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After sitting out on my pontoon boat in an all day downpour my Humminbird Piranah Max 20 got drowned. I didn't realize that these units were not water tight. I think it has come back after about a week of hair dryer blasting and baking in the sun on top of my vehicle. However just yesterday I had it functioning well again for about 10 minutes on my kayak when the sun brought out more condensation on the lens and the screen went dark again and I had to fish without it.
I've been looking at other units in case I need to replace mine and I've noticed that Eagle advertises "sealed and waterproof". I don't see this info volunteered on the Humminbird units. My fishing buddy has an old Humminbird that is about 20 years old and has never experienced anything like this with his unit. He's been waiting for his to crash so he can buy a modern unit but it still continues to work perfectly. He thinks I must have got a defective unit. This unit of mine is in its second season so is no lonbger covered by warranty.
Anybody here have any problems with their Humminbird Fish Finders?
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[black][size 3]I have not had experience with Hummingbird, but then I have never had any word on a unit developing a problem caused by rain.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]I don't think that the subject has been discussed before. [/size]
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[size 3]I have run Lowrance, Eagle, Raytheon, Bottom line, and all of them have been exposed to heavy rain fall, without a problem.[/size]
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[size 3]But your experience has me thinking that when I replace any of mine, I'll look for a unit that is advertised as "water proof".[/size]
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[size 3]Someone on the forum will have some better suggestions than mine. [/size]
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[size 3]Thanks for bring something to my attention that I have never even thought of.[/size]
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I have a cheap garmin 140 and it's rated as waterproof to 3ft, I think most that are made now should be waterproof.
FF462
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Some fishfinders are water resistant, and others are waterproof.
The best have seal gaskets and are proof to being submerged, ie waterproof to a specified depth/water pressure, and those ones would for instance shrug off a pressurised jet from a garden hose or powerful wave.
If you can find an IP67 rated unit you will not be disappointed, although IP65 or IP66 would also do.
The first digit 6 means totally proof against dust penetration which is present in our environment and can also ruin a unit.
The second digit refers to water ingress -
a 5 covers immersion as in a splash,
a 6 means minor submergence to 15cm I think,
a 7 is just about totally waterproof to a wave or hose and but not including diving to depths and great pressure.
Hopefully this will help you judge the makers specification better and help in getting the standard you need for trouble free operation.
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THAT IS CRAZY! I mean that is what they are suppose to be made for....WATER.
I have the Hummingbird 300X and I have dropped it into the water before.....still working after all these years.
That is like putting racks on the top of Vehicles and then telling you they are only for looks, he, he, he,
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Wow that's new to me...brother in law has them on his bass boat and fishes in all weather and leaves the boat outside.......might u ask the MFG about that?
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I just assumed they were all waterproof.... it seems sensible being designed for outdoors fishing and all.
Luckily my first three were totally proofed, (Lowrance, Eagle, Interphase) and when I was buying my 4th sonar unit well over 10 years later it became apparent to me that there is variation across the makes on this.
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Joni,
I know that's crazy but I guess I'd rather drown my sonar than lose my new pontoon because of decorative roof racks. My Subaru Forester racks are doing a good job of hauling my toon around atop the vehicle. I still shudder after reading about that Durango. Zonker must shudder a little harder because he has a Dodge Durango. If he gets another 'toon" he'll have to carry it inside or use a trailer like you do. What brand of sonar do you use.
Pat,
What's your take on this drowned sonar?
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[cool][#0000ff]I have never heard of any marine electronics that were not built to shield them against weather and occasional splashes or dunks. I am guessing defective seals. No way a bit of rain should cause that kind of damage.[/#0000ff]
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Pat,
I'm suspecting a defective seal also and I'm tempted to lay a narrow bead of Marine Goop along the edge of the display.
Dave,
I've even stuck this thing in the oven after cooking. (Actually on the open drawer of the oven.) It does well in demo mode in the house but as soon as I get it outside more moisture condenses on the screen. Today is finally a bright sunny day so I will leave it out all day and hopefully that will do the trick.
Going on a river float for smallmouth on Tuesday so I won't need the finder.
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