Lowrance LMS 500 series owners... issues?

[Waterfoul]

I have a 520 on my bow that very often does not read bottom... simply flashes the depth at you. This is becoming a real problem and is getting worse.  LEI tells me I need a software update.  But I ask you... if I am only one version behind and did the last update to solve this issue (it helped for a couple months last fall but is now back to where it was) why in the world would the next update fix it?  How is it that a $600 (retail) unit can just "forget" how to read the bottom?  I have a Humminbird side imager on the dash and it works flawlessly.  I did the old "turn the 'Bird off" trick and the LMS still forgets to find the bottom.  The Ducers are 18+ feet apart on my boat so in less than about 15' of water you'd think there wouldn't be enough interference to make a difference anyway. The GPS works flawlessly but when you are in very stained water and trying to follow the contour of a sunken island you just cannot see (Reeds Lake yesterday) this thing is useless!!!  I think I may be offing it on Craig's List and getting a new 'Bird on the bow.  Caveat Emptor to the buyer I guess.

Anyone else experiencing similar issues with their LMS units?

Anyone want an LMS 520 complete with trolling motor 'ducer?  I'm very unhappy with it.  I've had it for about 3 years now and it's always had this problem to one degree or another.

[dartag]

does if flash the shallow depth,   then flash 70 feet.  mine has done that a few times when i am real shallow.   been to busy to trouble shoot it.

[Bender]

In heavy weeds my 520 used to do this and my 510 still does, actually my 997 'bird does too. I upgraded to the latest Beta software from Lowrance on the 520 and set it to Shallow Mode in the sonar settings and it has worked perfectly ever since. Other than it filling up with water and losing connection with GPS and LEI having to replace it a couple times.

[Waterfoul]

So I should put it in shallow mode?  Not sure how to do that... any hints?

[Bender]

I don't have the simulator on this computer but you hit Menu then arrow down to Sonar Setting and enter. Then in the lower right corner there is a Fishing Mode (I think that is what it is called). Change that to Shallow from the default General. I think there is also Deep, saltwater, Brackish, etc.