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Lowrance HDS Reports "not valid for area"

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Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 7:46pm


Topic: Lowrance HDS Reports "not valid for area"
Posted By: Haydan
Subject: Lowrance HDS Reports "not valid for area"
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 5:42pm

My newly imported HDS-8 (Software Version) 3.0.33.84 has a message flashing up on the bottom of the screen " Unit not valid for this area. contact local authorized reseller for support ". Anyone know how to remidie this? Must be fairly easy???

 
Thanks,
 
Haydan



Replies:
Posted By: johnybegood
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 6:42pm
hey mate. we bought a hds-7 in the states, and my guess would be that you purchased the insight version? meaning it comes with a full U.S mapping system, making it impossible to read/focus closely on NZ. if thats the case you'd probably need to get it cleared off. also maybe the sd card of your NZ is faulty? just a thought, bloody great device tho imo


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 7:19pm
Its the HDS-8 Enhanced US BaseMap unit. God damn it! Also appears to only have imperial units on it - no metric. Can this be remedied?


Posted By: U357
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 7:23pm
[QUOTE=Haydan]Its the HDS-8 Enhanced US BaseMap unit. God damn it! Also appears to only have imperial units on it - no metric. Can this be remedied?

Just when I thought I might get one, lucky you put this up lol


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404. That’s an error.
That’s all we know.



Posted By: johnybegood
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 8:03am
Originally posted by Haydan Haydan wrote:

Its the HDS-8 Enhanced US BaseMap unit. God damn it! Also appears to only have imperial units on it - no metric. Can this be remedied?


yea, we were over in the U.S and there are two versions. firstly the blank hds or the hds with insight. the insight is more expensive( as it has a full built in U.S map), by a few hundred dollars so it doen't make sense in wiping it, probably better to talk to the supplier and try get it changed, as the NZ maps are 300 bucks plus. maybe talk to bursnco, or a marine electronic specialist as i'm no expert hah


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 8:13am
I have the Navionics NZ charts, so its not the charts its the units basic software thats doing it. Hopefully its a software issue and not a hardware issue.
 
Someone else must have been through this and know how to fix it?


Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 8:50am
Have you tried ENL? they should be able to give you an idea on whats wrong.

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Sea Strike 18' Centre Console - Under Construction.... http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/sea-strike-18-build-thread_topic87723_page1.html" rel="nofollow - Build Thread here


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 10:41am
Turns out there may be some kind of Anti-Parrelal import coding in the new software that flashes up the message when its used outsid the US. I'll look into it more when I get back from work.
 
In the mean time if you've imported your own unit from the states you might want to think twice before upgrading your unit to the latest software.
 
Has anyone got an older version of the HDS software that they can send me to try in my unit? 


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 3:03pm
I've talked to the Aussy Lowrance team and they say the unit has to go back to the states via the place I bought it off to get this fixed. Which is absolute crap in my opinion, I'm waiting for the US to wake up to confirm this.
 
It's just totaly unbeleavable. I bought one of these units in the states and now in NZ, with no prior warnings that I can find anywhere (On the lowrance site or on the interwebs) the product does not deliver what the product description says it does simply because I am on the other side of the world. And this for a product designed to aid navigation. I am really really really pissed off with Lowrance at this stage I hope the US guys have better news for me.
 
I'll let you know what I find out.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 4:29pm
Another little update, found a small picture on the box that states "For sale/use in he Americas Only" Cry


Posted By: Double Shot
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 4:46pm
Send it back explaining so...
 
Did you pay by credit card? Tell them the story and that you have sent it back and see if they'll refund you....I've done that before.
 
How ever if it's a reputable company I'm sure they'll refund you or send you the right unit.
 
Good luck with it.
 
Predator


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70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    


Posted By: Unclejake
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 5:06pm
There are definately two HDS5s. One for The Americas and the one you want. I guess that is the same for HDS8s as I am told they are essentially the same, except for the bigger screen.
 
AFAIK you have no choice but to replace it with the correct one.
 
ENL will not help even if the unit goes faulty under warranty. We have been there.........


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 5:24pm
What a pain, you would think this would be spelled out in blank and white somewhere, wish this thread was here before I purchased the unit Ermm


Posted By: Unclejake
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 5:57pm
http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=43039&title=lowrance-hds5 -
Most HDS discussions end up here
 
http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=43039&title=lowrance-hds5


Posted By: U357
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 6:26pm
[QUOTE=Haydan]Another little update, found a small picture on the box that states "For sale/use in he Americas Only" Cry

I think you are screwed if the guys in the states don't play ball....lesson here for the rest of us.


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404. That’s an error.
That’s all we know.



Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 6:59pm
What lesson?
 
Is it a pain?
 
    Hell yes
 
What have I learned?
 
    That it is far from common knowledge that HDS units come in US only models a well as international. Even the resellers aren't aware of it.
    That if you order your HDS unit from america make sure its an international model
 
Would I do it again?
 
    Yes. If they get the price to within ~15-20% of the US then I'd get it here. I would love to support the locals but I can't justify spending $4500 dollars on something I can get for $2200 to my door by importing it myself. 


Posted By: johnybegood
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 7:43pm
i agree Hayden. they are heavily overpriced, hence why we purchased overseas as well. Even Navman is cheaper over there, yet it's made locally. go figure. hope you get it sorted, and in the boat asap!


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2010 at 9:23am
I've talked to Lowrance in the States, there is no way to turn this off (Or at least they have no intention of turning it off).
 
Found out it also has a name Geo-Fencing. Found this French YouTube video showing it in action if anyone is interested. Wonder if we'llsee this on other equipment like iPhones etc.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWtFzv2s-mg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWtFzv2s-mg


Posted By: MarkE
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2010 at 8:58pm

Is the seller going to exchange it for the non US version??



