Fish Farmer Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 Just a little advise. If your buying a Humminbird Depth Finder GPS Combo and have a VHF Radio, the Humminbird will cause static on your VHF radio. Should have the warning on the box. I bought the unit thinking all was good but not so. After trying 100 different ways to stop the static with no results with some ideas from Humminbird and some electronics shops. 2 weeks later, pulling my hair out. Humminbird tells me to send it to their service depot in North Bay by Purolator because they know whats wrong. The service tech says he has the Part for unit, and when you get it back the static will be gone. So off to Purolator it goes, $32.00 it cost ME to ship. 3 days later I got my machine back. Great fast service, but why, in the first place. If they new what the problem was, why the run-around. Should be a call back on their machines. I called Humminbird to see if I get reimburse my shipping cost and they said sorry,they can't. Seems like, we the consumer, are tackle testers for there products at our expense. Would I buy another Humminbird? OH, and yes, no more static.
Fisherman Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 That's why I said right from the start, it's an inferior product, and like you said, that should be addressed while they are building them and put the interference filter into the unit, not something as an fix after you annoy the customer at his cost.
fishnsled Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 Haven't bought a Humminbird product in years. Was very disappointed that the transducers on the units I had been using would only last a couple of years Then to replace the transducer was almost the same price as a new unit. Bought Eagle units and they have been fine for the last 7 years or so. Almost bought a Humminbird GPS a couple of years ago but went with a Lowrance. After reading your post, I'm glad I did as I've no issue with mine. Having said that I know others have had issues with Lowrance. Your problem seems to be something they are well aware of. However, if you are not running a VHF radio, you would not be aware of any static issues. They are most likely thinking, we'll fix the ones that come back and in our next product we'll fix the issue...or maybe not. All about the bottom line. Thanks for the heads up.
canadadude Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 At least they fixed the problem,unfortunatly we don't live in a perfect world,recalls on products happen all the time and I relize it can be very frustrating but they got your unit back to you in 3days.I would be delighted with that kind of service,it seems to me Hummingbird has very good customer service but you can't please everyone. I'm sure the problem has been adressed at the factory, unfortunatly some of units probably got into the market place.
F_ast Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) I understand the static issue but not sure what you are complaining about... 3 day turn around is fantastic. Have you ever tried to deal with Lowrance. That is something to fall on the ground and laugh about. Sounds like HB fixed you right up. Maybe they should install whatever they did on all units, but I'd say that the average boater with VHF radio vs with is only like 1 in 100. Maybe less. Humminbird makes some of the best stuff on the planet IMO. Edited July 28, 2011 by F_ast
Roy Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 Glad they fixed you up Dave but I'm still a Lowrance guy.
Terry Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 years ago I was given Humminbird as part of a sponsorship I tried it out ,it marked fish I knew there were no fish..I was trying it in a swimming pool the depth was wrong took it out on the lake same thing, always marked fish, depth was off most of the time in 15 ft of water is wa showing 25ft even after hanging all the setting took it back and told the thanks but no thanks, I had heard they have gotten much better over the years
DRIFTER_016 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 years ago I was given Humminbird as part of a sponsorship I tried it out ,it marked fish I knew there were no fish..I was trying it in a swimming pool the depth was wrong took it out on the lake same thing, always marked fish, depth was off most of the time in 15 ft of water is wa showing 25ft even after hanging all the setting took it back and told the thanks but no thanks, I had heard they have gotten much better over the years I also had an HB back in the 80's and was not impressed at all. I know they have gotten better but I can't get passed my initial impression of them back in the day. Also my Lowrance doesn't interfere with my VHF.
