The 3.0 software update for Lowrance HDS units is online now at www.lowrance.com for download.

Lowrance gives you the ability to add software enhancements and to fix issues that arrise after production and this is a big benefit.

I have had several calls and emails from folks asking what the updates are so....What changes are made in this update?
HDS 3.0 includes all functionality previously included with 2.5 update along with the following:
Support for FastScan mode with BR24 broadband radar
MARPA support for BR24, LRA 1800 or LRA 2400 radars
Guard zones support for BR24, LRA 1800 and LRA 2400 radars
Monitoring of DSS load controllers – limited configurations
Interoperable with Mercury SmartCraft N2k Gateway
Display of SIRIUS® fuel pricing (land based stations only); subscription required
Navionics improvements including:
Trackline extension (both time and distance)
Fish & Chips functionality
Corrected bug associated with gap between trail and vessel position
Corrected bug associated with displaying text upside down
Corrected bug with reading 2010 micro-SD mapping cards
Showing/Hide Restricted Areas
Faster processing of LGC-4000 positioning data
New low-voltage alarm with user defined trigger threshold
Expanded support of coordinate systems
Translation of LORAN coordinates
Improved Night mode operation with 2D Insight Charting
Backlight synchronization on networked systems
XTF file support for StructureScan equipped systems
AIS Icon Filters

Hey Bill I just got my unit a month ago(HDS 10). Does it have the latest version or how can I check to make sure? Also our next club meeting could you up date the units for us again?

How to see if your HDS is already using version 3.0:

From a chart or sonar page, press the MENU key twice to activate the Settings menu.
Select SYSTEM.
Select ABOUT from the SYSTEM menu.
The software version is displayed with the title "Application" and 3.0.33.84.
The platform version is displayed with the title “Platform” and 56.14-3.
If your Application and Platform version are the same as listed in steps 4 and 5 above, there is no need to download the software.

Bill,
If the structurecan unit is powered DIRECTLY from a battery, with no switch on the positive lead--is the unit always running and therefore discharging the battery? Understand the yellow lead serves to "wake up" the comunication function. Question is about battery/amperage drain.
Thx

I didnt hook mine up to a switch and hooked the yellow wires together and mine cuts off when I cut my HDS off. I fed my power wire and ground off the same as my HDS.

Thanks, that is what I wanted to see confirmed.

Finally installed my SS. Great stuff, except..

When I run my SONAR I noticed the DownScan screen is covered in small vertical lines. When I turn STOP the SONAR, the Little lines disappear.

Both transducers are about 4 inches apart per Lowrance's recommendation.

All of my settings are defaults, so perhaps I need to modify something? What do you guys think?

So..Im still having issues with my unit(s)

I called Lowrance and the tech said I could have a bad head unit
I called a local Lowrance Rep he said I could have a bad SS transducer
I called a semi local Lowrance Rep and he says its Other boats SONAR feedback.

The only common thing all 3 said is that they never heard of this issue...

I have already had to return the unit for another issue over the winter, but now we are in full fishing swing, I do not want to be without my electronics...

sigh, my saga continues...

If anyone feels bad for me and if I return my unit for a 2nd time, I will gladly be a 1st mate on anyones vessel.

Hey guys,

The Lowrance Rep said NOT to hook up the yellow wire to the power which I had (as mentioned in the above post) He said wiring the yellow to the red will cause feedback. So last night I re-wired my SS to come straight off the battery (actually fuse box) and no luck in fixing my problem... Same vertical line feedback. When the lights go out on the box, there is no power going to the unit.

While on the water I was talking to a Lowrance Software Engineer and he had me go thru all sorts of setting and procedures. When I unplugged my SS transducer from the box, the feedback lines stopped, so he believes its a bad SS transducer and they are sending me a new one.

For some reason, folks at many levels at Lowrance are intrested about this one, so I have the numbers of just about everyone.

Long story short, if the SS transducer is not working correctly, it could be broadcasting in 300mhz which is close enough to the 200mhz to cause the feedback.

I took some screen shots pics of my feedback lastnight, but I failed to move them to my SD card

I cant say enough about the support I am receiving from Lowrance. Besides being on my boat, I cannot ask for anything more. (except for it to work)

I want to say a big thanks to Allen Silver for installing my Lowrance LSS-1 last week. He did a fine job and everything works great. Also a big thanks to Bill Carson who helped me out with the 3.0 Update and with the settings on my HDS 8. We are very fortunate to have someone of Bill's caliber here at Lake Lanier to assist and educate us on Lowrance products. The end result is more fun and better success on the water. Thanks again to Bill and Allen.

Hey Doug, I couldn't agree with you more! Bill C I moved my LSS off of my alum plate and everything is fine now except some verticle lines on my 2D screen. I have been hearing of other people having this problem as well. Do you have any insight to this anomally.

Other than that I am up and running true.

Dan, I didn't notice the lines. With all of the fish you have been catching I am surprised you even had time to look at your Lowrance(LOL). I'm not sure what would be causing that issue. Maybe you HDS 10 owners should swap out to the HDS 8. On a smaller screen you don't see stuff like that. I'll swap you even.

Throw in your bait tank leaning post combo and you got a deal...LOL

Ok

Here are a few shots of my issue...

I have insulated the bracket completly from the boat, so there is no metal to metal contact. The wiring as far as I can tell is correct and these screen shots were taken when no other boats were around.

same exact lines I now have.

So does anyone know what these are or how to fix?

LtSmash, I have not gotten any feedback as to what these vertical lines are from. I will tell you this: while running in shallow water if you will switch your 2d graph to 83khz and your down scan to 800khz you will get a much clearer picture in which to desifer your bottom searching. As to the lines I have no clue as of yet, but am still searching for aswers.

So are these vertical lines showing up ONLY when running the New HDS 3.0 software? Did they also show when running the prior version?

They were there prior to the update for me at least. They only appear while LSS is on

Mine still on the prior( to 3.0 )software. I will be able to see if it has the vertical lines , with LSS on next week. Did not notice them when we first used it BUT then- I wasn't looking for them.

Nothing more from lowrance. Last time I called my contact, he was sort of annoyed with my issue and told me to increae my surface clutter. Great support for a 3k purchase

I am on 3.0 with LSS and have not seen these yet.

LtSmash,

What is up with the unit? I dropped a message to you that I would be happy to speak with you about any issues you are having and offered to meet you if need be. My number is 404.861.9300. Jimpal I thought Mark updated your unit Saturday when we met at Big Creek and you were all set?

I am all set, Bill. Thx to you and Mark. I was just commenting that I have not seen the weird lines that several others have experienced, mine is just fine now. This is really a nice piece of equipment.

Thanks Bill

I must of missed your offer. I surely will take you up on it.

Has anyone noticed that the new maps depths are off? Pre 3.0 maps the depths and countour lines were spot on, this past week, several times were were suppose to be in 80ft of water while the depth was only 50 - 60ft. I noticed the depth differences all over the lake, Flowery, 6mile, 2miles, main lake.

Mr Smash

Where have you been. Email me- rickolla@don.com You were suppose to help me out on the weight deal.

That is weird about the depths. did not notice it yet.

Just found your prior question. YES - have also noticed that the depth and contour lines are WAY OFF. We are running an HDS10 at 3.0/ and LSS --and the Platinum maps and see the depth & contours figures are way off in the very same lake places you mentioned.

Did you get an answer?
Let us know
Tom