humminbird 798C SI not HD

[kerryd15]

I have had this 798 for a couple years. I was told I could upgrade the ducer to a HSX 9 180T for better clarity. I bought the new ducer and installed. When I turn the unit on it says "transducer not installed" and goes to demo mode. I checked the humminbird HSOforum and the number on the cable and it should be compatible. Anyone else have an issue like this? I can hook up the compact SI ducer it came with and seems to start normally.

[luckycrank]

is sonar turned on? proper transducer selected in sonar tab? google

sideimagingsoft might get a better reponse there

[kerryd15]

sonar is on and I tried different Hz settings and different transducer settings. I was able to get it out of demo mode once at startup. I went to normal operation and heard a clicking from the ducer. Hopefully the problem is its not in the water or something simple.

[reddog]

You've got to be in the water to begin with. What transducer are you selecting? What are your options for transducers?

[JohnMickish]

Do you have the latest software update installed?

[kerryd15]

Software is up to date. Transducers selection is- universal, quad beam, and compact side scan.

[reddog]

Since your 798 doesn't have 800 khz. Compact is your setting.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I have the same unit, but just the standard ducer. Did you have any trouble updating the firmware? Mine wouldnt take the newest update and I had to install an older one instead. I think the one dated June of 2012 has a flaw that they don't know about.

[kerryd15]

I am running 6.35 that came out 6/11/12. I had it in the water today. Still starts in demo. If I press menu at startup I can go to normal mode. The lake I was on was shallow- 4 foot was deepest spot I found. It sucks in shallow water. Kept bouncing from 2 to 20 foot depth couldn't keep it constant even sitting still. Worked better when I switched to 200hz only. The SI didn't seem to go out as far with this one. Maybe because its so shallow. Had the width set at different times 30 to 60 foot. first 20 foot was pretty good then went black further out on both sides when I was on mud. harder bottem seemed to work good- yes I adjusted the sensitivity. Shouldn't have to be on 18 in 3 foot of water to see bottem. I also noticed I don't have water temp anymore. Is that a seperate sencor on the bigger models?

[reddog]

Download a previous version software and try that. You should have to press exit at startup to go to your regular screens.

Set your max depth to 75 feet instead of the 1500 default setting.

Typically SI excels in shallow water. Not sure what's going on with your unit. But keep messing the settings. The temp sensor is in the 180t transducer. It's the little silver button on the end.

Did you take your compact ducer off? It's hard to diagnose problems when you introduce new hardware and don't know if its the ducer or the head. Or the software.

Go back to 4.75 or so and try that.

The new xducer may be bad also. Do you have anyone that can plug it in on their boat? Itdoesnthave to be mounted, just hang it in the water.

[kerryd15]

Ya I took the compact ducer off. I ran this version all last summer no problem. Will keep playing. If I press exit at start up it gets rid of the popup windows but stays in demo. Menu brings up Normal, demo, diagnostic, and one other to choose from.

[reddog]

Is this in the water, or happening in the garage? ( not that I think it should make any difference).

[kerryd15]

Contacted customer service today. They said the unit uses the temp signal to verify transducer installation. Not getting a temp reading makes it go to demo. They will replace the transducer for me- IF I can find the reciept. Which I can't. Will talk to them tomorrow to see what we do from here.