NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: Tinker on September 25, 2017, 01:20:56 PM

Title: Humminbird?
Post by: Tinker on September 25, 2017, 01:20:56 PM
I'm hot on the trail of a Trident 13 and thought I'd ask about Humminbird finders before I go off half-cocked (like I usually do).

I've always been a Lowrance fan, but I like that I can get a transducer that fits the T13 transducer pocket.  I've Gooped transducers inside the hull, but it's not my favorite thing to do...

Anyone have anything to say about the Humminbird finders?

Or, does anyone else make a transducer that fits the T13 scupper/pocket?
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: krusty on September 25, 2017, 01:41:30 PM
I'm hot on the trail of a Trident 13 and thought I'd ask about Humminbird finders before I go off half-cocked (like I usually do).

I've always been a Lowrance fan, but I like that I can get a transducer that fits the T13 transducer pocket.  I've Gooped transducers inside the hull, but it's not my favorite thing to do...

Anyone have anything to say about the Humminbird finders?

Or, does anyone else make a transducer that fits the T13 scupper/pocket?

I have a Humminbird in my Trident 13. I like how you can fold down the head unit into the sonar pod to protect it during a surf launch. I never appreciated this feature until I killed 2 fish finders surf launching my Hobie. I also like the way the transducer fits perfectly in the transducer scupper.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Bushy on September 25, 2017, 02:02:37 PM
I'm hot on the trail of a Trident 13 and thought I'd ask about Humminbird finders before I go off half-cocked (like I usually do).

I've always been a Lowrance fan, but I like that I can get a transducer that fits the T13 transducer pocket.  I've Gooped transducers inside the hull, but it's not my favorite thing to do...

Anyone have anything to say about the Humminbird finders?

Or, does anyone else make a transducer that fits the T13 scupper/pocket?

Ive used humminbird forever and they work well for me.  And I've never had one break.  My older one won't read card, so I can't transfer data to my newer one.  I will send both in this winter and have them do it at their service center.

bushy
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Tinker on September 25, 2017, 02:12:53 PM
I have a Humminbird in my Trident 13. I like how you can fold down the head unit into the sonar pod to protect it during a surf launch. I never appreciated this feature until I killed 2 fish finders surf launching my Hobie. I also like the way the transducer fits perfectly in the transducer scupper.

Thank you, Krusty.  I'd prefer to have the transducer fit that scupper, too.

Ive used humminbird forever and they work well for me.  And I've never had one break.  My older one won't read card, so I can't transfer data to my newer one.  I will send both in this winter and have them do it at their service center.

Thanks, Bushy.  Longevity is important.  I've had to send two Lowrance units back for warranty work - but I still use them.  I'm thinking of trying something new for this kayak.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: lucky13 on September 25, 2017, 06:14:28 PM
I hope they have improved the wire connection management.

I have a 385ci. I will not buy another unless they redesign some of the basic stuff. The ergonomic sucks.
- Wires to the head unit don't latch on.
- The power connector can be plugged-in in reverse because you can't see the difference between the positive and negative end of the plug. It is not keyed.
- You have to route the wires through the base in some awkward position and force to pinch the wires.
- I have an extension wire for the transponder. The extension plug is not waterproof and rusted in one outing.

Overall, the wire management suck so bad I want to fire the Humminbird engineers who designed them. They need to take a lesson from Lowrance or Raymarine or any other competitor.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Bushy on September 25, 2017, 06:32:09 PM
I haven't had a 385, but my version has a key shape to the power connection....?  And the transducer cable is like 20 feet long, not sure why you needed an extension.  I used an extension on my powerboat, but I think the connector was up in the air, not in the water?

Bushy
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: krusty on September 25, 2017, 06:45:21 PM
I hope they have improved the wire connection management.

I have a 385ci. I will not buy another unless they redesign some of the basic stuff. The ergonomic sucks.
- Wires to the head unit don't latch on.
- The power connector can be plugged-in in reverse because you can't see the difference between the positive and negative end of the plug. It is not keyed.
- You have to route the wires through the base in some awkward position and force to pinch the wires.
- I have an extension wire for the transponder. The extension plug is not waterproof and rusted in one outing.

Overall, the wire management suck so bad I want to fire the Humminbird engineers who designed them. They need to take a lesson from Lowrance or Raymarine or any other competitor.

I have a 385ci installed in my Trident. Both the power and transducer cables are locked to the base with a metal plate, so they stay put. Also, the power cable is keyed, so it only fits into the base 1 way.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: WillFo on September 25, 2017, 07:00:47 PM
I have the Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2  which I like well enough, but it is the only fish finder I have used, so take that for what it's worth.

I currently have a jury-rigged PVC/zip tie scupper mount in my T13 until I decide on a long-term solution. Humminbird makes a transducer that fits the T13, but according to Austin Kayak, "This transducer will not correctly display the Down Imaging that this model of fish finder is made for."
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: krusty on September 25, 2017, 07:15:32 PM
I have the Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2  which I like well enough, but it is the only fish finder I have used, so take that for what it's worth.

