Lowrance AirMap 600c
Lowrance has released a new GPS in their aviation lineup, the Lowrance AirMap 600c. This is an upgrade to the previous AirMap 500 from Lowrance. The AirMap 600c gains a a color display which is slightly smaller, but a higher resolution than that of the 500c. The color display is the biggest difference.
The chipset has also been upgraded from a 12 channel WAAS enabled receiver to a 16 channel receiver which should improve GPS signal strength and accuracy. I can personally attest that the signal strength received by the AirMap 500 wasn’t fantastic, so this will be a welcome upgrade.
Another difference is the Lowrance AirMap 600c will have the ability to use more maps, such as the Safe Flight 21 database. Additionally, Flight Terrain Awareness from Jeppesen will be available, and certainly a welcome improvement over the 500c.
[...] GPS Review recently announced the release of the Lowrance AirMap 600c. Yesterday at Sun-n-Fun I got to play with one. I’ve also previously owned an AirMap 500 so this was a good comparison. [...]
I purchased an AirMap 600C last week, but didn’t get an opportunity to fly with it until this afternoon.
I’ll be returning it for a refund tomorrow.
I had great hopes for the 600C. I spent quite some time familiarizing myself with it before flying to make sure I wasn’t too distracted by the new toy to fly the airplane safely.
All of the features and all of the capabilities of this unit are rendered useless by the impossibility of seeing the screen in daylight. It looks great while sitting in my office, but is absolutely impossible to see in the cockpit of my airplane. And today wasn’t as bright a day as usual.
I had the backlight on full brightness, I tweaked the contrast up and down, I tilted and panned the unit, I tried relocating it - all to no avail.
I must say I’m terribly disappointed. I really wanted it to work well. Its got a much larger and much sharper screen than the Garmin 96C, and its $200 cheaper to boot.
What was Lowrance thinking? Didn’t they ever test this thing in a real cockpit? In the daytime?
Hi Lee - Thanks for the comments. I’ve only been able to use the 600c once, but I didn’t have the same trouble you did with the display. I found it legible from the cockpit on a sunny day.
Purchased my 600c about a month ago and it is wonderful. I have no problem reading the screen even in direct sunlight. All the features work as promised. Had to tweak the settings for airspace alerts because with the degfault settings the moment the wheels were off the ground it was alerting me about airspace 50 miles away. I had a couple occasions to call Lowrance (Canada) Support for assistance when I was unable to figure something out and they were exceptional. I have no experience with Lowrance USA Support.
We recieved our 600c a week ago. Spent 3 evenings learning how to operate it and took it flying today. We had no problem whatsoever with viewing the display in sunlight. Used it to navigate for 2 1/2 hours of flying and it worked flawlessly. I was even able to change some things enroute to compensate for changes in the route plan. Was given a direct in approach at the destination when I’d set up waypoints to the pattern entry so changed to “direct” and vertical nav. with no problems. Menus are easy to navigate and I was totally impressed with the performance from what is considered a “budget” model. This little baby is going with us from now on! We purchased ours from Sporty’s for $499 and it was well worth it considering all the items that are shipped with it.
Thanks for the comments Robert and Jim. It seems like there could be an isolated problem with certain Lowrance Airmap 600c devices that didn’t impact the ones each of your had, nor the one I flew with.
I used to fly with the Airmap 500 and I was always fond of it. With the addition of the color display and more sensitive GPS receiver this should be a fantastic value product.
I must say I agree with Lee, Jim and Robert. I’ve been using my 600c regularly for a couple months and I absolutely adore it! Regarding the comments about the display in daylight, in addition to using it in the cockpit I also use it on a mount on my motorcycle. On the bike in bright daylight I have alsolutely no problem with the display. No need for backlight at all. Sometimes in shady conditions when light is limited I need to put on the backlight. The 600c is WONDERFUL!!
I’ll stand by my earlier comment that the display is exceedingly difficult to read under most lighting conditions encountered in my airplane.
Under direct light, which is rare in my high-wing plane, readability is OK. It’s the very bright indirect lighting the predominates. In low light conditions, turning on the backlight makes the screen readable. If it’s early morning or late evening, and if the sunlight just happens to be over my shoulder so as to directly illuminate the screen, all is well.
Another pilot friend who flys a high-wing airplane has precisely the same complaint.