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Sea Strike 18' Centre Console - Under Construction.... http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/sea-strike-18-build-thread_topic87723_page1.html" rel="nofollow - Build Thread here


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2010 at 9:21am
Dunno just waiting to hear back from him. Everyone is a little shocked by it and only Lowrance seem to know anything about this feature and are staying tight lipped. I would guess that he will though I may have to pay more for it.
 
I wouldn't be so pissed if Lowrance had warnings up about this so that people knew.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2010 at 1:35pm
Found a couple new threads refering to this:
 
http://www.bassing.co.za/bassingforum/boating-electronics/4272-warning-buying-lowrance-line.html#post47625 - http://www.bassing.co.za/bassingforum/boating-electronics/4272-warning-buying-lowrance-line.html#post47625
 
and
 
http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=43645&forum_id=20&jump_to=600252 - http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=43645&forum_id=20&jump_to=600252 http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=43645&forum_id=20&jump_to=600252 -


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2010 at 8:16pm
Sorry to keep bumping this thread for those not interested. Looks as though the Geo Fence only effects newly built units that started shipping last month.
 
Still waiting to hear back from the guy I bought this from. The french seem to think that the local reseller can update the unit to make it work however Lowrance said the unit had to be replaced.
 
Found some French posts poping up in google today:
 
http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=www.pecheaubar.com/punbb/viewtopic.php%3Fpid%3D677525&ei=i8tXTMuVOcqecZ-tlYIJ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDcQ7gEwCTge&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhds%2Bgeo%2Bfence%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26prmd%3Dv - http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=www.pecheaubar.com/punbb/viewtopic.php%3Fpid%3D677525&ei=i8tXTMuVOcqecZ-tlYIJ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDcQ7gEwCTge&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhds%2Bgeo%2Bfence%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26prmd%3Dv
 
http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=powerticale.forumpro.fr/materiel-f5/limitation-d-usage-des-hds-achete-au-usa-t1363.htm&ei=nMtXTKLiNYaqcaWBgeYI&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCoQ7gEwBDgo&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhds%2Bgeo%2Bfence%26start%3D40%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26prmd%3Dv - http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=powerticale.forumpro.fr/materiel-f5/limitation-d-usage-des-hds-achete-au-usa-t1363.htm&ei=nMtXTKLiNYaqcaWBgeYI&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCoQ7gEwBDgo&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhds%2Bgeo%2Bfence%26start%3D40%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26prmd%3Dv
 
http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.nz%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D130%26ved%3D0CDIQIDBFODw%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwebcache.googleusercontent.com%252Fsearch%253Fq%253Dcache%253A2jkWQse89TIJ%253Awww.jigging.fr%252Fjigging%252Fviewtopic.php%25253Ff%25253D36%252526t%25253D12319%252Bhds%252Bgeo%252Bfence%2526cd%253D70%2526hl%253Den%2526ct%253Dclnk%2526gl%253Dnz%26ei%3D5NFXTL4Ci8lxhuPptwg%26usg%3DAFQjCNGXj57714i4lCGVRxUZP5ChlTygSg - http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.nz%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D130%26ved%3D0CDIQIDBFODw%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwebcache.googleusercontent.com%252Fsearch%253Fq%253Dcache%253A2jkWQse89TIJ%253Awww.jigging.fr%252Fjigging%252Fviewtopic.php%25253Ff%25253D36%252526t%25253D12319%252Bhds%252Bgeo%252Bfence%2526cd%253D70%2526hl%253Den%2526ct%253Dclnk%2526gl%253Dnz%26ei%3D5NFXTL4Ci8lxhuPptwg%26usg%3DAFQjCNGXj57714i4lCGVRxUZP5ChlTygSg


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 7:06pm
Hi i just bought the hds 7 unit and are now going through the same problems as you i thought i was getting the international model and got the us model did you find any remidies to the problems or what did you end up doing any help would be great .


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 7:18pm
Hi i just bought the hds 7 unit and are now going through the same problems as you i thought i was getting the international model and got the us model did you find any remidies to the problems or what did you end up doing any help would be great .


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 7:36pm
I'm still working through this, will post any advice I can but at this stage it appears to be a send it back and get them to replace with international version. There is still no official word from lowrance on this.
 
The guy I bought off is saying he will be replacing the unit, just waiting on him to confirm the replacement unit will be a worldwide basemap version.
 
Out of interest can you provide a link for where you bought yours?


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 8:25pm
hi this is the store http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180515437710 - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180515437710
  http://stores.ebay.com.au/Johnny-Sals-Sporting-Goods - http://stores.ebay.com.au/Johnny-Sals-Sporting-Goods
are you having any problems with the seller exchanging and are you paying extra costs


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 9:27pm
Oh that sucks its listed as a Worldwide base map. You should be able to get a refund including the postage or a replacement
 
The unit you where delivered then was a US Basemap version not the Worldwide basemap version?


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2010 at 10:20pm
yeah the unit on the box says us base map i cant change the units to metric and it flashes not valid for use in this area really sucks considering how long ive been waiting to put it in and use it seems stupid they would have different versions that do the same thing


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2010 at 8:56pm
This is what my guy sent me what do you think he says it is both america and worldwide have you returned yours yet
 
Dear drewbone84,

Hello, the unit I sent you is the U.S. version as well as the worldwide basemap. It is the unit I have been selling to European and Australian/NZ customers. To this point, there have been no problems. I think that Lowrance put the block in with the new software they released with the new units. U.S. dealers are unable to get the other versions. I am hoping that someone will figure out a way to rememdy the problem. There has to be a fix. Otherwise, you can return the unit. I would suggest waiting a couple of weeks to see if someone comes out with an idea to fix it. You will still be able to return the unit as you have some time. Please let me know what you think, thanks,John

- johnsaliman


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 9:02am
Just posted on Lowrances wall and got a responce from lowrance which is fantastic! (well not for us)
 
P.S. Its a load of crap that your reseller cannot get worlwide map versions of the unit, what they can't do is RMA a US version of the unit and have it replaced with a world wide version as they cost more.
 
