Got new 1197 in April after my first H-Bird purchase when boat was new in 2002 (H-Bird 3-D Paramount, no problems); Then upgraded to H-Bird 987 in 2006, no problems, same boat) then upgraded again to 1197 in April 2009 (same boat).
Right out of the box it died 15 minutes into my first run with it-professional installation by the dealer I bought it from-they have done other work on my boat-first class operation.
For 2 hours after I hit the river every ten miutes or so when I hit the VIEW button, sometimes other buttons-the unit shut down completely-as in "OFF"; I re-started it time and time and time again-would run for various periods of time then crashed again and again each time I would hit a button-usually the VIEW button but not always.
Sent it back to H-Bird at my expense (packed it like no tomorrow, insured etc.).
Unit came back soon thereafter BUT due to heavy heavy rain most of June here in New England have not been able to get out; First time out today diving and fishing the same crap started all over again. Died maybe 20 times; I am one very unhappy guy out $2,800+-.
Will be very interesting to see what H-Bird tells me when I tell them I DO NOT WANT THIS UNIT BACK AGAIN-SEND ME A NEW ONE-NO RE-FURBS IF THEY'RE EVEN OUT THERE. I BOUGHT A NEW UNIT I EXPECT A NEW UNIT BACK.
New unit-no good. Sent it back-came back-no good. I'm not a three strikes kind of guy-this unit-maybe all 1197s-has a serious issue I am in no mood no deal with.
Anyone else with 1197 issues like this? ALL boat electronics work great-issues occur when-exactly when-I go to change settings on the 1197-trust me-it's the unit not my electronics.
Thanks-want to hear from anyone with similar problems.