Problems with Hummingbird 570 DI

I bought the unit new winter 11, used it all year last year but started having problems with it the last couple trips out last Oct. I thought maybe it was something with where I had the transducer on my boat or maybe it was water clarity or something like that. I just for a new(to me) boat and I put the 570 on it. I mounted the transducer in the same place as the previous one was, and on my maiden voyage yesterday, I was having the same problem as in Oct, only it got worse as the day went on.

What it is doing is it'll show accurate depth, then it'll switch randomly to other depths. I'm talking it'll switch from 8 ft to 40 to 70 to 30 to 80 to 50 to 8 and all around every few seconds. the temps don't change, just the depths and the screen. I tried resetting to default settings, I did the startup menu and it says self test ok. There are 87 hours on the unit total according to the setup screen. I just don't see why this would be doing this.
Another thing I noticed was I remember last year you could hear the little clicks or pings from the transducer. They were pretty fast, but I noticed last night they are much slower than I remembered them. Made me wonder if my transducer is just bad.......but you wouldn't think it was being it was bought new a year ago and only has 87 hours on it.

I'm going to see if I can find all my info, and hopefully there is some sort of coverage for such a thing. I read about software updates, but I have no idea about any of that stuff. Any help is appreciated!

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Originally Posted by rockbass

I bought the unit new winter 11, used it all year last year but started having problems with it the last couple trips out last Oct. I thought maybe it was something with where I had the transducer on my boat or maybe it was water clarity or something like that. I just for a new(to me) boat and I put the 570 on it. I mounted the transducer in the same place as the previous one was, and on my maiden voyage yesterday, I was having the same problem as in Oct, only it got worse as the day went on.

What it is doing is it'll show accurate depth, then it'll switch randomly to other depths. I'm talking it'll switch from 8 ft to 40 to 70 to 30 to 80 to 50 to 8 and all around every few seconds. the temps don't change, just the depths and the screen. I tried resetting to default settings, I did the startup menu and it says self test ok. There are 87 hours on the unit total according to the setup screen. I just don't see why this would be doing this.
Another thing I noticed was I remember last year you could hear the little clicks or pings from the transducer. They were pretty fast, but I noticed last night they are much slower than I remembered them. Made me wonder if my transducer is just bad.......but you wouldn't think it was being it was bought new a year ago and only has 87 hours on it.

I'm going to see if I can find all my info, and hopefully there is some sort of coverage for such a thing. I read about software updates, but I have no idea about any of that stuff. Any help is appreciated!

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rockbass, im going to say it is possible you are having RF interference! Humminbird has a fix for this if you go to their web site. I had to do the same with my depthfinder becuase of this issue! Hope this helps.

ok....what is RF interference? I took it out today and sitting still it read what was prob accurate, then started random again. Had a record depth recorded though. 724 ft

When you power on your unit, immediately start pressing menu. This will bring up a screen that will allow you check your units data. Check what software you have. I've had the same issues, mine is version 5.250. HB said that this is most likely the issue and to return in and they'll re-program.

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Originally Posted by rockbass

ok....what is RF interference? I took it out today and sitting still it read what was prob accurate, then started random again. Had a record depth recorded though. 724 ft

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rockbass try looking at Humminbird :: Fishfinder :: Depth Finder :: GPS Chartplotters :: Side Imaging Sonar Technology :: Marine Fish Finders and go to the support column. click on it and in the right hand column drop down will be a electric interference then click on it and a good description will be on it! Better then what i can tell you?

Could possibly be a broken wire inside your transducers cord. My 798 would read fine when the boat wasn't moving and then when I hit the throttle on the trolling motor the depth readout would jump from 6feet to 100 feet. Upon further investigation my trolling motor shaft pinched the cord and snapped a wire inside....

It sounds like a transducer problem. on a different unit I had it read the depth and then all of a sudden it said I was in 36 feet of water and I was in like 3 feet. I could see the bottom. The water temp stayed the same. I tried resetting the unit. I was going crazy trying to figure out the problem it was like the unit was in demo mode but could find a setting like that. Then upon further investigation I realized the transducer plug wasn't pushed all the way in on the back of the unit. Once I pushed it in it was working fine . Maybe you have a bad connection or a broken wire like bowhunter already mentioned .

I'll check the version today.

