Product Support - Mapping Troubleshooting

Here are some solutions that have helped many of our customers.

Accuracy
Lowrance Electronics obtains its mapping data from government agencies. Mapping is not an exact science. A unit's GPS position (Latitude/Longitude) can be extremely accurate, but the location of an item such as a street, or store may be slightly inaccurate. In most cases, the mapping detail in our products is very accurate. We encourage the reporting of inaccuracies or omissions so that we can consider them for future revisions.

Expectations
With all the road construction across America, no mapping agency can stay current with the changes and additions. We encourage the reporting of these items so that they can be considered for future revisions.

Cards are Not Read by the Unit
Before purchasing a pre-loaded mapping card for a unit, go to our Mapping Index.

- Click on the type of card you are interested in and look at the list of units that are compatible with that card.

-When zooming in to see more detail, be sure the cursor is located within the area covered by the mapping card.

-In the menu, select Map Data. If you have a Navionics card, make sure that Navionics is selected under Map Choice. For all other cards, select Lowrance.

-In the menu, select Categories Drawn. Make sure all the categories you want to see have a check mark beside them.

-If the card is not recognized by the unit, make sure the card contacts and corresponding unit pins are clean and free of obstructions. Verify that the card is securely seated in the card port.

-Try resetting the unit as described below.

- If it is a card for a MapCreate™ map or saved GPS data, it may need to be formatted. Do not format pre-loaded cards such as NauticPath™, Fishing Hot Spots® Pro, LakeMaster® Pro Maps, FreedomMaps™, or Navionics®. The information will be deleted from the card.

Please be aware that Lowrance GPS products will only read cards that are FAT formatted. MMC or SD cards formatted using FAT32 or NTFS will not work with our products.

Current Position Not on the Screen
First, make sure the unit is locked onto the satellites and shows a fix on the satellite status screen. Then check for cross-hairs on the screen (or for an automotive unit, a red box with an X).  Press the EXIT button to clear the cross-hairs and your current position will not be shown in the middle of the display. 

For an automotive unit, press the red box with the X in it to return to your current position.

Update the Software
Make sure your unit has the latest software version. Go to the Software Update page to download the update for free.

Reset the Unit
Sometimes resetting your unit can solve unusual issues. Here is a list of Reset Procedures for Lowrance products. Locate the one that applies to the model you own. Try a Soft Reset first, this will return your settings to factory defaults.

If you decide to try a Hard Reset, save any important stored data to an MMC or SD card or write the information down. The data will be deleted during this process.

If you have reviewed the troubleshooting information above and still believe that you need additional assistance, please choose one of the following options:

Frequently Asked Questions   Send Unit for Service
Email Support

If you need to speak with a Customer Service agent, please call our toll-free Customer Service line at 1-800-324-1356. Technicians and representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, except holidays.

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