From the sounds of things the difference between US and Worldwide is the certification that comes with a worldwide version (i.e. they put a sticker on it to say that the unit design has been tested and complies with the relevent certification for your area).
 
Our Americas units are not designed to be sold or exported outside of the Americas region. Doing so is illegal as different countries require different certifications for manufacture. (FCC in the US, CE in Europe and C-tick in Australia ...and NZ.) If an Americas unit is used outside of the defined area (30 degrees West and the International Dateline to the East) Then the unit will be English language only and only have imperial units of measure. The unit will also flash a warning at the bottom of the screen saying that this unit is not intended for use in the area.

The customer can return his unit to where he bought it or can have Navico upgrade it, at the customer expense, to a unit designed to work in his/her area.

To contact your local customer service center follow the link below.

a. Americas:
http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/Americas/ - http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/Americas/

b. Asia/Pacific: http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/APAC/ - http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/APAC/

c. Europe/Middle East/Africa: http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/EMEA/ - http://www.navico.com/en/About-us/Locations/EMEA/

It says on the box “Made for the Americas. For sale & use in the Americas only.” See attached picture.

Our warranty Text on this issue.

This Warranty is fully transferable only to persons located within the jurisdiction where the product was first purchased from a Navico Certified Dealer or Navico Boat Builder and installed and providing an original proof of purchase is provided to Navico or to a Navico-Certified/Approved service agent. For this purpose and the foregoing herein, all states within the US and Canada shall be treated as a single jurisdiction and it is intended, subject to any other conditions stated herein, that this Warranty may be transferred and this product may be sold, distributed and used, within the US and Canada.

SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE, NAVICO PRODUCTS ARE INTENDED FOR SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND USE ONLY WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE NAVICO CERTIFIED DEALER OR NAVICO BOATBUILDER FROM WHICH THEY WERE FIRST PURCHASED AND IN WHICH THEY WERE INSTALLED AND NOT ANY OTHER COUNTRY OR JURISDICTION. Unless upgraded by Navico at the customer’s cost, products will not function or perform as intended and will not be of merchantable, satisfactory or acceptable quality if sold, distributed, transported or used outside the jurisdiction of the Navico Certified Dealer or Navico Boat Builder from which it was first purchased and in which it was installed and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (i) all representations, warranties, conditions, guarantees and other terms (whether express or implied) are excluded and (ii) Navico and its affiliates assume no responsibility whatsoever and are not liable in any way for the product or its repair, replacement, servicing, upgrading or modification.

Customers requiring warranty support for products purchased outside the jurisdiction of first purchase, for example internet sales from international websites, will be required to return their product to the seller, or pay a fee to obtain local service.

Any web based purchases that are imported into countries by anyone other than a Navico Certified Dealer or Navico Boat Builder may not meet local standards and/or product compliance and Navico strongly recommends against importing these products from international websites as the imported product may not work correctly and may interfere with other electronic devices. Further, the imported product may be in breach of the local laws and mandated technical requirements.

Unless upgraded at the customers cost, products and/or systems purchased outside the jurisdiction where those products or systems are installed will not be issued a Certified Installation Certificate and will not be eligible for On-board Warranty Service.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Fishing/Salt-water/Boat-rods/auction-309523968.htm -


Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 10:04am
I am getting my 2 x HDS 8 units in a day or two from a friend who collected them in the USA for me, what exactly are the limitations of the geofenced units?

Other than the flashing message and the imperial units, does the fishfinder and GPS still work? Shocked

My supplier sugested I buy the Navonics Maps for my area, but it seems that solution will not work with the geofenced units?



Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 12:51pm
Thats it, flashy message and units. Effects units manufactured from April 2010...
 
Getting close to unsatisfactory resolution on this.
 
Whats youer plans fir the units?


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 4:45pm
OK bottom line time - if this happens to you, you are on your own, get the person you bought the unit from to:
 
take it back and replace it with the worlwide version (although this sounds as though it is not possible as Lowrance no longer sell worldwide basemap version in the states - although I have not confirmed that this is true word on the street is that it is so - to bad if you want to go sail around the world in one) 
 
or
 
get them to refund the money and buy the unit locally.
 
If you talk nicely to ENL they may get you a couple hundred bucks off a unit at one of their resellers, although I think if you where buying them you would probably be able to talk them down that much anyway.
 
This may be the end of this thread so may I say:
 
Angry Shame on Navico (Lowrance) for staying so tight lipped about all this. The least you could do is advertise or even just mention somewhere that US models are for Sale/Use in the US only but you don't do this at all and so end up pissing off your own customers and blemish further your own name. Angry


Posted By: drewbone
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 9:11pm
did you get a price to update the unit frpm your local dealer ???.


Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2010 at 10:10pm
I guess there is a lesson to be learned from all this, by Lowrance geofencing their navigation units is an admission from them that their systems are not serious WORLDWIDE navigation aids.

It also suggests that their local market provides more than enough growth for the company to even be concerned about the rest of the World.

The end result will be less WORLDWIDE sales in a trying USA recession, I guess this makes sense to Lowrance Clap

Why does Lowrance not rather take the local distributors to task regarding their high margins and bring their pricing in line with the USA dealers, this would logically stop customers from importing the units from the USA and thereby supporting their local distributors with sales and service.

On the other hand for less than half the local price I dont mind the GPS flashing a warning or the Imperial units, I bought the system primarily for its sonar capabilities.

Having said that, this is probably the last time I will be buying Lowrance until our local dealers fall in line and stop ripping us off, a grudge buy is a hard sale!


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 7:17am
They are not offering to "upgrade" the unit. Navico have offered it as an option to ENL to offer to us but ENL, for what ever reason, have decided not to offer us this option. I think they want to make sure those that import these units make as bigger noise as possible to discourage others (read make an example of us).
 
