Lowrance now says their GPS receivers are submersible
to 2 feet for up to one hour. Here is their statement.
Joe Mehaffey
Lowrance considers Lowrance and Eagle products to be water proof.
This
means that a unit can be submerged for a period of 1 hour at a depth
of 2
static feet of clear water. This spec was developed by Lowrance
because it
was easier to perform than the Coast Guard spec* and considered
more
effective for determining if a product was water tight.
*The Coast Guard definition of water proof is found in 46 CFR (Code
of
Federal Regulations). It states that a "water proof machine
means a totally
enclosed machine so constructed that a stream of water from a hose
with a
nozzle one inch in diameter that delivers at least 65 gallons per
minute can
be played on the machine from any direction from a distance of about
10 feet
for a period of not less than 5 minutes without leakage".
Lowrance Engineering
For IEC 529/IP definitions used by the USCG,
see HERE.
The IPX2 definition (for instance) means that a particular equipment has
NOT BEEN TESTED for potential damage from solid objects, but has
a -2- rating for water immersion.