Any lowrance hds 7m experts out there?

alisdair4

alisdair4

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Isle of Bute
midnightdrifter.net
This is probably a really daft question, or I am having a senior moment! I am trying to get my Lowrance (HDS7M) chart plotter to scroll as the boat moves when there is no route or "GOTO" entered." Why?" you ask. If I am in reasonably familiar territory (ie, I don't "need" to navigate) but want to know the charted depth of where I might want to go (eg). I cannot for the life of me work out how to do it, and it's driving me nuts! Can anyone help - I am sure the answer is really simple, but I have dug through the instruction book several times, and it isn't jumping off the page at me!
 
Had one, changed it for a Garmin GPSMAP750, you can scroll where you like on that.

The HDS7M wouldn't talk to DSC radio and receive AIS data at the same time. Can't remember the scroll details, sorry. As I do recall Lowrance technical support were bl**dy useless, and wouldn't buy another Lowrance unit.
 
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It should just do that, unless as has been suggested it doesn't have sat reception, or you have panned off elsewhere, in which case just press EXIT.
 
superheat6k said:
The HDS7M wouldn't talk to DSC radio and receive AIS data at the same time. Can't remember the scroll details, sorry. As I do recall Lowrance technical support were bl**dy useless, and wouldn't buy another Lowrance unit.
Click to expand...

Works fine for me with a Lowrance HDS and NMEA 2000.
 
To answer the OP's point, the HDS7 (I have one) automatically scrolls as the boat moves, so I can only imagine it's not getting a position update...which would be a worry as it has an internal GPS receiver (at least, mine has). There are two modes for scrolling: normal and 'look ahead'. The former puts the boat centre-screen whilst the latter devotes more screen in the direction the boat is travelling. I'd suggest swapping between these two to see if it makes any difference.

Agreed that the single NMEA 0183 port is a pain in the proverbial. Previous equivalent Lowrance models had two. The lack of a speed filter also gets my goat. Pluses: excellent screen resolution and daylight visibility at a good price.
 
To take the last comment first, I already admitted that I must have done something blonde!

I have found no problems getting Nmea 0183 GPS data out to my laptop, DSC radio, and ST60 instruments, and AIS data in from the AIS.

I am, as far as I can see, getting a position update through the inbuilt GPS- I cross check this with the Garmin 152 at the nav station.

I remain, therefore at a loss, because sadly, the scrolling doesn't just happen.

Finally, buying a new plotter would fail both the common sense, and the SWMBO test!
 
alisdair4 said:
Mac,
Thanks, but I have cracked it. The problem was caused by not exiting after zooming away. So, score one for forum advice!
Thanks to all, I am off to dye my hair!
Click to expand...

That's good, because you just forced me to stand in the cockpit with a long cold beer, pressing buttons on the plotter. Is there no end to the privations we must suffer?
Glad it's sorted. And remember: blondes have more fun.
 
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