HDS 7 m problem

[trueblue]

my chart plotter threw a fit on the weekend. firstly it started up like normal but would not show the proper chart detail.

I shut it down, pulled the card in annd out and reinserted the card, then tried to start it back up again

it took about 8 minutes to start up, then still wouldn't show the map detail. It did however seem to work otherwise, showing marks, fuel flow and fuel usage, running the network etc

any ideas what might be wrong with it?

[Moonlighter]

Sometimes it seems that the software does not load 100% properly with those units. It seems to happen most often to people who don't shut down their HDS units properly -ie press the on/off button, select shut down, select ok and allow the unit to shut down before turning power off at the battery.

Apart from shutting down properly as described above, a soft reset often gets things working again. Check the Lowrance website for the buttons to press, search for "soft reset" and you will find it. Soft reset reboots the software but doesn't reset everything the factory settings or delete your waypoints and other data.

The other possibility is that there's something wrong with your mapping card, as I came across a similar problem on my mates boat with his Lowrance LMS unit a while ago. Took the map card out and it worked fine, put the map card I and it didn't want to start up and kept crashing.

Cleaned the map card contacts with some metho and put it back in, worked fine ever since.

Cheers

ML

[trueblue]

thanks, will try

[johndeere]

Make sure you push the map card in until it locks itself, before closing the door. Some people think that the door activates the card.

[trueblue]

nah, that ain't it. card is properly locked in place before closing the door.

[trueblue]

definitely something wrong with the map card

works fine without it

[Moonlighter]

Mmmmm

Thought that was a possible reason.

You could try cleaning the card contacts with metho or electronics contact cleaner. It could also be the contacts inside the HDS that are dirty/dodgy. See if you can very carefully clean both. You can get the electronics cleaning spray from the likes of Jaycar. Leaves no residue. Plus avoids the need for cottom buds etc which can always leave bits of stuff around.

Maybe give Navionics (assume its one of their cards?) a call and ask their advice on how to clean it as well. They may simply say send it in and we will replace it for you.....you never know

Cheers

ML

[Andy56]

I have had the same problem. It intermittantly shut down and couldnt fire up again. The Gps also struggled to get going .It wanst the map SD either. I have taken mine back:hopefully in a couple of weeks I will get a new one back.
It looks like its going to get a little cold here in Melbourne for a few weeks so I probably wont miss it.