I have an older Hummingbird (597 ci HD) mounted on the console of my boat that I have started having issues with. I need a little help deciding if I should just replace it or try to have it fixed..

The primary issue is that the depth finder component is giving me some heartburn. About 3 weeks ago the readings became intermittent.. that is the depth finder would start out when the boat came off the trailer, but when I started up running, the depth would go to .9 feet or essentially 0 feet in both the graph and the digital read out. Then when we stopped it would start working again. Now, in addition to this it occasionally shows the correct depth on the graph, but the digital read out is .9 feet.

The rest of the units functions appear to be working correctly.. that is the GPS, temp, etc.

First, I need some advice about identifying the specific problem... is the transducer or the unit itself? Initially, we thought it was that the transducer (mounted in the bottom of the boat) had developed some air space under it and that was causing it to be intermittent. Now with the discrepancy between graph and the digital readout, I am not so sure.

Second, at the time of purchase, this was about a $500 unit... Now I could get a Hummingbird Helix 5 inch (same size as the 597 exiting unit)for $350. Would it be cheaper to just replace the unit or have it repaired at Boris Marine... (given that it is the unit). Another associated issue is getting the existing puck out of the sump hole in the back of the boat... there is no room for another transducer. In fact there are 3 transducers in that hole since I did not remove a Garmin transducer that came in the boat and the transducer for a Lowrance digital flasher unity that is mounted in the dash... I am not certain how to get two of them out... I have been told that they are not easily removed.

I am looking for some suggestion other than to purchase a new boat....

first I would test the transducer by putting water in the bilge area to cover up the transducer and see if there is any improvements.


He is price sheet for repair or replacement for Humminbird units

http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/RepairFees/

Thanks.... great info....

$255 for out of warranty repair on the unit makes it a "throw away" when you can newer and better for only $350.

If adding water makes the unit work.... well then the question is how to repair that... And if a new unit is required... how to get the transducers up easily... or is that not a possibility... epoxy glue is not easy as I recall...

if when you add water and the problem is corrected then that usually indicates the epoxy around the transducer is bad and needs to be redone. The transducers will have to be removed. You can heat it and knock it loose or try and chisel it off, there are several methods but none are real easy. It also could just be a bad transducer as well.

Have you tried another transducer? You have 3, you can get an adapter to connect some different transducers to the unit for a reasonable price.