... written for Panbo by Ben Ellison and posted on Mar 13, 2006
It's going to be short today, as these pictures speak for themselves. They probably date from the early 60's, though even Lowrance (who provided them) doesn't seem sure. But that's about when the company's portable flasher--wonderfully named the Fish-Lo-K-Tor, and also known as the Little Green Box--really took off. According to Lowrance history, it eventually sold a million units! None of us, manufacturers included, pay much attention to the old stuff as technology hurtles forward, but I'm starting to get nostalgic about gear like this. I wonder if there are collectors?
PS It's amazing how interest in the Fish-Lo-K-Tor never seems to die. I'm happy to say that Lowrance sent over the original manual at the request of a commenter below, and download the 2.7mb PDF here. It's a great read even if you're just interested in the history of marine electronics and/or the basic issues of fishfinding.
Just ASKING HOW OLD WOULD THE MODEL LFP-300 fish lo k tor be and CAN I GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THIS UNIT LIKE A OWNER MANUAL MY DAD GOT THIS FROM MY UNCLE AND I AM A 41 YEAR OLD THAT WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT AND JUST KEEP IN MIND I just GOT A NEW VEXLIAR THIS WINTER AND LOVE IT BUT. THIS IS RIGHT UP MY TRAIL TO HAVE A OLD ONE AND REALLY WANT TO GET A HOLD OF A OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS UNIT !!! THANK YOU I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL EVEN IF IT IS A COPY OFF A OLD BOOK TO MATCH THIS UNIT LFP-300 Lowrance Fish LO-K-TOR [email protected] Please Feel Free to e-mail me !!!!! Have a good day fishing the next time you go TO YOUR FAVORITE LAKE OR RIVER
Have found a lowrance fish-lo-k-tor lfp300 in mint condition. What size battery does it use? Call me back soon 209 521 2500 thanks tf
Posted by: thomas freeman at June 2, 2007 7:12 PM |Reply
can anyone tell me if this works for ice fishing?, i have used the vex before, but i can afford the vexilar- and have just ordered a fish lo-k-tor on ebay... please let me know.
thanks,
beau brewton
Posted by: Beau at December 4, 2007 5:58 PM |Reply
I have some of the same questions, so if any of you received responses on the battery or if it will work for ice fishing, please let me know. I also have a newer unit, that looks similiar, but is brown and the case is made out of plastic. It looks like it takes the same battery.
Thanks
Posted by: Darin Gunderman at January 12, 2008 12:06 PM |Reply
I have an lfp-300 fish-lo-k-tor in excellent condition. what is something like this worth. could you advise me on this.
Posted by: Mike Navarro at February 11, 2008 4:19 PM |Reply
That lowrance p300me works like a charm! have one and it definately does the job still!
Last summer (2007) I bought my son's a
Lowrance FISH LO-K-TOR AT A BARN SALE FOR
5.00 !!! The old timer said it was hardly used and worked great it still has a tag (71004) on one side and (in a triangle on oppisite side102)
It is in origanal box, with owners manual !
As for what it is worth I have know I deal ??
( but really don,t care ...my youngest son is 16 and I know he will want to use it for years to come ! ) Some thing,s really don,t have a MONEY VALUE Also owners manual says to use Magnum 44 batteries 6 volt.It takes two batteries ..it say's other common batteries didn't last but only 1 hour and these last 4 times longer than ordinary battery
I hope this help's some of your questions
peace too you all !!
p.s.
I just realized it actually has the sticker that says " push" , were the batteries go !! Debbie [email protected]
Posted by: Debbie at March 13, 2008 7:08 PM |Reply
I bought one in mint condition. The only thing is that i have no idea what batteries to use or how to hook them into the unit. Can anyone help me?
i bought a lowrance lo-k-tor and i dont know if the screen lights up until you put sonar into the water can anyone help me out. you will need 2 volt battteries for it and the just push up against the battery slide under the sonar reader
Posted by: dave at December 28, 2008 1:07 PM |Reply
Hey I have a Lowrance fish lo-k-tor lfp-300d with no transducer. Is there anywhere I can buy one for it or is there a new model that will work on it? I can't afford a new Vexilar or anything like that so I would like to get this one working again if I can. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Eric
Posted by: Eric at January 26, 2009 12:26 PM |Reply
I TO HAVE COME IN POSSESION OF A LOWERANCE FISH LO-K-TOR LFP-300D, AND I ALSO DO NOT WHAT TYPE OF BATTERY IT TAKES . CAN YOU HELP ME ?
THANKS STEVE
Posted by: STEVE at February 15, 2009 1:55 PM |Reply
I have got this leather green box that says fish lo-k-tor on it. Someone gave it to me. It came with no instructions. So i don't know what battery works it. The tag number on the box is 23885. Please send me some information on the lo-k-tor.
Thank you,
Allen
Posted by: allen at February 24, 2009 10:49 AM |Reply
Any I dea where I can find a transducer?
