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)