Lowrance 4.1 update for Gen 1

Lowrance has introduced a software upgrade for Gen 1

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/HDS-Software-Update/

Thanks!

Any Release Notes that could be posted here?

Quote:

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Any Release Notes that could be posted here?

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Improved bottom tracking at high speeds
• Enhanced deep water (>1000 feet) depth tracking
• Shortened lock on time for trolling motor mounted transducers
• Better jig tracking
• Users may notice a need to adjust auto-sensitivity settings following this upgrade to optimize returns

• Lowrance/Navionics Chart Toggle now available under Chart Options
• Soft key accessible from 8” and 10” units

• Distance measurement between vessel and active cursor now updates correctly as vessel moves
• Added extended range for altitude overlays greater than 9999 feet
• Corrected issue with data overlays not being retained after power cycle

• GPX File Export • Improved ability to export large GPX files
• 3rd party autopilot
• Amended latitude/longitude output format on NMEA bus allowing improved operation with third party autopilots
• EP-60R fuel flow sensor
• Improved fuel flow calibration calculation for greater accuracy when operating in metric units

• Display/Hide Points of Interest supplied by Navionics User Community
• Navionics must be active to enable this feature
• Community Layer information available from Navionics via download to compatible Navionics mapping cards

Plus there’s more

Read on another site that someone found a bug in this version, and Lowrance is aware of it. A glitch in the waypoint editing screen. Any chance that version 4.2 may be around the corner?

What kind of bug? A virus.I tried to down load 4.1 twice and my anti virus stopped it both times and deleted it.
Think I will wait till spring to do it.They should have
it working goodby then.

On HDS 5, the Waypoint keypad screen for naming your waypoints there is a “More” button in the lower right corner where the green OK button should be. You cannot select this button and it forces you to press the menu key and then select OK to save your changes. Also, the “More” button has two selctor dots on it (one highlighted blue the other not). These are also not accessible.

Per Lowrance:
“Yes it is a bug but there is an easy workaround. When ready to accept the waypoint name, press Menu and choose OK.”

KT

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What kind of bug? A virus.I tried to down load 4.1 twice and my anti virus stopped it both times and deleted it.
Think I will wait till spring to do it.They should have
it working goodby then.

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Most likely that is due to the way you have your virus software setup. It probably has whatever file extension the update comes down with identified as something to remove.

I checked around and there doesn’t appear to be virus, like stated your anti virus software is the issue

Just wanted to make sure before I turned off my antivirus
software to download it.I did that and it worked fine.Can’t be to carefull nowdays with the internet. Thanks for the help

I saw on an HDS 5 in the bottom right corner where you would expect it to say “OK” or “Save”, it says “More” but More doesn’t do anything if you press it. To save the entered data, you have to press the Menu key, then select “OK” from the menu. This is the only bug I am aware of.

There are no viruses to worry about and this “bug” is not a big enough issue to justify any need for an immediate new version of software to replace it. This would most likely be part of any new update that may come.

Dumb question I’m sure. For this update it says to use a new SD card. I bought a new card and and copied the download to it. After reading other post’s it says you need to “unzip” the file first, so I went back and ran the file on my laptop then copied to my “new” SD card. Plugged it into my HDS5 and I thought all was going well until a error message came up saying something to the effect of bad software not going to install….Do I have to buy a new SD card again because I installed the “unzipped” file on my SD card first? Any tips would be appreciated.
After the error message I couldn’t get back to my normal screen or get it to shut down. I unhooked the power source, is this normal?

You can try reformatting the card. Then delete whatever lowrance files you downloaded on your computer and start over. Download the file to your computer. Then put your formatted SD card in the card reader on your computer. I have had my best luck with SD cards 2GB or smaller. You also should use just a regular SD card and not a high density SD card. With the card in your reader, double click on the file you downloaded. That should start the self extraction of the zipped file you downloaded and it should ask you what drive you want to extract the file to. After it extracts, you should have the update file on your SD card. Stick it in your HDS and power it on. If that still doesn’t work, call Lowrance.

EDIT: After reading your post again, you said you first downloaded the file directly to your SD card, and then did it on your computer and copied the update to the SD card. Did you delete the original files you downloaded on the SD card? If you didn’t delete them, I expect that is you problem. Format the card and start over.

Redid the SD card as suggested, but I’m not sure what the problem is but I can’t even get my unit to turn on properly. When I try to turn it on now (even without a sd card in it) A screen comes up that is all blue with the message “Lowrance seize the moment” with http://www.Lowrance.com down below that and it flashes every 7 seconds it goes blank then the same blue screen comes up???? Like my previous post said I couldn’t get my unit to shut down so I unhooked the power supply, any help would be appreciated.

Your battery voltage ok?

I would call Lowrance customer service. You can try a soft reset and a hard reset as well. I can’t remember what keys you have to hold down when turning it on to do that, but if you google it, you will find it.

I was thinking about this, like John said call Lowrance. But the base program may have been affected when you disconnected power mid stream of update. You could try a hard reset like he mentioned
To do a soft reset, start with the unit off. Press and hold down the pages button and push the power key. Keep holding down the pages button until the map of the U.S. shows up and it’s done. This reset will not erase any waypoints or trails you have saved.

