Problems finding bottom with fish finder

[bcalvert]

I bought a Hummingbird 565 this year. I have mounted it and the transom mount transducer as directed in instruction (even went back and mounted transducer a 2nd time)

The problem is that I don't seem to find the bottom when on. No depth number or any readout other than water temp. There have only been a couple of times out on the lake when i did manage to get a reading, but it was not consistent and didn't last very long. There are some scrapes on the bottom of the transducer, and i am not certain how pristine this needs to be to work.

My thought is to buy a new transducer that mounts on the trolling motor and get rid of the transom mount.

Any advice on this subject would be great!

[Bodofish]

Just make sure the transducer isn't damaged, send it back and have it tested. Then take a class in the operation of the sonar. It's a very sensitive piece of equipment running a very complex bit of software. You need to understand the software to interpret what the hardware is telling you. Sorry if that sounds harsh but one setting being off will make the sonar usless. Even for something as basic as seeing the bottom.

[Rich McVey]

I have a 565. Mine clearly showes the bottom and its relitive density, weeds, fish and their depth. At times I see what looks like a false bottom but Im thinking that may be the thermocline.

Double check the quick disconnect plugs, the power plug on mine is worn and Ive only used it a year now.

[bcalvert]

@RaMcVey - sounds like yours is doing what i want mine to do... I will check the transducer connector tonight for any signs of wear, also will check to make sure the pins are in good, straight position.

[G-Man]

If you turn on the finder while hooked up to your transducer you should hear a ticking sound being emitted from your transducer. If you get sound, you should get a reading. Your manual can also help in troubleshooting your system and can be downloaded off the Hummingbird site if you need one. Also, if you bought your unit used, check the electrical pins for corrosion and all the lines for cracks.

[The Quadfather]

Another thing to consider is that you might want to go into the area where you can make all the adjustments in settings...... there is a place where you have an option to Reset all settings back to factory settings. Like Bodo said before if you a couple of your settings are either turned off completley, or just set in a whacked setting, then that may be your problem too.

[bcalvert]

Thanks for all the ideas. This has been an ongoing situation and the default factory settings have been reset many times. I have been through the manual with the demo mode several times, but admittedly have not spent much time while it is live. Mainly because it has been live and working a total of about 20 minutes over the course of a couple of trips.

Hooked up the battery, plugged it in, and turned the unit on... no clicking sound. I checked the pins on the connectors and the receptacles on the unit and all look fine. I looked up the replacement transducers not cheap but not overwhelming either. Is there any preference or difference between the transom mount and the trolling motor mounted transducers? The trolling motor mount is more like a puck. This is on an old 10' fiberglass boat that I don't intend to keep past next year.

[Rich McVey]

Just a thought, what condition is the battery its running off of in? Most electronics have a minimum voltage that they car run properly at. If the batt is lagging then it could contribute to the unit not getting being able to power the transponder. My unit will still run at low voltages, but continually beeps and displays a low batt message. It was alwayse when starting the boat though. I didnt notice what the remainder of the screen indicated as fas as fish or depth at that point.

Double check the power wire end to end also.

If it works sometimes and not others, sounds like a loose connection or solder joint.

[Marc Martyn]

Check your maximum depth setting.

[Anglinarcher]

If you have reset the defaults to factory settings, then the depth range will be auto tracking and the sensitivity will be adequate to find bottom. Despite what you have been told, the companies have built these units to be simple to use, if you use the defaults and leave them alone. Granted, you will not get anywhere near the full potential of the unit, but in short, you should be getting bottom. As you get familuar with the unit, then the settings open a whole new world to you.

Next, after checking out the battery and the connections, if you still cannot hear that clicking sound when the transducer is out of the water, then either your transducer is bad, OR, the unit itself is bad. I would sure hate to toss good money after bad by buying another transducer if that was not the problem.

Is the unit new, or is it used? I had this discussion with a Cabales employee a couple of weeks ago. Every company produces a good unit right now, but every company can have a bad product make it through the production line; they do not test every single unit, but a percentage of the units.

If it is new, take it back and get a different one. If it is used, then I guess "buyer beware" comes to mind. I sure hope it is new.

Now, trolling motor verses transom mount. It kind of depends on the type of fishing you do.

I have my 787 connected to my Minnkota trolling motor. The motor has a built in transducer in it. Frankly, the kind of fishing I do is hard on motors and transducers and the bottom is seriously scratched - it works great. I will always have a motor/transducer combination because I fish from the front seat so much.

I have an old Bottom line hooked up to the transom mount, and if I am trolling with the back motor, or searching out structure, the transom mount is perfect.

So, as you can see, it depends on how you fish, and what you need, both transducers are useful in the right boat and fishing style.

[Bodofish]

All good things to check but, you still don't know if the hardware is working correctly. In addition, if you had been to anyone of the manufactures sponsored classes you would have been through the rudimentary trouble shooting and know how to setup and use the unit. I'm sure the manual is a 120 pages or so. As stated earlier it's a complex piece of equipment. At lease call their support line and talk to the professionals, I'm sure they would be more than happy to put you on track. The best you can hope from here is a bunch of guesses. Sorry guy's thems the facts.

[flippinfool]

toss the thing in the trash and buy lowerance

[G-Man]

If you are not in demo mode and you don't get any sound from the transducer, the head unit is most likely shot. Of the finders that I've owned the transducer never failed. I took apart my last Garmin, I'm a flight control computer tech, and found the power amplifier stage blown. There aren't any active components in the transducer that can fail, so unless there is an internal break in the line or the puck is physically damaged, that's not the issue. I don't know of any shops that could throw a dummy load and power meter on the output and see what gives, I typically do that myself as I have access to that kind of equipment. Definitely call the mfg for support, I don't know if that particular unit can detect a fault with the transducer or if it will just sit there like a bump on a pickle, the mfg should be able to tell you though.

If it does turn out to be the transducer and you want to keep the unit keep in mind that a trolling motor mount transducer only works with the trolling motor in the water. You can get creative in how you mount most any puck style transducer. There are a ton of kits that you can buy or crib ideas from to build your own rig.

FF - I know what you mean. I've tried the rest, now I use the best!

[racfish]

I had a Hummingbird but went to a Lowrance instead with much better readouts. JMO.It cost a tad bit more but it was worth it..

[Anonymous]

Get with another person that has the same unit, uses the same transducer. Try their transducer on your depth finder. If the transducer clicks it is YOUR transducer that is at fault. If it DOESN'T click then it is YOUR depth finder at fault. Then call Hummingbird to see what it would cost to fix it, and if it is under warrenty.

All you have to do is take your depth finder off the boat, travel to where the guy lives/to the lake and use his power cord and all as everything will plug right in as there would be the same unit. Or meet them at the lake for a day's fishing, and test your unit/puck at that time.

Oh ya, if your plugs are bad, then you'd have to test HIS depth finder on YOUR boat.

[bcalvert]

I am making contact with Hummingbird, this was a new unit and should be covered (i hope). Thanks for all the advice.

[FishingFool]

so what you all are saying is get a Lowrance?

[Amx]

I gots 3 Lowrances on my boat.

[Mike Carey]

I am making contact with Hummingbird, this was a new unit and should be covered (i hope). Thanks for all the advice.

New unit - covered under warranty? Let them figure it out!

[bcalvert]

I am making contact with Hummingbird, this was a new unit and should be covered (i hope). Thanks for all the advice.

New unit - covered under warranty? Let them figure it out!

Still under the Cabelas Warranty (2 weeks left) this baby is going back!