Lowrance internal GPS

[MBell]

Been looking at the lowrance lms-332/4c for the console.  Has anyone tried the internal gps units?  Just wondering if they work as good as the external antena.
-Matt

[joshimoto son]

I have the 334c in my dash, I was told (by a Lowrance Rep) there is no difference between the internal and external antenas.

He is wrong, the iGPS does not hold it's signal as well as the external.

It only loses signal when you are close to shore with high trees, like way back in a cut for example.

I also found this unit has a tendancy to drain my start battery when off and the boat is sitting in the barn.
Make sure you have a disconnect switch installed.


These are the two main negetives that I have found with this unit.
There are plenty of possitives that outweigh them.

joshimoto son

[REEL_MAN]

I've installed many 332's and 334's as well as sold them.  I don't know why a Lowrance rep told you that you can install a 334 in the dash. If you talk to any one of the people at Lowrance (especially Linda Colt) they will tell you that the 334 MUST have a clear view to the satalites, the manual even says that. The dash interfers with the signal. only the 332 should be in the dash since it has an external antenna (that can be networked)
As far as the power drain. That too is addressed in the owners manual. If you use the network, it is a seperate circuit that draws power all the time. When I installed my 334 I put in a seperate switch for the network, I just have to remember to switch it off. If you boat has a power circuit, wire the network to that switch, end of power drain.
The Lowrance units are all easy to use, they have helps built in. At the present time they are working a program change so the units on the network will talk to one another (so if you enter a way point it registers on both).
If you have any techinal questions you can reach Linda at lcolt@lowrance.com  She is the best.

REEL MAN

[joshimoto son]

Thanks Reelman,

I understand about the power circuit "if" I'm using the NEMA 2000 network, but I'm not using it.

The 334 is the only new thing I put in the the boat and I kept scratching my head because the book says I do not need to put a switch in.

Trust me... I would not have gone through 3 cranking batteries this year if I did not believe the book.

The gentleman that I talked to was one of the Reps at the showspan (?) show in Novi. I asked him if the iGPS was as powerful as the external... he said yes. I said nothing to him about mounting in the dash.

We'll see... I'm glad to hear that someone is finally going to make a product that will save waypoints on multiple units.

joshimoto son

[MBell]

Thanks, sounds like I'll go with the internal.  I've been reading about the lowrances on bassboatcentral and have heard of 332's with bad swictches that turn themselves on and off.  The way I'm mounting it I will be removing it a lot so the power stuff won't bother me.
Thanks, Matt

[djkimmel]

I put in a 480M with the network cable to hook the GPS module to. I found out you can easily short out the network cable system if it gets wet in the wrong place - my terminator was getting real hot, which is not good.

Lowrance sent me a new cable with a different plug and strongly suggested I do as good a job as possible of protecting the network cable plugs/terminators underneath (not at the unit, but along the network cable itself) from rain and Great Lakes 'surges.'

I've done that. No problems since, but I did install two waterproof switches on each power line for the graph and the network cable - I have mine direct-wired to the battery and I don't want any shorts or drains. I just have a habit now of hooking up the graph completely and then throwing the switches before turning on the unit.

The network cable is always powered when hooked up to the battery, unless you install a switch or run it through your fuse box and turn that off. I try to avoid potential electrical interference by putting my graphs directly to the battery.

[Vic Cerabone]

I've lots of reports of problems witht the the new internal antennas.  I'd stick with the external.  You can still nework the antenna if you both a bow and console GPS.

[Vic Cerabone]

I've heard lots of reports of problems witht the the new internal antennas.  I'd stick with the external.  You can still nework the antenna if you both a bow and console GPS.

[DDBethke]

New to the Site here...looks like a great forum!

I have the 334 as well Linda(@Lowrance) is taking care of me and I'm going to swap the 334 for the 339(internal as well) to see if it works any better...
Lowrance has Great Customer Service!

Does anyone have the Newer 339cGPS ?

[MBell]

My 334 has been great so far.  I've only used it a few days and can already tell it will save me a ton of time when looking for deep fish.  Is the 339 new, I thought it just had more power and dual frequency.  I've heard from everyone but lowrance about new units this month but haven't seen anything.
-Matt

[DDBethke]

Matt, I believe you are correct...

[smbassman]

FYI - Lowrance has new models this year that replace the LMS 33? and the LCX-??c.