Readouts on Humminbird are TOO BIG!!!!!

**DoubleGobble00** · 06-20-2011, 01:18 PM

First off I must say that I am a huge Humminbird fan. I own a 898c SI and absolutely love it. It has by far been the best money I have ever spent on electronics and has definitely helped me catch more fish.

From day one.... I noticed that the readouts were WAY too big. They cover a large portion of the 898 screen. At this point in time, there is no way to turn the readouts off or reduce the size of the readouts... Nor is there a way to move the readouts to the bottom of the screen (where they should be) like the 1198 and 1197. This is a HUGE defect in the design of these units. The readouts take up over 27%, yes i said 27% of the total screen. We all know that the cost of those screens are expensive and probably the most expensive part of the unit. Why would you cover up 27% of the screen? It makes my 898 look like a 798....

There has got to be an easy way to fix this problem. I am sure it could be fixed with an update. If it was fixed with an update, it would be the best update HB ever released. It would be WAY better than contour lines, terrain mode, etc.. I dare to say that most don't even use that even though it is very neat to have.. but ALL will use the screen and want to be able to use the whole screen that they paid for...

Is there anybody that can fix this problem? It would make a great unit even better... Would allow everyone to use their unit to the full potential. Any reason why it is not fixed already?

I crunched some numbers and was very surprised at the results. Take a look below:

The more I think about it.. The more it bothers me. Especially after I look at the data below. I crunched a few numbers and the results are unbelievable... Owners of the 898 and 998 are getting the shaft. The most expensive part of your SI system is the screen and over 27% is being used up by READOUTS!!!!!!!!!!! Come on Humminbird... Give us the fix for this... Let us make the numbers smaller or place them at the bottom.. 27% is ridiculous.....

Square Inches of Sonar Data Display Area WITH Readouts:

798c = 12.234 Square Inches
898c = 16.031 Square Inches
998c = 21.312 Square Inches
1198c = 48.156 Square Inches

Square Inches of Sonar Display WITHOUT Readouts:

798c = 13.141 Square Inches
898c = 22.203 Square Inches
998c = 29.219 Square Inches
1198c = 53.391 Square Inches

Increase of screen size without readouts:

798c = 0.907 square inches
898c = 6.172 square inches
998c = 7.907 square inches
1198c = 5.235 square inches

Percent of screen covered by Readouts:

798c = 6.9%
898c = 27.8%
998c = 27.6%
1198c = 9.8%

DoubleG

**crappiholic** · 06-20-2011, 01:26 PM

Boy, you got to much time on your hands.

**carter** · 06-20-2011, 01:34 PM

I agree. Would love to move the read outs to different area.

**SLAB MASTER** · 06-20-2011, 01:52 PM

GREAT BIT OF WORK!!!1

I bought an 798 and an 898 and that was the first thing I called HB about. These were the first HB units that I had bought, I always used Low before. I called HB and had a lenghty discussion with them about this issue. They said they would send in a report about the problem. That has been over a year now and every time I call them I ask them when it is going to get changed. I have never been given a date certain. In fact as soon as I finish this I am going to call them and complain again. Maybe if enough people call they might take some action, but I don't think I'll hold my breath.Thumbs Up

**rnvinc** · 06-20-2011, 02:23 PM

Moving/changing/removing the readouts has been on the HB wish list on all the different boards for some time now...(just like my "Donut")....

Aggrivating yes...impossible no...probable? ...only Hb knows...

I assure you this item comes up frequently on the boards.....and we HB owners keep waiting...

It still makes interesting conversation....I enjoyed your facts and figures...

Slow trollers could use you and your knack for number crunching on our side of the "Project HB Donut" conversation.....

Rickie

**SLAB MASTER** · 06-20-2011, 02:46 PM

I just got off the phone with HB. The lady that I talked to was not very knowledgeable about the issue. She did check with her Super, whose name is Sharon, and the answer I got was that they are not aware of any immediate plans to fix this issue. She said that you could always turn the displays off, I told her that was not the desirable fix. I ask her what I needed to do to get some action started to resolve this issue. She said I should write Johnson Outdoors at Racine, Wi.

I am going to try to call them at 1-262-631-6600. I am sure this will be a lengthy process as it is nearly impossible to get to talk to someone at a corporate office but I am going to give it a try. The CEO is a lady by the name of Helen Johnson Leipold and that is who I am going after. Wish me luck and if you so desire, start rattling the cage along with me.

I will keep you posted if and when I make any progress.Thumbs Up

**SLAB MASTER** · 06-20-2011, 03:13 PM

Well I don't know whether I will get a call back or not but i just left a message for this fellow. I have his extension at Johnson Outdoors corporate office in Racine, WI. I will refrain from publishing it at this time in order to give him a chance to respond. I spent most of my life in the coporate arena and know almost always that if you can get to the right person you can usually get an answer or get somethin done.

Mr. Grindle is Sr. Group Vice President – Marine Electronics & Watercraft and responsible for all business functions of the Minn Kota®, Humminbird®, Cannon® and Geonav® brands as well as Old Town®, Ocean Kayak®, Necky®, Extrasport®, and Carlisles®, brands. Mr. Grindle began his career as an accounting analyst in Corporate Finance with SC Johnson where he held a variety of financial and business development positions of increasing responsibility supporting the company's consumer and commercial divisions. From 1998-2001, he was a venture manager at Johnson-Keland Mgt. Mr. Grindle joined Johnson Outdoors in 1999 as Vice President – Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Planning, and was named to his current position in 2000.

Mr. Grindle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Indiana University and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Marquette University.

**majflyboy** · 06-20-2011, 03:30 PM

Thanks Zack for getting the ball rolling and also to you Slab Master for your leg work. I have a 998 and will follow this with interest and pile on when able.

**SLAB MASTER** · 06-20-2011, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by majflyboy

Thanks Zack for getting the ball rolling and also to you Slab Master for your leg work. I have a 998 and will follow this with interest and pile on when able.

Thanks Maj.

I am about tired of waiting. It may take everyone of us to get it fixed but I feel it can be done if we put the time and effort into it.

**majflyboy** · 06-20-2011, 03:50 PM

I would like to get Greg's feedback on this, he's usually pretty responsive.

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