Lowrance Map Updates – Where is LEI Extras?
UPDATE: The customer did receive a map update disk in the mail, sent overnight shipping. However the “updated” map was from the Q3 2006 release…. One would have hoped it would be more recent than one year old….
Recently I had someone contact me looking for information on where to obtain a map update for their Lowrance iWay 500c. I took a quick look at Lowrance’s website, where they refer you to another website for maps and accessories. The website Lowrance sends you to is called “LEI Extras” and they offer accessories for a wide range of Lowrance GPS devices.
Sure enough, if you follow the links to the 500c accessories they do offer a map update for the 500c which costs $75. The person who contacted me placed an order two weeks ago… but never heard anything back.
The customer says that LEI Extras has charged their credit card, but after two weeks they have still not received their order. The customer further reports that LEI Extras hasn’t responded to emails sent to them through the contact form on their website. LEI lists a toll free number and their office hours, but the number always rings “busy” and nobody ever answers. I myself have confirmed that as well, the phone number is never answered.
“Hello, LEI? Anybody home?”
Thanks for the warning. I was about to place the order with LEI Extras for the DVD for my Lowrance iway 500C GPS unit, but will stay away from them now. I’ll rather continue using the old database and will consider buying a new GPS altogether if necessary.
Thanks once again.
Absolutely love my 500c. Also no response from LEI Extras in search of a recent update. We are now into 2008 and the latest update they have is 3Q of 2006. My option now is to purchase a replacement unit that LEI Extras does NOT service.
I emailed LEI in January 16, 2008 asking if there was a new map update. On January 19, 2008 I received the following email reply from LEI: “Thank you for your inquiry. We are expecting a new release from NavTeq. Unfortunately, at this time, we have not been provided with an expected ship date. We recommend that you check back with us towards mid February. We do apologize for not being able to provide more information at this time. If we may be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for choosing LEI Extras. 12000 E. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK 74128 1-800-324-0045 online at “
fwiw, I just got done updating my i500c with a map update from LEI. The 500c had the original maps on it (10/2005), the update put it to 11/2007 (advertised as Q3/2007). The LEI order/delivery was quick & painless, about 10 calendar days end-to-end.
Interesting.
I just placed an order and was advised it’s on back order for 3 weeks.
Do you notice an improvement in the maps?
Yeup, the maps are definitely updated, but there are still errors. for example, one stretch of road I travel has had a string of “no left turn” barriers for at least 3 years… But the i500c still wants to make me turn left through them. The biggest change is that the search engine is different. You enter addresses in a different order now. It’s easy to get used to, but I don’t necessarily see the reason that they changed it.
I have a 250. Sent several requests for info on how old the maps are. No response. Am going to buy a new GPS and stay 100% away from Lowrance. There is no service from them if they want you to rely on these LEI folks. save your money or buy better.
Mark – How can you tell that the maps are updated through 11-07? I ask because my unit, also with the original Q305 maps, just shows quarter and year, not month and year. Trying to figure out whether to buy the upgrade disk now or wait a bit for the next release. Thanks.
As for customer service, I’ve had the same mixed bag. Sometimes they respond in a couple of days, sometimes not at all. Still, I’d prefer not to lay down another $500+ for a new GPS, as I do like the 500c.
Hi Paul – I think it comes up either on the first page at boot or in a “info” page that also talks about the firmware rev, available memory, etc. My GF is the one with the unit, I’ll get a look at it this weekend.
Waiting wise… I check the LEI-Extras site about once/month and haven’t seen that disc change state since I bought the Q3/2007. I hope that maps will still be created!
I wish I had seen all this a week ago. i ordered the amplified antenna for h20c a week ago thru Lowrance site now no feedback whatsoever on order.
It looks to me like maybe an investigation for fraud may be in order?
The LEI website is now down?
Apparently, Randy.
Lei-Extras is up… but it can look like it’s down. Aiming at it with “http://lei-extras.com/” won’t get you there, but “http://www.lei-extras.com/” will. They don’t have the default service set on the domain to “www” so you have to specify it.
I have three iway 500’s. One of the units has an old map (2004) is it possible to copy the map form one of my newer units to the 2004 unit ? If possible, how do you do it ?
@wayne: “…is it possible to copy the map form one of my newer units to the 2004 unit ? If possible, how do you do it ?”
Not with any tools that us commoners would have. The updaters copy the map data from an archive on the CD to a partition on the iWay’s drive. When the iWay boots, it sees the update and applies it… …then erases the raw update data.
There’s no way that I’ve seen to be able to easily access the _actual_ map data on the device.
LEI has the worst, if any customer service. They send you an ‘update’ 10 days after it is effective and expect you to pay the price. I called, agreed to have it sent back, and they will NOT reimburse me. Stay away from LEI! They do not return calls. To add, I asked for this update for an upcoming trip. They said it would be there in time for the trip. Nope. You can not, nor should you count on them for professionalism.
To move the maps from one unit to another, remover the hard, drive, boot it in a laptop and copy the new data to the “hidden” partition of the second unit.
The MBR appears to be delicate but there is a built in configuration; just re-save it as PXE.
The 500c is such a piece of crap inside that I’m not sure I’d bother. In fact, after de-assembling several, I’m sure I wouldn’t. But that’s just me …
I bought the update from LEI but it completely broke my 500c. It killed all the points of interest databases, so you can’t search for anything. It does still find addresses. Lowrances offers a fix on their website that does nothing to fix this bug. So far Lowrance and LEI have not responded. Since you can get a very good new GPS for $150-$180, I WOULD NOT spend $75 again on updating the 500c.
It is worth noting that the most recent map that they are shipping seems to be the third quarter of 2007 map.
It is also worthing noting that Lowrance has abandoned vehicle GPS, so don’t expect much customer service from them.
I used to really respect Lowrance, but I now really regret buying a product from them. They got my money, and now I have a bricked 500c.
I have a Lowrance IWay350C that I last updated October 15, 2005 and am looking for a current update. Anyone out there updated an IWay350C recently, if so where did update come from, and does it work.
@brian: The last update that had been released for any of the iWay’s was a Q3/2007 release, available here:
http://www.lei-extras.com/store/search.asp?SearchType=Unit&Unit=iWAY+350C
I’ve used that update in a iWay 500C and it works, but like the poster above you says, it’ll wipe your custom user data.