Author Topic: Best price on a 798ci HD SI from a "reputable" vendor? (Read 24410 times)

bigkahuna · « **on:** January 13, 2012, 11:27:07 AM »

Anyone have a recommendation on who to buy one of these? Almost pulled the plug on one from "thedigitaloasis.com" only to later find that BBB gave them a rating of "F" for customer service. Do any of the big vendors price match?

LocDown · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2012, 12:13:55 PM »

No problems with them via ebay.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2012, 02:01:25 PM »

I checked all my usual "reputable" sources and they all wanted to charge full list price plus shipping, so I decided to go with "Universal Mania". The BBB gave them a A- rating so we'll give them a try.

nlester · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2012, 09:31:31 PM »

Universal Mania +1 - I should get the unit tomarrow (ordered on 1/11/2012, shipped the same day, arrived at the UPS in town on 1/13/2011 and scheduled to be delivered tomarrow on 1/14/2011 with standard shipping). One note. The unit from Universal Mania has an internal GPS but according to posts on the forum this should not impact me. Poor Fish is cheaper when they have a unit. I opted for this unit rather than the Cabala's 798Ci at $759 just to be safe. Supposedly the only differences is that Cabala's is missing the eithernet but then I got to reading about the bonded glass screen and got nervous and wanted to make certain that everything was the latest, so I went with HD SI for $90 more.

DBIGBALDGUY · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2012, 05:51:34 AM »

Check out "Factoryoutletstores.com" for the Hummingbird products. I just used them last week to pickup my 898c SI Combo and got $200 below Bass Pro / Cabela's asking price plus free 2 - 3 day shipping and a 2 yr extended warranty for a little extra. Last year I picked up a Minn-kota Powerdrive V2 Trolling motor with the pre-installed I-Pilot system... LOVE IT ! Had good communication, fast shipping and hassle free.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:11:47 AM »

I paid about $858 (including shipping) for my 798ci hd si combo from Universal Mania, which is just about the best price I've found. I ordered it on Friday so we'll see how long it takes to get here.

nlester · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2012, 12:17:34 PM »

Dallas, TX - I got mine on the 3rd day after ordering from Universal Mania. Good packaging and everything as expected. I have been playing at home with it. I have worked through the manual and all the tutorials from the forum. I am starting to feel comfortable with it. This forum has given me a jumpstart in using it. I am anxious to get on the water.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2012, 05:49:48 PM »

Did you get a tracking number after you placed your order with Universal Mania? I ordered mine on Friday and was told it would ship that day. I didn't get a tracking number and when I tried calling today all I got was their voice mail. Not a good sign... $:-\$

nlester · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:22:37 AM »

I ordered from Universal Mania at about 2 am on Jan 11th and it was shipped with a tracking number on the same day. It was delivered on Jan 13th. I paid with paypal. The box appeared to be a factory sealed with everything in good shape. I have spent a lot of time on it in the last couple of days and everything seems good. I things go well for you.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2012, 04:18:52 AM »

I called them last Friday at about 2pm to verify they had the units in stock, then placed my order on line and paid with paypal. I got receipts for my order and payment via email but no tracking number. I called their 800 number about a half dozen times but only got voice mail. I also sent them an email but never got a reply. I looked them up on the BBB website and got their local phone number and called that. Seemed to be a cell number so I left a message. I got a call back about an hour later and spoke to the fellow ("Ken"?) who said he would get my tracking number and call me back before the end of the day. Never got a call back nor a tracking number. I'll give them another try today (Thursday) before I ramp this up to the next step (notifying PayPal and my credit card). It could be that they're just having issues with their phones/internet service (hopefully) or it could be that they're going out of business. Who knows? Just my luck though. Good thing I'm not in a huge hurry to get this.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2012, 01:04:52 PM »

Low and behold, it arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. I never got through on their 800 number but I did get a tracking number via email about the same time that it arrived. Kind of weird, but all appears well. Would I do business with them again? I'm not so sure. Never found out why I wasn't able to reach them nor why it took 6 days to send me a tracking number. But I did get the sonar so everything ended well enough.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2012, 01:18:23 PM »

Let us know if it works....

You still need to call me...

