Topic: NO FIX on my GPS 859ci HD Combo

[Brewster]

Hi everyone! I was hoping my first post would be anything else but a problem with my new 859ci HD, but unfortunately, it is... Ive been out 2 times with my new bow attached 859 to I-pilot link with a Lakemaster V-4 Wis card. All updates have been done on the 859(v-6.860) as well as the I-pilot link controller and remote(v-1.160). My first time out was on the Chippewa River. It was a hilly part of the river on both sides, but my internal GPS just wouldn't pick up a signal. I left it on for over an hour. Turned it off and on a few times, 5Hz to 10Hz, tried different Map Datum settings, restored defaults. Even took it off the mount and held it up above my head, still nothing... So this morning, I go to Lake Wissota and park myself in the middle of the lake, nothing there to block anything! Same problem Any ideas?  I see there is a new update for this coming out in 4 days. Will this new update help this issue? Thanks

[Bob B]

Have you talked to customer service about it?  Sounds like you need to try another GPS antenna with it to determine if it is the unit or the antenna.

That is Jason Halfen's neck of the woods.....my try to message him.  I'm sure he'd have an extra antenna to try

[Brewster]

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply. I went out and plugged in my external GPS from my 898. This got the GPS to work, even while sitting in my garage. This is what came up on my 859ci with external puck. The weird thing is that it shows the external puck as Not Connected, and the No Fix along with the Est Pos Error are still the same. Tried it after disconnecting the external puck, and it was back to getting nothing.

[Bob B]

HMMM.....I forgot that the unit had internal GPS.....and didn't notice you had an 898.

But, glad you were able to do some more troubleshooting.....Think you need to call customer service Monday..

[Humminbird_Greg]

Welcome to the Humminbird Side Imaging Forums Brewster, sorry your first post has to be about your unit not working.

The only other possibility, besides the unit itself, is a lack of power.  We have seen where power supply problems have caused the GPS Receivers to not work.  Check the electrical connections between the unit and the battery, including the fuse, fuse holder and battery connections.  No loose or corroded connections as these can decrease the amount of current available to your 859ci HD unit.  If you could cross-test with someone else that has an 800/900/1100 series model on their boat it would help to point out where the root cause of the problem is (your boat or the unit).  If it looks like the unit is the problem, give the Humminbird Customer Resource folks a call.

[Brewster]

Hi Greg,
Thank you, and thanks for the info . I finally had time to check everything out as far as a possible electrical problem. Multimetered all connections, and everything is all good . I have dedicated batteries for starting, trolling, and 1 for my 2 800 units that also power my led lights and radio. All the wiring is new.(I gutted and restored 1987 Alumacraft Phantom V170) I do have a friend in the area that has a 858, so just to make sure, I went over and tried out what you suggested. However, it still did the same thing... Ive already gotten a reply from HB and my 859 is getting sent out on Monday for repair. I'll post how it works when I get it back. Any idea on what kind of time frame I'm looking at for a repair?

[LocDown]

check to see that the internal GPS is selected if there's that option.

[Brewster]

Good morning LocDown,
There is an auto and internal selection. It is one of the first things I tried, but that didn't do anything either... Thanks for the reply   Off to the post office to send it out for repair.

[Humminbird_Greg]

We should have it for less than three days but I don’t know what the shipping/transit will be.

[klqnguyen]

I received and installed my 859CI HD DI COMBO yesterday and today took the boat out and discovered I have the same issue with No FIX internal GPS, this is DOA! Does Humminbird test their products?  I am thinking to return this product instead of repair, I bought a brand new unit not refub.  BTW, I have 12.5VDC coming from my battery.

[Brewster]

Hi klqnguyen,
Welcome... Sorry to here you had the same problem as I did. I sent mine in and got it back within 7 days. Works great now :-) Work order said they had to replace the key pad and updated software. I had 6.8 version at time of problem.

[klqnguyen]

Brewster,
thanks, Humming is sending a new replacement head unit.  Thank for all the detail info.

kevinn