 Lowrance issue or navionics issue
New forum member here... thanks for hearing me out.
Not sure if my issue is my Lowrance 7200c or my Navionics chip. I'm suspecting my Lowrance.
Sorry if this gets long...
Step 1: I downloaded version 2.4 upgrade from the Lowrance site based on minimum version number to use the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum. Burned it onto a 2 gig SD chip that was FAT formatted. Installed it in the left side chip reader drawer. Turned on the Lowrance unit and the upgrade began. I assumed the upgrade completed since the unit turned itself off. It wasn't a "friendly" shutdown in my opinion. The screen was white while upgrading, then just went black. I left it like that for several minutes just in case it "woke up" and continued. Never did so I took the chip out, and powered up as normal. On the bottom left corner of the start up screen, it displayed version 2.4 so I assume the upgrade worked.
Step 2: I shutdown the Lowrance and inserted the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum Region 14 in the left side reader slot. Powered up the unit, and went to the main menu, under "Map Data" to select the navionics chip. I didn't show up in the list, only Lowrance.
I powered down the unit, and put the navionics chip in the right hand slot, same effect. Navionics chip was not listed.
Step 3: Went back to the Lowrance site, and there was a 2.5 upgrade available. I did the same routine as step 1 inserting it in the left side reader slot. It started to upgrade and turned itself off again. This time I put the upgrade chip in the right hand slot, restarted the Lowrance, and the upgrade appeared to proceed as normal, completing the install progress bar that I haven't seen before, and starting up on it's on displaying the 2.5 version info during start up.
Step 4: Shutdown the Lowrance after the upgrade, and inserted the Navionics chip. Still not showing up to select under map Data. Tried both Left and Right slots, same in both.
I've tried a "Soft Reset" and a "Hard Reset" of the Lowrance unit as recommended by Lowrance with no positive results.
On a Lowrance website FAQ, they mentioned that the Lowrance 7200c required a chip that was FAT formatted. My upgrade chip was in face FAT formatted. When I put my Navionics chip in my SD reader (with the SD switch put in the locked position), it showed the navionics 4 gig SD chip was FAT32 formatted. The Lowrance 7200c and the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum are documented as being compatible.
Lowrance wants me to send the unit in to them for bench testing, etc. Could take over 4 weeks which I don't mind, but was hoping for another "try this", or a "did you un-check this box" suggestion before I sent it in. I don't know anyone with a Lowrance 7200c to try the chip in, and none of my local retailers have this unit in their store display to try.
Thanks in advance for your help and recommendations.
Billmo99
Rogersville, AL
Joe Wheeler Lake, Tennessee River | 
