Lowrance GPS

[elkermarty]

We just purchesed a new I500 IWay Lowrance GPS. I upgraded the unit when it arrived right from my computer with a usb cable that was included in the unit. I then programed all of our stops and Campgrounds. This was a very simple prosess. The system worked like a charm. If you are looking to buy a GPS take a good hard look at the I500. The screen is a good size and easy for us older people with failing eyesite to read and see.

[elkermarty]

We just purchesed a new I500 IWay Lowrance GPS. I upgraded the unit when it arrived right from my computer with a usb cable that was included in the unit. I then programed all of our stops and Campgrounds. This was a very simple prosess. The system worked like a charm. If you are looking to buy a GPS take a good hard look at the I500. The screen is a good size and easy for us older people with failing eyesite to read and see.

[Jerry]

Lowrance GPS is a good product.....until you need service support. I got mine in '98 and immediately noted that the mapping software was out of date. I contacted Lowrance service and was told that they were updating the software and they would contact me as soon as it was ready. I waited six months and called back. The guy I talked to said there were no plans to update the software. The newer software would not work in my unit. I told him that I had documented over 20 errors in the mapping and at least that many places were major roads were not indicated at all. The bottom line was tough...live with it. I wrote the president of Lowrance a letter requesting them to buy it back or trade it for one of the newer models with the updated software. He wrote me back and said "no", but they would give me a 10% discount on a new one of my choice. I called him and told him I had a $695 GPS less than a year old and it was virtually useless. He said it was not their problem as they had discontinued manufacturering the model I had a year before I made my purchase and he had no intentions of buying it back or trading it and hung up on me.
Jerry

[Sundevil]

I too have the Iway 550c and love it. Screen is easy to read and it seems as accurate as any of them. I was having trouble here in AZ with the unit getting too hot sitting up on the dash. I bought an amplified antenna for mine and mounted it on my roof. Then I moved the unit to my center console and haven't had any overheating problems since. Jerry, sorry you have had problems. What model do you have? I bought mine about a year ago and updated it just recently with no problems.

[weighit]

I also bought a Iway 500 and LOVE IT. Easy to use and set up, and with the large screen, easy to see. I would buy another one if this one needs to be replaced for any reason.

[elkermarty]

Jerry,
Sorry that you had trouble with your unit. When I got my unit home I found out that there was an updated version for it. I pluged it into my computer with the USB cable and downloaded the new version onto the unit and it works great.

[Jerry]

Sundevil, I have the Lowrance Globalmap 1600 which was one of the top models when I purchased it in '98.
Jerry

[jhanan]

A new map udpate is now available from LEI. This is for the iWAY series 600c, 500c, and 350c. I use the 600c. For the 600c it upgrades the orignal NAVTEQ maps from Q1 2006 that came with the unit when new to Q3 2007. I've notice that major new roads in Texas are in the update like TX45 and TX130. Updates POI's. The DVD also includes firmware updates for these units, the 600c to v1.3. Includes 2 new feature/menus, but nothing major that I can tell. The cost was about $80. The upgrade time is very long for the 600c map data, about 4 hours. It copies 8GB of data from the DVD over USB to the 600c hard drive. I let run over night. The status indicator is good. I did the upgrade as a 2 step procedure although a 1 step approach is offered. 1st step I updated the firmware only to v1.3. After that was done. I did the mapping data - which takes the long time. I wanted to make sure the software update was good before moving on to the mapping data. The software upgrade does not take very long.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

I too have an iWay, but mines the iWay600. I'm also not all that impressed. I paid $600 for mine when they came out and 3 months later they went on sale for $349. Apparently because they weren't selling so good. Luck of the Irish I guess.

I also think iWay is a very poor company regarding support and the like. For one, compared to Garmin why should I have to pay for and update on the map data. Garmin includes these free. Unlike Garmin, iWay uses a different company to provide the accessories instead of doing it themselves.

So if anyone is interested I've got a iWay600 I let go for a reasonable price, so I can replace it with a Garmin.

[jhanan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob (WA0MQE):
I too have an iWay, but mines the iWay600.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, I use the 600C too. I agree with these statements. It is more expensive than road only units. The accessories are expensive too. Its my understanding that most GPS companies, like TomTom require a yearly subscription fee in order to get map updates. I got to believe the LEI is owned by Lowrance, but I have not checked that out.

Here is the difference I think with this unit. It is dual use unit. Hence the expense. It is a tough, shock proof, and sealed from the elements, so it is an indoor/outdoor unit. It will work through a downpour (I know ).

I think if someone did not need a dual use unit, then you might not want to buy this unit. However, the 5" screen is very large and very bright and the screen size was another major requirement for me with the RV. Like me, many boat people and bass fishermen swear by Lowrance products. I have the older 15XC B&W dual frequency depthfinder/GPS/plotter in my boat with a 7" screen. The color and detail depth contour lake maps in the 600C, without the need to build a map file on a SD card, complement my depthfinder to the point where it makes it possible to navigate dawn, dusk, or even at night on some nights. I paid $600 and I'm very happy with the unit as it meets all of my needs, it is quality built system, and I'm not sure I would have gotten the same features in 2 $300 units with ability to share accessories, one for the RV and one for the boat. Jeff.

[Toby]

jhanan

Just ordered a new iWay 600c off of ebay. It is the 2008 version ($348). Can't wait to get it. I to got it because of the Lowrences I have had over the years (and Eagle) for my boats and the fact that we can take it in the car/MH/boat. I checked the Garmin and you have to go to the 600 or 700 series to be able to set your own route with the use of stops. And garmin would be of little use in the boat. I purchased a navstar and sent it back because it would not let you chose the route. You had to take what it delt you, even if it was way off the way you wanted to go. We have use the Microsoft on our laptop computer the whole time we travel in our MH and an old Garmin gpsIV for the car. The old Garmin is not real good for nav, just a way to get back to the MH. Hope the 600c is everyting I expect. s/Toby

[jhanan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Toby:
Just ordered a new iWay 600c off of ebay. It is the 2008 version ($348). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

$348 for this unit is a "steal" - it can't be that much more than the cost of the map data for street, lakes, and coastal. Let us know what version of NAVTEC is installed on the 2008 unit out of the box (go to menu, then device info). The 600C does let you select a route through intermediate points, and its 3 modes of navigation: street, off-road, and point-to-point on the water provide a great deal of routing flexability and the use of way points. Thanks, Jeff.