Lowrance 2000c Upgrade

Squeak · #1 10-03-2005, 08:57 PM

Just received the Terrain Awareness Upgrade for the Lowrance 2000C. Have to charge my batteries before installing the new software. It warned to have fully charged batteries.
I also notice in the installation that you also get a new navigation airspace page.

The installation did not work. It would not load up so I called Lowrance and got a very helpful Tech Person. He had to send an email with an upgrade for my old 32MB card. Then I put the old card back into Lowrance Card Space and it upgrade automatic. I removed the 32MB card and reinstalled the Terrain Awareness Upgrade and it upgraded.

Cannot wait to go flying now and try it out. It is going to cool down here (Southern IN) by the end of the week so the sky will be clear again.

Anyone got the upgrade installed yet?
Squeak

jim · #2 10-04-2005, 08:15 PM

Squeak,

I have been looking for the upgrades. Where did you get the terrain awareness upgrade. I know you can download the Jepp software upgrades from the Lowrance site, but I so far have been unable to find the terrain awareness upgrades. I would like to get this done before LOE.

Thanks,

Jim

Squeak · #3 10-04-2005, 09:00 PM

Jim, FLIGHTESSENTIALS.COM I ordered it when Osh was going on. Flew with it today and it is very nice. Time will tell but so far, believe it was worth the money. Believe they had it for 99.00. Here is the link.
http://www.flightessentials.net/inde...OD&ProdID=1002
Squeak

mrreddick · #4 10-05-2005, 06:29 AM

Glad to hear that "Squeak" likes the upgrade, mine should be delivered today.
To Jim, I don't think you'll want to download the software if Lowrance ever makes it available online. (unless you have a very, very fast server)
The new software comes on a 512mb SD card because the program is very large. You'll have a little expansion room left on the card for making a local area map, if you keep it small - at least that's what the Lowrance tech told me.
Now, where is that UPS truck?

jim · #5 10-05-2005, 07:38 PM

Squeak and Mike,

Thanks for the link and the info, I am going to try to get it before the trip!

Jim

mrreddick · #6 10-07-2005, 06:08 AM

Guys,

I put the SD card in place yesterday evening and nothing new happened!
The database showed to be current but I couldn't access the Terrrain software as the instructions said.
Calling PilotMall this morning but probably won't reach them as they are in the process of moving to St Petersburg, FL, over the next week.
I hope Lowrance can tell me what's wrong.

mrreddick · #7 10-07-2005, 09:19 AM

Guys,

I love a company that responds to your product questions.

Neil at Pilotmall.com answered my inquiry within an hour of posting.
Seems that Lowrance may have released the Terrain Awareness software a little early. They know that "some" users may have a problem installing the new program on their units and have provided a detailed letter to the seller with instructions on how to make it work. Note: version 1.5 is due to be released soon that will correct the installation problem.
Anyone that needs a copy of the Lowrance letter, let me know. It's in MS Word format. I'll email it to you.

gmcjetpilot · #8 10-08-2005, 01:05 AM

I am thinking of retiring my old Garmin and like the look and size of the 2000c, especially for the price. Garmin is nice but don't need the XM weather but like the terrain feature. So do you recommend? Does it come drive and come with a harness to connect the data serial port to the auto pilot? Thanks G

L.Adamson · #9 10-08-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

I am thinking of retiring my old Garmin and like the look and size of the 2000c, especially for the price. Garmin is nice but don't need the XM weather but like the terrain feature. So do you recommend? Does it come drive and come with a harness to connect the data serial port to the auto pilot? Thanks G

Something to consider is screen resolution. The Garmin screen is smaller at 3.8", but has a pixel resolution of 480*320. The Lowrance, with a 5" screen comes in at a 320*240, which makes the display look blocky in comparison to the Garmin. I'm impressed with the Garmin (296) terrain display, at it's resolution, as it looks like a "mini" Garmin 1000. But what's the Lowarance terrain/warning display going to look like? I don't know...

Kitplanes (Feb. 2005) wrote a good "head to head" review , as they called it, on the Garmin 296 versus the Lowrance 2000c. End the end, even with the Garmin $200 more than it is now, the magazine favored the Garmin due to superior display with greater terrain detail, simpler operating system; and at the time, the terrain warning feature.

L.Adamson

mrreddick · #10 10-10-2005, 06:31 AM

In response to one question, Yes, the 2000 comes with the necessary card reader to hook up to your computer plus mapping software to create detailed maps of an area. Since I started flying with the 2000, I have been going in and creating small 5 to 10 square mile maps around our destinations. The detail when you get close to arrival is great!
In response to the resolution argument, Garmin vs Lowrance, I don't see a problem with the difference. I've flown in a friend's 6A using a Garmin and I'm very happy with the Terrain Awareness display of the Lowrance. I guess it all boils down to how much do you wanna pay for the few extra pixels.
I paid $475 for my Lowrance, after the $225 credit for my old outdated Airmap. The Terrain Awareness upgrade was $99.
I think it's hard to beat at that price, especially when it's my backup to my panel mounted Garmin that doesn't have an obstruction database.