I'd like to add though:
 
I do not think that the distributer (read ENL) are creaming it in on these units. I think Navico (read Lowrance) are.
 
This is how I imagine this has all come about - Lowrance for a long time was only available in the states as it was navy type equipment, they had no competitors and where a nice company and so priced the units nicely. Whan they began selling them off shore they thought why not try selling them for more? So they did and it worked so they have been doing it ever since. Now with the advent of the internet this difference is well known and people are circumventng it by buying in the US and hittin Navicos bottom line.
 
I think ENL and the resellers are making normal margins (considering the price they must have to pay Navico the % profit they see is probably similar to US resellers) on these units. If they where selling at the rediculous mark up we appear to see in NZ (compared to the US) and Navico was not in on that profit taking then Navico would have no reason to begin geofencing as they would simply tell the NZ distributers to pull they're heads in and sell at descent prices. However they haven't done this. So all I can surmise from that is that ENL is not in the wrong, they are just stuck in a difficult situation that has been created by Navico.
 
Anyway fun and games my US reseller just offered me a 50% refund as the unit was "used". LOLCryLOL


Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 8:28am
file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMARKWA%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml -
mailto: - Navico most probably have a turnover based discount structure, hence the big distributors in the USA get the best pricing (online shops).
mailto: -
mailto: -
The local guys therefore dont stand a chance to hit the turnover targets presented to them, therefore your assumption is most likely correct.
mailto: -  
mailto: -  
mailto: - However it would have been nice if they had let us know that Geo Fencing is now switched on and advised on the resulting restrictions and annoyances.
mailto: -  
mailto: - They may have lost the sale via their local distributor but they still made the sale at the end of the day, a sale that most probably will never require assistance or service from them!
mailto: -  
mailto: - Strangely though I could not find a single Marine shop in LA that carried stock of the units, the units had to be ordered in in all cases?
file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMARKWA%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml -


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 8:36am
Cheaper to order it in I suppose than stock it?
 
I don't buy the sales volume bit, if this where true why is the price in South Africa, France, Japan, New Zealand and Aussy roughly the same?


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 8:38am
Oh and the reason they do not totaly disable the unit when it leaves the americas is that there would be all sorts of legal issues and liabilities if a vessel was lost because of it. AFter all once the unit is out of the box there is no way to tell if its a US model or not until you turn it on outside the US zone.


Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 12:01pm
Lowrance gives me the s***ts these days, for so many quality control reasons, have a read through this thread of HDS issues in Australia if you have a spare few days.... 22,000 views and counting!
 
Ask your retailer if they will swap it for a Furuno! You have every right to be annoyed... I'd be fuming!!
 
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=158730 - http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?t=158730
 
I bet "Beak" from ENL will be reading this with a cheeky smile on his face! Haha...


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https://www.youtube.com/user/troutboynz


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 12:43pm
I suspect that the issue re margins is probably a bit more complex than most realise. A huge piece of the cost of items like a chartplotter is in the Software, and software has no 'variable per unit' cost. You pay to develop it once and then recover the cost over all the units sold. Double the units sold = half the cost per unit etc. What this means is that the gross margin (excl S/W) on these units is probably much higher than people think, but the manufacturer can't sell at that level because he will never get his massive S/W development costs back. What this does mean however is that the large retailers can get significant discounts through committing to large volumes.
Take that argument to small markets like NZ and as a standalone entity (which it should be) the manufacturer can't discount nearly as much and achieve the same % 'profit' from that market based on the much lower volumes of S/W sold. Then add the cost to the retailer of setting up and supporting the NZ market, plus paying for all the promotions, brand marketing, sales activities etc on the back of relatively small volumes and you get the difference we see in pricing. 
No one is getting 'ripped off' except possibly the retailers who actually introduce you to the brand and market it in NZ so that you are attracted to buying one of 'their' brand units. If you choose to import a unit and get better pricing on the 'grey market', then it is reasonable to expect no support and even active deterrents from the manufacturer and retailer as without local sales the product will disappear from the local market and we will all end up buying some other brand that we see in the magazines etc.
Internet based selling is a serious issue for both manufacturers and local retailers of global products. I suspect we will see lots of changes in this space over the next few years, but whether it moves to more 'geo-protectionism' or a completely redesigned value chain who knows.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 1:14pm
I think your over complicating things, this is how it works, you make a product, you sell the product. It is no longer a difficult thing to sell internationaly.
 
Today, in the 21st century, we live in a global economy. To try to seperate it up the way lowrance is doing is no longer the best practice, best practice is to sell direct to the customer/reseller and outsource your service to local agency. With the level of advanced electronics in these units anything more than the most basic of problems is cheaper to replace the unit than fix and that is what they do.
 
The reseller then makes a resonable amount from the sale of the unit and more from value added service - such as installation, extended warranties, advice, servicing, consumables etc. etc.
 
The Software bit doesn't wash either - the US version, that is half the cost, has the basic world map built into it. You do not get the local map within the unit, you have to get it seperatly ($375 Navionics card). The US version now also has new technology to block its use in foreign contries (again adding to the cost of a US version not an international version). So the software cost for worldwide version is actually less than that of the US versions.
 
I agree that people that go into shops, knowing they will be buying online from someone else, and waste store personals time by making numurous enquires and questions then go off and buy from someone else is not a good thing (Bloody mongrels I think).
 
However (lets use cars for an example to open up some minds) if you went into the auckland holden dealership and asked to look at a new Holden HSV and he shows you it and talks you through it all, you take it for a test drive and shows you the car and you think wow thats a pretty cool car, thats what I need. So you say (because your not an idiot and don't buy compulsivly) that you'll sleep on it. The next day at breakfast you do a quick search on the internets and see that the holden dealership in Bluff is selling the exact same holden (only it doesn't have a service contract in Auckland so you'll have to pay for that your self) and it costs half the price, delivered to your door, of the one in Auckland what are you going to do? And is it immoral to do it?
 