This may be true of all units, not just the Lowrance. I’d love to try a 96C in a side-by-side comparison.
You fellows who are having no trouble, are you flying low-wing airplanes with direct lighting?
I’m flying low-wing about 3/4 of the time although i was flying high-wing when I demoed the Lowrance AirMap 600c. Thanks for your comments, Lee.
I am flying a Cessna 172 (high wing). I’m not saying that the display is perfect under all lighting conditions. Direct sunlight and backlit in low light conditions are ideal where in between conditions do tend to reduce the contrast. However that is pretty much common with anything that has a colour LCD display. My Dell Axim pocket PC is rendered unusable in these conditions. My previous GPS (Garmin Etrex Legend C) is very bad and switching to the Lowrance 600c was quite an improvement.
I am on my second Airmap 600c,,, the first would only function for limited amounts of time before emitting a buzzing tone and crashing to a blank white screen (it was only 1/2 hour old), the batteries had to be removed to make it stop..(all buttons non functioning),,,,the replacement unit has also done this,,,although not as often. When the menu button is pressed twice and airspace info selected, it will lockup, emit the buzzing tone and reboot itself…not every time,,, but about 50% of the time…..On other occasions it will crash when the exit button is pressed (when exiting the airspace info option) There seems to be something in the software that makes it unstable.. This is unacceptable.
I have no faith in the unit and wont fly with it,,,so I cant say how the screen would work in bright sunlight..the funtions of the unit were promising,,,,But it wont be getting another try with me…..To bad too, my airmap 100 still works perfectly
I replaced my 96C with this. The 96C had the best LCD screen I’ve seen. It looked better in sunlight!.
In Europe the default base map is very poor and the map create software doesn’t cover Europe with any more detail then the base map. So I sometimes fly for 30 miles without any accurate indication of ware I am. If I put a freedom map card in the unit I loose terrain awareness, as Lowrance do not produce a freedom map / terrain card.
The Jeppesen database does not cover ATZ or MATZ something that is every ware in the UK. And without accurate detail, This can be a problem. Also It’s not compatible with Jeppesen FliteStar.
Solution I’m putting it on e-Bay and going back to Garmin.
I just encountered a problem similar to Les # 11 above. The set starts goes bright then dull, no keys will work and the set keeps going on and off until I remove a battery. Looks like I may have to return my 600c for repair, although I do like the way it works in flight. Sunlight has been a minor problem but some numbers such as the scale etc are just too small to read in flight.
Please note: I am adding to my comment above; Lowrance support is excellent and their Tecks are very knowledgeable. I spent an hour on the phone this morning and the Support person walked me through every possible solution including re-installation of my created map. The problem is resolved now. The Teck was unsure but it appeared to be a glitch of some sort, probably associated with adding a created map via map create 6 which hopefully will not re-occur. Any GPS can have problems, I think Lowrance has the best support compared to any other electronic product I ever purchased. I hope to get long and satisfactory service from my unit and I have no hesitation in working with support to iron out such glitches if this problem re-occurs. I could not have resolved this problem without the technical support and expertise.
IT IS IMPOSSSIBLE TO READ THE SCREEN IN MY PIPER CHEROKEE ARE THERE ANY SOLUTIONS LIKE AN ANTI GLARE SCREEN SIMILAR TO THE PDA’S
CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME TO MAKE MY SCREEN MORE READABLE?
For comment 15 and sunlight problems, be sure you have the backlight up to full bright and mid contrast set. Obtaining the backlight from the power/light button is tricky as this button does 2 functions. In fact I also find the Pages button must be firmly pressed and held for a couple of seconds to get the pages menu to come up on my set. Lowrance has packed a lot of information into this little set and it is expecting a lot of the little menue buttons to keep up with all these functions. I have no problem now either in my car or in my 170 and hopefully this GPS will be reliable.
I understand the Aviation Consumers magazine did a review of this GPS. It might be interesting to see what the Aviation Consumer has found. In any event do contact teck support if you cannot solve the sunlight problem.
I too ran into the problem where the GPS shuts down and restarts and the only way to stop it is to take the batteries. like #11. I just got it for my birthday and was very suprised when I took it in my car, I wanted to play with it while moving, and it freaked out. This happened last night. I cant get to the lowrance website because it has crashed….hmmm. I hope this isnt a trend.
