Topic: 2009 997c Is it worth fixing?

[exudedude]

I had my unit flush mounted in the boat and have not used it in a few months. When I fired it up the screen on the right side had a 1" strip that was totally black and the rest of the screen was getting darker as I used it. To get the unit serviced it is 485 dollars and change.

I have 3 questions for the HB gurus

What would cause it to do that? Water intrusion?

Is it worth fixing a unit that old? And with only a 3 month warranty would it be better to but new?

Will the latest equivalent be able to use my transducer??

Thanks in advance....

[Rotus623]

Personally, since it is a legacy unit, wont have any more software updates from this date forward, and isnt ethernet capable I wouldnt want to pay to repair it. But on the other hand, how else could you get that size screen, with side imaging for $500. If you are a techie like me and like all the new gidgets and gadgets get a new unit. If you just like to fish and dont care about the new stuff get her fixed. Just my .02

[rnvinc]

Check the power supply...have the battery load tested ... Check connections for corrosion ...

Power supply issues create some ugly issues in these units...

Rickie

[Humminbird_Greg]

Hard to say what caused the problem without getting a Tech to diagnose the unit itself.  Water intrusion could have caused it but so could a bunch of other things as well.

I tend to agree with Rotus about whether to get it fixed or replace it.  I would also throw this in the mix: can the unit still be fixed at this time?  What about a few months form now?  I know that as the years since the units were last built tick by, our Service department runs lower and lower on replacement parts like housings, displays, backlights (this one has a CCFL backlight system) and main PCBs.  If you were to get it fixed now and it broke 4 months from now, we may not even be able to fix it.  This is going on the fourth year since we last made the 997 units… We try and service units for as long as we can but all units eventually get to the point that we can no longer do so.

Any of the Si model units can use the same transducer that you have been using for your 997 unit.

[exudedude]

Yeah that is sorta what I was thinking, but I did not think that the timeline was that short.

Thanks..

[Humminbird_Greg]

Not sure how long the timeline is exudedude.  Just wanted you to know about it is all and factor that into your decision.  I’m the kind of guy that if it still works, and I just don’t have to have the new tech, I’ll fix it.  I have an old flip phone that may be near its 10th anniversary but also have a less than two-month old PC at home that is a gamer’s dream (but only because Momma said I could have it)!

[exudedude]

It was a power issue. I installed new batteries as it was getting close to time and the screen cleared up. Sometimes the initial black strip comes back...but it is only in the depth modes, not the GPS or the menu screens.

[Bob B]

You may want to take a close look at all your power wiring connections...including the fuse holder.  Do you have an inline fuse or a spade type fuse holder.  Make sure you don't have any loose or corroded connections.  Are you wired straight to the battery or thru a power block on the boat?