Chuck

Fay · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:12:03 PM »

Looking to buy one myself. I would like to know when yours was made if you don't mind.
Have not found anyone that will give me a serial no. in advance and I can understand that I guess.
I assume the serial no's. are inside the box. I worry about not getting an up to date unit. Fay

sonar2000 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:16:33 PM »

Giving out a serial number means a person who does not own the unit could resigter with HB for support. Then when the unit is sold the buyer could not register...

the serial number is date coded.
The first two numbers are the year, the next two are the month and the next two are the day of the month.
As an example: if your serial number was 12010305-0159 than it would have been produced on January 3rd of 2012 .The other numbers represent the test station (05) and the sequential number of the unit that was tested at that station on that day (159th unit tested).

If you sell your HB there is a process to be able for the buyer to document the sale so the buyer can re-register.

Oh well...

at any rate they could give you the date mfg'd from the unit...maybe they dont want to though..

Chuck

bigkahuna · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:20:51 PM »

@Chuck - If you tell me where to find the date of manuf I'll look for it now. It's OK if I power it up without the transducer in water right? I just want to power it on and give it a quick check. I have a couple 12 vdc power supplies in the shop.

Fay · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:29:50 PM »

This is what I have been told:
If your serial number was 12010305-0159 than it would have been produced on January 3rd of 2012.

No problem Chuck. later -
Just saw where you had the same info. a little early anyway.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:31:01 PM »

Yes it is ok to power up....you just will not have any sonar data...
Look at the serial number of the unit.
it is year (4 digits) , month (2 digits),day (2 digits), that the unit was manufactured. The other information is test station and unit number thru the station that day..

Chuck

EDIT...sorry Fay, I posted as you were posting.. You answered his question

bigkahuna · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2012, 04:23:48 PM »

Mine was manufactured the end of November of last year. I noticed the box wasn't shrink wrapped, is that normal? The unit pretty much looks perfectly new (except for a small smudge on the screen and a small scratch on the transducer). I'll give it a dry run tomorrow but otherwise all looks well.

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2012, 04:33:18 PM »

We don’t shrink wrap the boxes BigK, but should have been glued shut.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2012, 05:11:55 PM »

Some shops, not the HB site, but distributers, understand the shipping industry and take an extra step like shrinkwrap.
I would say that a shop that does this is worth looking to for a product....
Unless you thought they might have had it on display and re-wrapped..
I know of several gun shops here that sell you the display model even though they have one in the storage...
Only time will tell...

BigK....you can look at the use meter hours when you turn it on and see what it says...

Chuck

bigkahuna · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:05:54 PM »

Thanks Chuck and Greg - I powered up the unit and everything seems as it should be. Hours are 0 and firmware version is 5.840. With the exception of the delayed delivery notification and responses to my calls, I can't complain.

Boy what a sharp and bright display this unit has, can't wait to take it out on the water. I'll fabricate a custom mount tomorrow and hope to get everything together in the next week or so. Can't wait.

One question, it seems that the power connector doesn't really sit very tightly when plugged into the back of the unit. I'm guessing that's not unusual, so how do you keep it from disconnecting?

sonar2000 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2012, 10:38:08 AM »

Glue it in with 3m 5200.....just kidding.......

On our portable units we secure the cable next to the unit with a cable clamp and a loop to the unit..
I will bring ours down when I get to your place.
HB does not use the best of connectors compared to what is available on the market...

Chuck

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2012, 11:10:44 AM »

When the unit is mounted the cable connector is held in place by the unit mount. That being said; some have had loose power cables and the popular method to correct this is to slightly bend the power cable pins away from each other. It does not take much and what this does is increase the interference fit between the pins of the power cable and the sockets on the unit.

bigkahuna · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2012, 11:31:07 AM »

Thanks again Chuck and Greg, I'll probably end up implementing both suggestions. For such a nice piece of equipment I was expecting a little better connectors, especially since it's advertised as "waterproof".

I started an installation build thread since I've steered this one well clear of its original topic:

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=3475.0

sonar2000 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2012, 01:21:25 PM »

Thanks BigK. Without a chaty room we sometimes forget we are hi-jacking a thread.
Good for you and a pat on the back.
Chuck

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