Lowrance iWAY 500C GPS - NEW !!!

chuckh · 02-24-2005, 10:02 AM

Garmin has some competition:

http://www.lowrance.com/automotive/P...s/iWAY500C.asp

Sean has them here:

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products...00&Item=IW500C

Anybody used it yet?

20 GB hard drive concerns me, but Lowrance claims it is rugged enough for mtorocycle use, waterproof to the same IPX7 waterproof standards as the Lowrance Marine (and Garmin) units.

Oh, and it's an MP3 player too.

reinerka · 02-24-2005, 10:13 AM

The Hard Drive concerns me as well. It might be ok for a touring bike, but I'm not quite sure that it will work in the long run on a DualSport setup.

Alse they don't mention anything about being able to download/upload things like routes and tracklogs. This sounds to me like you need to do everything on the unit itself.

Have you checked out their other units? They have some really big screens - 7 inch with full VGA - where can I mount that on the KLR?

However added competition is always good for the consumer.

Reiner

reinerka · 02-24-2005, 12:38 PM

Just looked a bit more in detail at the other Lowrance GPS units.

They can really give Garmin a run for their money.

Check out the Lowrance GlobalMap 480C/3500C or Baja - very attractive price and has all the features the the Garmin 276C is missing.

http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/P...GMBaja480c.asp

Reiner

mcoyote · 02-24-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckh

...20 GB hard drive concerns me...

FWIW, my iPods have worked without a hitch for over a year. Their drives aren't even rated to work about 5000ft, apparently, but do so just fine.

A hard (or even RAM) mount on a bike might punnish an HD a bit more, however.

mcoyote · 02-24-2005, 12:49 PM

Hey, for you GPL geeks out there these units support Ogg playback.

On another note: I work in the GPS business (NAVSYS) and although I'm not one of the domain experts the consensus seems to be that the Garmin units are good values in terms of features and software but not as durable as the Magellans.

Lowrance is realtively new to the prosumer segment, but they also have a significant track record in professional navigation equipment. That might be worth something.

Gummee! · 02-24-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckh

Garmin has some competition:

http://www.lowrance.com/automotive/P...s/iWAY500C.asp

Sean has them here:

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products...00&Item=IW500C

Anybody used it yet?

20 GB hard drive concerns me, but Lowrance claims it is rugged enough for mtorocycle use, waterproof to the same IPX7 waterproof standards as the Lowrance Marine (and Garmin) units.

Oh, and it's an MP3 player too.

Looks like Cabellas is the place to get these babies. (I had the URL copied, but Firefox decided to reset itself the other day and I can't copy/paste at the moment...

M

xtphreak · 02-24-2005, 03:07 PM

I was looking at a Lowrance Baja the other day.

we used to have Lowrance back in the LORAN days on the boats.

not a new company by any means.

WhiteLightning · 02-24-2005, 04:03 PM

I use one.

Love. Absolute love. Why didn't I tell you'all earlier? I'm not certain about durability or music performance. the screen size, water resistance, everything is great. Even has the super cool "3D" viewpoint.

All that said, the jury (ok just me) is still out. It has rebooted on me. I haven't ridden with it in a bit, but I think the vibes rebooted it. Shocks are fine. Constant frequencies may confuse it. Again, I'm not sure, give me a few more weeks of time to ride (I ride in a suit and tie... I can't ride much in the North East right now with the snow and my work schedule as I can't commute easily with it with snow)

PS, the released 2 more versions (both larger)

WL

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckh

Garmin has some competition:

http://www.lowrance.com/automotive/P...s/iWAY500C.asp

Sean has them here:

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products...00&Item=IW500C

Anybody used it yet?

20 GB hard drive concerns me, but Lowrance claims it is rugged enough for mtorocycle use, waterproof to the same IPX7 waterproof standards as the Lowrance Marine (and Garmin) units.

