Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Idaho on February 12, 2015, 10:53:02 PM
-
First post here. Lots of useful info.
I have a 798c si that was purchased in 2010 and has never been updated. The one problem I have is erratic depth readings in deep water. Otherwise it functions well. I've read about some of the issues people have had after updating and so I wonder if its worth doing.
I would like to know if there are real benefits to the update.
Thanks
-
What software version is on it now?
-
Welcome to the Humminbird Side imaging Forums Idaho.
In general, updating the software can be a good start to troubleshooting issues with your unit – but not so much with erratic depth readings in deeper water. Those are usually transducer or power related.
Bob B is right; without knowing what software version your 798c Si unit has now we won’t know what features/functions could get added to it with the current software.
What water depths are we talking here?
Do you know of someone else that has a Humminbird unit that you could cross-test with to see where the problem is (unit or on your boat/transducer)? This does not have to be another 798c Si model unit as most use the same 200/83kHz 2D sonar, just make sure that it is not a DI model unit.
Are you only running the one Compact Side Imaging transducer or do you have a second transducer connected to this unit?
-
Thanks for the replies. I will have to check on the version.
On one lake that is very deep (Pend O'Reille - over 600 feet, the Navy does submarine research there) it goes erratic at over 300 feet or so.
Recently I got erratic readings on a lake I had never been on (Priest) in the 150 to 200 range. This time it required a reset to default before it would recover, then seemed ok. We were jigging at 200 feet for lake trout. Finally got it sorted near the end of the day and landed 7 in about a half hour. I decided after that I needed depth finder 101 as I was not good at deciding what was a fish at that depth. So I'm on a mission now to get better with use of this technology.
I'm wondering if it will find the bottom better with a higher sensitivity setting.
The help is appreciated.
-
Idaho,
Adjusting the Sensitivity menu does not help the unit read deeper or shallower water depths as you are not making any actual changes to the transmitter or receiver of the unit. I would start by checking power connections as low power getting to the units can cause deep water depth reading problems. No loose of corroded connections between the unit and the battery it is powered from. Make sure and check the fuse, fuse holder and battery contacts as these are often overlooked.
Make sure that there is no other sonar running on the boat.
Cross-test with another boat of possible while at those deep water depths.
-
I will check connections. Thanks.
In fact I think I'll run a 12 gauge power wire direct from battery to the unit for testing on Pend O'Reille next time out.
Forgot to answer your transducer question. I am running only the 798 with the factory compact sidescan transducer.
Unfortunately I have no fishing buddies to do a test with another unit however I am considering purchasing one of the Helix units for the transom.
I'll report back with my software version.
-
My software version is 4.730.
-
You would definitely benefit from upgrading.
I am not sure if it will do anything for the erratic depth readings you are talking about, but there have been a lot of features added since your release.
I would wait and see some reports on the 7.460 release which is supposed to be released for the 98 series in the next couple of weeks.....If you want to upgrade sooner, I would go with the 6.350 release you can find here...... http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=downloads;cat=7 (http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=downloads;cat=7)
The releases between 6.350 and the 7.460 release have some problems with the 2D. Humminbird changed the ping sequence in an attempt to improve the DI and SI imaging, but it hurt the 2D imaging......This is supposed to be corrected in the 7.460 release by the introduction of a jigging mode. When jigging mode is turned on in the new release the 2D sonar has a higher priority in the pinging sequence.
-
Thanks Bob. No way do I want to impair 2D performance. That's exactly why I asked the question.
Will there be a notification when the new version is released?
-
You could check your Humminbird account occasionally ..... or just watch the Humminbird forums. If you have Humminbird select, they sometimes send out emails..
I would watch the chatter about it for a while before updating to 7.460.
-
I have no account so I'll just watch the topic list here.
I will be looking for feedback before doing anything.
Glad I found this forum.
Thanks.
-
It would be a good idea to register your unit with Humminbird so you can download the update when it comes out.
That would also make HB PC available for download to assist with waypoint management and backups.
-
Hadn't thought of it since its an old unit but I suppose they will still take the registration.
-
Yes they should Idaho, even for second-hand units.
-
Tried to register. Put in all my info, hit the go button, nothing.
-
What browser are you using? There have been some problems reported with Internet Explorer...... Maybe try Firefox or Google Chrome.
-
IE. I will try Firefox. Thanks.
-
No go with Firefox. I can enter all the info including serial number but it will not let me enter a model number. It will not continue from that point.
-
Idaho, the model number should pop up automatically but you may have to give it a minute to do so. If it doesn't, call the Humminbird Customer Service folks to get it worked out. Just a warning though that Mondays are their busiest day of the week, so either call early (8:01AM Central time) or call later in the week.
-
Thanks Greg.
-
Just wondering if anyone has feedback on the latest update for the 798?