I shouldn't have any pinches in the wire......but never know I guess. Of course there's a one year warranty, but that would have expired before I got the boat out since I bought it in the winter last year.

The unit will do this no matter if I'm moving or not. Trolling motor or outboard on or off. I have the finder on it's own battery with the lights, but the only thing on was the finder. I made sure to try it every which way. I'll be checking the version this afternoon. Hopfully that's all it is and they can get it turned around quick. I have a crappie tourney in 2 weeks. It's driving me nuts not being able to know the depths in areas I'm not familiar with.
Thank you all for the input. I knew this was the best site to ask questions!

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Originally Posted by filletfetish

When you power on your unit, immediately start pressing menu. This will bring up a screen that will allow you check your units data. Check what software you have. I've had the same issues, mine is version 5.250. HB said that this is most likely the issue and to return in and they'll re-program.

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Did the reprogram solve the problem? I just checked mine and it is 5.25. I'm going to get ahold of them ASAP to find out exactly what I have to do.

rockbass,
There have been several changes to the software to help the units read the correct water depth in shallower water. How shallow depends on the bottom type. If you know of someone that has the PC Connect cables you could register your unit and update it yourself as opposed to shipping it into us to get it updated. Some marine dealers may have these on hand.

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Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg

rockbass,
There have been several changes to the software to help the units read the correct water depth in shallower water. How shallow depends on the bottom type. If you know of someone that has the PC Connect cables you could register your unit and update it yourself as opposed to shipping it into us to get it updated. Some marine dealers may have these on hand.

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Thanks Greg! I tried calling the 800 support number several times but was busy. I just sent an email detailing my issues and asking what I can do. I don't know of anyone with these cords....wish I did now that I know this. If I send it in will you guys be able to test it to see what it is doing? I didn't test in in a tank or anything like that, but it does this in any depth. I'll see what I hear back. I'm wanting to upgrade as soon as budget allows, but hoping I get more short trips out of it than less than 90 hours.

rockbass,
Don’t know that an email will get you a faster response as they work on these between phone calls… Tuesdays are not quite as bad as Mondays are; just call early in the day (they start at 8:00 am Central Time). They will probably tell you that you have to ship back in to get it updated but I would wait to hear back from them on that before packing it up.

I'm waiting. I called in the first part of the day today and didn't get a response to the email yet either. I'll try again in the morning. I'm really hoping I don't have to go buy a new unit already with a few hours that are on mine, but I need something sooner than later.

Do you get weird readings when using the trolling motor or gas motor? or just drifting?

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Originally Posted by Superx10

Do you get weird readings when using the trolling motor or gas motor? or just drifting?

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It's at all times. I tried while doing everything. With all electronics off it does it, with the trolling motor and outboard running it does it. The unit is on it's own battery too. I don't know.
I'm going to reseach to see where or how I can purchase this PC cord. I'm guessing it'll be quicker than trying to get through to Humminbird and then having to ship to them and get one back. I don't have the funds for a new unit right now, but I'll make it happen if I can't get this figured out ASAP. I love my down imaging and can't wait to be able to get the better unit with Side and Down.......and just saw about the 360....haha my dreams are dreams . Hope to get ahold of them in the morning since this morning was a bust.

just an fyi--when I called them last Friday--I had to stay on hold for a good while--but it was well worth the wait--they got me all fixed up.

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Originally Posted by KDAVID1

just an fyi--when I called them last Friday--I had to stay on hold for a good while--but it was well worth the wait--they got me all fixed up.

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I hope I get through in the morning. I've already got a couple cheaper options in my cart on Cabela's.......but don't want to have to downgrade if it's something that I didn't do. I just need something to hold me over.

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Originally Posted by rockbass

I hope I get through in the morning. I've already got a couple cheaper options in my cart on Cabela's.......but don't want to have to downgrade if it's something that I didn't do. I just need something to hold me over.

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I hear ya--I think I may have been on hold for 20 minutes or so (maybe less) but the lady had me on the phone while I went to my boat, hooked up the unit, and ran through some things. The one thing with yours is it doesn't have sd card so you will probably have to send it in to have the software updated--but they will know for sure. Good luck to ya.

Well just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Humminbird Greg! Through email he set me up with the proper info to get my unit sent in. They checked it over and updated the software and I'm happy to say the software update must have been the issue. It now has more options and overall is better than it was new.


Thanks again everyone!