Personally, this being the 21st century and all, I us the internet to find experts reviews and opinions on items before I purchase them (at least on big purchases like this.). If you truct a sales man these days to give you an honest review of an item your a bloody idiot (or you know the guy really well)


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 2:24pm
Haydan - you don't understand what I mean when I say software. The charts are not the 'software'. The software is the stuff that makes the unit work. It is after all just a very basic computer with chartplotting software loaded into it, a daylight viewable screen, and a water resistant case. The hardware cost of those units would be ridiculously small apart from the screen. My guess is that the cost of the S/W component of a chartplotter is more than the cost of the hardware (possibly excluding the screen). The software costs and sales volumes are significant aspects when determining the price and eventual profitability. Lowrance prove this point themselves by also offering their chartplotters under the 'budget' Eagle brand. The hardware in some units is basically the same for both brands, so how can they offer it so much cheaper? The reason is that the cost is in the software and they sell Eagle through Wallmart in hell volumes.

As for your 'international sales model', this is what I was alluding to in my post as a possible future model, but how many truely global  hitech products do you know that are sold that way today? Pure software products are the only ones I can think of, but due to having no variable costs, no logistics costs etc they have a different profitability model. Even then they have often price differences in different markets and even some major software products can't be legally purchased over the internet.

Consider this. What you are suggesting is that the manufacturers just shift their global pricing to the lowest price on offer in their biggest markets. They then don't make enough profit and they either cut their R&D or go out of business. If they cut their R&D they just go out of business a bit further down the track. So then they need to start thinking about global pricing (one price for the world that has to be higher than their lowest price today), but if they do that, their competitors who offer lower prices in their biggest markets (like todays pricing model) will take their market share in their biggest markets and they will go out of business. Even if they don't go out of business through poor margins, their brand will dissappear from all the smaller markets where the retailers currently do the promoting. So they quite definitely will go out business through poor margins and reduced sales.
Eventually I expect we will see a transition to more global based pricing, but it is not simple and will take a lot of time. In the mean time I expect to see more 'geo-fencing' type interim solutions as manufacturers look to protect their business and their relationships with their retailers.
Why do I know this, because I used to be heavily involved in setting pricing for globally sold hitech electronic products that had a heavy software content. What you are suggesting is technically very easy and structurally/financially very difficult.
If people choose to purchase things on the 'grey market' I do not condemn them. I would also never say that I wouldn't do it myself. I once purchased some game reels on a stop-over in Singapore when travelling on business to Europe. They were about 40% cheaper than in NZ. This is the same situation and I would do it again tomorrow. What I won't do however is accuse the local retailers of 'ripping us off' based on cheaper prices in larger markets, and I won't condemn a manufacturer for trying to protect their business and their retailers. That would be unfair.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 2:46pm
I see what your saying there,
 
I'm probably being a bit utopian in my ideas. And I've come to the same conclusion as you that I do not think that ENL and certainly not local resellers are "ripping us off'. And yea I suppose in time it will improve, in the mean time we just have to work with what we have...


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 12 Aug 2010 at 3:24pm
Tell you what though, if you can think of a workable solution you could probably make yourself very rich. 
The company that I used to work for was 'forced' through a series of circumstances to actually make a 'one global price' model for some large global customers. It of course went down the track of the lowest price becoming the global price. Our major competitors were also forced to do the same so the competitive impact wasn't that great. What did happen however is that the smaller country local offices out of which we previously supplied lot's of support got stripped to the bare bones, free help disappeared, and R&D spend got cut. Again our competitors had to do the same so the competitive situation didn't change.

The end result of this is that the technological advance in that global industry slowed down and the customers got less service and support for their businesses. They did however get cheaper prices and improved the short term profits which was their focus. Whether this model is going to give them the long term best profits is yet to be seen. If you look around the technology world it is usually the companies making the best margins that 'globalise' the major technological leaps. For the past couple of decades we have got used to technological advancement mostly leading human requirement i.e. the technology can do more than we actually need. Cut the manufacturers margins too tight and technological advance slows. End result eventually is that we consumers get cheaper products now and pay the price later in terms of not having the technology we need/want available when we need/want it. Global pricing in the technology arena really is a very complex beast, and marine electronics is definitely part of that muddle.


Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2010 at 12:25am
My point exactly, One Bass Pro Shop probably sells more Lowrance product in a month than the rest of the world orders in a year.

1. Navico make 98% of their money in the USA we must not loose sight of that fact  (The USA has a $50 Billion annual fishing industry).
2. Who buys Lowrance? the consumer, not distributors
3.  Do we have the right to spend our hard earned cash where we want to and with    whom we want to without pregidous mailto: -


Posted By: Donald Duck
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2010 at 9:33am
You just need a geek to load the US unit with Downunder software and you're tickety-boo. No, I'm not the geek but I could think of someone on this forum (initials Delta Alpha) who would know how tricky that would be.

I dunno how I lucked out and got an HDS5 for $1400 new in the Waikato, but I did (and had the head unit replaced on warranty) and I couldn't be happier with it - I see 'puka up to 390m - all good.


Posted By: Tagit
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2010 at 10:46am
Originally posted by Triton 19X2 Triton 19X2 wrote:


mailto: - 5.  If the local distributors got their pricing in line with the USA baring import duties and taxes etc would we support them? YES without a doubt!
6.  Would their turnover increase? YES
It always seems so easy when you don't actually have to do it. 

So tell me, if our NZ marine electronics retailers halved their prices, would there suddenly be twice as many boats on the water to buy twice as many units? That of course is what they would need to happen if they were to sell twice as many units to get their turnover even back to where it was, let alone increase it. 

I run a charter business and spend far more of marine gear than most others in NZ. I hate the fact that things are so expensive more than most. BUT, mindless rants about the local retailers being unable to match US prices are just that - mindless rants. 

