The Humminbird FAC for Software Level 5.600 follows:

What was included in software version 5.600?

Version 5.600 was a release that was initiated due to some hardware changes made on the following products:
858c
898c
958c
998c
1158C
1198C

This release was never placed on Humminbird.com. However, you should note and WARNED of the following: Once you move to a version higher than 5.600, you cannot move back to a version of software lower than 5.600. We bring this to your attention because occasionally we have people who prefer the way a specific feature might have worked on an older release and want to move back to the former version.

We also advise that you pay serious attention during the upload process to the unit that you do not lose power or have an interruption of any kind during that process when moving higher than 5.600. If you do have an interruption, the download will not complete and your only recourse will be to return your unit to our service department for the factory to do the upgrade to the newer version. This is not covered under warranty and has a $69.95 service charge.

Thanks for the heads up!

They are going to charge you for their software screw up?

Kinda what I was thinking.

How is it their screw up if you loose power?

That is strange, I have two 1198c SI units and had loaded the 5.700 on both of them.
Last week, on the water, I noticed I was getting TM interference again after solving that issue before. One of the statements for the software release was:
"Adjusted the sonar code to improve shallow water performance under trolling motor noise conditions."
Two days ago, I reloaded version 5.410 on one of the units and it works fine in Simulator and shows the 5.410 version on the System Status page. I reset all my settings after the default settings and they are as I set them. My customized startup screen is still as I had before. I haven't tested the interference issue yet (will do that tomorrow).

The interruption deal while loading new software has always been a warning and is indicated during the process on the unit. Nothing new there.

Hmmm are we sure about this? When I was sorting out Interlink issues, I went back to older software on both of my units a couple of times.

Not sure about a loss of power.

Thanks Wayne.

If you loose power while updating software on your computer do you have to send it in to have it fixed or do you simply turn on the computer and start over? That is a software problem. They should not charge you to update if you loose power. I'm sure there are very few instances in which this would happen.

There is a difference between software and firmware. If you upgrade your BIOS (firmware) on your PC and you lose power, you are SOL. That's why they tell you to not do it while on battery, you should be plugged in. Same with these units, firmware requires an uninterrupted process to upgrade successfully.

My HB is a different model so it's not a problem for me but I'm with the Doc on this one -- a power flutter is just too easy to have on a fishfinder with the loose fitting power cables, etc. It is penalty enough that you have to package it up and send it back. I really can't see charging for restoring it. It should be designed to be able to restore the software with a reboot.

ya'll need to stay with those "flashers" mine works with or without lectricity, and some times I hang a 6 in X 6 in mirror of the side of boat to see whats swimming around and it works with / without lectricity, (however if its overcast I shine a flash lite in water so stuff show up better, Hope these tips and tricks helps ya bring in more fishes.

ps: if ya dint have a mirror use a "Sardine" can.

If the person doing the download does everything correctly during the download process, they should not have face a problem where the unit requires going back to the factory for reprogramming.

This version of software is not different than any other version and the price is the same whether they did not complete the download properly during version 5.310, 5.600 or 5.820.

We list this as a warning so that people do not walk away from a download or start a download when they do not have sufficient life left in a battery to complete the download.

Couple of thoughts on this:

1) Where did you get software that was never placed on humminbird.com? Why would you upgrade your unit using software Humminbird has not yet placed in general release?

I worked 18 years in the computer industry before retirement and I learned early on to avoid BETA and early release software. Its your unit and your decision, but remember that no matter what problem you are attempting to solve, you can easily introduce new ones with software updates that haven't been thoroughly tested and placed in general release.

2) I wouldn't be so quick to give up on a failed download. My 1197 powered off during one of the first software updates that I ever did on it and would not boot up normally. (Loose power plug). I fixed the power plug and called H-Bird tech support. They talked me through powering up and resuming the download. It picked up from where it had stopped and it completed normally. Five minutes and problem solved! My unit is now over 3 years old and I've since done probably 7 or 8 updates without issue. I realize this is a different unit (1197) and different S/W (probably 4.1 or 4.2), but it is the same principle.

The point I'm making here is to not throw in the towel at the first sign of an issue like this. There may be an easy fix you don't know about.

Nitro, the 5.600 is factory installed in NEW mfg. units that have some different hardware. Just those units cannot be downgraded to older software versions.

I missed that part of the FAQ, because I didn't take the time to actually read and comprehend what was posted.
Deborah was gracious enough to 'splain that to me.