Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

[nimrod12]

Hey all, I bought a new to me 99 nitro that came with two functional fish finders, a Hummingbird wide 128 and a Hummingbird 3D Vision. My question is I'd like to upgrade one or both with a better black and white or cheaper color model, but don't know what all that entails. If i buy a hummingbird, would i be able to use my old transducer therefore bypassing my need to remove the transducer which is through hull? I don't necessarily want a gps because i have a hand held, so just a sonar. Any help would be great. Thanks alot.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

you must have a fiberglass boat, though the hull. check specs on both units, may have to go to web site. also if transducers are using same frequency they will interfer with each other. but it is possible to run both off one transducer. there are plenty of posts on this subject

 

[nimrod12]

Re: Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

Yeah, it is fiberglass. I'm not too worried about running them off the same transducer, they are working flawlessly...just isn't so detailed. They have came along way since 98. I just wasn't sure if i could buy an 07 or so model of a midrange model and use the same transducer as the Hummingbird 3D Vision.

 

[John_S]

Re: Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

On the Wide 128, you can reuse the tilt/swivel and power cord for most 300, 500, and 700 series HB units by buying a $7 connector harness. http://store.humminbird.com/products/322977/MBCC_M

The W128 transducer might be able to be reused as a single beam, but believe it requires the $24 cable to convert from 2 prong connector. http://store.humminbird.com/products/322949/AD_629
It is probably not worth doing given many units do not have the option of "no transducer". If you have another boat, it might be worthwhile to set up a 2nd station, though.


3D Vision, you can reuse the tilt/swivel and power cord for most 300, 500, and 700 series HB units by buying a $7 connector harness. http://store.humminbird.com/products/322977/MBCC_M

The 3D Vision transducer is rather unique, and there is only a recent model close-out that MAY work with it. You would need to call HB tech support to confirm. http://store.humminbird.com/products/344316/967c_3D Given the large color screen, it may require the new power cable that comes with it.


My recommendation would be to run them as they are. Use them to figure out what you like or don't like. Buy next season. If you have another boat, consider reusing some of the parts. Otherwise remove one or both as complete units and sell.

 

[nimrod12]

Re: Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

yeah, by the time i went to remove it and try to figure out which one was compatible, i'd have been better off just getting what i wanted. How hard is it to uninstall-install a new system? better to have it done? thanks for the help btw, those links were very useful.

 

[John_S]

Re: Newbie has a question about Fish Finders.

How hard is it to uninstall-install a new system? better to have it done?

You would have to look your boat over, how it was installed and wires run, etc, and determine if it is something you want to tackle or not. For me, I would do it myself regardless, but everyone has their own comfort levels.