LowranceNet or NMEA 0183

Hi

I have just ordered a Lowrance Globalmap 7200c. At the moment I have a LMS-334. I would like to network these units, but I can’t figure out if I need to use LowranceNet or if NMEA 0183 will work fine for me.

1)
I would like to use the external antenna for both units, as the internal one in the LMS-334 is unstable. Can I do this with both systems?

2)
I would like to record depth/GPS data for making my own maps. Can I do this with both systems?

3)
I would like to share WP’s between the units. Can I do this with both systems?

As far as I can find out on the internet, the answer to question 1 is YES and NO to question 3. I haven’t found an answer to question 2.

If I decide to use LowranceNet, I run into a couple of more questions:

1)
Can I connect the LGC-3000 antenna to the Globalmap or do I have to connect is directly to a T connector to use it as an antenna for both units?

2)
Can I power the network through one of the Globalmap or do I have to power the network through a dedicated powercable and a T connector?

Thanks,
Granne

I can only comment about the LowranceNet Network. I’m sure
others will chime in that have gone the NMEA 0183 route.

If you were to network the two units, yes you can share waypoints via the NMEA 2000. Waypoint sharing list.

If you do go the 2000 route you will have to purchase
a cable to connect a blue device to a red network.
LEI Part# 127-04

As far as connecting the LGC-3000 directly to the 7200c,
you are actually setting up a red network to connect the
antenna to the unit. You can’t just plug an antenna into
the network port on the Globalmap unit.

You can power the network through the Globalmap power cable
but the problem with this is if you just want to use one
unit, i.e. the 334c, you would have to have the Globalmap
powered up to get the GPS signal on the other unit.
You can power the network separately if you want to avoid
this.

Make sure the 334c is updated to 1.7 if you haven’t done
so already.

Check to make sure your 7200c is running the latest software version as well.

If you upgrade the 334 to a newer unit with an ethernet
port you can connect the two and have full sonar functions
with your Globalmap unit. Sonar sharing.
Just thought I would throw that out in case you didn’t
know.

Dan

Quote:

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As far as connecting the LGC-3000 directly to the 7200c,
you are actually setting up a red network to connect the
antenna to the unit. You can’t just plug an antenna into
the network port on the Globalmap unit.

You can power the network through the Globalmap power cable
but the problem with this is if you just want to use one
unit, i.e. the 334c, you would have to have the Globalmap
powered up to get the GPS signal on the other unit.
You can power the network separately if you want to avoid
this.

Dan

---

The Globalmap will always be powered so thats no problem. Regarding the NMEA 2000 network, I can se that I will need quite a bit of cables and T-connectors to make it work and these items are quite expensive here in Denmark.

WP sharing is not that important to me, so I’ll start with the NMEA 0183 and hope that it will work fine.

Thanks

Provided you’re buying new you should receive the necessary cables with the GlobalMap unit to set up a network.

You need to set up the network anyways to use the LGC-3000
so you might as well tie into it to run the 334c.

You would only need an extra Tee and the 127-04 I mentioned earlier.

Do you plan on running the two units side by side?

Dan

you would need 3 T connectors, 1 adapter cable, and I
would think 3 extention cables, two terminators, to network
these two units with nmea 2000. Around $200 USD.

I have never used nmea 0183 to network the gps antenna
between two units, but it should be easy enough, will
not cost anything extra. I have a nmea 0183 heading sensor
networked to a globalmap 9200. Just splice those tiny
wires together and nmea 0183 works well.
I use nmea 2000, ethernet, and nmea 0183. If all you want
to really do is share the external antenna between two
units, try nmea 0183.
I am also in the market for a globalmap 7200(mainly to
use as a depth finder with the lbs-1). Best price I
have found so far is $526. Just wondering what kind of
deal you got.

Quote:

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you would need 3 T connectors, 1 adapter cable, and I
would think 3 extention cables, two terminators, to network
these two units with nmea 2000. Around $200 USD.

---

Are you saying he won’t get any network hardware with
his GlobalMap and will have to buy all of the items you
listed separately?

I have always received the necessary hardware to at least
set up (1) display and the antenna on a working network.
Usually receive a double T and not singles.

---

Are you saying he won’t get any network hardware with
his GlobalMap and will have to buy all of the items you
listed separately?

---

All (or most) of the units shipped in 2008 forward use a
Terminator cable with built-in terminators in the connectors. For one unit and one accessory. Lowrance
refers to this as “our cleanest network”.
If you want to add to the network, you have to disgard this
cable an get all the Ts, extenton cables, and terminators.

