Topic: Interlinking an or etherneting

[maxfli]

I have seen users having issues interlinking newer units to older units, as far as software versions. Before I go and spend some money on an interlink module, I would like to know if I can link my 987c si to my new 798c si. I believe my 987 has been upgraded fully ,but I will check versions to be sure.
What about ethernetting? Is that an option? I want my units to share waypoints is the only reason I bought this 798.

[RGecy]

Ethernet will not work since the 987c does not have ethernet capability.  As far as the Interlink, yes, there is a certain version each unit needs to be updated to in order to work.

Humminbird Greg will be able to shed some more light on which version.  I think you should be fine if you have the latest update on the 987c.

Robert

[maxfli]

My 987 has version 4.770, and the 798 has version 4.350. Will they talk as is?

[RGecy]

So 987 has the latest version and I would bring the 798 at least up to 4.780.  Not all software version are the same for different units, but as long as you have the latest installed on the 987, I think you should be fine.

I am sure Greg will clarify tomorrow.

Robert

[maxfli]

Yeah I see the 798 has upgrades up to ver. 6.300 available. Think that would be too much?

[maxfli]

WOW I've been reading the forum about some of the interlink issues, from sending them back to be reprogrammed, software updates that turns working systems belly up, to swapping them around to program the interlink. Is this thing really that complicated? I don't want to go through this but once, do it right the first time. Second thing is, I have the Y cable that came with my 987, my 798 has an internal gps reciever in it. I'm sure I will need to disable the 798 on board gps, to share the common external reciever through interlink, and I am praying that the 987 is not too old to talk to all this new hardware. If I don't upgrade the 798 software before I connect it, will it upgrade fine later on, or should I upgrade it first before connecting. The 987 is maxxed out, so its either gonna work or not, but the 798 is factory load 3.500 version, and there is a 6.XXX out there. Any good advice on this installation? I'm just getting my ducks in a row. I haven't even recieved the interlink yet. Does the interlink come with the cables I need, or do I need something else?

[RGecy]

It should have everything you need.  Like I mentioned earlier, just update the 798 to 4.780 and you should be fine.  The problems you mentioned were with older uplinks that had to updated when the new software fixes came out.  You shouldnt have that problem.

Just remember, this is usually the place where people come when they have issues.  You are going to read about a lot of problems, but there are many times that of people who dont have any problems doing these updates.

I think yours should go smoothly.  Like I said, the issues you are reading about were when the new software was being updated.

Let us know when you get the interlink.  I know it will work out.

Robert

[maxfli]

Man I log into my humminbird account and it only shows version 4.770 available for the 987. You know something I can't see? I have 4.770 What about the other one? How high a version you think I should go?

[RGecy]

4.770 is correct for the 987.  I was saying update the 798 to 4.780 since it is closest to 4.770.  They did not release a 4.770 for the 798.

Robert

[Humminbird_Greg]

maxfli,
Which 798 model do you have?  It sounds like you have the 798ci SI Combo, is that correct?

You do not have to share a GPS Receiver between these two units,  It is preferred that each has their own GPS Receiver.


No guarantees that this linking will work but this is what I would do:

Update the 798ci Si unit to the 4.780 software like Robert stated, but before doing so export all of the Nav Data and save it on your computer using the HumminbirdPC software.  After saving the Nav Data to your computer Delete All Nav Data from your 798 unit.

Save all of the Nav Data from the 987c Si unit to your computer and Delete All Nav Data from the 987 unit, just like the 798 unit.

Once both units have had their Nav Data removed you can update the software.  It is best to update the software in your unit(s) without any accessories connected besides the transducer and GPS Receiver (but these are not needed either).

Once the software has been updated in the 798 unit you can connect the 987 unit to the InterLink and power it on.  Allow the unit and InterLink to recognize each other and set them to work as you want.

Next plug in and power up the 798 unit and allow it to start using the InterLink system.

Once both units are up and running on the InterLink system you may upload the Nav Data from the 987 unit to an SD memory card and reinstall it in the 987 unit.  Depending on how you have your settings these will be transferred to the 798 unit or not.  Keep in mind that the if your 987 is nearly full with waypoints that your 798 will be as well as the waypoints are duplicated on each unit if they are shared.

After the 987’s Nav Data is installed you can now install the 798’s Nav Data.

[maxfli]

Got All my stuff today, Interlink, and mounting hardware etc.... I will go after it tomorrow. Sounds like a pretty good plan Greg. The 798c si combo is new and has no nav data, so that won't be an issue. I'm gonna try and upgarde it to the max. 6.xxxx version first. I can always dumb it up if that doesn't work. (I like my stuff fully upgraded if possible.) Everything else I will follow Greg's instructions to the letter. I will keep you posted. Wish me luck! Oh one other thing, You think I should leave the GPS enabled on the 798 and not share one antenna?? I assume that means don't plug the antenna to the interlink, just leave it as is connected to the 987 head unit.

[maxfli]

Cudos to all who helped. The operation was a success! Everything went just as Greg advised. Thanks for all your help.

[maxfli]

Well the patient had an event, and may need ICU For whatever reason the 987c SI stopped communicating with inter link while fishing Saturday, After I got home I played around with the units powering off and on in different sequences to no avail. I just remembered the Y cable plug is under my dash and might have come loose. Otherwise I will set the unit to defaults, delete all nav data, and try to reestablish Comm tonight. If that doesn't work I will need some good advice. Boy this thing is quircky. When I started out fishing interlink was working, by the first waypoint mark it wasn't ,and the 987c si does not recognize it anymore.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I replied to your pm maxfli.

[maxfli]

My bad! plug was undone.