Posted by: Steve at December 28, 2009 8:56 PM |Reply
Any 192 khz transducer will work. Go to Radio Shack and get a 1/4" phone plug. Very simple to install. There are several transducers on ebay right now.
Posted by: Andy at January 23, 2010 4:48 PM |Reply
The unit takes two 6 volt lantern batteries. I use the remington 6 volt re-chargables available at walmart for like $5.They are seal lead batteries so you don't have to worry aout them leaking and they last for like 12 hours.They go in any way as long as the springs are facing the front of the unit.
Posted by: dave in reply to STEVE at February 5, 2011 12:14 AM |Reply
I have the same unit and have used it since the 80s. Use good quality six volt square lantern batteries. Insert in the box with the springs toward the front.
Posted by: Anonymous in reply to STEVE at July 15, 2011 10:36 AM |Reply
I have a LFP-300 in mint condition and it works very well. Yes they work for ice fishing and you can even ping through some ice as long as the transducer is wet on the tip. We just drill a hole just big enough for the transducer and just hang it down. I have several manuals and even the sales broshure. Mine was made in 1965 and I think they were released in 1963. The tags that several people are mentioning are the original sales tags, keep them with the unit or at home in a safe place. Value? working units in good shape $20 - $60 depending on condition and manuals. But they work great and you should keep it and use it.
Posted by: Mike at December 2, 2011 6:17 PM |Reply
Dear Debbie or Mike,
Would there be a way that I could get a copy of the units manual. I'd pay the copy expense and shipping.
I to have a little green box or Fish LO-K-TOR and would like to know more about it.
Posted by: Rick Miller in reply to Debbie at January 16, 2013 5:14 PM |Reply
I have green box in working order with the transducer mount that I will sell it is in good working order. I used it for ice fishing in Michigan but have been in Alabama (not much ice) since 2004. I would like $50 for it
Posted by: Ray Nelson in reply to Rick Miller at March 4, 2013 6:44 PM |Reply
Andy,
How do you know the Lowrance LFP 300D uses a 192 Khz transducer?....do you have a technical specification document?...just curious.
Thanks,
Neal
Posted by: Neal in reply to Andy at May 7, 2013 11:38 PM |Reply
I just purchased a Lowrance LFP-300D and it has the original instructions, sales brochure, box and receipt $166 in year 1979.
Indeed Andy's note above is correct because the specifications show 192 Khz in the paperwork.
Would anyone please email me a copy of the user manual for the LFP 300 FISH-LOK-TOR [email protected] Thank you very much for tour assistance.
Posted by: Rich Cochran at December 30, 2013 1:17 AM |Reply
Did you ever get a response to your need of paperweork for your Fish Lok-A-Tor, if so could you please forward them to me also..... hoping to get this working, functions but doesn't show fish.....just the bottom......thanks Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Vervoort in reply to Rich Cochran at January 1, 2014 9:19 AM |Reply
If anyone has paperwork on this unit please email me at [email protected], we can trade phone #'s ore I can give you my address to send paper copies..... anything to get the manual and such.....thanks
Posted by: KevinVerVoort in reply to Kevin Vervoort at January 1, 2014 10:57 AM |Reply
Trying to find 6V batteries now is difficult - so here's a tip I'll share - Amazon sells floating lanterns for under $4 packaged with a battery - you will need 2. Walmart carries the lantern pack as well for over $7 each. 6V batteries are rarely used now so they are expensive to buy. This is the cheapest option I have found - lantern becomes disposable but for the price of what the 6volts are going for its the most cost effective. Good luck.
Do you still want manual for green box. I have one and will send in mail. I enjoyed mine and hate to toss the booklet. [email protected]
Posted by: Anonymous in reply to KevinVerVoort at January 2, 2015 8:16 PM |Reply
I purchased my green box in 1975 or 1976. It was readily available then at all tackle shops.
I purchased a conversion kit and ran it off of a standard deep cycle battery most of the time.
I found one at a Garage Sale in Mint condition two years ago. Never used! Got it for $10. I I still have my original green box and will display that one in my den. I'm tempted to use the new one.
hey people, all of you who are worried about batteries. the 6 volts are hooked up to produce 12 volts, so all you gotta do is buy a small motorcycle/atv/lawnmower battery for about 20 bucks, cut the wire leading to the battery area and splice in appropriate connectors for your motorcycle/atv/lawnmower battery. most batteries of this size use a slide on spade connector. takes 5 minutes and you can use a rechargeable 12 volt battery that will still fit inside the green box battery area. good luck. the red wire is positive and the black wire is negative, match those to the battery terminals and your in business. that buying lanterns for the 6 volt batteries online sounds like a horrible way to power a little green fishin box! :)
Posted by: Anonymous at January 24, 2015 1:46 AM |Reply
I have a LFP300 . It looks brand new and in the original box with
the Operations Manual. The original cost was $179.95.
Anhone interested in buying it? Just email me at [email protected].
