Author Topic: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?  (Read 5705 times)

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Offline ITGEEK

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Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« on: March 12, 2014, 12:53:55 PM »
I've been thinking of upgrading my 1197c SI for some time now.
I have Weathersense and XM Weather.
Weathersense is neat, but I can probably live without it.
XM Weather, on the other hand is awesome and I want to keep it.
I don't go fishing that much, but it's neat that I can go to my boat
anytime and see what weather is approaching.
This is great to check approaching lightning just prior to going outside to cut the grass.
I don't have an I/web-enabled phone with a weather app, just a
normal cell phone.
Also, it took me time and expense to get XM Weather.  It was a real bitch dealing with Sirius on the phone.

I was glad when the 1199 came out, and I thought that would be a good model to upgrade to,  but there are 3 things I don't like about it:
1)It comes with an internal GPS, 2)it does not support XM Weather, and 3)it does not support Weathersense.

What I can't understand is, that if the programming code is already written and tested for an accessory, then why completely eliminate it.
Give users a choice whether they want it or not.
And if a user had an accessory with an older unit, then upgraded, the new unit should have new features (of course), and also should still have the old features that users have grown accustomed to.

At some point, the Humminbird powers that be must have thought that Weathersense and XM Weather were useful.  Now they just don't anymore?

I am now seriously thinking of just upgrading to an 1198.
I'll have a faster processor, and at least, if I ever want to
get a 360, it will work with it.

I think change and new features are absolutely great, and necessary, but eliminating an accessory that a person has become fond of, is I think enough to make someone want to change brands.

What do you guys think?
« Last Edit: March 12, 2014, 12:55:38 PM by ITGEEK »


Offline Gimp

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Re: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2014, 01:37:42 PM »
I don't have a cellphone, because if I did, I wouldn't bring it fishing and hunting, so what is the sense of having one. Weather apps would be nice, but I still wouldn't bring the phone fishing with me. XM weather was one of the selling points for me for my rig. Now, aside from getting a radar dome, it's not in an upgrade.

Offline newkid4si

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Re: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2014, 04:54:26 PM »
ITG

    If you are considering an 1198, you may want to start looking soon. I understand that they are getting hard to come by.

         Mike

Offline ITGEEK

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Re: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2014, 07:41:09 PM »
Thanks for the info Mike.
I have been looking around, and I do see that some places no
longer have them available.
I think if it wasn't for the XM Weather, I'd get an 1199, but
I'm still debating.

Gimp: I, like you resisted even getting a cell phone.
But, just try and find a working pay phone these days.
They are almost impossible to find.
A cell phone could save yours or someone else's
life, whether driving, hunting, or fishing.
It's just something that is a necessity these days.

Offline Bob B

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Re: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2014, 08:15:17 PM »
It is rare for me to see a thread about these options....except the internal GPS.....And I think I understand why HB did that.

I think it is just as simple as the option is not very popular.  Continuing to supporting it does cost money.....it would have to be tested with every new unit and every software update....Probably just not cost effective for the amount of sales interest.

Now if threads started popping up all over the place with people ticked off because they don't have that option any more, they might re-think it.......Guess you are doing your part.

**Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile**

Offline Rotus623

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Re: Does it bother anybody that Humminbird is dropping features?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2014, 12:46:23 PM »

Now if threads started popping up all over the place with people ticked off because they don't have that option any more, they might re-think it.......Guess you are doing your part.

Agreed. And ITG I'd imagine that you would probably be able to plug in your existing GPS puck to the unit and you'd be able to use it. I think its a cool feature to have the GPS inside the unit when you want it (bow mount depthfinder with ducer on TM, no need for GPS puck because unit is close to ducer, as well as back up if your puck or cabling has an issue) but I also think that they should at least give you the option to add the GPS puck to your order, even if there is an upcharge.


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