Fish Farmer Posted July 28, 2011 Author Report Posted July 28, 2011 Haven't bought a Humminbird product in years. Was very disappointed that the transducers on the units I had been using would only last a couple of years Then to replace the transducer was almost the same price as a new unit. Bought Eagle units and they have been fine for the last 7 years or so. Almost bought a Humminbird GPS a couple of years ago but went with a Lowrance. After reading your post, I'm glad I did as I've no issue with mine. Having said that I know others have had issues with Lowrance. Your problem seems to be something they are well aware of. However, if you are not running a VHF radio, you would not be aware of any static issues. They are most likely thinking, we'll fix the ones that come back and in our next product we'll fix the issue...or maybe not. All about the bottom line. Thanks for the heads up. OH, that's great, 2 years. Thanks for the heads-up fishnsled. Can you believe I like the unit, but now I wish I never read your reply I did notice their transducer cable goes in the other side, opposite from Lawrence I understand the static issue but not sure what you are complaining about... 3 day turn around is fantastic. Have you ever tried to deal with Lowrance. That is something to fall on the ground and laugh about. Sounds like HB fixed you right up. Maybe they should install whatever they did on all units, but I'd say that the average boater with VHF radio vs with is only like 1 in 100. Maybe less. Humminbird makes some of the best stuff on the planet IMO. Don't get me wrong, I do like the unit and 3 days I was impressed. But at least they should have reimbursed my $32.00 for my problem. (their problem) Hay, that's $32 bucks I could have spent on fishing Gas or. Glad they fixed you up Dave but I'm still a Lowrance guy. That will teach me Roy for jumping ship. I've had Lawrence for years. When I think about it, I bought the old Lawrence Green Box flasher back in the days. Plus that $32.00 would have been a good after noon for me and Spiel
Spiel Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 Plus that $32.00 would have been a good after noon for me and Spiel Beeeeeeer.
fishnsled Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 OH, that's great, 2 years. Thanks for the heads-up fishnsled. Can you believe I like the unit, but now I wish I never read your reply I did notice their transducer cable goes in the other side, opposite from Lawrence They may have improved quite a bite since I've owned one, don't count them out yet. As others have said - they fixed you up pretty quickly. Don't get me wrong, I do like the unit and 3 days I was impressed. But at least they should have reimbursed my $32.00 for my problem. (their problem) Hay, that's $32 bucks I could have spent on fishing Gas or. Wimmen??? Where do you find a women for $32?? Hamilton you say....
Billy Bob Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 Years ago I sent in my Humminbird flasher for repairs with a check included in the box....they wrote back that they received my flasher unit but no payment was included....I called them and around and around we went...finally had to put a stop order on the check and send them another check...then they sent me someone else's in dash unit instead of my Super 30 unit....called them and they said send it back to them....I said send me my unit first plus the cost of my stop order check....they refused but my unit arrived the next day......I eventually sold that in dash unit MANY years later on Ebay.......that was the end of my business with a Bird Company.
lew Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 I told you they'd fix you up fast Dave, those boyz in North Bay give out some excellent customer service. Too bad about the $32 but I understand that doesn't buy many beers these days anyhoo
aplumma Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 ya know if you buy your beer in the US you pay half the price and get half the alcohol.... Art
Fish Farmer Posted July 28, 2011 Author Report Posted July 28, 2011 I told you they'd fix you up fast Dave, those boyz in North Bay give out some excellent customer service. Too bad about the $32 but I understand that doesn't buy many beers these days anyhoo You were right Lew, thay were fast. I couldn't belive it. But the Beer, Spiel and myself drink the cheap stuff 24 for 24, Spiegul taught me good. ya know if you buy your beer in the US you pay half the price and get half the alcohol.... Art Your right Art, but I like US beer better than Ca. Now watch me get slammed
Fisherman Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 But the Beer, Spiel and myself drink the cheap stuff 24 for 24, Spiegul taught me good. Where the heck are you finding a 24 for $24? Not nice to keep secrets..
