Lowrance 112-61 iWay 350C Portable GPS Navigator Review
November 7th, 2009
Lowrance 112-61 iWay 350C Portable GPS Navigator and MP3 Player and Picture Viewer Review from Christopher T Dallas. Great GPS !!!, Installation:
I mounted the 350C on a ZTechnik Spider Mount.
I bolted the Lowrance plastic mount onto the ZTechnik plate after removing (severing) the flex arm using flathead countersunk machine screws. BIG MISTAKE. The unit would not stay powered for more than a couple of minutes, or the operating system would crash.
I actually took the unit back to the store and exchanged it. The second one did the same thing.
I figured out that the screws must have been ferrous or otherwise magnitized and was messing up the GPS.
The fix: I removed the screws and used velcro strips. I’m not entirely comfortable with that but it’ll work for now until I decide on using plastic screws or maybe JB Weld on the mount.
For audio, I use my ear plugs direct to the device. The audible turn-by-turn instructions cut in while music is playing.
Performance:
About 1 minute to get 3D signal while not under a structure or otherwise being blocked.
I can operate the touch screen with heavy armored AlpineStar gloves although some of the detailed settings are more difficult to engage. That’s OK, because of the monitor size, I don’t expect to have more than the basic necessities while wearing gloves.
The screen is fully visible in all lights.
The audio comes over well and the controls are easy to use. You can even select music through a file manager while in the music player mode.
Music also comes thru while in map mode.
I am having difficulty trying to adjust the volume. Pushing the buttons doesn’t seem to work. Maybe I should read the directions…NOPE, why start now?
The unit is small enough that it fits into the ferring compartment on my BMW R1150RT (I removed the stereo brackets so the remaining boot is approx. 12″ deep x 8″ W with an opening of 3.5″ and an internal height of about 4.5″. Anyway, I can throw the unit inside the locked compartment with lots of room to spare.
When you miss a turn, the device corrects for the best option and again, the audio kicks in and will tell you where to go in addition to screen overlay instructions and arrows.
Transferring data:
I upload .mp3’s directly to a 1 GB SD card by inserting the card in a reader in my PC. But you have the option of tranfer via the included USB cable. It’s faster if you don’t go thru the unit and it won’t cause extra drain on the battery.
You can upload any type of data to the card but the device will only read .MP3, OGG Vorbis and common image formats such as .jpg, .bmp.
Device updates:
An update is available for the 500C but not the 350C. Being a stoopid programmer and having a desire to break stuff, I installed the 500 updates and caused all manner of problems. Not to worry. I simply deleted the files from the SD card and it returned to normal. SO it appears that the critical system files are protected in ROM on a chip and there is a good chance that you will have to try harder than me to break it for good.
The 500 will let you modify the interface with “Skins”. Just like your favorite PC media player. It is probably possible to hack your own code for the 350 but maybe you’d rather not violate the warranty, pay for repair, or throw $500 to the wind.
Battery:
I haven’t ran it until it shut off but I’ve been using it for 2 hour stretches without external power while navigating and playing music. This is the 5th GPS that I have owned and anyone knows that a GPS will drain batteries easy.
The device is recharged vis DC input and I don’t think that the USB cable will charge it since it is a mini USB interface and lacks the power lines.
You may have to drive coast to coast to recharge via the DC outlet on your car or bike. I use a cheap Radio Shack AC to DC outlet adapter and it works fine.
Best to just keep it DC powered by your car or bike while operating to keep the charge up.
Conclusion:
I am very satisfied. The device is truly portable. Just grab and go. Mney well spent.
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