HB 998c SI reading bottom depths >1000 ft!!! Help!

[whitebassman]

So I'm breaking in my new 998c SI Humminbird, and in shallow water <15 ft, it sometimes will read depths of over 1000ft. It may take up to 5 minutes to correct itself and read the correct depth. Is this a known issue? I've heard of Lowrance losing the bottom, but this is ridiculous on a $2k depth finder. My 788ci on the bow works just fine. I'm sure the version is up to date but I will double check. I'd hate to send it back already.

[harvey lee]

I have this same unit and have no issues like this. I would give HB a call.

[reddog]

They released the software version to repair this for the 1100 series yesterday. They are working feverishly on it for the other models.

Obviously, there are a ton of other settings than can affect this also, so you should exhaust all of those options before changing versions.

Call Humminbird customer service and get their recommendations.

[fishwater]

My 997 unit reads over 1000ft once I get my boat going over 30mph. I can get actual readings going slightly faster if I angle the transducer with a slight forward slant. Have you tried changing the location/pitch of the transducer? Did you have your 700 series working on the back previously?

There is a software fix for shallow water reading in the works for the 900 series, however I believe it is going to fix an issue with units reading 2x the actual depth, not loosing signal or reading as your unit is doing.

[Northlander]

I will sometimes get this when in shallow 4-8' of solid rocky bottom but I also get the double echo too.

[harvey lee]

I will also Steve in water less than 6ft with a hard bottom.