If anyone here is clever enough to come up with retail model that allows NZ retailers to sell marine electronics at discount store US prices while maintaining their business at current levels, PM me and we can discuss how you can make some really good money from your idea. And if you can't work out how to make it work, please don't post drivel.


Posted By: U357
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2010 at 12:01pm
This has been such a good thread for those of us in the market for one of these units....glad that it was put up. 

-------------
404. That’s an error.
That’s all we know.



Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2010 at 11:49pm
I can assure you that the market is there, the consumer is simply importing the units directly from the USA like I did or not purchasing it at all as it is to expensive locally.




Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2010 at 9:25am
Right this is all finished now (I hope) eBay buyer protection has worked a treat, have no qualms continuing to use eBay after this.
 
2nd July 2010 Bought the unit from eBay
8th July 2010 Buyer obviously had none in stock, received the tracking number.
20th July 2010 HDS unit arrived in NZ (no updates from USPS)
22nd July 2010 HDS unit turned on and checked and "Not Valid in area..." discovered. Seller told of the issue and started researching.
25th July 2010 Began this thread.
3rd August 2010 Decided to open a case with eBay buyer protection as there is a 45day limit on claims 
11th August 2010 Seller offers 50% refund
13th August 2010 Escalated case with eBay buyer protection (they make a final call)
16th August 2010 eBay makes the descision - return unit for full refund.
 
Will be sending out the HDS this afternoon, gonna cost me about $130 all up for return postage (postage out from the states is refunded) through Courierpost (these guys are seriously cheaper than NZCouriers as they have a contract with USPS). Remember to ensure its a signiture required delivery.
 
Hope this help anyone else that finds themselves in this same prediciment. If I where to do it again and had the info in this thread available to me I'd have escalated this case much more quickly with eBay. If it happens to you immediatly open the case with buyer protection as they will not make a determination for at least 10 days after this (7 days talking to the seller, 3 days for a verdict.)


Posted By: Ferg.
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2010 at 3:25pm
Haydan and Tagit:  Thanks for your posts on this matter, it has been most informative and interesting, especially around the parallel importing and pricing issues.  Thumbs Up


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2010 at 10:30pm
Almost all sorted;
 
Got a P66 Transducer from http://www.marine-deals.co.nz/ - http://www.marine-deals.co.nz/  for $280 (Most places are $375).
 
Got my replacement unit today from a guy in Auckland (ordered on Friday arrived today - 6 days). The guy seems genuine and above board.
Units are from Asia, come with the C tick sticker and are newly manufactured units (box marked Software Version 3.0).
 
They do not have the Geo-Fence issue. The guy got the unit in first for me so I could check this out. I went round checked out the unit, got a GPS lock, updated the software and checked again - all good so bought it.
 
Paid NZ$3200 for an HDS-10 unit.
 
Other options where;
HDS-8 with 83/200 for ~$2850
HDS-7 with 83/200 for ~$1770
HDS-5 with 83/200 for ~$1300
 
The guy says prices are going up shortly because of supplier price increases and then again in October for GST so the prices above are likely to change.
 
Obviously no support for this unit will be forthcoming from ENL so any issues and the unit will have to wing its way back to Asia for service. I'd love to be able to pay ENL for parts and labour to fix it if I had an issue but I think they will tell me to F-Off (well not like that they seem like really nice people). Will let you know if I ever need it serviced as to how that goes.
 
If anyone is interested in contacting him you can email him mailto:[email protected] - [email protected]  or see his trademe shop http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3312288 - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3312288
 
Next month will try to get an LSS-1 unit (sidescan) to add to the setup.
 
P.S. I'd love to have purchase this unit from a local retailer, however for what I want to do with the unit I need the 2 SD slots that come with the HDS-8/10 units and the HDS-8 from NZ retailers is $4000 (minimum). By doing it this way for that same price I can got an HDS-10 with a P66 transducer and enough money left over to pay for a good chunk of a LSS-1 unit. When faced with the options of getting a 911 with all the trimmings or a plain boxter for the same price I'm sorry but I'm getting the 911.


Posted By: Hatchet
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2010 at 11:13pm
Hayden and everyone out there with Lowrance issues. I have read and sort of followed your grieviences, all valid, you must be as p.......d as ever with the response. The issue here is that we are being ripped off domestically, when we can get these units for half the price off-shore.
 
Lowrance are owned by Navico......based in Albany Northshore for those that are not aware. YIP a NZ Co.
 
Check out their web page http://www.navico.com - www.navico.com   . You will be surprised to see their Brands. Suggest you give them a call and give them hell. Hopefully they will be able to assist, it is afterall their product and in their best interest......I think.
 
We need stand to gether on this one and create some really negative publicity for them, show them we are serious. Pity though, it is an awesome product.
 
Catch you guys later
 
Hatchet..........


Posted By: kaveman
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 7:30am
Interesting 1st post HatchetTongue  anything you want to tell the listeners?

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www.kavemantackle.co.nz


Posted By: Double Shot
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 7:35am
Perhaps he's out to bury the hatchet....LOL

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70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 8:28am
Got my refund from Ebay which was sweet as as soon as the verdict was made the guy shut up shop.
 
Navico is a Multinational, certainly not a NZ company (Although they have an office in NZ). They are the ones that bought out Navman a while back and moved manufacturing offshore but kept the R&D boys on.


Posted By: Busted!
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 9:05am
Part of the issue with costs is the volume we import doesn't justify an entire cargo 'unit'.  i.e. it probably takes 20,000 units to fill a shipping container, and that would likely be 5+ years of stock in NZ at best!
 
So, our products get biffed in with someone elses who unpacks and resends the final part of the journey which means they clip the ticket on the way through.  That's partially why some products are much cheaper if imported directly, only one set of shipping costs and one import duty, not several.


Posted By: Up2
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 8:44pm

Hey Guys, installed a HDS-5 today and yes it has Geo-Fencing. Bought it online from a New Zealand dealer who did not know it was the Americas version. Dealer has been good and given me a couple of options. Have not had it the water yet but installed the Nav NZ gold card and seems to work fine.

