Something is fishy about this… And it is starting to STINK!
Recently, I have had a couple customers contact me for support for an error on their Garmin fish finder “Garmin Recovery Loader Ready”. I had not seen it before, but promised I would find the solution. Upon phone conversations with both customers, I found that both of them were using at least one UHD2 unit. The UHD (1) units worked fine. Word online was that it was a Garmin software updated that had started many users to have the issue. many said do not upgrade above version 30… But one of my customers was on version 29 or something under 30. I then contacted Garmin like I had in the past expecting helpful support… but I was met with a person who was unwilling to explore the issue like they knew something more. I was left with no choice but to buy with Garmin Echomap UHD 2 units in the 9 and 10 inch configurations to find a solution.
I cannot say for certain if Garmin is pulling an “Apple” by using software to derail us DIY users with false errors for opting to not use their hardware. But seeing how it started with only their UHD2 units and not their previous units, its suspicious for sure. We have all spent a ton of money to fish with LiveScope. Many people saw my solution online back in 2019 and wanted me to make a solution for them. Garmin was fully aware because I talked to tech support many times. In fact, they do the same thing in their office for testing. But over the years, Garmin has changed gears. You will notice new marketing for their “Blue” network. The new devices have network ports that are blue in color and are a proprietary multi-pin connector instead of the easy to assemble RJ45 that they have used for over a decade.
Garmin makes products for land, sea, and air. Radars, maps, surveillance, and more. Fishing was really last on their list. I am a wholehearted Garmin customer. I use them in land, sea and air. On land, I use my instinct watch and mobile devices etrex and gpsmap when I am hiking and hunting. I have been using Garmin Fish Finders exclusively since 2013 with the Scott Martain on the box echo 200 and 150 for my kayaks. The first wave of fish finders for my boat was the Echomap non touch 93sv and 4.3″ striker plus. Next year I upgraded to two Echomap 93sv units with Livescope “LVS32” in 2018. I knew this was a good investment at the time. I purchased the Garmin GT34 transducer upgrade kit to allow for UHD higher resolutions. A few years later, I upgraded to the 93sv UHD and again with Livescope upgrade to the “LVS34”. Finally for the air… I use a Garmin D2 Air watch and use Garmin Pilot software. Additionally, I have their Garmin striker casting fish finder. So yes, they got their hooks in me and I have been happy. I still use my SPOT satellite communications and refuse to go Garmin because they have outrageous prices… I do not know how much longer Spot will be around to be honest.
With that said… It seems like the good guy company is changing. Seems like they want more profits. They have raised the prices of components I use like the RJ45 connectors. They used to be $10 and now they $20. Lowrance and Humminbird make a killing networking their devices because they use proprietary connectors. I know Garmin thinks they could have done the same since so many people are buying Garmin, I remember pre 2018 when people would not touch Garmin. I was a customer then. I have always liked their interface more… Although I am not a fan of the new UHD2 units.
I think I am a little disenchanted with the current state. I work in the tech industry and have more of an understanding than most. While I do not have an issue with the products on my boat, many people do. They have reached out to me thanking me for the kit that I provided. I have helped many people with training and support who do not own a Bree-Z Box. I do it because I love fishing and like to help others. Garmin needs to get back to the roots where we started back in 2013. Their products and tech support won me over and over again. Now that they are at the top, I have seen prices go up and support go down. They are buying out companies like they did with satellite communications iridium network. And for all of you who think there is competition in the live imaging arena, its all Garmin licensed for Humminbird and Lowrance. I assume, that the settlement with Garmin and Lowrance over the down imaging patent was resolved when Garmin owned the Panoptix patent. That is why Lowrance gets to sale the latest version of Livescope after Garmin puts it out first. Humminbird is last to the show… My opinion. I have no inside information, but I remember the lawsuit back in 2015 or so.
Let me know what you think…