Reply for Blake,
Try and get a Lowrance Teck on the phone and I think this will be resolved
for you. Lowrance should publish cause and corrective action for this
glitch or issue a software corrective update for owners.. This would be a
very serious problem if it happened during flight. My GPS 600c has worked OK
both in the car and in the aircraft since the Teck Support resolved that
glitch and I sure hope it does not show up again, particularly after the
warranty expires. Generally I like this little box as it sure has a lot of
uses and is very fast to lock onto satellites compared to other makes I have
used.
Joe Scoles
I pre-ordered my Airmap 600c. I was excited about the features for the price. Unfortunately this is a lower quality product with disappointing quirks. It’s frozen up and had to reboot in flight. It loses and reaquires signal often, and during one flight it never reaquired signal at all. The accessories are cheap. The cigarette lighter adapter lost the middle electrical conductor after 3 flights. The Antenna mount screws are easily stripped and have to be held in place with tape. Lowrance said they’d repair the unit but it’s been frustrating waiting on hold for great lengths of time. I still haven’t spoken to a person on the phone.
I just bought the airmap 600C today. Without the backlight, the screen is just impossible to read, whatever the light conditions. I tried to change the contrast and brightness but without success. Very disappointing.
Also, after 2 hours, the unit suddenly shut down and started a sequence of reboots / shut downs that I could stop only by removing the batteries. I tried again 30 minutes after, and the problem was still there.
I will bring it back to the shop tomorrow. Maybe I will get a Garmin 296C although it is far more expensive.
Just an update on our unit. We purchased ours at the end of July and first flew with it at the beginning of August. We’ve never had any of the problems others have experienced with the unit. In direct sunlight, the contrast makes all the difference. Set correctly, you don’t need the backlight. The backlight is adequate for most ilghting conditions, although I could wish it was a bit brighter occasionally.
Never have had a glitch during operations. No problems with the cord so far, but I don’t keep plugging it in and taking it out either. The included antenna locks on in about 15-20 seconds after the unit is turned on and we are out of the hangar. I mounted it at the base of the windshield just above the glare screen, and this seems to work fine in our Beechcraft.
All in all, we’re very happy with the performance of our unit so far. Planning on updating the database in January and we’ll be doing that every 6 months. For the money, you can’t beat the features. We originally were going to buy an Avmap EKPIV, but decided on this unit for cost and space considerations. It’s performed as advertised and has definately met our expectations.
I have used the 600c for over a year now and for the price most functions are satisfactory. The Antennae connection at the set is definitely not of aviation quality. It tends to fray and break right at the connector ferule.
This might be an isolated case but I have to press and hold the Pages button for 3 to 5 seconds before the window will come up. This is a bit of a nuisance. Otherwise the set has performed satisfactoily and is easy to use.
I winter in Barbados and would like to use my 600c for driving around the island. Does anyone know of a map that could be installed for Barbados road and street navigation?
Thanks, Joe Scoles
I’m looking for Barbados road software as well - and Antigua, if available. I’ll be ethere next week (April, 2008) and it would be nice to have that available. I’m from Barbados, so I don’t really need it - but it would be nice!
My 600c started life well, it’s now 8 months old and only works in 40 minute stints before loosing position. Rarely will it regain a position, Remote antenna or not, seems to need 24 hrs to recover it’s composure, maybe navigating is a bit too much for the Lowrance 600c.
Another update. We’ve now had the unit 1 year and 8 months and haven’t had any real issues with it. We’ve updated the maps every 5 to 6 months. Great little navigator for the money still. The only issue we’ve had with it is that the antenna case is distorting. That’s really my fault, as we left it on the glare shield when parked outsited at fly-ins. We use window covers, but they don’t keep the heat out of the antenna. Started to take it down after we noticed the distorted case. Doesn’t seem to have affected it much. Maybe slightly slower to lock on, but still locks in pretty quick once we clear the hangars.
I am on my second 600c Airmap. I catorgorize this system as a piece of ****.
I fly professionally. This unit fails me on every flight.
I update it software firmware and Jepp Dbase and still it fails!
Works fine for the way out to dest. than reboots constantly and will not get past the law disclaimer screen and locks up. The SD card is a loose connection and the updates do not fix a thing. Do NOT buy this product. Do yourself a favor and spend the money for a Garmin.
