues with my 113HD, and it's driving me crazy. Mine seems even worse though, it'll just check out for no reason sometimes regardless of the depth or bottom conditions, but shallow water and weeds really tick it off.
It's not as ticked off as I am though, my big $$$ main sonar unit sucks compared to the "cheap" X-125 I have on the bow. 
Please keep us posted on any results or fixes you come up with.
Waxy
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fishmark
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I have the same problem.... shallow water with weeds and my X-25 depth display flashes. The transducer is mounted correctly and I have played with every adjustment there is on the thing. I think Lowrance has a problem... it can't be all of us. Hope they figure this out.
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Wallgeye
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Well, I am still waiting for a reply from Lowrance. I had the boat out last weekend and had the same issues as before. No amount of dinking with sensitivity,surface clutter and any other tabs I could find seemed to have any effect once it started acting up. I am curious about a post I saw a few days ago. Someone posted that they read/heard about a bulletin from Lowrance stating that "shallow water" mode should be selected when operating in less then 100 fow or something when using the broadband sounder. I'll try it next time, is set for fresh water atm. Really not holding my breath as this happened before I installed the broadband sounder anyway.
Might have to resort to buying another transducer, (current one has seen water 10 times maybe?) I got some screen shots of the sonar while acting up and will try to post after I get them off the unit.
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Jason Halfen
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Same problem with my X25C....shallow soft bottom with weeds gives it fits. Running off the universal sonar 'ducer in my bowmount. My X38C that is running off a glassed-in, through hull 'ducer works fine.
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Jason Halfen ~ IDO Pro Staff
Guided walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in western Wisconsin: JasonHalfenOutdoors.com
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Waxy
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I've talked to a number of the tournament guys in my area and spent a couple hours at the local tackle shop discussing this one.
There are LOTS of Lowrance units out there with this problem, and Lowrance doesn't seem to know what to do about it from what they can gather.
The latest conpsiracy theory - The guys at The Fishin' Hole are more than a little suspicious about the suddenly large manufacturers rebates that Lowrance is offering on units that practically never go on sale. Huge red flag for the guy I know that works there.
Waxy
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Jason Halfen
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Quote:
The latest conpsiracy theory - The guys at The Fishin' Hole are more than a little suspicious about the suddenly large manufacturers rebates that Lowrance is offering on units that practically never go on sale. Huge red flag for the guy I know that works there.
It's possible, just possible, that because the economy is a bit "soft" right now, none of these high 3 to 4-figure locators are moving off the shelves, and this is a way to get rid of some summer stock.
Just a possibility, mind you...
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Jason Halfen ~ IDO Pro Staff
Guided walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in western Wisconsin: JasonHalfenOutdoors.com
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Waxy
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Quote:
It's possible, just possible, that because the economy is a bit "soft" right now, none of these high 3 to 4-figure locators are moving off the shelves, and this is a way to get rid of some summer stock.
Just a possibility, mind you...
We both know you're likely right, but what fun is that? 
Like most theories, stereotypes, etc..., I think there's probably a grain of truth to it though. Some of the reason for the slow sales might also be due to people getting frustrated or nervous about problems and dependability and going over to Garmin or Hummingbird too...
I know I for one would thing long and hard about my next purchase. When you're spending 4 figures, it should work flawlessly.
Waxy
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Whatsa
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My buddy just bought the 522 to tie in with his x17 and last week we had problems with the x 17 unit depth flashing to zero in deep water and jumping into 150 fow mode. We had just hooked up the new transducer from the 522 to the back so he could run the color unit up front off the Minkota or drop it in back and run the depth off the color and the mapping off the x-17. We decide to hook the x 17 up to the new transducer and it worked like a store room model on simulator. He called Lowrance and they are sending him a new transducer.....I'd check it out with a different transducer if you know anybody else that has one.....
Whatsa
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CaptainAmerica
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Quote:
Quote:
large manufacturers rebates that Lowrance is offering on units that practically never go on sale./quote]
It's possible, just possible, that because the economy is a bit "soft" right now, none of these high 3 to 4-figure locators are moving off the shelves, and this is a way to get rid of some summer stock.
Just a possibility, mind you...
"Soft market", what an understatement. Most every boat builder has layed off hundreds and some builders have
stopped production - forever. Boaterword and West Marine
business is in the gutter. A West Marine just closed in
my area. Ever check out RayMarine. They seem to have constant rebates, as does Furuno. Marina gas in my area is at $4.50 a gallon. My boat is mostly parked on the trailor
and the electronics are off the boat and indoors.
