Lowrance point-1 antenna

[Large6er]

point-1 install question UPS dropped off my point-1 antenna for my lowrance elite 7 today and the installation directions weren't real clear. Do I wire the point-1 to the battery or fuse block like I have or is it powered through the NMEA connection of the sonar? I admit I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to electronics so I need some advice. Also do I have to get into the settings somewhere and tell the sonar I attached an antenna. Large6er

[justinp61]

You will need a NMEA starter kit if you don't already have one. The point 1 should come with one T and a 15' cable. The starter kit will have two Ts, two terminator ends and a power node. If you wire the power node directly to the battery it will be on all the time, so it needs to be on a switch. I added a small LED indicator light so I would have a visual reminder that it's on.

Look here http://www.bbcboards.net/lowrance-ga...eshooting.html. Scroll down in the first post, there is a diagram titled "sample Lowrance network for HDS models". Yours should look like this when finished, it may have more or less Ts depending what accessories you add.

[Flint]

Do put a switch on the power wire else you will run the battery down.

[Large6er]

Wow that link had a ton of information, thanks Justin. And I see why you need to add a switch, great tip. Man I thought when I bought the elite 7 it was a plug and play, boy was I wrong. Have to buy a $200 antenna to make it work right then you have to hook up the antenna you need to spend $70 more to get the starter kit. Why couldn't lowrance just sell the entire kit and say it would cost $1000. I sure hope the unit works after all this.

Large6er

[LR77]

I just wired mine to an accessory switch but you have to be careful not to leave it on. I like the LED light indicator idea. Pls. post results of the point 1 vs. the internal GPS. I have the LGC4000 and it doesn,t seem to make any diff.

[frontierman]

Good info. Lr77 I was just about to ask that question but u answered it. That what I'm going to do. Hook my point 1 to the aux switch that powers my gps.

[frontierman]

Where are you guys installling the point 1 antenna on your boat? I want to install mine on the back but some say its a problem. But ive seen a few I stalled on the back by the motor

[justinp61]

On the back near the 2d transducer.

[frontierman]

On the back near the 2d transducer.

Thanks.

[Large6er]

I was speaking to a Lowrance dealer today about my issues and he told me the same thing that JustinP61 said. Mount the point-1 right over top of your transducer if you can. I even ask about mount it on the rear corner and he that would be a second choice if you can't mount it right overtop.

A follow up for you Elite 5/7 guys, this dealer told me that I will probably be sending my unit back to lowrance due to the GPS/speed indicator problems. I guess lowrance knows that they screwed up with the slow processer they put in the units. I will keep everyone informed how the antenna works or doesn't work when we get open water up here in Ohio.