Topic: 798 Update?

[Mervin]

Is there going to be a 798 update? I have heard that the 798 HD has been given a software update but not the standard 798.
Whats the go there? They are virtually the same unit.
Any answers appreciated.

Thanks

Merv

[Humminbird_Greg]

Virtually the same on the outside and in function but very different inside component wise.  The original 798c Si and 798ci Si unit design made its debut in the 2009 product year and so is now three years old which is old for an electronic product now-a-days.  I don’t know if there will be another software update for it or not but I do know that at some point it will not be able to accept the software updates that the 798ci HD Si units can.  That said; they have not finished adding the last round of software updates to all of our units as I just saw where some other units got the same level of software today.  I’m sure that they will end up releasing a software update for the older 798 units if they can run some of the new features, I just don’t know when that will be.

[sonar2000]

Is this to say that we as buyers should expect to buy a new product every 3 years, since support and update will be dropped for the "old" unit..
It seems the electronic world has invaded the HB product family. We build as in most "stuff" today a short term product with an expected short life..
Chuck.

[xSilmarilSx]

You should expect that every company will not keep older unit updated or serviced. And it's in everything.

If you want to have unlimited support for 5 year, and the warranty and the updates, you must pay for it.
Nothing is free in this world. So a 798 that is sold for 1050$ today, will cost what? 1200-1300$ for 5 years service?
It's a trade off each business has to do. Do we offer unlimited support and high price, or we skip on some things and offer a more affordable product.

Not mentioning if the said unit CAN receive the current update with it's aging technology.

Just to put into perspective, at work, we brought a 300k$ Press brake and 500k$ Laser cutter, and guess what. 1 year LIMITED warranty. After that, pray the Gods or use the checkbook.

What people need to understand, is that when Humminbird decide to stop the support for old units, the unit is working fine without important bugs. Sure, you might not have the newest accessories or functions, but you didn't have them when you brought the unit.
People seem to have taken for granted the yearly update process and new features.

If Humminbird stopped supporting a unit still full of bugs and problems, Now, that would be bad for the user and the company.

This is my personal opinion on the subject.

[FuzzyGrub]

Another 798ci owner hoping for a "last" update.  I consider myself lucky since I bought it when it just came out.  While I would expect a few bug fixes over the years, received many a new function.  That is all gravy.  Problem is, I got use to my gravy.  I liked my gravy.  And I am sad to see it go     

[Mervin]

Thanks.

Merv