quote:
Originally posted by PW_Homer
I have the LCX 525C along with the supplied 50/200 transducer and was sorta happy with the unit. It never lost signal with the GPS but tracking bottom at any speed was not very acurate if it even read it. I did find the unit a little small especially in split screen mode.
This year I added the LCX38C along with an Airmar thru hull transducer as well the Braodband Sounder. WOW is all can say. Running From Campbell River to Chatham point now and never loose track of bottom and thats going at 30 to 40 MPH(GPS Speed) I have found the Broadband sounder works it's best at 300 feet and under which has the best resolution.
The clearitly between the 2 units the 38C wins hands down. Way more on the screen to see and when using spilt screen both screens are clearer and more detailed.
I also networked the 2 units together and not real happy with Lowrance's way. You can NOT share map data between units if you are using a chip, which meant I had to buy another Nav card. Also if you want to see Broadband data on the other unit you also have to buy the extra network box. As for gps attenna, gps speed, grd speed, water temp and way points can be shared or shown on/thru the network to both units.
I am using gold charts in both units as the Platium have less area coverage and the cards are slow or very slow unless you have an harddrive unit. I was advised ony to purchace the Platuim card if I had an HD unit.
I run the 38C at mostly 200khz simply because of the clearity when trolling and still does not loose bottom when crusing - I have been up to 900feet and still tracking bottom (Full map mode)
I do run dual mode in sonar at times, as some areas at the 200khz looses bottom and the 50 khz does not. This always happens to me in certain areas and cant explain why. 50 khz is used if you want to track your down riggers. I have not tried both transducers thru the broadband as of yet. My next plan is to add a switch so can switch between transducers and also add the fuel flow sensor.
I now use the LCX525C only for mapping and the LCX38C for sonar. When crusing I use the 525 zoomed out on the map and the 38 zoomed in.
Fog Ducker, you can record your sonar data to the extra SD card and then watch with sonar viewer on your computer from Lowrance. Ths helped me with the settings as they are adjustable in the program so you can use these settings on your unit.
Some set tips
http://www.hookedoncatfish.com/LowranceTips.html