Lowrance HDS5m

[zolo]

I was having some problems with my Lowrance 5200c so I sent it in to get a look see and they sent me this bad boy.
A new HDS5m.

Is anyone here running one of these units? If so, is it similar to my old 5200c. Is the mapping any better? Is it easier or harder to use. I havent even plugged it in to my truck or removed it from the box.

Lowrance told me it has an internal antenna and that only if I really want would I have to use the old external antenna that the 5200c used. Since that one is hard mounted to the truck I figured I would use it. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks...

 

[spressomon]

I was having some problems with my Lowrance 5200c so I sent it in to get a look see and they sent me this bad boy.
A new HDS5m.

Is anyone here running one of these units? If so, is it similar to my old 5200c. Is the mapping any better? Is it easier or harder to use. I havent even plugged it in to my truck or removed it from the box.

Lowrance told me it has an internal antenna and that only if I really want would I have to use the old external antenna that the 5200c used. Since that one is hard mounted to the truck I figured I would use it. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks...

I've been using the Baja 540C for a couple years and like it for what it is. Hardware is very durable, dust proof, easy to nav on the fly, etc. However its relatively complicated and/or bulky to move map data back and forth between the unit and a PC as well as having to save your tracks to the SD card before you turn it off.

I was considering upping to the new Baja HDS-5, mainly for the internal antenna as I've had several issues with the 540C antenna and the supposed better display, but could never get anyone at Lowrance to confirm whether or not the MapCreate7 Topo maps were compatible or not.

One person at Lowrance informed me MapCreate7 had been discontinued (when I contacted them this past spring) and were not available nor supported. He told me the topo layer came WITH the Baja HDS-5 but there is no mention of this in any of their marketing material.

I assume but do not know as I've never played with one of the Chartplotters on land the base maps are different? Sorry I didn't really answer your question ;-)

I think adventureduo was using the HDS-5?

 

[zolo]

I've been using the Baja 540C for a couple years and like it for what it is. Hardware is very durable, dust proof, easy to nav on the fly, etc. However its relatively complicated and/or bulky to move map data back and forth between the unit and a PC as well as having to save your tracks to the SD card before you turn it off.

I was considering upping to the new Baja HDS-5, mainly for the internal antenna as I've had several issues with the 540C antenna and the supposed better display, but could never get anyone at Lowrance to confirm whether or not the MapCreate7 Topo maps were compatible or not.

One person at Lowrance informed me MapCreate7 had been discontinued (when I contacted them this past spring) and were not available nor supported. He told me the topo layer came WITH the Baja HDS-5 but there is no mention of this in any of their marketing material.

I assume but do not know as I've never played with one of the Chartplotters on land the base maps are different? Sorry I didn't really answer your question ;-)

I think adventureduo was using the HDS-5?

Well I just powered up it up and it is WAY different than my old unit. Its very complicated. Im not sold on it just yet.

I have been using Freedom maps pre loaded SD cards. Is there better mapping I can use for this thing. Something with USGS topo. A map source with really good public land info and roads,and topo.

Im not sure where to start it has so many "things" and a really crappy back ground map. WTH? I guess I will source better maps or just sell the thing.

Its overwhelming..............

 

[spressomon]

To the best of my knowledge MapCreate 7 or Freedom Maps (USA EX) are the only topo map software for these. I think the only difference between the two is Freedom Maps comes preloaded on SD card(s) whereas MapCreate 7 comes on a DVD and you need their reader to be able to push maps to an SD card...

And yes...the base map resident on the unit is nearly worthless without either MapCreate 7 or Freedom Maps.

 

[nwoods]

I think this is correct. I really wish I knew how to use my 540c. I have no idea how to do much with it other than stab the waypoint button when I think I might want to return to a given spot at some point in the future. I love the breadcrumbs features and screen scaling, but that's all I know how to do. I refer to it as "the infernal machine"

 

[zolo]

Since the unit they sent had crappy mapping and I was concerned that a different unit they sold could better fit my needs I called them to find out.

Just got off the phone with Lowrance. I was told they do not support any land based mapping SD cards or software any longer due to the fact that it didnt sell.

I asked about the HDS Baja gps unit. He said it was the same exact unit as mine as far as the mapping was concerned. The Baja just has foam inside to protect against vibration.
So I asked about the Elite Baja. He said that the unit they sent me was far better than that unit and mine has more bells and whistles.
I told him I didnt care about bells or whistles but mapping would be nice.
He said that the mapping on the Elite baja was the same as well.

So we both said a lot.

Out come was, to get good land bases topo style and public land maps on a Lowrance unit takes "buddies"(this is what the Lowrance people told me) that already have the info in the Lowrance datum witch is LCM or AT5. He also told me to find an old copy of map create 7 or freedom maps. That was the best land based mapping they have.
As if I could just go in my attic and pull that out of nowhere. Ive searched and that sofware is not readily availible
I have a copy of Freedom Maps SD for the Southeast and its not that great.