Oh, and it's an MP3 player too.

worldrider · 02-25-2005, 01:58 AM

I'd like to know more about the Lowrance units. Garmin needs the competitin. And when will any of these bozos support the Macintosh. Geeez. This is ridiculous. Having to run Virtual PC just to set a couple measly waypoints.

reinerka · 02-25-2005, 09:04 AM

Just realized that the Baja doesn't do Autorouting. That's the only drawback I could find. But the large screen (5") with 480x480 resolution is something that is something that will allow enough details on a TOPO map to see where those small roads are heading to.

I've shot an email about Tracklogs on the iWay to Lowrance. They haven't come back to me yet. Let's see what they say.

Reiner

Lone Rider · 02-25-2005, 06:05 PM

I used to run Lowrance GPS's way back when they 1st developed the AccuTrail. They make good stuff.

BurnieM · 02-26-2005, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcoyote

On another note: I work in the GPS business (NAVSYS) and although I'm not one of the domain experts the consensus seems to be that the Garmin units are good values in terms of features and software but not as durable as the Magellans.

Interesting.
I also work in a GPS business and our impression is that the Garmins are a little more robust.

svwayne · 02-27-2005, 06:14 PM

I've been using the Lowrance iFinder H2O for about 4 months now. The unit I purchased came with their MapCreate 6.2 software, 12Vdc adapter, 32MB SD card, and SD card reader\writer. The unit is waterproof, has a high res screen, and runs off of AA or 12Vdc source. Lowrance recently released version 6.3 of their software which includes topo, hunting, and national parks as well as roads. The software also has a point-of-interest database that is searchable on both the PC and GPS. To get the same coverage from Garmin you would have to buy their national parks and topo packages in addition to their "streets" software. A phone call to Lowrance netted me a free copy of the v6.3 software, that's what I call customer service! The iFinder will support up to a 512MB SD card so I can carry the entire eastern US, in detail, on 4 cards. This means I don't need to carry a PC with me or limit the amount of map detail I carry when I travel long distance. I looked at Garmin and Magellan prior to my purchase, and for the money, the Lowrance was the most value for the $$, IMO.

P.S. The iFinder H2O does not auto-route but that was not a "must have" feature for me since I map out my routes ahead of time. You can build a route on either the PC or GPS and when you navigate the route you can set the GPS up to provide turn by turn directions.

spagthorpe · 02-28-2005, 01:22 PM

To me, a big part of the equation is the software. If all you want is something to show your position on a map, there are other units that will do this as well. How good are their maps, do they have the additional points of interest if wanted, how about desktop software? While I'm not a huge fan of the Garmin Mapsource software, it is good, and getting better all the time.

Witold · 03-02-2005, 12:35 PM

The unit you listed - 500C - may have a bigger screen, but it has worse resolution than 276c.

My concern would also be the software quality and coverage. Any maps for mexico, or basic world maps?

02-24-2005, 10:02 AM	#1
chuckh Carpe Diem Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Mica Peak, WA Oddometer: 863	Lowrance iWAY 500C GPS - NEW !!! Garmin has some competition: http://www.lowrance.com/automotive/P...s/iWAY500C.asp Sean has them here: http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products...00&Item=IW500C Anybody used it yet? 20 GB hard drive concerns me, but Lowrance claims it is rugged enough for mtorocycle use, waterproof to the same IPX7 waterproof standards as the Lowrance Marine (and Garmin) units. Oh, and it's an MP3 player too.

02-24-2005, 12:49 PM	#5
mcoyote Occam's Razorblade Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Oddometer: 615	Hey, for you GPL geeks out there these units support Ogg playback. On another note: I work in the GPS business (NAVSYS) and although I'm not one of the domain experts the consensus seems to be that the Garmin units are good values in terms of features and software but not as durable as the Magellans. Lowrance is realtively new to the prosumer segment, but they also have a significant track record in professional navigation equipment. That might be worth something. __________________ "Professional coder on closed source. Do not attempt."

