Lowrance LCX 113c, good N2K citizen
Speaking of good NMEA 2000 citizenship, the Lowrance LCX-113C HD in the lab is stellar. Press “Enter” on any of the devices listed above and you’ll get its details including live data. Click on the diagnostics tab and you’ll get info on error messages, total bandwidth being used, and more.
I also like the way it handles data overlays and gauge screens. Instead of picking types of data, Lowrance takes you right to your sensor list and what each offers. I suppose this might confuse some folks, but the possibilities are pretty cool. If you have port and starboard depth transducers, say, you can look at both their outputs on the same screen. Note between the two screens how you can change overlay text sizes. This same overlay ability is also on the XOG, by the way, plus there it’s easy to move the data wherever you want it on the screen (a feature which should be added to the MFDs).
But truth be told, Sandy nailed Panbo reality in yesterday’s comments. If I never post again, write it off to death by sea food. “But he died happy!” Gotta go.
don’t forget that all the Lowrance color LMS/LCX/ globalmap series work the same way.
Plus ethernet and radar capable.
Best part about about Lowrance and nmea 2000 is
it all works so well. Nothing to figure out, just
plug it in.
Is it possible to get the complete list of pgns that the lowrance lcx series supports? Their documentation doesn’t give a list. I am specifically interested in the Airmar PB200G NMEA 2000 Weather Station. It seems that you show similar information from the Maretron devices in the example. Is the manufacturer information in the pgn? It would be great if the support was listed in the display manufacturers documentation.
Drew, a full list of PGNs understood by anyone’s N2K gear is a good thing, but I’m quite confident that at least Lowrance’s LCX will understand every PGN the PB200 puts out.
Even better for testing sake is that the LCX will show the data right alongside the same PGN data coming from a Maretron WSO. I’m working on just such a setup on my test skiff now, but it may be a month before I can add the PB200 (I’m told).
Have you heard about serious issues with the Lowrance N2K antenna (LGC-3000)? Here’s a link to a thread on “TheHullTruth:”
http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=207895&posts=16#M2155079
Thanks, Blacter. I heard of the problem a long time ago, but didn’t know it was ongoing for some users. I haven’t had any trouble with the LGC-3000 I’ve had on my lab network for a couple of months.
I can also guarantee you that a current LCX can use other manufacturer’s NMEA 2000 GPS sensors—at least the ones I tried, Maretron and Simrad—including showing their satellite status. I’m getting a whole Lowrance system out on the water, tomorrow hopefully, and plan to report on it.
Good to know that the other antennas will work. I don’t like the idea of paying twice, but it’s tough not having confidence in your GPS these days. Of the two you tried, is there any reason to go with one over the other?
I have the previous model of the LCX-113. Mine is the LCX-111Chd. My GPS module, an LGC-2000, has failed twice and been quickly repaired under warranty. However, I have decided that if it fails a third time I will switch to another brand.
I’ve asked Maretron if their GPS100 module is compatible but have not yet had a response. If anyone knows the answer please share it with me.
Thanks.
Butch