Depth Finder

[Alvin Roberts]

Hi all. I have a 1996 Nitro 170TF. When I bought it it had a Humminbird Wide Eye C in it. It has stopped working and I need a replacement. I normally only use it to determine depth but would like to have one that is fairly accurate at showing depth changes. What should I get? I don't want a real high priced unit with gps all. It doesn't even have to be color. Should I stay away from humminbird? I have heard mixed reviews on those. I was thinking about one of the Garmin units. Any advice would be appreciated. I normally fish rivers and oxbow lakes if it makes any difference. Thanks.

 

[Scott R]

Alvin...check the wires under the console going to the fish finder. I forgot that when the plastic wiring loom fell apart, it got to where it would cut off randomly. I'm guessing that the weight of the other wires pulls down on the FF wiring and causes a bad connection. I don't remember if there are spade connectors on the FF wires or not, but it may be a loose connection. I would reach under the console, feel around until I found where the wires go through the console and into the FF, and give them a wiggle.



By the way, did you get the trailer certificate? Was it OK like it was?

 

[G8rmac]

Alvin,

I have a Garmin, not real happy with it. The unit sometimes locks so I have to restart, and the transducer clicks loud enough for me to hear, especially in shallow water. I have called, Garmin says it has to do that to send the signal, but they have never heard of one loud enough to hear. I have used two different transducers, same thing. Seems random, but it is enough to get under your skin!

 

[Alvin Roberts]

Scott, it has been doing that with me to. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But, now that you mention it, a couple of days ago I did get under the console and tie up all those wires where the loom fell off. I will get under there and check things out today. I did get the trailer certificate and all is good. Thanks. Have you had any luck in your search for a new boat?

 

[Marty Klein]

I have had both Garmin and Humminbirds on my boat since 2001. Changed them out only because of desired upgrades. From my perspective it is a "you pick 'em." I would recommend that you consider Humminbird if for no other reason than we have a Humminbird employee on this forum (Greg) who has always been willing to help out. If you are looking for an entry level finder, both Garmin and Humminbird have good models at that price point.

 

[Jim B]

I would take a good look at Humminbird simply for the fact that you may be able to get away with using your current transducer and mount and just plug a new unit in and go. Greg could give you the scoop on what models would fit your current configuration. Take a look at the side imaging and or down imaging units too, they do cost a more money but the side imaging and down imaging will change the way you fish.





As far as the "mixed reviews" id bet that a lot of them are form misinformed poeople that use another brand and will put other brands down just because. Its just like the folks that bash Nitro even tho they have never been in one or owned one. Humminbird makes a high quality unit that works as well as any out there and they back it with great customer service.

 

[Scott R]

Glad you got the certificate and everything is good to go. I've got a few prospects that I'm gonna check out in the next couple of weeks. I start vacation tomorrow morning and will be off for 18 days, so I should have some time to look and, hopefully, find something. Found a nice one, exactly what I'm looking for (year, make, size, everything)

in my price range, in Orange Beach that I'm going to check out Monday when we are down there.

 

[Alvin Roberts]

Scott, I hope it's exactly what you want when you get there. Let me know if you get it. We have been enjoying the Nitro. I've been out fishing in it four or five times now. I am in the process of building a carport to park it under now. It's been running great since I got it back.

All, the Humminbird depth finder I had is bad I think. I have 12V at the mount. It just won't turn on anymore. I didn't mean to knock Hummindbird...as I said, I don't really know anything about fish finders. I just need something to help determine the depth of the water. I don't know enough to do anything else with it. I am open to buying another humminbird and it would be nice if I could buy another one that would work with existing mount and transducer. I guess I need to get in touch with Greg and get his input on it.

 

[Scott Allen]

Alvin,



I put a Humminbird Piranha on the the front of my boat. It does temp, depth, and signals when it sees fish. It's black and white, simple to use, and has worked great for me. I paid $79 for it at the PX on Aberdeen Proving Grounds 2 years ago. I've got the standard Lowrance that Tracker installs at the console.

 

[Alvin Roberts]

Scott Allen, thanks. I think that's all I need. I forgot about the temp. I would like a unit that shows temp and for all I know most of them may nowadays. I tried removing the power button from mine to check the traces behind it and ended up tearing it. In any case, I can't get mine to turn on anymore. So I will definitely be replacing it soon. I am going to check around and compare the lower priced units and see which one looks best. I am assuming it will be hard to beat the price of a Humminbird with the basic features I am looking for. I really just can't stand not being able to turn it on and see what the depth of the water is!

 

[Humminbird Greg]

Alvin,

We stopped producing the Wide Eye units way back in 1996, so that unit is at least 15 years old. The problem is probably in the internal circuitry, so not much can be done for it now.



We have a lot of entry level units. Look at our Piranha Max (PMax) units as well as the 300, 500 and some of the lower end 700 series units. Let me know if i can help narriow down the selection any by answering any questions that you may have. All of these units have water temperature capability built into the transducer, which your old Wide Eye did not have. So you will have to end up replacing the transducer.



I would go ahead and replace the power cable and its connection back to the battery too so that you know you have a good +12V DC supply for the unit as we get many complaints that turn out to be caused by deteriorating power connections. I recommend running a new set of wires all the way back to the cranking battery and installing a blade type in-line fuse.



You can actually use the same mount but will have to swap out the Connector Collector parts (these hold the power cable and transducer connectors in place within the mount) as the design of the connectors on the units has changed. If you do this: make sure that you use the same older screws to install the new plastic and metal piece as we have made changes to those screws and how the mount retains them. Otherwise just install the new unit mount to.





Greg Walters at Humminbird

Gwalters at johnsonoutdoors dot com