Humminbird Software update... should you?

[Ger43]

Gents
I really am in a barrel here...on one hand... I have had Humminbird units for the last 30+ years... so you could say I am a Humminbird fan

Until now...

Let me give you the WHOLE story so you are aware of all the details

Going to try a new lake out this year... (Jack Lake Apsley Ontario, Canada)... there are quite a few navigational hazards (submerged rocks) on this lake so decided to bite the bullet and spend the $290+ on the Navionics+ card ( ever notice that paying that much for such a tiny little item seems to hurt that much more? lol) My logic was..$300 for a card...$1000 for a bottom end if I hit a rock right? Card is really the better value

Purchased the card... recommendations are to update your FF/Chartplotter to the latest version of software... My latest unit was purchased in May 2013... it gets used 2 weeks/yr when I go on holidays, except last year was 1 week... so essentially I have the original software on the unit and it has approx 35 full days of use on it

Logged into "my humminbird" where all the info on my unit is... found 2 "recommended" updates... 1 for software and 1 for pc connection.... so... I downloaded the software update to an empty SD card... reset all the settings on the unit to default factory. turned off unit and followed the instructions to install the new update.... new software looked kewl and I thought great.... everything worked perfect

WRONG

Turned off the unit and installed the Navionics+ card..... had my transducer in a barrel of water(don't know where I heard it but someone said transducer should be in barrel of water when running)... decided to browse to chartplotter screen to see the lake we were going to

"Loading, loading...loading...."
Unit rebooted... literally turned off and restarted... thought...hmmmm... so I tried again
"Loading, loading, loading...." reboot
Crap.... turned off unit.... unplugged from mount... checked voltage at battery... 12v... checked voltage at mount... 12v... so it's not a low voltage issue
Tried it 3 more times and the 4th time it rebooted to a black screen with green lettering
"Matrix Series Version 4.300".... and I couldn't turn the unit off or scroll to any other screen

So I googled the message and found this forum and Greg ... however... it seems Greg has had his duties change and he no longer does this kinda thing

So next step is call, email, live chat, and cuss silently until I got through to Gwen at Humminbird...who btw... was very helpful, however, all we could do is send my unit back to an authorized Humminbird repair centre and have it repaired

So $55 for shipping TO Humminbird repair... $35 flat rate fee to REPAIR my unit...AND another $20 for them to ship it back to me, which I found unusual....
So to recapp

IF YOU INTEND TO INSTALL THE "RECOMMENDED" UPDATE TO YOUR UNIT BEWARE!

If your unit crashes (as mine did) YOU will be on the hook for ALL shipping charges both to and from the repair depot AS WELL AS the repair cost... mine was the minimum charge... I was forewarned it could have been more if they found more wrong

Honestly, I am not a whiner and complainer, i understand these Companies and their repair centres have policies.... but seriously... 35 days of use on a FF/Chartplotter... install 1 update THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND DOWNLOADED DIRECTLY FROM THEIR WEBSITE" and now I'm out $110?

Thats my rant... just want all of you to be aware of what MAY happen if you install the update




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[jim]

I have theHelix 5 and I'm an idiot when it comes to using it!!

[FishFrenzy]

What unit are you using? I also have the Helix (just picked it up) and was planning on updating the software before my first use.

FishFrenzy

[Whiplash]

Were both downloads on the one card? Ive heard its just the firmware, nothing else or it can go wonky. I just got my helix 9sigps and a 7 a couple of months ago and haven't updated either

[Hardrack]

i have the helix 5 sonar gps unit with navionics card included but didn't realize that I had to download all the charts from Navionics .com.
Was up north for a fishing trip this past week and realized that the navionics card was empty!! Just got home ,downloaded and everything was there!!

[One_Tracc_Mind]

That's very odd. I don't use humminbirds but I just updated my hds units this past spring without issue. I know it's very important to do what the unit says. Sometimes the down load and reboot can take several minutes to complete and if you turn it off prematurely you can mess up the unit.

[Tony Mo]

I have theHelix 5 and I'm an idiot when it comes to using it!!

Well then, it's time to go to school...pour yourself a drink.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...GyaJu6FYJOKbBz

[rick_iles]

I had a Helix 5......the download was simple with no issues.

[35wailin]

I just installed a Helix 7 today. I guess I'll update the firmware. I've also got AC Pro coming in to the local tackle emporium. Supposed to be in Friday. Maybe update both while I'm at the computer.

[sizematters]

what's the model, the year and the designation