my lowrance i-way 500 has gotten locked up. the larger problem however, is that i cant get a peep out of the company. i have spent 3 30 minute efforts ,over about a month to get someone to answer a phone, and my attempts to get a return authorization on line have been futile. does anybody have an idea if the company has closed its doors. any help would be appreciated.
I threw my Iway500 away, I didn't want to have someone as pissed at me as I was, at that POS. Bike: On my bike the hard drive would quit due to vibration. Directions: It took me 100 miles out of my way once. Car: On my car dash, with the supplied ram mount the unit would quit because of heat. Where is the hottest place in a car? The dash board.. so you're in a strange city, its summer and sunny and you're depending on the gps. It quits and won't start until it cools, how long does it take? too long. Boat. Quit in less than 1 minute on a 23' runabout mounted on the ram mount. There that's my rant, sorry I couldn't help with your question.
Lowrance is still in business. Just introduced 3 new handheld models. Have you tried emailing online support? I haven't had a need for support in quite some time but they used to reply to emails in 2-3 business days. http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/ Have you checked any of the online GPS forums? Here is a good one - http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=163 The hard drive in the iWay 500 is known to have issues in m/c applications, as are many HDD based GPSs. I've been using the non hard drive models like the iFinder and iWay 250C for ~6-7 years with no problems. Good luck. P.S. - you'll probably get more responses if you move this to the GPS specific, "Layin' Down Tracks", forum. Just ask a moderator to move it.
well. i tried the support link, but it eventually got me to the page that says"no return authorizations are being given at this time. call customer service" i already know how well that works. thanks for the replys.
Sorry about that. So did you send them an email? I'm assuming you've already tried the reset procedures with no luck - http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Product-Support/Troubleshooting-Guide/Reset-Procedures/ The iWay 500c reset procedure is about half way down the page. Just in case - the email support link - http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Product-Support/Troubleshooting-Guide/Unit-Locks-Up/ I've experienced long waits on the phone but they have always responede to email in a couple of business days.
THey are in business but I do not believe they are repairing the 500's anymore. I have never had a problem with them, I had a 500 and when it crap'd out, instead of their $180 FLAT RATE ( IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY) I just bought a 600, much nicer unit, No heat issues, much better screen (640x480) and it has been going strong, A couple months later Lowrance called me??? and while I was talking to him I told him I replaced my 500 with a 600, he then offered to repair my 500 for free, so I sent it in, that was last year, they sent me a brand new 500 , it has no heat problem like my old one and is still working today. The IWays and all Lowrance Automotive GPS's have been discontinued, as they pulled out of the whore'd out Auto market. Their new handhelds really look like they are going to be a bad ass handheld when the become avail. in May
Don't get me started on Lowrance... that company is complete BS in my book. I will never, ever buy another one of their products again. I too had the iWay, and used it only in the car, crapped out on me, and like many others here tried to get some customer support, but never could. Ended up tossing it and buying a refurbished Garmin. Couldn't be happier. Lowrance can go out of business as far as I'm concerned. Wayne