Jason Gilstrap Lowrance, or anyone that can help?

I have a Lowrance LCX26c HD, that works, but the bright backlight does not come on. The dim lights work, so as long as I fish only at night, I'm in good shape. I e-mailed Lowrance, They said that they could no longer get parts for this "old" of sonar/gps. They would give me a rebate on a new one. I certainly would take the rebate, that's better than nothing, but I would rather get mine fixed.

Jason, I was sent your direction. Do you have any suggestions? I hate to give up on a unit that cost almost $2000, only a couple of years ago. Seems like a pretty expensive couple of years.

thanks
Jim

Hi,
If you want to connect w/ Jason Gilstrap of Lowrance get on the Bass Boat Central website (Lowrance path).

I think this link wlll work.

BBC Boards: Lowrance/Garmin Sonar/GPS

Take Care,
Roger

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Originally Posted by gunner_1911

I have a Lowrance LCX26c HD, that works, but the bright backlight does not come on. The dim lights work, so as long as I fish only at night, I'm in good shape. I e-mailed Lowrance, They said that they could no longer get parts for this "old" of sonar/gps. They would give me a rebate on a new one. I certainly would take the rebate, that's better than nothing, but I would rather get mine fixed.

Jason, I was sent your direction. Do you have any suggestions? I hate to give up on a unit that cost almost $2000, only a couple of years ago. Seems like a pretty expensive couple of years.

thanks
Jim

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first thing i would check your voltage to your unit, also if buddy has a lowrance electronic's try putting your unit on his pwr cord. I'm just making sure it's not voltage issue.

if still doesn't work, i probably go ahead and get the rebate and get into a hds unit with a 2 yr warranty.

I suppose that " just the way it is ". Any company that quits supporting a 2000 dollar product after only 2 years is not going to see any of my money.

While technology does make everything age at an accelerated pace this short of " shelf life " for an expensive piece of equipment is absolutely inane.

Could you hear the uproar if someone bought a 2000 dollar washing machine and couldn't get it fixed 2 years later. This is a sad state of affairs when a two grand investment is a fancy paper weight or door stop 24 months later.

Your money will be much better spent buying Humminbird nex time around!!!

Lowrance!... what a joke!!!

That is a bunch of BS!!! Being a retired electronics tech I know for a fact older electronics can still be supported. Its really a shame that a fine product has to go downhill so fast. If my 2 Lowrances ever die they will be replaced with another brand.

They are just like any other piece of electronic equipment, obsolete when you by it because a "new improved" model is waiting to be shipped, exampled by computers and big screen TVs. An enterprising electronics expert could do real well by establishing a reliable repair service for these gadgets and letting fishermen know by advertising on the fishing sites such as this one! The companies that sell them could do the same, but, the ROI isn't as good as selling new ones when the old ones quit!

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Originally Posted by Redy2Fish

They are just like any other piece of electronic equipment, obsolete when you by it because a "new improved" model is waiting to be shipped, exampled by computers and big screen TVs. An enterprising electronics expert could do real well by establishing a reliable repair service for these gadgets and letting fishermen know by advertising on the fishing sites such as this one! The companies that sell them could do the same, but, the ROI isn't as good as selling new ones when the old ones quit!

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They problem of repair is the proprietary bs they put in the units such as fuse links and other programmable devices.

Update on the unit. Voltage does not seem to be the problem. I had an electronics buddy come over and check the supply. As for having it fixed, I've called a number of Marine Electronics repair businesses, and they all said the same thing. "Lowrance must be repaired by the factory". I don't know any other electronics that is obsolete, with no repair parts available after 2 years. Totally rediculous that a company will not back a $2000 unit after only 2 years. I even had a Lowrance dealer suggest that I buy a Humminbird. A "good" company would not do business this way (my opinion). The rebate isn't much, almost an insult. It's not like I'm asking for warranty, I just want to pay to get it fixed.
jim

What kind of a rebate did they offer? Send it to canepole, he can proabably fix anything with power.

Canepole, do you want to give it a shot?

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Originally Posted by gunner_1911

Canepole, do you want to give it a shot?

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Have you tried soft or hard resets?

Soft and hard resets for most Lowrance units..

Not many folks are aware of this link. Bookmark it!!!!!!!!!!

Reset Procedures

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Originally Posted by gunner_1911

Canepole, do you want to give it a shot?

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Do you have all the latest upgrades?

I've done the soft reset, with no change. I'll try the hard in the morning. I'm sure I don't have the latest upgrades

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Originally Posted by IBNFSHN

That is a bunch of BS!!! Being a retired electronics tech I know for a fact older electronics can still be supported. Its really a shame that a fine product has to go downhill so fast. If my 2 Lowrances ever die they will be replaced with another brand.

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Bill, I believe there are laws that protect consumers from product abandonment. I know there are product liability laws that protect us. I just can't recall them.

Ok, my curiosity got the better of me. I did the hard reset. Still did not get a daytime light, but since it's dar outside, I could see the screen. No apparent change.

no lowrance on my boat if i pd $2000 and they can't help me fix it.what a sham to keep you buying their new products!

I must admit, I still have a small lowrance that is in the dash of my triton, but my front unit is a garmin, and I doubt very much that this troublesome Lowrance will be replaced with another. I will probably get a bird.

The system processor reads the power switch and toggles between screen lighting depending on the time length of the button stroke. It could possibly be a dirty contact causing a false stroke recognition by the processor.

I can not repair the units because of the propitiatory parts, but I can fix the obvious stuff.

I would be more than willing to open it and look for the obvious but I cannot guarantee any positive results.

No guarantees would be expected, and I would be glad to pay for your efforts. If you would really be willing to look at, send me your mailing address and I will get it off to you next week. If you would prefer sending me your address privately, my e-mail is [email protected]

Thanks either way, I appreciate your suggestions.
Jim

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Originally Posted by gunner_1911

No guarantees would be expected, and I would be glad to pay for your efforts. If you would really be willing to look at, send me your mailing address and I will get it off to you next week. If you would prefer sending me your address privately, my e-mail is [email protected]

Thanks either way, I appreciate your suggestions.
Jim

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The unit has the blue power connector right? I can test it on my desk here at home if this is the case. I don't take money.

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Originally Posted by mduncan62

What kind of a rebate did they offer? Send it to canepole, he can proabably fix anything with power.

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still waiting on the transducer.:)

The "power/data" connecter is black with a big blue nut. The "network" connecter is all blue and the "sonar" is black with big blue nut. If a pic would help, I can send one.
jim

have had similiar bad experience with Lowrance.....unit cost $1400 on sale....obsolete after 2 years also.....I will NEVER buy Lowrance again.....customer service sucks out loud.....

It's usually nice to have company, but in this case it's not. Sorry for your bad experience. I have similar feelings. The only thing that might tempt me is the boat is already rigged up with Lowrance antenna and transducer.