Question is, is the flashing warning on the bottom the only flaw i guess. Will all other functions work fine. Would proberly not pick one up for the same price and could live with flashing warning. Cheers for your help.


Posted By: Triton 19X2
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2010 at 9:43pm
There are a few things that change, the message flashes the whole time, English language only and measurements become ft, miles etc, thats about it.

For the price difference I dont mind the message and I am english anyway Tongue

There is a way to BS the unit if the message is bothering you and you dont mind using another GPS for mapping etc.

I my case I was more interested in the Sidescan and sounder functions, connect your NMEA network to the unit, choose your NMEA GPS receiver as the default receiver.

Unplug the NMEA cable and do a Local reset (not sure where this menu is offhand).

No more message but also no more GPS, I have 2 other GPS'S on the boat so it is not an issue for me.

For every 10Ft wall there is an 11Ft ladder Clap I am sure there will be more changes to come when this practice starts to affect Lowrance business.


Posted By: MR D
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2010 at 5:14am
Mine is a US only version I was lucky to get it before they started Geo-fencing them. I just hope Geofencing can't be introduced via software up dates. maybe I should stop updating my unit.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2010 at 12:52pm
The geofence is a hardware issue, updates won't introduce it.
Who did you buy the unit off?


Posted By: MR D
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2010 at 6:40pm

texpromarineca on e-bay they are a canadian company.

Website http://www.texpromarine.ca/

Only problem was i got the standard wide 200khz transducer which isn't that great, I have since got an airmar p66 from the same place as you (thanks for the link) just waiting for a fine day to install it.




Posted By: Wanda_Ra
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2010 at 1:35am
Originally posted by Haydan Haydan wrote:

The geofence is a hardware issue, updates won't introduce it.
 
Wrong. Geofence is a Software issue.Hardware is the screen,wiring etc.   Its discussed bigtime lately on oz fishing/boating forums.
 
" From what I understand, this comes in via the latest software (Version 3.x) which all new US units are pre-installed with. The interesting thing here will be for people who have purchased USA versions of the popular HDS5, 7, 8 and 10 units and currently have software 2.x installed. If they upgrade to version 3, it's highly likely (pretty sure 100% likely) they will see the same problem above as they will introduce the geofence issue."
You can always ask questions on here. http://www.facebook.com/Lowrance - http://www.facebook.com/Lowrance
 


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If you think you are too small to make a difference,try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent.


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2010 at 7:31am
There are reports out of France and SA of people updating older US models with no probs, so long as your unit was produced before March of 2010 (I think) you are safe. If you have "Version 3.0" on the box there is a good chance its geo-fenced, but there are reports of non-fenced units with this on the box also.
 
My impression is that all geo-fenced units come with 3.0 version software, however not all 3.0 version software units are geo-fenced.


Posted By: MR D
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2010 at 5:51pm
well i will let you know i have just updated to version 3.5. didn't notice any pop ups on the chart page when it rebooted. we will see on the weekend.
My question is this how does the software know if you unit is non america's, could this happen to NZ brought units (non geo fenced) if the user updates to the latest software?
Not a good way for lowrance to build a client base if mine bombs out i will never buy lowrance again.

Edit:- it appears I have got away with it went out to the boat and fired it up locked on satellites and all good.
I did notice that there were 2 updates 1 general 3.5 and the other HDS Background Charts updates recommended for early production HDS units.
I would steer away from the second one.


Posted By: Nucleus
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2011 at 9:45pm
Now that is some interesting news.
Will I be able to set units of measure to meters and celsius too?

I bought both a HDS-8 and a HDS-10, both of them are geo fenced.....

But I am fine using the HDS-10 as a sonar only(running LSS-1 on it).

So please let me know if you are able to choose metric settings.
I guess the whole thing is to do a reset, so that the unit "don´t know" that it is located outside the US, and then I guess the metric and language options should be complete.

Thanks in advance.




Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2011 at 10:35am
Sorry Nucleus you may be able to trick the Sonar only one by disabling the GPS but you might be out of luck as I think as soon as it sees its out of the states it remembers where it last was, I think the trick would be to turn it on inside and disable the GPS before it can get a lock. On the other one your pretty stuffed and will be stuck with an annoying message and imperial units...


Posted By: Nucleus
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2011 at 1:13am
Hi and thanks Haydan!

I tested this yesterday, I choosed the the HDS-8 internal antenna as default for my HDS-10, turned the unit off. removed the nmea2K from the HDS-8 and did a soft reset on the HDS-10.

Restarted the HDS-10, now I am able to shoose metric units of measure, Swedish Language(yes this is where I live :-). unable to use the HDS-10 as a gps tho, but this boes not matter for me since I bought it to use it as a stand alone sonar only.
The other one, still being used as chart plotter will of course have the annoying text.

Thanks.

/N


Posted By: Nucleus
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2011 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by MR D MR D wrote:

well i will let you know i have just updated to version 3.5. didn't notice any pop ups on the chart page when it rebooted. we will see on the weekend.
My question is this how does the software know if you unit is non america's, could this happen to NZ brought units (non geo fenced) if the user updates to the latest software?
Not a good way for lowrance to build a client base if mine bombs out i will never buy lowrance again.

Edit:- it appears I have got away with it went out to the boat and fired it up locked on satellites and all good.
I did notice that there were 2 updates 1 general 3.5 and the other HDS Background Charts updates recommended for early production HDS units.
I would steer away from the second one.


I am pretty sure that units that came from the factory without the Geo Fence, will not have this added by a software update.



Posted By: MR D
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2011 at 7:13pm
Ok Thanks, good to know but still not going to do any more up dates just incase.


Posted By: steve austen
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2011 at 11:07am
Thanks for the info you shared with us ... i think that http://www.dealsourcedirect.com/34241.html - Lowrance HDS-5 is valid for area reports....