To do a hard reset, start with the unit off. Press and hold down the Zin and Zout buttons and push the power key. Keep holding down the Zin and Zout buttons until the unit boots up. This reset WILL erase all waypoints and trails you have saved! Use this reset with caution.

Guess I will have to try customer support tommorrow. I tried the soft reset with no luck, I held the keys down as instructed and powered up and again it goes right to the blue screen with the Lowrance seize the day message and flashes blank every 7 seconds and back to the blue screen.Hooked it up to another battery just as a long shot but same deal.
Hope I can get it sent in cleared up before our canadian trip Memorial weekend.

Just to put some finality to this post..
I tried to update to my locator that worked perfectly, I wanted to get the latest and greatest things available on my HDS5, it froze up tight. I tried all the suggestions and advice offered on this forum (Thank you very much)to no avail.

After talking to customer support…. they had no clue…I sent it in and for 64 bucks they will look at it..and fix if they don’t have “open it up” (whatever that means)

If they can’t I was offered a new unit for $399…
I wasn’t sure of what to think of that..I paid $722 for this unit and used for 2 summers in Wisconsin, so not a real long season (I’m a weekend fisherman) not real budget friendly.

The unit was shipped back the day after they received it so turn around was great. I sent it back in the original box stuffed full of packing paper…. I got it back in a cardboard box that allowed it to rattle and bounce around like crazy (very disappointed) if it was sent back in the box I sent it to them in or stuffed with a liitle newspaper in the box, no [censored].
Lastly, I’m happy it works, and was a very quick turn around…. but 2 years worth of coordinates….. and 64 bucks gone because I tried to update it?????

No explanation as to what the problem was or what I did wrong ( I’m sure it had something to do with the shutdown??) But what the heck??
One other thing, It’s not updated to the latest version…

That sucks. I have never heard of that issue before, and I can say I’m not too impressed with the way it was handled. Guess Lowrance still has a little more improvement to do on the customer service side of things.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

I thought what the heck I would call and ask why my HDS5 wasn’t updated to the most recent version when I sent it in for the problem previously described.

I was assured that yes it had the most recent version and the sticker on the box was wrong… Cool…

Before hanging up I asked if the charge to my credit card was about $69 that I was told it would be if they didn’t have to “open it up”…. there wasn’t anything on the packing slip indicating otherwise…
After a pause he said no the charge was $411.00 they couldn’t fix it so it had to be replaced.
Very surprised is a understatement…

My understanding was I would have the option to pay $399 for a new unit “if” they couldn’t fix my current unit.
I thought it was my original unit sent back not a new one (yes, my unit that I had only used for 2 summers, looked brand new)
So I have a brand new Gen 1 unit… which I really liked in the first place, that is going to cost me a additional $411 with shipping that I really wasn’t sure I wanted…(HDS7 was on my wish list)
Not the end of the world but I thought it was really handled poorly.

Later in the day, still dwelling on this subject, I questioned if I needed to “register” my new unit to make sure I got the warranty coverage…
A call back to the call center and a 10 minute wait on hold I was told yes register it and I got a 6 month warranty not a 2 year warranty…..NOT ACCEPTABLE

After a snarky talk with a “customer service” rep I was told 6 months is all you get…Your not buying “retail”

I bit my tongue and asked for a manager…

I was told to expect a call within 2 business days…. I will keep everyone posted on how this is handled.

Wish me well

ps. I will mention this post to the manager so any words of incouragement or acknowledgement would be appreciated.

Is the unit Lowrance sold you “new” or “rebuilt/re-manufactured”?

If a “re/re” that may be why a 6 month warranty.

And does not exactly build your confidence in the machine.

I have also been told that in some cases Lowrance will give you a choice of replacement model, for example a HDS5 or HDS7, different price points of course. You might ask about this since a HDS7 is on your wish list.

I was told this is a new unit…

UPDATE: I got a call from Lowrance this afternoon.

Crystal said she was calling to discuss my concerns. I explained the whole story with her and said 6 month warranty wasn’t acceptable.

She had the management style down pat, let me talk… while she patiently listened… but in the end said 6 months is there policy and that was it. She even added there competitors only give 90 days..

I made it clear I was a VERY dissatisfied customer and I felt she was making a bad business decision. I explained I was willing to spend considerable time and effort on every website and forum I could find to let everyone know how they would be treated…. she asked if I wanted my call passed to her supervisor.I said I would.

I asked for her full name and told it was Crystal but wasn’t willing to give her last (I’m the only Crystal in the office)

As I thought the call was about to end she said she could do 18 months but not 24….I live in Wisconsin and only use the unit in the summer so 18 months is as good as 24, I’m covered this summer and next.
When I asked, she said I don’t have to register new unit she would do it and I’m covered for 18 months

It shouldn’t have been this tough, if they feel they are putting out a quality unit a 2 year warranty should be a non issue. I really love the performance of the HDS unit while working but the customer service is something that should be addressed.