Have had 4 Lowrance GPS for aircraft since 1996. 600C is the last. Terrible update system for this model with terrain awareness. Apparently have to be a Computer Tecky to use the half written instructions and your computer to update. Wrote to the main man and info slid down hill to their work force. Was contacted several times to give them ideas. Then nothing. Their new instructions are no better than the old ones. I still can’t figure it out. If I can buy another brand I will and try to get some one to load this one for carring in the truck. They had a good product and dropped the ball on the update issue. What a shame. Seems to be a good product. Would not recommend this product to pilots if you need it current. Buy a Garmin or one of the new companies emerging.
I agree with the latest post that the 600c is difficult to use. This is my second year using the 600c with some success but not without concern that it could break lock at a critical time inflight. I suggest Lowrance should take a serious look at the software, get all the bugs out and ship us a revision for our early 600c model. I put a 1G chip in mine and have downloaded both Canadian and American maps for areas I need to fly. So far this seems to work OK.
Again, my message is to Lowrance; “Please clean up the software and I think there would be less complaints”, with exception of the sunlight problem, although keeping it brightly lighted enables me to live with this.
Fix suggestion, if Lowrance could link the ON/OFF switch to correct all spurious problems at least then we would have a positive method of getting it back in sync.during flight. We do this with computers that go haywire all the time! In flight is no place to fool around with a balky GPS, it has to work perfectly all the time.
(see my previous comments)(Hold ATP and Flight Navigator Licence)
I saw a lowrance airmap 600c and I wan`t buy it, But my sigle question: Is this a good idea or a good purchase?, or I need to check another mark of gps?
Just got a 600c and after a couple of days playing with it (walking & driving) I was getting both used to the navigation structure and options…. then hit the ‘cycling’ problem (reboots constantly and will not get past the law disclaimer screen and locks up), with my unit this persists even after leaving the unit all day with batteries removed/swap of memory cards etc…. so far I’ve tried to power it up over 50 times with no joy (tried
I’m going to contact Lowrance during the week (i’m in Scotland) can any of the pilots who have had this sugest the best person to contact in their technical department?
Murray Hay
For Murray Hay - I have published several comments (above) about the 600c.
I made a suggestion to Lowrance that they should get the glitches out of the
software and send an update to all owners but I guess they will not attempt
to do this.
A Lowrance rep at Oshkosh last year told me the way to get out
of this situation of continuous rebooting was to simply press and hold down two keys simultaneously for a couple of seconds. I
think one was the on/off but I cannot remember the other key to press and
hold.
I don’t want to experiment with my 600c since it is working Ok at this time. I suggest you
press and hold the on/off and work your way through each of the other keys
until one of them might eliminate the problem as/ or after you release both
keys together.
Also call the USA factory for Teck Support and insist that
they give you the exact procedure to get out of this lock up you are
experiencing. Lowrance should have put this procedure in the manual or at
least sent everyone an update sheet.
Let us know via a post if you have success finding the combination to get
out of lock up or continuous rebooting. You have nothing to lose by trying this
procedure.
Good Luck,
Joe Scoles
Thamks Joe
As you can see in the YouTube video (at about 5:00) it was a case of press & hold ‘PWR’ & ‘FIND’ to enter the program mode.
This lets the unit again to be switched off (press & hold PWR) etc. as normal… however as yet in my unit it has (I don’t yet have the software & cable to up-date/re-instal) not sorted the problem… but is a step forward…
When I’ve emailed Lowrance with this information I will let the Forum know what solutions/help is provided.
Murray Hay
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf2_pbQSJUQ
Ok I’ve found out a user fix ‘Reset’ (from Lowrance website) this is called the ‘Soft Reset’ it states that this does not delete your GPS Data.
1) Turn off the unit (use the PWR & FIND trick to get the PWR off button working again if stuck in a ‘cycle’)
2) Press and hold the ‘PAGES’ key
3) Press and hold the PWR key.
4)Release both buttons when the USA map appears.
So far this has re-booted (to working OK) my unit on a quick test… I will report back on any further issues (if there are any!)
Murray Hay
NB ‘Hard Reset’ (Wipes your waypoints&trails)
From off Press & Hold ‘ZIN’ & ‘ZOUT’ Wwhile you then press & hold PWR….
Tone will sound… then release buttons and IMMEDIATELY press ‘FIND’….
While pressing ‘FIND’ a higher tone will sound… unit resets…
Switch off then back on.