Topic: 1198 SI Combo and Cannonlink

[michiganbrian]

I have a 1198 Si Combo linked to a Cannonlink and 2 Cannon Digi-Trol 5's.  Last year I had the "terminal not connected, check downriggers" error message all the time.  The downriggers did work, but when the message was present you could not control the downriggers until the message cleared on the 1198 screen.  We called Humminbird and Cannon and at first Humminbird told me to call Cannon and when I called Cannon, they told me to call Humminbird.  HMMM?  Eventually I did send the Cannonlink AND the wiring to Cannon for them to check the unit and wiring.  Cannon called me and told me that the Cannonlink unit's plugs were bad.  They did send me a new Cannonlink unit which I thought was great.  However, when the new unit was installed just last week, it still did not function properly.  So the marina that did the work called Humminbird and they were told that the software in the 1198 unit needed to be updated for proper functioning of the Cannonlink and the Digi-Trols.  Does this make sense?  How can the plugs be bad in the back of the Cannonlink and now the software needs to be updated.  The 1198 was purchased in March 2011 as were the Cannonlink and the Digi-Trols.  I just want the system to function properly as is advertised and I'm not sure anyone can tell me the problem, including Humminbird, Cannon, or the marina doing the work.

[sonar2000]

HB does not own the cannonlink any more..
While they may help some you would be better directly with the cannonlink folks..
the latest 1198 is 6.180.  You might update your unit.
The download is on this forum under downloads tab.

Chuck

[michiganbrian]

Thanks Sonar2000, I will download the most recent software, but I wonder considering that it never really worked completely, if it will ever function properly or should I just accept that this system will never work great and just accept it.  For guys that fish by themselves often, the bottom tracking works well when it functions like it is supposed to, but the errors were just constant and really annoying.  I guess I'll see if the new software will help.  Thanks. 

Brian

[sonar2000]

Brian, try the update and see.
If you continue to have issues Then post your concerns.
We have some great folks here who can help and with cannonlink experience.

Chuck

[michiganbrian]

Chuck,  Yep,  I'll download the latest software and see if that's it.  I know after reading the posts that there are a lot of experienced posters on HB and cannonlink.  I'll post results after.  Thanks.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Can’t help you with the CannonLink or how to use it as I do not know but I do know that there were some changes made in the 1198 software to help with the CannonLink but this was in older versions which the current 6.180 version will include when you update your unit.

[sonar2000]

but I do know that there were some changes made in the 1198 software to help with the CannonLink but this was in older versions which the current 6.180 version will include when you update your unit.

So it should work as 6.180 has the previous.  Is that what you said?

Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

Yes Chuck, that is what I said all based on the fact that all new updates contain the updates from previous software versions in them as well.

[michiganbrian]

Great.  Thanks.  I'm picking up the boat this weekend and I'll download the new software. I feel much more encouraged that the software was the problem.  We shall see...thanks for the responses. Brian

[sonar2000]

Brian, it is a bit hard for software writers when there is two different companies.
Sometimes they dont talk to each other..
But with forums like this one we can get some informational exchange..
Thanks for your part...
Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

Great.  Thanks.  I'm picking up the boat this weekend and I'll download the new software. I feel much more encouraged that the software was the problem.  We shall see...thanks for the responses. Brian

Brian, I am not saying that the software IS the problem.  I am just saying that it could be as there were changes made in previous versions of software and that the current version has these changes.  If I knew what software version you had I could look and see if it already has these changes or not – but the easier answer is to just load the latest software version and be sure.

[michiganbrian]

Greg,  Thanks.  I understand that you do not know if the new software will solve the problem, and you're right the easiest thing is to download it and see if that helps which I will do.  But if HB or Cannon KNOW that that system does not work well, I just hope either will tell me so that I do not keep seeking a solution to the problems if there are none.  That's all. If the consensus by most on this board that use Cannonlink with HB is that it works fine, then it must be a problem with my module, wiring, software etc.  But if the both HB and Cannon have advertised a system that simply does not work as advertised, and they know it, then that is something different all together.   If it works like it supposed to then there must be a solution to my problem, right?

[Humminbird_Greg]

That would be correct Brian.
If it helps: I saw an on-water demo of the CannonLink many years ago when we first came out with it, but that was not with an 1198c Si unit (this was before their time).

[sonar2000]

Years ago you owned trhe cannonlink.
Now it has been transfered it seems like the phone does not ring both directions..
Maybe too many secrets or too much inability to get together.
We need to work as teams and not stockholder options..

Chuck

[michiganbrian]

Ok, I finally had a weekend to test the cannonlink with the 1198 after downlowading the newest version of software for the unit.  As far as I could tell in some limited testing, I'm very happy to report that the system worked great.  I was only in 12 -15 fow and I used bottom tracking to stay a few feet above and both downriggers responded to the menu commands.  In the downrigger view on the 1198, I moved the depth of one of the balls and the cannon repsonded immediately.  It was so nice not to see the "downrigger not commected, check termination" error that I had to deal with all last summer.   I only tested for about 15 minutes or so, but it seemed to work perfectly.  It appears that downloading the newest software was the solution.  In a couple of weeks, I hopefully will get out in some much deeper water and do some more testing, but it appears problem solved.  Thanks to all.

[michiganbrian]

Ok, finally got out a few weeks ago in Grand Traverse Bay in 100 - 150 fow and bottom tracking on cannonlink worked like a charm with the new software update on the 1198.  I have to say I was not very confident that the new software would solve the problems, but it did!!  I could control the downriggers from the helm which was great being solo in a pretty stiff wind. Thanks.