Depending on when our Denmark friends 334 was made, it may or may not have shipped with “blue” T connectors. So not knowing what he has, I was just suggesting what would be necessary. There are different ways to setup nmea 2000.

Quote:

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Depending on when our Denmark friends 334 was made, it may or may not have shipped with “blue” T connectors. So not knowing what he has, I was just suggesting what would be necessary. There are different ways to setup nmea 2000.

---

Internal GPS units (334IGPS) were never shipped with
T’s, extension cables, or terminating resistors.

Hi

As Dandorn points out, I didn’t get any networking accessories with the 334 and as NowVoyager points out, the Globalmap comes with a terminator cable with built-in terminators. So I would need to purchase one double T, one T, two extension-cables, one adapter-cable and two terminators to set it up like I want (Units side-by-side and antenna in the back of the boat).

I don’t even want to think about the price of this setup here in Denmark. The danish MAP price of the Globalmap is equivalent to about $1600 just to give you an idea of crazy prices on Lowrance products.

–> NowVoyager
I ordered my Globalmap from England, where there are some massive discounts on outgoing units. It’s almost as cheap as in the states and since it’s within the EU, I don’t have to pay import taxes, with would add an extra 25-30 % – and shipping is cheaper. I paid about $600.

Granne,

How do you know you’ll be receiving the newest style
cable with the in-line terminators?

Have you already received the Globalmap or did you call
and ask what you are getting?

Thanks,

Dan

Quote:

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Granne,

How do you know you’ll be receiving the newest style
cable with the in-line terminators?

Have you already received the Globalmap or did you call
and ask what you are getting?

Thanks,

Dan

---

I just installed a globalmap 9200 on a friends boat.
It came with the new style cable. The box indicated
the unit was made in Sept 08. The 7200, as well as lots
of other Lowrance models, were in short supply all
summer. I ordered a 7200 and got tired of waiting and
cancelled. I still want one but am just looking for the best deal. Unless you receive “old” “new stock”, it
most likely will have the terminator cable.
Thanks for correcting my “senior moment” on the 334.
Forgot there was an “I” in front of the GPS.

You can get a 7200C @ Jolly Ann Marine for 599.99 shipped to your door.

Dan

Quote:

---

Granne,

How do you know you’ll be receiving the newest style
cable with the in-line terminators?

Have you already received the Globalmap or did you call
and ask what you are getting?

Thanks,

Dan

---

I emailed the dealer and was told that it will come with a “terminator cable”.

I’m getting of wating, too. I ordered on december 21. and still wating…

So, I finally received my Globalmap.
I have just tried to network it using NMEA 0183 with my 334 and big suprise… It didn’t work!

I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. They both work fine individually. However, I got one of the 334’s with a poor internal antenna, so I would like to network them, so I can use the external antenna for both.

So far I have tried this:
Connected the yellow NMEA wire of the 7200C with the Orange of the 334
Connected the Orange NMEA wire of the 7200C with the Yellow of the 334
I haven’t use the Blue and ground wire.

Set baud rate of both units to 4800
Marked NMEA output and input on both units.
Crossed the same GPS protocols on both unit (GLL, RMC and RMB, APB, GGA, GSA and GSV). Don’t know if this is important.

Tried to disconnect the internal antenna of the 334, but I can’t. I can remove the x next to “set active” in the NMEA 2000 menu but as soon as I leave the menu, the internal antenna is active again. If I remove the x once move, the same thing happens again.
The first time I tried to disconnect the antenna, I got a popup that said something about turning “auto GPS” off, but I can’t find anythng in the manual about auto GPS.

So I have some questions:
1. Do I need to connect the ground wires (I have tried this briefly, which didn’t help)?
2. Should I be able to turn off the internal antenna no matter what, or does the unit need to detect another antenna first?
3. Can anyone give me an idea on what I’m doing wrong?

Thanks,
Granne

Does this help?

Previous post about NMEA 0183

The info in the link might not work for your units.

I think you need to ground the shield wires and try it

again.

Yes, I think it helped. I was using communication port 1 on the 7200c. After reading the previous thread, I tried using communication port 2 and that seemed to do the trick.

I don’t know why com port 1 doesn’t work and port 2 does, but if it works now, it doesnt matter.

Thanks to Dandorn for linking to the thread and thanks to Wade for the answer.
Granne