Topic: 596c HD (non DI) and issues w ice transducer

[jimmythegreek]

I have 4 HB units and have gotten lotsa help from here esp w my 998SI......thanks again.  I have a new 596cHD i got in sept. for my spare little boat and had issues from day 1 w unit jumping depths and interference.  I choked it and got a pc11 after calls to HB and it works almost perfect now, still have some depth jumping in shallow water.  Anyway the reason I got it was to use it on the ice as well, it has the flasher mode and ice fishing mode.  Ordered the HB bag+battery kit and also the xi 20 dual beam ice ducer.  Tried it out on the ice and it just didnt work at all.  I could never see my jig even using a depthfinder weight there was nothing but background noise and crazy depths, both in flasher mode and 2d sonar.  I tried all kinds of settings, ice mode on/off and did factory reset too.  Is there a chance I got a bad ducer brand new?  I am not using the pc11 power cable just the regular one and no choke, I didnt think to cause theres no TM or anything else electronic to interfere with.  Only 1 guy on the ice w me and hes my buddy, I had him turn off his vexilar thinking maybe interference w that but it was off for half hour while checking settings and still no luck.  Any advice?  HB site says the dual beam ice ducer is compatible this is NOT a DI unit.  Maybe its not?  same as the boat mount 2d ducer isnt it?  thanks in advance

[Humminbird_Greg]

The 596c HD is a 2D sonar only unit and it should have worked with the XI-9-20 transducer. It is possible that there is something wrong with the transducer.  Is there anyone you know of that has a XI-9-20 transducer that you could borrow to comparison test against your XI-9-20 transducer?  Maybe take your XNT-9-20-T transducer off of your boat and test with it?  Otherwise you need to contact Humminbird about getting it tested and fixed/replaced.

[jimmythegreek]

I used this 596 w my terrova w US2 and it worked.  I have the transom mount ducer still in the box I guess I will test it with that and see if it works.  Just sucks that I spent 200+ on a bag/battery/ducer and it doesnt work

[Humminbird_Greg]

How did you have the XI-9-20 transducer connected to your 596c unit?
Was this directly to the unit or to the transducer connector at the lower left side of the unit? [I think that is where it is at, it’s been a while since I saw one of these.]
If so, try direct connecting to the unit.  There is a short (12 inch or so) cable that runs from the unit mount to that outward location to make it easier to connect and disconnect the ice transducer.  By-passing it will show whether the problem is in this short jumper cable or not.

[jimmythegreek]

Well i ran out this morning to a safe ice spot and popped a hole and brought all my stuff.  Turns out this unit is defective, Im so pissed its brand new.  My 565 B&W unit which is dual beam and my 595 w is 20degree only color work perfect w the ice ducer.  Neither has the speed and resolution or flasher mode the 596 has so im screwed for now.  I had issues w this unit when I tested in on my terrova 80 w US2 it had tons of interference, the other 2 had none.  They all use the quick release base so I can switch easily to test them.  I shoulda sent this back in oct when I got it but I was mainly using it for ice and a backup unit.  Im gonna call Hbird but Im guessing Im screwed cause its been 4 months but I never used it til now, no ice in NJ til now    I wish I could hook up my 998SI but I read u can damage DI/SI using an ice ducer.

[Humminbird_Greg]

jtg,
You have a one year warranty from the date of purchase for your 596ci HD unit.  The Customer Resource folks should be happy to help you get this resolved.

There is no problem with connecting your 998c Si unit to the ice transducer.  Just set the Transducer Select menu to the DualBeam setting and you are good-to-go.  You could even use the HDSi transducer if you could figure out a way of getting it to hang level during use.

[jimmythegreek]

Well I called Hbird and they were pretty helpful.  I told them and the tech about all the testing I did, turns out there is a software upgrade for this but they think this is bad too.  Gonna send it in and see what happens.  They also said I can use the 998 so I may just do that, Id have to unhook outta the boat and I gotta first see if it will fit in the bag, otherwise Im gonna use one of the older units, at least Ill have depth for setting tipups, might work out alright.  Greg thanks for the responses and help..........Ill let you all know what happens...........

[jimmythegreek]

I ended up sending the unit into service, got it back yesterday.  I played a half day hookie from work and went out on the ice this a.m.  It has new software on it and it works properly now, never lost bottom contact the depths didnt run around and could see my jig and swivel like I should.  Sucked I had to send in a new unit but at least its back and working.............