Bill Hartman
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2003
- Messages
- 25
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OK, guys, I think I know what you're gonna tell me from searching previous posts, but here goes.
Last year my uncle and I bought a Tracker 175 and took off the cheapo Humminbird 100 and replaced it with a Wide 3d Paramount that we were using on his '79 model tracker. While on the old boat we had no problems with the unit.
On the 175, the finder seems to work well while trolling which is mostly when we're using it, although lately we've developed a bad fogging problem. However, at low speeds, say 10-20+ MPH, not only does the finder stop working, it locks up completely and we can't even turn it off with the power button. We actually have to remove it from the base and re-seat it to work again. We just started turning it off before we start the outboard. This doesn't happen on the old '79 boat we still have. I've double checked all the cables, tried adjusting the transducer (which I got directly from HB), everything I can think based on various pieces of info I've found. Nothing I've done has helped. It's currently connected to the cranking battery (also where the on-board charger is connected) and I've even contemplated hooking it to a standalone battery to see if it's a power/voltage problem but haven't tried that yet.
I've read articles at other sites about the fogging problem and about wattage problems with HB transducers. I'm starting to lose faith in HB because this unit is only about 3 years old and we've treated it well. It just doesn't seem to be holding up. I haven't contacted them about this problem yet but the last time I called they provided no options other than over $150 to repair or replace. I'll put that much toward a new one of a different brand, thank you very much.
Provided you all tell me that I just need to switch brands, and that I would like to stay in the $200-$300 range or less, what would you suggest. Thanks for the info.
...BillH
Last year my uncle and I bought a Tracker 175 and took off the cheapo Humminbird 100 and replaced it with a Wide 3d Paramount that we were using on his '79 model tracker. While on the old boat we had no problems with the unit.
On the 175, the finder seems to work well while trolling which is mostly when we're using it, although lately we've developed a bad fogging problem. However, at low speeds, say 10-20+ MPH, not only does the finder stop working, it locks up completely and we can't even turn it off with the power button. We actually have to remove it from the base and re-seat it to work again. We just started turning it off before we start the outboard. This doesn't happen on the old '79 boat we still have. I've double checked all the cables, tried adjusting the transducer (which I got directly from HB), everything I can think based on various pieces of info I've found. Nothing I've done has helped. It's currently connected to the cranking battery (also where the on-board charger is connected) and I've even contemplated hooking it to a standalone battery to see if it's a power/voltage problem but haven't tried that yet.
I've read articles at other sites about the fogging problem and about wattage problems with HB transducers. I'm starting to lose faith in HB because this unit is only about 3 years old and we've treated it well. It just doesn't seem to be holding up. I haven't contacted them about this problem yet but the last time I called they provided no options other than over $150 to repair or replace. I'll put that much toward a new one of a different brand, thank you very much.
Provided you all tell me that I just need to switch brands, and that I would like to stay in the $200-$300 range or less, what would you suggest. Thanks for the info.
...BillH
