334c rant

  • cweber01
    Posts: 95
    May 30, 2007 at 1:25 am #1235360

    I just want to vent my frustration with my (now extinct) 334c. I have sent it in once, and got a replacement which is barely better. It still loses position all the time. When it loses it once, it will constantly aquire and then lose it again for up to an hour at a time. To add to my frustration, Lowrance is not selling these anymore, but rather a 522c, which leads me to beleive these (334c) were never ready to be sold to the public. I’m fighing in bass tournaments all summer, and I can not afford to send it in and be without for a week or two. I just emailed Lowrance to see what they can do for me, but I’m guessing that I’m pretty much screwed. What a crock.

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    May 30, 2007 at 1:42 am #576011

    Wow… I have had a 332C for two years now w/o a hitch. It works flawlessly. The 334 was supposed to be an upgrade??? I see on the trolling for walleyes DVD James Holst is also using a 332C in the boat for the video and LCR/GSP tutorials.
    There are several guys here still using 332Cs…dunno why you have had so many problems woth the 334? Maybe someone else will pipe in…

    znak
    Byron, Mn. Rainy Lake
    Posts: 144
    May 30, 2007 at 1:50 am #576019

    I own 2 334c. Sent one in last year and they replaced it with a new one. Sent the other one in during the winter and after having it there for many weeks and many phone calls later they replaced it with the new 522.
    Both kept loosing position. Had to go thru several supervisors before getting it resolved.

    Tom P.
    Whitehall Wi.
    Posts: 3518
    May 30, 2007 at 1:53 am #576023

    Don`t qoute me I don`t own a 334C but if I remember right James said to turn off or disable the WASS and it cured his problem of losing and reaquiring the GPS signal.

    Good Luck

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    May 30, 2007 at 1:56 am #576025

    Quote:

    Wow… I have had a 332C for two years now w/o a hitch. It works flawlessly. The 334 was supposed to be an upgrade??? I see on the trolling for walleyes DVD James Holst is also using a 332C in the boat for the video and LCR/GSP tutorials.
    There are several guys here still using 332Cs…dunno why you have had so many problems woth the 334? Maybe someone else will pipe in…

    Tom, that 334C has an internal antenna, while the 332C has an external antenna. My 332C, from the original run of several years ago, continues to function perfectly. There are definitely problems with that 334C internal antenna.

    ggoody
    Mpls MN
    Posts: 2603
    May 30, 2007 at 2:36 am #576040

    E-Mail is not going to work.

    You are going to have to call them directly you may have to wait on hold for up to 2 hours to speak with someone then you will calmly as possible explain your situation and the need for an immediate solution.

    chappy
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 4854
    May 30, 2007 at 10:29 am #576091

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Wow… I have had a 332C for two years now w/o a hitch. It works flawlessly. The 334 was supposed to be an upgrade??? I see on the trolling for walleyes DVD James Holst is also using a 332C in the boat for the video and LCR/GSP tutorials.
    There are several guys here still using 332Cs…dunno why you have had so many problems woth the 334? Maybe someone else will pipe in…

    Tom, that 334C has an internal antenna, while the 332C has an external antenna. My 332C, from the original run of several years ago, continues to function perfectly. There are definitely problems with that 334C internal antenna.

    I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem with my 334C. It has worked flawlessly. I do NOT have the WAAS engaged so that is a possible reason. But mine has never had a problem!

    walleyewacker18
    Rice Lake, WI
    Posts: 620
    May 30, 2007 at 10:54 am #576092

    I have had the same thing happen with my 334c last year many times and I was about ready to pitch it into the lake. It as not happened this year so I have done nothing about it. I was wondering if it was because of the internal GPS but I am not sure. I would love to know what becomes of this because I would like them to send me an upgrade also. You dont spend that much money to not have it work. Pm me and let me know what your doing and I will be right behind you doin the same thing

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    May 30, 2007 at 11:55 am #576100

    Like Pier said, call them. I am sure they will fix your problem. I have several friends with the 334c, and they have performed flawlessly.

    td69
    marshall, mn
    Posts: 79
    May 30, 2007 at 12:07 pm #576105

    I have a 334c also, I have not had any problems with it either, (knock on wood) I don’t log as many hours fishing as some of you guys but it has worked OK for me…my .02c

    warrenmn
    Minnesota
    Posts: 687
    May 30, 2007 at 1:52 pm #576161

    I’m curious, is your unit flush mounted in the dash. If it is, have you tried pulling it out and setting it on top to see if it still has the problems?
    WarrenMN

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    May 30, 2007 at 2:38 pm #576180

    The problems with the GPS reception on some of the 334Cs is well documented. So far, it appears that the new 522C is performing much better (They were going to replace the 334C anyway. The entire lineup has been replaced this year). After paying over $600 for a new unit, you should get one that works. Do as these guys have suggested and call Lowrance and continue working with them until you get a working unit. They should be willing to replace the 334C with either a working 334C, or a new LMS-522C in exchange.

    docfrigo
    Wisconsin
    Posts: 1564
    May 30, 2007 at 6:12 pm #576281

    What cured my LMS 332C was the current update from the Lowrance website-was constantly logging in and out.