I currently have a jury-rigged PVC/zip tie scupper mount in my T13 until I decide on a long-term solution. Humminbird makes a transducer that fits the T13, but according to Austin Kayak, "This transducer will not correctly display the Down Imaging that this model of fish finder is made for."

ACK is mistaken. Your Humminbird is not a down imaging model. If you go to its web page, https://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-CHIRP-GPS-G2/ (https://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-CHIRP-GPS-G2/), and click on compatible products and accessories, you will see the XTH 9 20 P transducer, which fits in the Trident's transducer scupper.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: WillFo on September 25, 2017, 07:24:20 PM
Cool, thanks for the clarification krusty. Actually I am mistaken; they are talking about the Helix 5 DI GPS which is a different model than mine.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: mickfish on September 25, 2017, 09:07:53 PM
I have the 597CI with the scupper mount and love it, no issues.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Crum on September 25, 2017, 09:45:49 PM
I have the Helix 5 with 'XTH 9 20 P' transducer and love it.  I mounted it on the Mod Pod and keep the extra cord in the Sonar Shield so I didn't have to do any drilling to the kayak.  I looked into exchanging transducers though Humminbird but for about the same price I just bought a second one from ACK.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: lucky13 on September 25, 2017, 11:24:35 PM
And the transducer cable is like 20 feet long, not sure why you needed an extension.
I have one wire that stays in my AI permanently. That way I could move the unit to my Revo 13 sometimes.
Quote from: krusty

[quote
I have a 385ci installed in my Trident. Both the power and transducer cables are locked to the base with a metal plate, so they stay put. Also, the power cable is keyed, so it only fits into the base 1 way.
Glad they took care of that issue. Perhaps my ff is not a 385ci? I'm confused. But regardless, the wires on my Humminbird suck. Maybe my unit is outdated.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: oosickness on September 25, 2017, 11:56:05 PM
I run a Humminbird HELIX 5 SI on my outback and so far has been great. i need to figure out a way to upload the charting/ trip map after a fishing trip.

The screen is very clear and visible in direct sunlight, accurate depth compared to the others i fish with. Sucks in the kelp like almost every other one on the market but what can you do.
       If there are shortcomings its probably my fault, its my first fish finder and am still learning on what to look for.


https://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-409640-1-HELIX-Finder-Side-Imaging/dp/B00MVYNZ78
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Tinker on September 26, 2017, 03:45:36 AM
Since I don't yet have the T13, will a finder in the Helix-5 series fit in the sonar pod?
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: zwilliams on September 29, 2017, 07:11:22 AM
 My 597di is still going strong after almost 8 years ,2 kayaks and 3 drops on concrete from standing hight. Even dropped it once on the boat ramp and it rolled into the water. Has some dents it the corners but it always works! I have had no problems with the plugs and wires. Just storing the the whole base on my revo is awkward. I have been hoping it would break so I can justify buy the new hook 5 with chirp an side image.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: ScottV on September 29, 2017, 08:04:53 AM
humminbird service is the worst!  I use to fish bass tournaments and always used humminbirds, that is until I needed them to service a unit.  I sent in a unit to have the screen replaced because I cracked it and which I paid for since I broke it.  When I got it back i discovered the GPS no longer worked.  They disconnected my internal GPS in the process and accused me of doing it, then when I finally got them to admit to their mistake they told me it was out of warranty because of how long it took them to finally admit they were wrong.  Once I got it through their heads that they disconnected the GPS and that they did while it was still under warranty they finally decided to fix it.  So when I got my unit back, they erased all my waypoints and tracks.  Of course when I contacted them to let them know, they blamed me for it and said there was nothing they could do.

humminbird can burn in he** for all I care.  I will never buy their products again.  15 years of being an incredibly loyal customer and this is what I got in return.

I am now a Lowrance user!
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: RacinRob on September 29, 2017, 10:18:11 AM
And the transducer cable is like 20 feet long, not sure why you needed an extension.
I have one wire that stays in my AI permanently. That way I could move the unit to my Revo 13 sometimes.
Quote from: krusty

[quote
I have a 385ci installed in my Trident. Both the power and transducer cables are locked to the base with a metal plate, so they stay put. Also, the power cable is keyed, so it only fits into the base 1 way.
Glad they took care of that issue. Perhaps my ff is not a 385ci? I'm confused. But regardless, the wires on my Humminbird suck. Maybe my unit is outdated.

Humminbird has had the same mount system for at least 10 years that i know of, probably 20 +. The 385 uses the same mount. All you need to do is buy the correct parts for yours and you should be fine. The Helix series now uses different mounts.

I have ben using the same unit now for around 7 years with zero issues. I wash it down after salt use, the mount too. I never wash it after freshwater use and it has been bullet proof for ever.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: kayakjack on September 29, 2017, 03:38:14 PM
I had a hummingbird black and white model for about 8years and loved it. Never had any problems til my kayak got away while abdiving and flipped and smashed into the rocks. Then I got to see what the inside of a fish finder looks like.
Title: Re: Humminbird?
Post by: Tinker on September 29, 2017, 04:27:07 PM
I guess there's more than one way to get a peek inside.   :smt001