Humminbird GPS issue

[RainyEye]

I've had a Humminbird 788ci Hd for almost 2 years and have been very happy with it until lately . Now when I enter the GPS screen or the split screen gps/sonar the gps is acting up. If I'm trying to follow a break line, for example, the chart is bouncing or flickering around every few seconds so that it's almost impossible to follow or read it. Even if I'm sitting in the garage with the boat on the trailer it still is moving around up to a 100 degrees in each direction. I don't have any ideas on what it could be, maybe I need an external GPS receiver, but I'm just not sure, hoping someone has some thoughts on what to do. It is out of warranty, I tried e-mailing Humminbird and all they offered was an ambigious listing of unrelated problems.

[delcecchi]

Sounds like the GPS receiver going bad, but what happens if you switch the orientation between "north up" and track up or whatever it is called, where the gps map orients itself to the direction of travel? Does it make a difference?

[RainyEye]

Thanks for the idea, I just tried that and it didn't really make a difference.

[delcecchi]

Even if you are moving? If that is the case, I would blame the GPS being bad.

[amateurfishing]

hb's gps are not very good, my 597 does the same thing, it will have the boat pointed north when going south & vice versa, this am i was in 4FOW 50 yards out & the GPS had me on the road next to the lake,they are just not dependable, use navionics smartphone app

[h8go4s]

hb's gps are not very good, my 597 does the same thing, it will have the boat pointed north when going south & vice versa, this am i was in 4FOW 50 yards out & the GPS had me on the road next to the lake,they are just not dependable, use navionics smartphone app

1. My HB 898 IS very good.

2. If you're using the built-in HB mapping as opposed to a map card, you will find problems like that. It's etch-a-sketch quality mapping. I've found the HD Lakemaster maps to be very good.

[amateurfishing]

i run a navionics chip, yes they are good at times, mine is 2 years old and has been decent at times, but if you look around here in previous forums, it is kind of a known issue. i never did see it as bad (personally) as yesterday am though.

[h8go4s]

I've had a Humminbird 788ci Hd for almost 2 years and have been very happy with it until lately . Now when I enter the GPS screen or the split screen gps/sonar the gps is acting up. If I'm trying to follow a break line, for example, the chart is bouncing or flickering around every few seconds so that it's almost impossible to follow or read it. Even if I'm sitting in the garage with the boat on the trailer it still is moving around up to a 100 degrees in each direction. I don't have any ideas on what it could be, maybe I need an external GPS receiver, but I'm just not sure, hoping someone has some thoughts on what to do. It is out of warranty, I tried e-mailing Humminbird and all they offered was an ambigious listing of unrelated problems.

Can you post that list? Just curious.

[RainyEye]

I have the Lakemaster chip that I have been running and really liked it until my map fluttering issue. I can't imagine that the chip is bad, maybe I need an external GPS module if the internal gps receiver is bad? That might be a cheaper fix than sending it in not under warranty? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Here's the link to what Humminbird sent to "answer" my question to them.

http://www.humminbird.com/Faq.aspx?TaxonomyId=95A1764

[h8go4s]

Yeah, those FAQ's aren't helpful. I'd unplug the power cord and check with a multimeter to see what the voltage is when this happens. Lots of goofy stuff can happen with a low battery or bad connection. This might help:

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=6617.0

In any case, I'd call HB before you send it in. I think sometimes the phone support is better than email.

[RainyEye]

Thanks for the info, I will check these things out!

[reddog]

I have the Lakemaster chip that I have been running and really liked it until my map fluttering issue. I can't imagine that the chip is bad, maybe I need an external GPS module if the internal gps receiver is bad? That might be a cheaper fix than sending it in not under warranty? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Here's the link to what Humminbird sent to "answer" my question to them.

http://www.humminbird.com/Faq.aspx?TaxonomyId=95A1764

Have you been using the Lakemaster all along? Those chips take a lot of horsepower to run and you may be taxing the processor of your 788 with it. Take the chip out and see if it improves. External puck may help, but no guarantees this is even the problem.

[JohnMickish]

My 1158 does that once in awhile. Really annoying when it happens. Funny thing is is that I also run a 998 on my dash next to my 1158 and the small unit doesn't ever do it.

[RainyEye]

Yes, I have been running the Lakemaster chip since day 1, I'll take it out and compare things.

[RainyEye]

Well, I checked out all electrical connections and tightened them, took out the Lakemaster chip, checked incoming voltage ( 11.7 volts) and the GPS chart still moves all over and shows a speed of up to 2 mph just sitting in the garage! I'm leaning towards a bad GPS receiver. I'm thinking of taking it to Fish Electronics in Bloomington and see if they can diagnose or do anything.

[delcecchi]

11.7 volts sounds a little low, for a fully charged battery running nothing but a graph.

[RainyEye]

I'll check and see if it's fully charged, it may not be.

[bucketmouth64]

I have a 859 and 598 and my 859 was doing this flickering too last time I was out. However, today I changed to track up and it seemed to work normally. I'll see what happens next time on the water. Both are new units and still under warranty so if it happens again I'll check with HB.

[RainyEye]

Spoke with a HBird customer service guy yesterday and may have a possible solution! He suggested going back into setup and returning to Default settings. Did this and , in the garage anyway, the GPS shows my position stationary and not moving all over like before. Now I need to get out on the water and check it out!