Fish Farmer Posted July 29, 2011 Author Report Posted July 29, 2011 Where the heck are you finding a 24 for $24? Not nice to keep secrets.. I forgot the price of the bottles, plus a couple bucks. Carling Light I was close fisherman, you know us fisherman (it was that big)
Fisherman Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 I forgot the price of the bottles, plus a couple bucks. Carling Light I was close fisherman, you know us fisherman (it was that big) Carling eh? Bet you remember Hey Mable..Black Label
DRIFTER_016 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Carling eh? Bet you remember Hey Mable..Black Label Or......................Red Cap..................or Labatt 50!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMM..........................STUBBIES RULE!!!!!!
irishfield Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Red Cap was always guaranteed cold when you grabbed a 6 pack for lunch. Buried way back in the cooler corner, ignored for oh so long..
vinnimon Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Just a little advise. If your buying a Humminbird Depth Finder GPS Combo and have a VHF Radio, the Humminbird will cause static on your VHF radio. Should have the warning on the box. I bought the unit thinking all was good but not so. After trying 100 different ways to stop the static with no results with some ideas from Humminbird and some electronics shops. 2 weeks later, pulling my hair out. Humminbird tells me to send it to their service depot in North Bay by Purolator because they know whats wrong. The service tech says he has the Part for unit, and when you get it back the static will be gone. So off to Purolator it goes, $32.00 it cost ME to ship. 3 days later I got my machine back. Great fast service, but why, in the first place. If they new what the problem was, why the run-around. Should be a call back on their machines. I called Humminbird to see if I get reimburse my shipping cost and they said sorry,they can't. Seems like, we the consumer, are tackle testers for there products at our expense. Would I buy another Humminbird? OH, and yes, no more static. AHEM, Cough, choke! I see waranty if they (hummingbird)buggered with it and corrected the issue Consumers and tackle testers? do you pitch your lures at your ff Dave? Not! Ask them the same Bull walks on both sides of the street I say, esp on the marketing end to save a buck or two. Dave send those good folks this thread, Geeze would I buy another one, not on gods earth again. My 535 portable lies to me in gin clear water. I see bottom and no fish but the screen says that they are there in 10fow Not the right finger but you know what I mean.
Uncle Buck Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Lowrance transducers not much better... how many issues with moisture in the HDS sonars? as for it being an inferior product? it's personal preference... never had any issues with my HB transducers... Are you running the sonar and the VHF off the same battery? another reason for static... I also notice when my gauges are off my compass on the dash reads out of whack, shut the key off and it goes right... What sonar unit Dave?
dave524 Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Or......................Red Cap..................or Labatt 50!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMM..........................STUBBIES RULE!!!!!! When I turned 21 yes the drinking age at one time was 21 in Ontario, Labatt's 50 was a bigger seller than Labatt's Blue, except that Labatt's Blue wasn't called Blue at that time, everyone called it Labatt's Pilsner, if you asked for a "Blue" at a bar, you would get a Molson's Stock Ale. Fishfarmer , glad you got it fixed up,if Hummingbird wants to play in the blue water offshore market there going to have to their act together, may not be important in the bassboat market but that kind interfernce going to give them a bad rap in the bigger boat market
Fish Farmer Posted July 29, 2011 Author Report Posted July 29, 2011 Lowrance transducers not much better... how many issues with moisture in the HDS sonars? as for it being an inferior product? it's personal preference... never had any issues with my HB transducers... Are you running the sonar and the VHF off the same battery? another reason for static... I also notice when my gauges are off my compass on the dash reads out of whack, shut the key off and it goes right... What sonar unit Dave? I tried everything UB even a roll of tin-foil trick. My machines is 587ci combo. I even tried 2 different VHF radio's, one radio was a Humminbird. When I turned 21 yes the drinking age at one time was 21 in Ontario, Labatt's 50 was a bigger seller than Labatt's Blue, except that Labatt's Blue wasn't called Blue at that time, everyone called it Labatt's Pilsner, if you asked for a "Blue" at a bar, you would get a Molson's Stock Ale. Fishfarmer , glad you got it fixed up,if Hummingbird wants to play in the blue water offshore market there going to have to their act together, may not be important in the bassboat market but that kind interfernce going to give them a bad rap in the bigger boat market I guess some people would call us old Dave. Remember when the hotel had Ladies and escorts section. you had to stay on the mens side if you didn't have a lady with you. Thanks, I'm glad it's fixed, the noise was driving me and my buddy crazy. We had to turn the radio off. I've heard some of their units don't bother VHF radio's
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