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I have a Humminbird 581i and when going slow speed trolling the unit is jumping every which way. I don't notice this when running fast speeds. Is this common as how do people know if they are trolling like 0.5 mph or 0.8 mph with their units? or is my unit just not working properly?
Do you have the latest software version for the 581 ... ??
Rickie
Rickie I really do not know nothing about software. I just bought this thing to have GPS instead of having to use my handheld one. I know it has a place for some type of a card in the front. Do I have to buy some type of a lake card to get it to work properly. Just to really tell the truth I do not know or even how to know. Maybe if you explain it my daughter can help me. This is not the down image one it is just the regular sonar.
You have the dreaded "doughnut" which is common on HB's, but apparently updating your software on the unit will correct it. Google HB updates and you will find out how to check what version you have and what to do to update if needed.
There have been additions in software updates that help with GPS speed issues ...
You should register your unit at http://www.humminbird.com/Support/My...bird/register/
Then log into your account and the latest version software will be listed for your unit ...
Copy and paste the download .bin to a fully formatted SD Card ...
Power on the unit and Restore Defaults under the Setup tab ...
Insert the SD Card into the card slot ... Answer yes to "Do you want to update " ... Answer No to "Do you want to abort" ...
DO NOT TOUCH THE UNIT.. during the update procedure ...
When the completion popup shows ... Remove the SD Card and Restore Factory Defaults again under the Setup tab ...
Rickie
Thanks Rickie and jimp for the help. I will get my daughter's to help me on this. A lot of this I really don't know about as back when I went to school they wasn't no such a thing as a computer but I am learning. It's good to have good people like ya'll here on crappie.com that take your time to help others like me. That don't know very much about sonars or computers as far as that goes. Thanks again and I will post about the outcome when I get it updated and tried out.
When you do scrat, try looking at the GPS Diagnostic View and tell us what the Fix Type and EPE numbers are. You will have to set this View to "Visible" by going to the Views menu tab and scrolling down until you find it. Once set to "Visible" you will have to exit out of the menus and scroll through the visible Views until you come to it.
Thanks Greg I will get back with you'll when I get the SD card and when I can get my daughter to help me do the update.
Scat, your best response - "I will get my daughters to help".
I am fairly computer savvy, but it gripes me so to have to do this stuff at my age. You are on the right track.
Tadpole I have grandkids and great grandkids that know more than I will ever know about these things. I can type with my peck and hunt form of typing and thats about all. You could call me computer illiterate.:dono
Fix type said no fix now this may be because it is under a shed right now as it is raining but if I need to I can pull it out later when rain slacks upQuote:
Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg
the EPE was 2669sm
Greg thanks for the help
Greg I got it pulled out from under shed and took picture of it but the speed is still jumping around even after the update was done and the EPE numbers is going from 27-33.
Attachment 199264Attachment 199265
I think Greg meant to check fix type while on the water and having speed issues.
Out from under the shed may be good enough. I see that you have a 3D Fix but in Mississippi you should also be picking up the WAAS satellite and so it should have been showing as "Enhanced". that would have dropped the EPE (Estimated Position Error) number and the speed should not bounce around as bad. Make sure that you are not around any trees, buildings or mountains and see if the numbers look better (the lower the HDOP and EPE numbers the better the accuracy will be and the less the speed will jump around).
You should also check the power supply tot he unit as we have seen low power (voltage and/or current) do this too. No loose or corroded connections between the unit all the way back to the battery it is powered from. Don't forget to check the fuse, fuse holder and battery contacts too as these are sometimes overlooked.
If none of this helps; call the Humminbird Customer Service folks. 1-800-633-1468
Thanks Greg I think it will work better now with the software update. I will check everything out on the water when rain moves out of our area and I get to go fishing again. And I also thank everyone else here on the sonar forum that help with sonar working problems and sonar how to problems.