$45 for 10 gallons of gas, and you don't go to far on that.
This is not a conpsiracy, but more of an attempt at survival, and there's no fun involved!
I boat on a very large river. When I go out most times
the only other boat I will see is the Coast Guard, but
they do seem to be having fun.
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Waxy
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Quote:
My buddy just bought the 522 to tie in with his x17 and last week we had problems with the x 17 unit depth flashing to zero in deep water and jumping into 150 fow mode. We had just hooked up the new transducer from the 522 to the back so he could run the color unit up front off the Minkota or drop it in back and run the depth off the color and the mapping off the x-17. We decide to hook the x 17 up to the new transducer and it worked like a store room model on simulator. He called Lowrance and they are sending him a new transducer.....I'd check it out with a different transducer if you know anybody else that has one.....
Whatsa
I've got a new transducer to try on the weekend. My 113HD did seem to work somewhat better using the Universal Sonar unit in my trolling motor when I swapped them front to back. However, my X-125 seemed to work OK using the rear transducer, so I'm not convinced.
It can't hurt, but I have my doubts it's going to solve the problem.
Waxy
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Perch_44
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I have an X52ds that does the same thing when i get in any shallow water under like 6ft. the depth just flashes and i get lots of vertical lines and the depth scale constantly changes.
anything under 15ft and i have leave it in manual mode, or the graph gets the vertical lines as it is constantly changing the depth scale from 0-10 to 0-20 to 0-40, and back and forth.
i've been about ready more times than not to unplug it and throw it as far as i can...
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“When the search for truth is confused with political advocacy, the pursuit of knowledge is reduced to the quest for power”
Alton Chase
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Wallgeye
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Finally got a response from Lowrance, nothing earth shattering except I have learned that weeds and grass in lakes seem to be a "northern states" phenomenon. A paste of the email:
Thanks for the email response,
We are hearing a few reports from the field in the northern states, where grass and weeds are prevalent , that people are experiencing problems such as yours. The software technicians are working on this matter in the field. In the mean time, here is something that should give you relief:
1) Take the unit(s) out of auto depth and auto sensitivity mode
2) Set your depth parameter based on the actual depth of water that you are navigating/fishing in (0-20, 0-30, etc.)
3) Adjust the sensitivity setting where you see sharp details on the display (bottom, surface clutter, fish targets, etc.) as it relates to the return sonar signal but only to the point where you are not picking up more than is desirable.
At least they did not tell me to replace the transducer again. I replaced it last fall and this one has only been wet 10 times or so. I really doubt its the transducer. The old one worked fine with my 332c, and did not with the 113, the new one works just like the old one did when connected to the 113.
Not sure when I am getting on the water again, if anyone has any luck following the guidelines offered to me by Lowrance I'd love to hear about it!
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Waxy
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The guys at The Fishin' Hole here in Calgary, AB faxed me a letter they got from Lowrance.
It basically says the same thing as Wallgeye's email.
Got to Shallow Water settings, turn off everything Auto - Sensitivity, Depth Range, Chart Speed, etc, and turn the unit to Chart Manual Mode.
Now adjust your sensitivity manually to desired settings and use the zoom feature to adjust your depth between 0-20'.
I won't be out this weekend to try it, but I'll try and report their findings. It seems crazy to me to have to disable all of the convenience features of the unit, especially the auto depth range, in order to get the unit to work.
They're clearly having some software issues.
Waxy
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Wallgeye
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Quote:
It seems crazy to me to have to disable all of the convenience features of the unit, especially the auto depth range, in order to get the unit to work.
Aint that the truth! 
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Perch_44
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thats what i have been doing in shallow water is switching the unit to manual mode. but it still loses bottom completely when under 5-6ft of water, the depth just flashes. i am looking to buy a new unit, and this is seriously making me look at different brands. I emailed them this week also explaining my issues, and my lack of confidence in their product with so many others having this same issue with all kinds of different models. I also included weblinks to some of the threads on this site where it has been discussed.
I've yet to get a reply back...
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“When the search for truth is confused with political advocacy, the pursuit of knowledge is reduced to the quest for power”
Alton Chase
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whofan
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Me too! I`ll join the club. I have the X510c same as above. Lowrance has a problem that they are trying to shrug off. I want my X75 back! Sent mine in for repair got it back with new transducer same problem. called Lowrance again they just had me disable the auto depth scrolling. I don`t think I like this. I want my money back. My saga will continue. I can`t afford to eat $500. Not happy 
Edited by whofan (07/28/08 08:10 PM)
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Lowrance 'ducer issue?
