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Topic: Lowrance HDS5 took a crap...black screen of death...  (Read 6945 times)

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FishingAddict

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Just to keep the air clear ... people like Mike, myself & a couple others here are part of the Navico (Lowrance) Pro-Staff ... we aren't employees.  We attempt to assist all forms of situations from training, installation suggestions and from time to time, warranty/parts assistance.  Doesn't mean we have the answers or powers to make anything (specific) happen ... most of the time we can but no guarantees  :smt002.

These tips/ideas/etc... below are NOT reflecting this particular situation or anything he did right/wrong.  I want to make that VERY clear.  I do want to offer a few suggestions to Navico in general:

Care & Maintenance is important - Freshwater rinse, dielectric grease on electrical connections, proper wiring maintenance/battery care, etc.
Software Updates - They are free and can be found at http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/
Product Registration - Be sure to register your product as soon as you buy it for warranty & update notification purposes
Buy from Authorized/Trusted Retailer - Sometime you save a few $ online but when it comes to issues/service, you can't just walk into an online store.
Extended Warranty - Your call on this one.  West Marine Extended warranty allows you to walk in a store & walk out with a replacement generally the same day.
If Service/Help is needed - By all means, reach out to your Pro-Staff guys on here.  We are here to help as possible.  Reach out to Navico for help/assistance if you feel more comfortable about that.  Mike & I have sources inside Navico we can call/text/e-mail for quick replies & these are employees of Navico that go back 25+ years with their company so they can help make things happen in the event we need to take it to THAT level.
Loaner - I have a good assortment, as does Mike.  Most of the time we can help keep you going in that situation.
Lowrance 5 Year Advantage Service - Yes ... 5 YEARS!  http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Support/Advantage-Service/

   I know I don't take it personal when people choose one brand over the next, etc...  NO hard feelings!  I believe in the brand & have been a Lowrance user for over 24 years now.  I've been thru good times & bad times with the brand, don't get me wrong!

   One last note before I step down from my soapbox ....  In the end, this is a piece of electronics.  Even NASA has issues with electronic items and it does, can & will happen ...  No matter the make, model, brand, etc.  It is far cheaper for them to replace, rather than repair ... just the world we live in.  Much like the mom & pop tackle shops are fading away, so are the small electronics repair/tv shops because it is less expensive to replace rather than repair.

Well said Bill!  Kudos to you supporting Lowrance and taking unnecessary crap sometimes.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2015, 01:48:48 PM by FishingAddict »
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FishingForTheCure

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Just to keep the air clear ... people like Mike, myself & a couple others here are part of the Navico (Lowrance) Pro-Staff ... we aren't employees.  We attempt to assist all forms of situations from training, installation suggestions and from time to time, warranty/parts assistance.  Doesn't mean we have the answers or powers to make anything (specific) happen ... most of the time we can but no guarantees  :smt002.

These tips/ideas/etc... below are NOT reflecting this particular situation or anything he did right/wrong.  I want to make that VERY clear.  I do want to offer a few suggestions to Navico in general:

Care & Maintenance is important - Freshwater rinse, dielectric grease on electrical connections, proper wiring maintenance/battery care, etc.
Software Updates - They are free and can be found at http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/
Product Registration - Be sure to register your product as soon as you buy it for warranty & update notification purposes
Buy from Authorized/Trusted Retailer - Sometime you save a few $ online but when it comes to issues/service, you can't just walk into an online store.
Extended Warranty - Your call on this one.  West Marine Extended warranty allows you to walk in a store & walk out with a replacement generally the same day.
If Service/Help is needed - By all means, reach out to your Pro-Staff guys on here.  We are here to help as possible.  Reach out to Navico for help/assistance if you feel more comfortable about that.  Mike & I have sources inside Navico we can call/text/e-mail for quick replies & these are employees of Navico that go back 25+ years with their company so they can help make things happen in the event we need to take it to THAT level.
Loaner - I have a good assortment, as does Mike.  Most of the time we can help keep you going in that situation.
Lowrance 5 Year Advantage Service - Yes ... 5 YEARS!  http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Support/Advantage-Service/

   I know I don't take it personal when people choose one brand over the next, etc...  NO hard feelings!  I believe in the brand & have been a Lowrance user for over 24 years now.  I've been thru good times & bad times with the brand, don't get me wrong!

   One last note before I step down from my soapbox ....  In the end, this is a piece of electronics.  Even NASA has issues with electronic items and it does, can & will happen ...  No matter the make, model, brand, etc.  It is far cheaper for them to replace, rather than repair ... just the world we live in.  Much like the mom & pop tackle shops are fading away, so are the small electronics repair/tv shops because it is less expensive to replace rather than repair.

Well said Bill!  Kudos to you supporting Lowrance and taking unnecessary crap sometimes.
Not taking crap by any means!  .... rewind ... he's not giving me crap ... but I don't crap either  :smt002 :smt005  Hell, you went from Lowrance to Raymarine & I still like you :smt064 :smt056  :smt003

I took this as a great opportunity to refresh the info out there regarding the brand & what Pro-Staff peeps' do/deal with to help the greater good of our community!  In the end, this is what its all about my friends!  Nothing but love!


Murfman

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Not sure what 'unnecessary crap' I'm subjecting anyone to? <really dude???>....I'm pissed because I dropped lots of money on a product that crapped out on me after only a few uses...who wouldn't be? and the only solution is to rebuy it a second time for about 2/3 the original cost....only I dont have any confidence in that product anymore and dont want to drop yet another $149 for some extended warranty...nuff said.

I thank EVERYONE that has tried to help me including the Lowrance reps...dont mean to cause any troubles and always appreciate the help I get here at NCKA. This is a fishing forum and I think this thread/topic is totally valid and should provide folks with info on products, their function and reliability....never intented to flame anyone.

I gave Lowrance a shot and it didn't work out for me. Lesson learned. The Gen2 HDS 5 worked like a champ when it worked...I invite the Lowrance guys to come to my camp site at Gimme Shelter for some beers where I can personally thank them. I'm at camp site 46...will be there Thursday (maybe late Wed if I'm super motivated)...I'll bring the dead HDS5 along for you to check out if you want...maybe we can help out other Lowrance users if you guys can find what might have gone bad with it.

Anyway, peace everyone....and am excited about GS!!! And thanks again.

-Murf

 


FishingForTheCure

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You never gave me any crap!  No hard feelings!  Just here to help if/when I can.  I would hope everyone understands that these are electronics ... electronics DO break/fail & it's a bad situation that it happened after the 2-year exchange program had passed but at least it is still within the 3 MORE years where Lowrance would have offered to replace it for a fee.  Yes, the fee seems high BUT you have to also remember that the price on this has dropped several hundred dollars recently so it's a matter of relevancy of current (discontinued) price vs. original price.

I think it would be unreasonable for anyone to assume one brand of FF/GPS would last any longer than another based on the current models in production ... within reason.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2015, 03:59:12 PM by FishingForTheCure »


Sin Coast

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My hardly used Lowrance HDS5 (Gen 2) decided to die after maybe 50-60 uses and I'm 2 months out of warranty.
dropped lots of money on a product that crapped out on me after only a few uses...who wouldn't be?

I have installed fishfinders on about 10 different kayaks that I've owned (Humminbird, Lowrance, Eagle, and Raytheon)---and 60 trips seems about average lifespan for a fishfinder on a kayak (especially if you fish in saltwater!). Just another reason why I refuse to spend big bucks on a fishfinder for my kayak. And why I'm reluctant to recommend a noobie spend $500+ on their 1st fishfinder for their 1st kayak. But that's just me.
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