Topic: a little gripping.

[johnnytherock]

really love my 998 bird, but just a few little gripes.  on 4 occasions it has hung on startup saying "loading",  but never loaded or responded to power button,  had to unplug, then ok.  The screen is extremely hard to clean properly, and the unit's 83khz is basically useless as it causes problems with DI and SI screen.  Don't get me wrong, I really love it, just wish for the 2 Grand I forked out, I would have likes perfection.  Realistically, a little pricey for something that is shy of just working right.  jmho.   fish well my friends.   johnnytherock
 

[mako101]

The 83KHZ distorts the Side Image and the 200KHZ causes breaks to appear in the Side Image. Greg, is it possible to switch off the 83KHZ and 200KHZ with a software update and still obtain reasonable depth accuracy?

[Humminbird_Greg]

You can turn off the 83kHz by setting the Beam Select menu to the 200kHz setting.
If you turn off the 200kHz sonar you will lose the water depth reading which the Si sonar needs to work.

[Humminbird_Greg]

really love my 998 bird, but just a few little gripes.  on 4 occasions it has hung on startup saying "loading",  but never loaded or responded to power button,  had to unplug, then ok.  The screen is extremely hard to clean properly, and the unit's 83khz is basically useless as it causes problems with DI and SI screen.  Don't get me wrong, I really love it, just wish for the 2 Grand I forked out, I would have likes perfection.  Realistically, a little pricey for something that is shy of just working right.  jmho.   fish well my friends.   johnnytherock
 

For the loading issue – we have seen several causes for this:
One is power related.  How do you have the 998 connected to your boat’s electrical system?
Are you running a mapping card in the unit?  if so, see if this happens without it installed.
We have also see corrupt Nav Data cause this.  So the next step would be to delete all of the Nav Data from the unit and use its Format Nav Directories menu.

What are you using to clean the screen with and what is getting on it?

How is the 83kHz causing problems with the DI and Si sonar?

[johnnytherock]

For the loading issue – we have seen several causes for this:
One is power related.  How do you have the 998 connected to your boat’s electrical system?
Are you running a mapping card in the unit?  if so, see if this happens without it installed.
We have also see corrupt Nav Data cause this.  So the next step would be to delete all of the Nav Data from the unit and use its Format Nav Directories menu.

What are you using to clean the screen with and what is getting on it?

How is the 83kHz causing problems with the DI and Si sonar?

the unit is connected with 2 wires through an inline fuse on the battery.
there is no mapping card.
have never used the GPS, ever, as I have a matrix 20 that does this very well.  so, there shouldn't be any nav data.
i clean the screen with lint free cloth and a touch of a bar of ivory soap i keep on the boat. EDIT: THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED!
the 83khz makes little fucking lines on the other screens. 
kapish?

[RGecy]

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO USE IVORY SOAP TO CLEAN THE SCREEN. 

[mako101]

Windex multi-surface with vinegar is the recommended cleaning agent, but is not available here, have been using undiluted white vinegar and paper napkin to clean and dry, is this ok ?

Greg, is there anything in the pipeline about Humminbird redesigning their transducers to overcome these issues, the 1198 is $3,999 over here, a little expensive for a machine that does not work 100%.

[johnnytherock]

thanks mako, will try a little vinegar.
 

[Humminbird_Greg]

Windex multi-surface with vinegar is the recommended cleaning agent, but is not available here, have been using undiluted white vinegar and paper napkin to clean and dry, is this ok ?

Greg, is there anything in the pipeline about Humminbird redesigning their transducers to overcome these issues, the 1198 is $3,999 over here, a little expensive for a machine that does not work 100%.

mako101,
I did not see any transducers issues listed.  What would you be referring to?

[johnnytherock]

i hope i'm wrong, but history tells me that if it can be fixed with software, it will be free.  if hardware can resolve issues, then live with what you got, the changes will be quietly implemented with new units only.  that is usually how things go, which i find unfortunate but the way of it since the bottom line is king.   jmho.    fishwell.  johnnytherock

[mako101]

Greg, i assumed the transducer design was the issue with 83KHZ affecting the side imaging display, if this is not so then perhaps you would be able to enlighten us as to why the 83KHZ does affect the side image.

[johnnytherock]

and i am thinking that 200khz is making the lines in SI and DI mode at deeper water levels?

[Humminbird_Greg]

Greg, i assumed the transducer design was the issue with 83KHZ affecting the side imaging display, if this is not so then perhaps you would be able to enlighten us as to why the 83KHZ does affect the side image.

mako101,
I think that is more software related instead of transducer design related.  I don’t know if or when a solution to this will be implemented.

[johnnytherock]

that is good news, then the fixes will be free and forthcoming
.