Posted by: Kent Kircher at January 28, 2015 7:46 PM |Reply
Hello
I bought a Lowrance Fish LO-K-TOR "Little Green Box" but can't find and instructions online manual, or Pdf. If anyone has a copy please email me or point the way to its instructions online I can't find anything.
That really is amazing; the transistor was brand new technology then. The transistor radio is only a few years older.
Compare the photo in the IGFA article to the photo at the top of this post. I'm guessing here, but I'd say that happy fisherman is Darrell Lowrance himself.
Posted by: norse in reply to Ben E at July 17, 2015 1:54 AM |Reply
Ben, not seeing the "PS" above. Can you elaborate? Thanks
Posted by: Randy in reply to Ben E at July 20, 2015 10:41 AM |Reply
Randy, you may need to refresh your browser. It's right under the photo of the Fish-Lo-K-Tor, link to PDF here:
Posted by: Ben E in reply to Randy at July 20, 2015 5:05 PM |Reply
I have a LFP-300D green box lowrance fish lo k tor. Would like to know if it shows fish on the screen.Have no manuel for it.Seems like it only shows depth.
Posted by: Bill Flock at January 25, 2016 12:35 PM |Reply
Hey guys looking for somewhere i can get ahold of an old transducer for my green box...any ideas? Love the old unit please let me know. I would really like to use the unit again once it's complete. I am literally dead in the water without it!
Thanks
Posted by: Grayson at February 25, 2016 12:00 PM |Reply
do you have copy of lawrance lfp-300 manual
Posted by: gary in reply to Rich Cochran at May 27, 2016 9:52 AM |Reply
Gary, the Fish Lo-K-Tor manual that's linked to above and below does not mention model LFP-300 but a lot of readers seem to think that they are the same thing.
Hi, the wire that goes to the male plug broke off right where it is attached (screwed down) to the plug. I see there are two wire inside the main wire, which one should I re-attach ?
I know this post is old, but I just rigged up for 12 volt (2-6es) by unsoldering two wires from battery board and adding wire to them and put on alligator clips for 12 volt.
Posted by: f hribar in reply to Debbie at June 11, 2016 12:33 PM |Reply
How do you install the batteries?
Posted by: Paul beckm at September 15, 2016 12:16 PM |Reply
Hello
Does anyone have an schematic for the lpf 300. I've been looking for a long time and called many shops.
Thanks for any help
Bill
Posted by: Bill frovik at November 28, 2016 4:38 PM |Reply
I know your post is from 2008 but did you ever get a reply on whether the transducer has to be in water for the light to work and show depth. Does it have to be in 4 feet or more of water.
Posted by: Podge in reply to dave at December 21, 2016 4:01 PM |Reply
Podge, most any sonar transducer has to be in water to operate, preferably a few feet.
Posted by: Ben E in reply to Podge at December 21, 2016 4:45 PM |Reply
Ben do you happen to know if the strobe light on the unit will light up when you turn it on if the transducer is not in the water to give it a signal. When i put the batteries in and turned it on the strobe light in the dial spun around like it is suppose to and the battery indicator reads full charge but the light doesn't light up. Do I need to take it to the lake and put the transducer in the water with at least five feet of depth from the transducer to the bottom of the lake? Thanks, Dave
Posted by: Anonymous in reply to Ben E at December 22, 2016 1:22 PM |Reply
Anon, I would think it would NOT light up, as the flash is triggered by the echo from the bottom. Without an echo, no flash.
Posted by: Hartley in reply to Anonymous at December 23, 2016 7:05 PM |Reply
Two 6v batterys
Posted by: Anonymous in reply to Beau at February 1, 2017 7:01 PM |Reply
could you please email instructions i just bought a 300f fish finder no transducer but i will get one pd. 1.25 good buy hopeing it works
Posted by: shelly miller in reply to Rich Cochran at March 16, 2017 3:22 PM |Reply
I have an old Lowrance flasher unit. It is a series 2000-2160. Is there anywhere that I can get a power cord and transducer for it?
Posted by: Albert Franchetta at July 6, 2017 2:01 PM |Reply
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Just ASKING HOW OLD WOULD THE MODEL LFP-300 fish lo k tor be and CAN I GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THIS UNIT LIKE A OWNER MANUAL MY DAD GOT THIS FROM MY UNCLE AND I AM A 41 YEAR OLD THAT WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT AND JUST KEEP IN MIND I just GOT A NEW VEXLIAR THIS WINTER AND LOVE IT BUT. THIS IS RIGHT UP MY TRAIL TO HAVE A OLD ONE AND REALLY WANT TO GET A HOLD OF A OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS UNIT !!! THANK YOU I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL EVEN IF IT IS A COPY OFF A OLD BOOK TO MATCH THIS UNIT LFP-300 Lowrance Fish LO-K-TOR [email protected] Please Feel Free to e-mail me !!!!! Have a good day fishing the next time you go TO YOUR FAVORITE LAKE OR RIVER