02-24-2005, 03:07 PM	#7
xtphreak from B4 "adventure bikes" Joined: Jul 2004 Location: WNC Oddometer: 6,760	I was looking at a Lowrance Baja the other day. we used to have Lowrance back in the LORAN days on the boats. not a new company by any means. __________________ Do one thing every day that scares you. Baz Luhrmann Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. Robert A. Heinlen Adventure is discomfort recounted at leisure. Flash / GSWayne Chrome don't get ya home. Rob Nye Stamp Out Hoplophobia in Our lifetimes. 1999 Tiger 885 - 1995 XT600E - 1992 TDM850

02-25-2005, 01:58 AM	#9
worldrider Adventure & Discovery Joined: Oct 2004 Location: from Orange County; currently on a world ride Oddometer: 1,135	I'd like to know more about the Lowrance units. Garmin needs the competitin. And when will any of these bozos support the Macintosh. Geeez. This is ridiculous. Having to run Virtual PC just to set a couple measly waypoints. __________________ ------------------------------- WorldRider: Adventure & Discovery 2005 -- Journey Around The World -- 2008 '05 F650GS Dakar My WorldRider Journey ADVrider Thread

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02-24-2005, 10:13 AM	#2
reinerka Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Oddometer: 74	The Hard Drive concerns me as well. It might be ok for a touring bike, but I'm not quite sure that it will work in the long run on a DualSport setup. Alse they don't mention anything about being able to download/upload things like routes and tracklogs. This sounds to me like you need to do everything on the unit itself. Have you checked out their other units? They have some really big screens - 7 inch with full VGA - where can I mount that on the KLR? However added competition is always good for the consumer. Reiner

02-24-2005, 12:38 PM	#3
reinerka Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Oddometer: 74	Just looked a bit more in detail at the other Lowrance GPS units. They can really give Garmin a run for their money. Check out the Lowrance GlobalMap 480C/3500C or Baja - very attractive price and has all the features the the Garmin 276C is missing. http://www.lowrance.com/Automotive/P...GMBaja480c.asp Reiner

02-25-2005, 09:04 AM	#10
reinerka Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Oddometer: 74	Just realized that the Baja doesn't do Autorouting. That's the only drawback I could find. But the large screen (5") with 480x480 resolution is something that is something that will allow enough details on a TOPO map to see where those small roads are heading to. I've shot an email about Tracklogs on the iWay to Lowrance. They haven't come back to me yet. Let's see what they say. Reiner

02-25-2005, 06:05 PM	#11
Lone Rider Registered User Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Houston Area Oddometer: 23,024	I used to run Lowrance GPS's way back when they 1st developed the AccuTrail. They make good stuff.

02-27-2005, 06:14 PM	#13
svwayne Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Lawrenceville, Jawja Oddometer: 914	I've been using the Lowrance iFinder H2O for about 4 months now. The unit I purchased came with their MapCreate 6.2 software, 12Vdc adapter, 32MB SD card, and SD card reader\writer. The unit is waterproof, has a high res screen, and runs off of AA or 12Vdc source. Lowrance recently released version 6.3 of their software which includes topo, hunting, and national parks as well as roads. The software also has a point-of-interest database that is searchable on both the PC and GPS. To get the same coverage from Garmin you would have to buy their national parks and topo packages in addition to their "streets" software. A phone call to Lowrance netted me a free copy of the v6.3 software, that's what I call customer service! The iFinder will support up to a 512MB SD card so I can carry the entire eastern US, in detail, on 4 cards. This means I don't need to carry a PC with me or limit the amount of map detail I carry when I travel long distance. I looked at Garmin and Magellan prior to my purchase, and for the money, the Lowrance was the most value for the $$, IMO. P.S. The iFinder H2O does not auto-route but that was not a "must have" feature for me since I map out my routes ahead of time. You can build a route on either the PC or GPS and when you navigate the route you can set the GPS up to provide turn by turn directions.

02-28-2005, 01:22 PM	#14
spagthorpe Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Everywhere and nowhere Oddometer: 9,918	To me, a big part of the equation is the software. If all you want is something to show your position on a map, there are other units that will do this as well. How good are their maps, do they have the additional points of interest if wanted, how about desktop software? While I'm not a huge fan of the Garmin Mapsource software, it is good, and getting better all the time.

03-02-2005, 12:35 PM	#15
Witold Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2004 Oddometer: 146	The unit you listed - 500C - may have a bigger screen, but it has worse resolution than 276c. My concern would also be the software quality and coverage. Any maps for mexico, or basic world maps?