Got my 998 back Friday

[Anchor Man]

We just got off the water around 2pm on Friday and found a package at my back door, it was my Humminbird unit. I quick set it up on the boat and powered it up. Guess what, it was still frozen up. I called HB and began to really tell the tech rep how I felt about the poor service. After 1 hour on the phone the tech says to go to reset defaults and erase all data on the unit. So I did and in a few minutes I was back in business. I was so mad I could have bitten there head off. Now I want to speak to a supervisor about the poor service and the $382 it cost me. Three hours later I get a call from the supervisor and began to let her know what I thought about HB service dept. After telling her I was switching to Laurence and her tech rep could have solved my problem on the phone the first time I called. She agreed to drop the $370 charge and the cost would be $68 for checking out the unit with their computer. I told her it took about 10 seconds to do that and I didn't agree to even pay that proton. I also told I would write a letter to the BBB complaining about the service and charges. Every charge was dropped but I still had 5 days without my unit that could have been corrected prior to sending it in. Im glad they made good on their mistakes but I will think twice next time I buy a unit. Thanks to all for your input and hope you don't have these kind of problems.

Anchor Man, Vic

[Shellback]

I'd be very suspicious of your power source and or wiring. I don't know how many times I've read about people having sonar problems and sending the unit back to the factory. Only to have the same problem pop up again after getting it back. Low voltage or an interruption of power is a bad, bad thing for electronics. Something caused your unit to freeze initially, and it could happen again. I suggest going over all your connections and fuses in the 998 circuit. If you don't have a designated circuit direct to the battery with a fuse, you might consider one.

[jigflip]

CK GROUNDS,AFTER THAT ......RECHECK YOUR GROUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!ON EVERY THING ON YOUR BOAT ,WE ALWAY HUNT POWER WHEN GRND ARE THE ILLUSIVE TROUBLE MAKERS

[M R Dux]

I had a ground issue on a Lowrance unit that caused me to buy a replacement unit, thinking the original was bad. It would work fine all day on one day then go on and off the next. As soon as I hooked up the replacement unit---same exact issue as with the original. I took every wire off my fuse panel under the dash and checked each one thoroughly. Ends up the ground was losing contact randomly. I replaced the terminal on the ground to the fuse panel, put dielectric grease on each one, and then had 2 Lowrance units that both worked perfectly. The fact the they were Lowrance had zero to do with anything. My Humminbirds would have done the same thing if they had been on that connection.

[Jeffery Johnson]

GOOD JOB ANCHOR MAN

[crappielimits]

I'd be very suspicious of your power source and or wiring. I don't know how many times I've read about people having sonar problems and sending the unit back to the factory. Only to have the same problem pop up again after getting it back. Low voltage or an interruption of power is a bad, bad thing for electronics. Something caused your unit to freeze initially, and it could happen again. I suggest going over all your connections and fuses in the 998 circuit. If you don't have a designated circuit direct to the battery with a fuse, you might consider one.

I agree if problem popped back up, there usually is a voltage issue. Sounds like they got your unit fixed for free for now. I can assure you if you think that's bad service good luck with Lowrance CSR. I would have my battery checked(load tested) and also check all wires to unit. It sounds like corrosion but could just be a bad battery. I been where you are before and had to eat crow.

[MonteSS]

Unfortunately it sounds like you got a bad tech the first time.

I dont think they fix your unit anyway. They prob just send you a new remanufactured.