Thread: Lowrance SI preview

Well. I did buy a $700 unit from Lowrance maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I might add that $700 was worth alot more then, than it is now. It had a 12 month warranty and in 12 1/2 months it died. I called Lowrance and the rep told me based on the serial number is was alot older than 12 months. I got it from Cabela's and it must have sat on their shelf for quite awhile. I guess they don't rotate their stock. Anyway he told me to send the reciept with the unit and if it was only 2 weeks out of warranty, they would replace it. I sent the receipt and unit and they replaced the unit, with all the upgrades. I guess I was lucky.

I'm not arguing that someone shouldn't be mad, I know I would be. I would just like to see more specifics. FISHED OUT says "customer service sucks (Lowrance)- that's specific! SPECKFINDER- bought a unit 3 months ago and doesn't sound like it's ever worked. Also sounds like he can't get anyone at Lowrance to help him, I guess that supports what FISHED OUT is saying. JHEF- had a unit that had water in it. That's not good. This is the stuff that helps us make decisions.

Broad statements don't really say anything. Kind of like the ford vs chevy.

PS, I also saw an email address for Lowrance on this site if some one was looking for it. It was within the last week so it should be fairly easy to find.

I was at Talqin on the 16th. Tried my 997 but it would not come on. Called HB and they told me I could drive two hours and they would check it out. Before going I used my tester and it showed that I had power to the unit. When arriving at HB service center I was greeted by the receptionist who told me that the tech's were at lunch, but would be back in 20 min's. She took my unit and plugged in a power cord and the unit jumped to life. Shock. She then reached under the counter and hadden me a new power cord. No charge. Asked me to stay so that the tech could check it out. He did and upgraded the system. I thought that it was current, but he said that he had some update.

My hat is off to HB service department. Made the 4 hour round trip worth it. Thanks HB Service for being so proffessional.

Adding the new power cable tomorrow and will test the unit out wednesday.

Chuck

I called Garmin to ask a technical question about a product I was thinking of buying. I hung up after waiting on hold 30 minutes. Lowrance is earning themselves a bad name too. Waiting 30 minutes to realize you have the company idiot - priceless.

how much is the lowrance deal going to cost

An example of GOOD customer service (the kind I never got from Lowrance)--when I was thinking about adding a 997 instead of the Lowrance that came with my new boat 2 years ago, I had a ton of questions, especially about mounting--sound familiar? The boat dealer couldn't answer them (a Lowrance guy who had never mounted a 997), so he gave me the HB rep's contact information. My questions got a little technical--the interlink hadn't been out that long, the Humminbird PC software was brand new--so he sent me straight to one of the tech's who knew the product extremely well.

This guy was BUSY---shows, testing, etc. But he ALWAYS called me back, gave me his cell phone number, etc. Sent me pictures of the back of Al Linder's boat so that I could see exactly how to mount it on mine (I have a Lund), advised on the need for a separate high speed transducer and a transducer switch, mounting on a wafer board so that I could move the transducers if needed without drilling more holes in the boat (and I did move it--wafer board is a life saver). Long story short, best service I've ever gotten. Want more evidence? Where's the Lowrance version of "joby" on this website?

Last example--bought an LMS-200 (before my x-75) from lowrance--was told that I could get the firmware updates whenever they came out, etc. and that the unit was designed to stay current. Two months later, the unit was discontinued, no updates ever issued, and I'm stuck with a $750 unit that was outdated (by Lowrance) less than a year later. Calls brought absolutely no satisfaction. Still went back and bought the x-75, because Lowrance technology CAN be GOOD. But if I can get the tech from HB, with their customer service, good riddance to Lowrance.

I have not dealt with Lowrance much and have had problems with one of my humminbirds (777c2) and my interlink. Humminbird has been very good in taking care of me and my problems. Everything should be good after I get the interlink back (hopefully). I did have a few long waits on the phone but it was worth it to get everything taken care of. My dad just recently purchased two new HB's for his boat and we are hard to please.

Oh yeah, they should have cleaned the screen before shooting the video.

Well in the clip it seems the unit shows much more detail.

I hope it's more waterproof than my original 520. But for all of you Lowrance bashers, I'll just say that I sent my 520 back to the factory and has a brand new unit within 10 days, working directly through my dealer.

Maybe someday these SI units will be affordable. Just cant justify the expense--unless I was fishing for money. I don't. I fish for the love of fishing.

I look forward to seeing some more demo on youtube etc to see how things (like fish) are actually interpreted on the screen.

Back to real life and my 520.

aj

I have caused HB and Lowrance grief.:rolleyes: I have had no problems with getting stuff repaired/replaced from either company.

Lowrance replaces a 102C (free) that was 3 years out of warranty.

I can make good arguments.

HB sent me some noise stuff that fixed most of my HB problems (except GPS).

HB also fixed my 997 memory slot. No problems. Quick turn around.

I doubt seriously if I get rid of my HB SI because Lowrance is offering one....

I don't need either of 'em to catch fish. I just believe these things are cool toys.

I am a hard person to BS about this stuff too.

I have no preference.....except Garmin GPS......

PS

Lowrance does not lag behind in technology. That is a BS statement.

HB was just fiddle farting until acquired by Johnson Outdoors (The floor Wax people). They making big strides now.

You can bet that I want suck up to either of them.

MOAO