Is there a converter to get other mapping to work in a Lowrance unit?

 

[spressomon]

You just experienced my biggest gripe with Lowrance: Poor customer support. They sell GPS units and then abort the mapping programs, that really make them work, prematurely leaving us beached. Lowrance's model BTW is not an anomaly in the GPS specific market...

I'll reiterate my distaste for not only Lowrance but also Garmin and the other GPS specific companies. I'm hanging by a thread of hope that Benchmark (they are supposed to release their topo iPad app Spring 2011) or others will develop REAL topo apps/software for the iPad that is designed for the likes of us "overlanders" who actually use these things beyond just knowing where one's at on the map.

But, relative to commuters and all things marine and avionics, "we" are a small relatively unprofitable lot as it relates to GPS systems and the companies that develop them.

 

[Lostmanifesto]

I highly suggest going to and calling PCI Race Radios should you need any help with a Lowrance unit. They are an amazing company and sell all of the Lowrance products. Scott (the owner) races a Trophy Truck in SCORE (baja) and knows more than most when it comes to mapping and plotting a course. They do some off-road upgrades to certain GPS units helping keep the internals intact over very rough terrain. They also sell certain course maps (i think). On top of that, their customer service is really good and there hasnt been anything I needed to call Lowrance for that PCI couldnt answer.

http://www.pciraceradios.com/

I am curious how the internal antenna works on the HDS5m considering all of my Lowrance units have come with the "hockey puck" antenna. It would be nice to not need to run the wires and mount that big boy in my FJ. I have not mounted a true GPS in my FJ yet. Please show us where you mount it so we can see how much direct sky you are giving the unit for the antenna to work. Thanks!

 

[zolo]

I highly suggest going to and calling PCI Race Radios should you need any help with a Lowrance unit. They are an amazing company and sell all of the Lowrance products. Scott (the owner) races a Trophy Truck in SCORE (baja) and knows more than most when it comes to mapping and plotting a course. They do some off-road upgrades to certain GPS units helping keep the internals intact over very rough terrain. They also sell certain course maps (i think). On top of that, their customer service is really good and there hasnt been anything I needed to call Lowrance for that PCI couldnt answer.

http://www.pciraceradios.com/

I am curious how the internal antenna works on the HDS5m considering all of my Lowrance units have come with the "hockey puck" antenna. It would be nice to not need to run the wires and mount that big boy in my FJ. I have not mounted a true GPS in my FJ yet. Please show us where you mount it so we can see how much direct sky you are giving the unit for the antenna to work. Thanks!

Thank you for the info.

As for the antenna. I was using the white puck flush mounted on the hood. It works great and it works with the HDS unit as well. I am going to leave it there and use it with the HDS also.

But to answer your question Im mounting my HDS paper weight(at this point thats what it is) on the dash. Since the Tacoma does not have such an agressive window angle as the FJ. I would imagine the internal antenna would work fine. But in an FJ the puck might come in handy.

I run power to two seperate switches on the dash to power both the head unit and the antenna. All power is off my second battery and fuse panel.
But none of that really matter's case it has no mapping in it.

 

[zolo]

look like this......

 

[1leglance]

This is one more reason why I love my 10" screen Acer netbook running Delorme Topo and Oziexplorer and a usb gps puck.
Less than $500 into the entire setup including the mount (Jeniko $60), theft proof in the sense that I can easily take out the laptop. Does far more functionally like store music, service manuals in pdf form, update my ham radio and more.
And when I have the unit near wifi I can play on Google Earth, save the files and import them into either mapping program.

Ipad & netbook solutions are going to be a far brighter future for "overlanding" than anything the dedicated GPS companies are ever going to make hardware wise.
Oh and bash around in the dusty desert and have never had a equipment failure.

 

[bcrez]

Seriously? $500. does that include the PC? Can you send me equip info/ link to where you got your gear?

 

[YukonRob]

Interesting write-up of a nearly free alternative here:
http://http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/4x4-adventure-how-to/diy-off-road-gps-system/
With an inexpensive ebay lap top, a gps puck, and open source software you could conceivably have a solution for less than $200.

 

[bcrez]

Wow. Here I am sweating over spending 500-700 on a setup like that. I would spend a bit more than they did, but its a great look into how cheap you can do it. Thanks for the link.

 

[adventureduo]

I think adventureduo was using the HDS-5?

No sir, using a Baja840C here.

Although i've played with the new HDS Series and i like them, the resolution is nice.. but i've got mine dialed in the way i like, works great and the newest HDS in my size is big bucks. So i'll stay put for now.

We run the freedom maps from LEI. Preloaded for $99. Comes with 4 states on it and work great. Reason being is that i run all mac computers and their mapcreate software doesn't jive too well.