how long will a fishfinder last?

[beretta]

hey guys I have an older eagle Ultra classic fish finder and was just wondering how long to expect it to last? I am currently haveing problems with the contrast on the screen. It is completly black when i turn it on...like the contrast is completly turned up. but thats not it? any ideas? i am sending it to eagle to see whether it is fixable or not. bascially im looking for ideas as to what the problem is....if it can be fixed, and how long i can expect it to last if it is fixable. thanks.

[Thomas]

fishfinders have improved alot - buy a new one.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

The fishfinder may have been left outside in the winter and the liquid crystal stuff froze.????
Cliff

[beretta]

thanks for the replies. Yes Cliff it has been left in the garage for several winters. now that i think about it it was probably not the smartest thing ive done. will they be able to fix that?

[MedicineMan]

Yeah, leaving a depth finder out in the cold like that isn't good for it. I have a Eagle Magna III and that thing is older than dirt! But it still works really well. A depth finder will last you a long time if you take care of it.

[Surface Tension]

Anything is repairable but it'll cost more then its worth. Hopefully they'll take it in on a trade in and knock $50 off on an upgrade.

[walleyehawk]

Yea, they sure change them frequently now.

I bought a Lowrance two plus years ago and they are on the third model to replace it. Now they are 480x480 pixels, and everyone is that much better. And cheaper.

Too much electronics, too little money.

[Animal]

I bought an Impulse 2800 about 15 years ago and willed it to a buddy of mine and it is still going strong - so these units last a long time. The only unit I sent in to have repaired (Lowarance) crapped out within a month of return. I think that when they are give up the ghost there is not much more that can be done.

There are lots of nice units out there for around $300.

[This message has been edited by Animal (edited 03-30-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Animal (edited 03-30-2004).]

[Guest]

I used my Impulse 4040 for 12 years... finally broke the glass. Replaced the glass... now I am back in biz.
Impulse 4040 has a GPS plotter & nav. and fish finder, 3 screens can be on at once, 45 degree transducer (for shallow water and optional 20 degree for deep water). Came sealed in nitrogen/water proof.
Units like this should last a lifetime, considering they are not "beat" and cared for. Price retail was $900.00+ came down to about $600.00+.
Impulse was way ahead of its time (touch screen and alarms, first with fish as fish I.D.)and the company lasted only about six years... was bought out by Uniden... now is no longer in biz.

You seem to get what you pay for in electronics.
Catch'n
Dave Hoggard

------------------
Fishermen are catch-n on
Catch'n Tackle
For Bass, Walleye, Pike, Lakers, Trout, Panfish
Used by FishingMN Family

[rckwll]

I have an Eagle Ultra portable thats about 13 years old. Only thing I've ever done to it is sand the electrodes so the current runs from the 6 volt batteries. It also plays three songs: God Bless America, Anchors Away, and some other song we call the Walleye Jig that makes my dog howl and sing along. Kinda fun when the fishing is slow.

[Xplorer]

Ive got an Ultra too and its still going strong. I'm gonna bet that Eagle will offer you a discount on a new model, but if LEI cust. service told you to send it in then they might be able to fix it. B4 the ultra i had another eagle unit and it went out after 6 years. Was told parts were no longer available and got $75 off the Ultra.
You can get a new eagle 320x320 for $150 now, or a 480x480 for $200.
Xplorer