Lowrance GPS Seminar, October 22 @ 6:30pm @ Kayak Connection, S.C.

Jerry,

   I don't think that there is just a "power only" cable for these units BUT I don't know this 100% since there are some access. out there that Lowrance has fabricated (mainly) for display/demo purposes.  I come across these from time to time when I'm out helping at trade shows, servicing, retail stores, etc...  What I did with my own personal Elite unit I cut the NMEA cable off leaving about a 2-3" pigtail attached to the plug under the premise that IF I sell this unit to someone who needs NMEA 0183 interface, they have a little pigtail to splice onto.  Worst case is they need to buy a replacement power cable.  If you decide to go this route, I suggest capping the end of the cut cable with about a 1" long piece of adhesive lined heat shrink tubing.  Heat & shrink it to the outside of the black wire sheathing, leaving about 3/8-1/2" of tubing protruding past the end of the wire cut & while the tubing is still hot, carefully pinch the end of the head shrink closed with your fingers or smooth faced pliers.  I find wetting my wingertips first helps to keep it from burning    This should prevent moisture & corrosion from making its way into there & causing hidden problems.

   Lastly ... don't forget to use Dielectric Grease (aka Tune Up Grease @ automotive stores) on the plugs & all connections.  A small tube costs about $5 at AutoZone & will last forever.  Reapply as needed.  You can also apply a small dab to the exposed NMEA wire end if you cut it before you put on the heat shrink.  Small dab.  You don't want it to grease the adhesive lining causing it to not stick or leak.

Bill

Thanks!  Exactly what I wanted to know.  I will cut mine and dip it in some Plasti-Dip I have to seal it off.  I use the dip to seal any holes and screws on the kayak as well.  I almost forgot about using dielectric grease. 

Plasti-Dip ... GREAT idea.  Hadn't thought of it!  I'd love to share that advice with others.

   I usually carry a large tube of Dielectric with me when I go to the stores or events in the event someone needs a dab or two.  I'll have to start carrying some Plastidip too.

   Thanks for sharing that idea!

Bill

Question;
My last fish finder had displays like this Lowrance; battery volts, water depth, time, etc.  However, it also had a beam width reading.  Say I'm in 50' of water; it would display that the beam at the bottom of the lake was 14' wide.  That was handy; knowing from the sweep of the scan, and how fast I was trolling, when my lure was going to pass over the target showing up on the display.  Can this Elite-4 do this display?

The manual has a diagram showing the relative beam width based of freq and water depth, but I don't see a setting to display that. 

Nothing in the programming that shows the beam width like you mention.

Regarding the memory card;
is that a microSD or a miniSD card that I would need to update the software?

****EDIT****
Never mind, found out it's neither.  It's an SD card.  I got those!! 


****EDIT****
The lowrance website for downloading isn't working right; can't get to the file I would need;


http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/Elite-40/

It should be a microSD chip to fit in the unit.  Site should be working right now.  If you can't, I can email you the file.

Thanks!  I go to this page;
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Software-Updates/Elite-40/

I click the link:
Elite-4 HDI software update (version 4.0 - 5.0.17) - download here

A new tab opens this URL;
ftp://software.lowrance.com/Mark-and-Elite-Software-Version-4_0_5_17/Elite4-4.0-5.0.17-29417-r1-Standard-1.zip

And I get this message;
XML Parsing Error: unexpected parser state Location: jar:file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Mozilla%20Firefox/browser/omni.ja!/chrome/browser/content/browser/aboutneterror/netError.xhtml Line Number 305, Column 54: <div id="ed_netTimeout">&netTimeout.longDesc;</div>

That message is a time-out error.  Meaning the link timed out without getting a connection. 

I'll PM you my e-mail.

Bill,
    here are a couple of basic (I think) question.
1. do I have to reset the GPS to California every time I turn my Elite 4 on?
2. there are two plugs in the back of my unit, one is the power/transducer plug but what is the other and is there a cap I can get to cover it if I don't need it?

Sarge,

Great question.  First, make sure the simulator is turned off (box unchecked).  I think the sequence is Menu > Settings > Simulator.  Dont have one in front of me to verify this sequence.  Look for simulator & turn off.  OK, once you are outdoors for the first use, it may take a minute or two to search for you till it finds you.  Takes the longest the very first time.  Next time, it will start looking from your last location (east. 30 seconds).  Nothing you have to do.  It should do it for you.

Second plug (older, non hdi models noted with a black uni-plug) is for a remote temp sensor.  A little dielectric grease & a 50¢ cap from the hardware store will get you covered.

Let me know if this helps.  If not, tough!  Lol. No ...  I'm here to help in all seriouseness!!!

Bill

ok thanks for the info.

Hey Bill, can you verify this is the link where the file is and that you can open it?:

ftp://software.lowrance.com/Mark-and-Elite-Software-Version-4_0_5_17/Elite4-4.0-5.0.17-29417-r1-Standard-1.zip

I think because it's not www. but ftp, I'm having problems.

O.K. it's my COMCAST router firewall.  I'll have to get them to set my router to work with FTP, or else go someplace with wifi to get the file. 

  However, it also had a beam width reading.  Say I'm in 50' of water; it would display that the beam at the bottom of the lake was 14' wide. 

I have never heard of any FF displaying beam width at your current depth, but that would be an awesome feature! But you can calculate the beam coverage/width in your head though. 

Gonna try and make it.