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2011 at 7:25am
Hi all,
I write from Italy,
iforum day tour of the world for the same problem geofencing, although a few weeks ago I found the solution, you have to upgrade the tools in version 2.5 and the block geofencing disappears, I write because I can not find the correct policy Lowrance are using, if you have trouble finding x upgrade you copy and paste the link ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe - ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe , I hope to be helpful


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2011 at 7:27am
Hi all, I write from Italy
, iforum day tour of the world for the same problem geofencing, although a few weeks ago I found the solution, you have to upgrade the tools in version 2.5 and the block geofencing disappears, I write because I can not find the correct policy Lowrance are using, if you have trouble finding x upgrade you copy and paste the link ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe - ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe , I hope to be helpful


Posted By: zanza36
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2011 at 12:54am
Hi all, I'm from Italy and I've the same problem with an hds 10 made in usa.
in this days it's just arrived the version 4.0 and in italy the navico customer care told me that there is the possiblity (at payement 600 /700 euro!!!)  to unblock the hds for working in this area, with this new software. I hope  there is someone in world that will crack this new software because Im not agree with the commercial politic of lowrance in italy more dealer don't know nothing about he geofence and the lowrence don't write nothing in the official site of this problem


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 01 May 2011 at 12:49am
navico customer care, after persistent complaints and threat of legal action, has confirmed to me that you can unlock the meter purchase the unlock code upon payment of 250 euro, a steal in practice, I have unlocked with the update 2.5 is working perfectly


Posted By: MiraMMM
Date Posted: 02 May 2011 at 2:15am
I tried it on my HDS-10, it is working, but I can not use LSS-1 StructureScan Sonar  now. I lost the STRUCTURE menu from PAGES. How can I use it, please? Thanks..


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 02 May 2011 at 10:22am
navico customer care, after persistent complaints and threat of legal action, has confirmed to me that you can unlock the meter purchase the unlock code upon payment of 250 euro, a steal in practice, I have unlocked with the update 2.5 is working perfectly

More info please?


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 02 May 2011 at 10:25am
STFW - This thread looks as though it should sort you out;

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165384 - http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165384


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 03 May 2011 at 8:04am
what I have been written by the costumer care navico is that I could unlock my HDS designed for America includes the code (with update 4.0) release at any authorized dealer at a cost of € 250 Angry, then more then I did not responded, however I installed the 2.5 update and it works fineClap


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 03 May 2011 at 8:07am
you connected the yellow wire that is in the wiring to the + red and - black?, yellow is the remote turn on, like that used in radio antenna to electricity for lighting or audio amplifier


Posted By: MiraMMM
Date Posted: 03 May 2011 at 8:45am
I installed the 2.5 update, too..  and it works fine Clap..  But after I have lost the STRUKTURE menu v PAGES. And my LSS-1 Structure scan Sonar Imaging is not working.. Ouch
 
 
I need more info for that..


Posted By: MiraMMM
Date Posted: 03 May 2011 at 9:22am
I connected the yellow wire..  I connected all rights.. All is working with software 3.5 or 4.0, but with GeoFencing.
When I have use 2.5 software (exactly 2.5.31.56), it is working fine, no GeoFence.. but I have lost the part of menu for StructureScan imaging transducer, and I can use only classic 83/200 transducer.
If I update 3.5 or 4.0 software, all is again working perfect..  until I will got GPS position and GeoFencing.
Have you LSS-1 StuctureScan transducer? Is it working with software 2.5?
 


Posted By: dolphingold
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 5:04pm
in terms of absurdity by Lowrance Navico is the latest written by Italy as a response to the complaints of many customers, on a forum (gomSpero di non spegnere gli entusiasmi, ma lo sblocco software di un hds comperato negli Usa dopo un eventuale aggiornamento alla versione 3.5 ed alla 4.0 appena uscita è il seguente:

HDS-10 euro 750,00 + iva
HDS-8 euro 650,00 + iva
HDS-7 euro 550,00 + iva
HDS-5 euro 250,00 + iva

solo per vostra informazione leggete qui: http://www.navico-liguria.com/contents/it/p773.html -


Posted By: jsmehla
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 5:45am
Hello,
I am from Czech Republic so please excuse my English.

I have exactly the same problem as you. After purchasing HDS7 the U.S., I dropped itand just found the GPS signal and the message appears "not valid for area.

After reading this thread I have uploaded the software HDS_253156b and echo sounder began to work but I still have an on-screen menu that is about to file HDS8higher order, 10 of which still have under display pushbuttons.

You somehow managed to further resolve this problem and run the echo sounder withthe newer software 3.5 or 4.0, so that did not appear the message "not valid for area"??

Thanks a lot in advance for any advice that might help.

Sincerely H.Šmehlík


Posted By: Haydan
Date Posted: 30 May 2011 at 9:34am
Contact Lowrance, apparently you can pay US$300 and fix your unit.

Alternatively - If you bought from Ebay return it for a refund and source an international version from UK, China or Singapore


Posted By: Zebbyz
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2012 at 8:19am
Did you solve this one ?


Posted By: manzaneitor
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2013 at 11:39am
Originally posted by dolphingold dolphingold wrote:

Hi all,
I write from Italy,
iforum day tour of the world for the same problem geofencing, although a few weeks ago I found the solution, you have to upgrade the tools in version 2.5 and the block geofencing disappears, I write because I can not find the correct policy Lowrance are using, if you have trouble finding x upgrade you copy and paste the link ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe - ftp://download.lowrance.com/HDS/HDS_253156b.exe, I hope to be helpful

Pongase en contacto conmigo por favor [email protected]



Posted By: HDS7Lowrance
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2016 at 8:40pm
Hi,
 
Can anyone please send me via wetransfer the hds software version 2.5. I also have geofence problem "not valid for area". Many many thanks. Marco



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