    Thanks,
    Jeremy

    cweber01
    Posts: 95
    May 30, 2007 at 8:08 pm #576316

    I knew I’d get some replies, but didn’t think this many. It is not flush mounted. I know I have to work with them and they will hopefully take care of me, but in my mind I shouldn’t have to deal with any of this after spending $650 dollars on the unit. Seems to me that if the problems are documented, they should have to exchange all of them for 522’s if the customer wishes at the store where it was purchased. This sending the unit back and forth is non-sense. I timed it so that I would not be with out for either ice fishing nor summer fishing. I guess that planning was a waste of time. I tried to call today but the line was busy. It’s just a pain and I wanted to rant.

    ggoody
    Mpls MN
    Posts: 2603
    May 30, 2007 at 9:14 pm #576334

    Its just not the way big business works they are going to stonewall the issue as long as they can.

    It sucks but you are going to have to dedicate an entire day trying to get a hold of them they are extremely busy and understaffed this time of year.

    If possible use multiple phones with speed dialers and be prepared to wait hours to talk to someone.

    Its arguably the worst product Lowrance has ever put out regardless of how many friends of friends who actually have units that work.

    Good Luck and keep us posted!

    gobig-or-gohome
    Lake Minnetonka area
    Posts: 233
    May 31, 2007 at 5:09 pm #576689

    I also recall during the filming of that show the familiar sounds of the GPS beeping in and out and I just had to assume it was Jame’s 334C losing and acquiring the position it happend on multiple occations during the filming.

    cweb suck it up and call lowrance so that 334 is up and working the next time you take me out fishing

    z-man
    Dousman, WI
    Posts: 1416
    June 3, 2007 at 2:47 am #577371

    I’ve been using my 4th 334C since March 2007. The first was purchased in march 2006. While I wasn’t happy about the ongoing troubles, I have to say that the Lowrance customer service was nothing short of excellent, and all handled via email. The 4th unit has worked fine, and they even extended the warranty period for an extra year when I asked for the extension.

    2catch1
    Posts: 82
    June 7, 2007 at 3:15 am #578553

    Man would I be PO!!! Luckily I listened to the guy at cabelas and bought the cheaper 332c. Everyone who sells these knows the 334c is not good. I would try to get a unit exchange/repair from Lowrance with the external GPS puck. Mine works in the garage with the doors closed and its brick!!!

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    June 7, 2007 at 1:40 pm #578635

    I disabled the WAAS on mine as well. It worked better. I only had the unit for a month before I got rid of it.

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    June 10, 2007 at 9:57 pm #579397

    How did Lowrance handle this issue for you? I just had a 13 month old LMS 339 take a tank on me and have to start the same process with them.

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    June 11, 2007 at 11:37 pm #579727

    Lowrance is sending out a new unit for a replacement of mine that went out, i should have it by weeks end.. Fantastic customer service so far!

    hookem
    Hastings,Minn.
    Posts: 1027
    June 13, 2007 at 1:56 am #580079

    I bought a 334 last fall also and it has worked flawlessly until last week in Canada. It was doing fine the first couple of days, then we went out on Rainy Lake. Worked good til noon, shut it off for shore lunch, went back out and after 15 minutes it started acting up. Position found,lost, found, lost for 15 minutes every 45 seconds. Turned the power off and back on and it worked great again. Don’t know if I should complain to Lowrance or not.

    Don’t want to have it until it is out of warranty and get the run around if it starts acting up alot then. If you push them will they upgrade it to a 522c?

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    June 13, 2007 at 3:16 pm #580218

    Hookem, Yes they will upgrade if your unit is one of the discontinued models. Mine was a LMS 339i DF and they are replacing with the like model from the new product line. I found them very good to work with and when i had any problems with the customer service rep i would ask for a supervisor and get it resolved. Good luck.

    hookem
    Hastings,Minn.
    Posts: 1027
    June 15, 2007 at 2:28 am #580690

    Talked to Lowrance today. The customer service person said he felt that because I had the unit tilted back at about 20 deg. that is why it lost its position. I don’t know if he was giving me the runaround or not. He said it had something to do with the unit seeing the horison. I am still sending it in as the display screen is acting up and is fuzzy. I don’t know now if I should call them back and press the position losing issue more or not.

    ggoody
    Mpls MN
    Posts: 2603
    June 15, 2007 at 6:46 am #580745

    Quote:

    I don’t know if he was giving me the runaround

    Yes he was.

    Quote:

    I don’t know now if I should call them back and press the position losing issue more or not.

    You should but my guess is you’ll sending the unit back to them again either way.

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