Customer Reviews

Lowrance Endura Safari 2.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

GPS units are used for multiple types of applications and in different ways. I bought this unit a few months ago for paperless geocaching, and I use a MacBook Pro (Mac OS 10.6). Let me explain the unit's pros and cons in this context.

Pros
* Very nice, modern interface and menuing system (obviously a subjective comment)
* Ability to use either the touch screen interface or the buttons
* The built-in compass means I don't have to walk to tell what direction I am pointed in

Cons
* Doesn't provide driving directions to a cache (the PN-40 does, a unit I used to use)
* Detailed topo data is about $100 extra, on a micro SD card. To my surprise, this card does not allow turn-by-turn directions either (that's another micro SD card).
* Updating the firmware requires yet another micro SD card
* The unit does not reliably mount on my Mac's desktop as a drive

While not perfect, I really liked the unit overall, until I got frustrated with the unit's inconsistency of mounting to the desktop (my last Con). This is critical as I need to load pocket queries and get my log notes. I returned the unit to Lowrance to be repaired, and after one month I just got it back, which isn't a terrible wait, but unfortunately the unit still does not mount on my desktop. So for my use, in my situation, the unit is providing only a fraction of the functionality it should.

My guess is that if you have a PC, you'll likely like this unit much more for paperless geocaching. But if you have a Mac, well, good luck!

Very accurate GPS lock out of the box. The 3D compass is a great help. Touchscreen and menus are pretty easy to use but like any new product, it takes a little bit to learn where everything is or how to set it up. Not difficult, just different.

Besides getting through all of the software updates and then having to buy, send in and wait for the updated Lakemaster chip... it seems to work pretty well now.

I use it primarily for fishing (open and ice).

I used to have an H2Oc until it fried after about 3 years of heavy use. The safari seems really user friendly at this point but seems the road maps lack the detail that the H2) had. It's also much harder and more tedious to scroll and zoom to find a spot on the map. I am getting use to the touch screen, I think it will be a great feature.

All together, I like it so far and sure I will like it more as I gain more experience with it.

Nice unit but in my opinion the map data that comes with it makes it unusable. It had no county roads in the area that I hunt so tracking on a blank map was not very useful to me. Tried to get more detailed map but had no success. I returned the unit and will continue looking.

Bill

First thing out of the box, I could not get the unit to show the better map detail without touching them over and over and then it finally would.

Unit is very slow at everything.

The rubber seals where microsd card slot and mini usb go are not made well at all and are very hard to keep closed.

It is hard to get the battery cover off, because it hangs on the batteries.

I could not get unit to show topo and satellite imagery from Mapselect.com, so I called Lowrance and they talked me into sending it in. They said there was a problem with my account, so they fixed it and loaded the maps on my card, and supposedly tested it before shipping it back to me. I received the unit and still could not get the maps to work.

I ended up returning the unit and purchasing a Garmin Dakota 20, which I am extremely happy with.

I will say that Lowrance support is very good if you get hold of the correct person, but they still seem to be new at diagnosing problems with this unit.

I just picked up an Endura yesterday at REI.

Upon removing the unit for inspection, I was happy with the overall look and feel of the unit. I checked the firmware version (1.4) and found a recent update available online (1.5) that was full of huge improvements in the usability and function of the unit!

I attempted to perform the update several times exactly as directed, and each time the unit gave an error "Firmware 1.5 already installed, please reboot unit".

Unfortunately, it is still running 1.4, and will not accept the 1.5 update.

I called Lowrance this morning and had a 20 minute conversation about the issue. The best Lowrance will do, for a brand new unit I have not owned 24 hours yet, is allow me to pay to have it shipped to them and they will decide what to do with it once they have inspected it.

I found navigating their website and finding information is frustrating as nothing is well placed or thought out. I am less than pleased that a brand new unit is costing me more money less than 24 hours after purchase.

Thus far, I am very unhappy with Lowrance customer service, should you even want to call it that.

I have a new Garmin Montana on the way to accompany my other GPSr units, and believe I will just stick with Garmin in the future.

I will also be recommending others avoid Lowrance GPSr units.

Lowrance Endura Safari-When it worked it was fine...... after purchasing the map upgrade ($100) I could live with the maps (or lack of) installed. It stopped working while on a backpacking trip- I ended up with a gray screen after it prompted me to "recalibrate by touching screen in a certain pattern" - no picture at all after that. It was only 6 months old so I called customer service and ended up sending it back to Lowrance- they said they were going to replace it and a "new unit" came. Worked fine again for 7 months when the same problem happened- When I called back I found out they sent me my original unit that had been "repaired". This time, since the warranty had expired, they told me it would cost $200 to fix it. Overall it was a fair unit- a bit too heavy, short battery life, but accurate and with the $100 map upgrade it was ok. I would not purchase another Lowrance product. The customer service is awful.

My brothers Garmin GPS was only $100 and was much better. I can't even begin to figure this thing out. Lowrance's website is horrible. Has a million updates you have to search through to find what you need and even then I couldn't ever get the software to download and installed. Maybe it's because I'm running windows 7? Can't find any support besides FAQs and even then I couldn't hit on my problems. Maps cost extra and my brothers Garmin is free and we never had any problems downloading them or sending Cache's to the unit. It's amazing how much this thing cost and how horrible it is. I guess you'd have to buy it to understand. I'm taking mine back and getting a different one.