Humminbird Wideview

[EVIL "X"]

I've got a Humminbird Wideview fishfinder that I've had for maybe 10 yrs. I don't know if it works as it came with a boat I bought back then and never used. I have all of the components but none of the small screws and washers need to mount everything. I can deal with that. Couple of questions; Is it worth my time to gather hardware and test this unit? Are they a reliable, user friendly unit? I don't know what kind of $$$ it's worth or cost new. I did download the operations manual.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

It's old, but if it works, it's better than no FF. Can always use at the bow, and get a better one for the console. I don't think they sell for much on ebay. Reguardless of what it sold for when it was current, any $200 unit today will out surpass it, for features, screen resolution, and capabilities.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

You don't need to mount anything to test it. Make a temporary +12 volt and ground connection in the boat, hook up the head unit and hold the transducer over the side. If it works, mount it -- it not, it's junk.

 

[EVIL "X"]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

Thanks. I'm kinda in the NBZ for a while with boat stuff. If this works it will help me out tremendously.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

Before you spend much time/money, plug it into 12V and fire it up. Make sure the screen is clear and there are no dead spots or lines on the screen. If the screen looks good, it should work, if the ducer is good.

(I have 2 older sonars that have lines in the screen, both of them around that age...)

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

(I have 2 older sonars that have lines in the screen, both of them around that age...)

My only experience with lines, I blamed on leaving the head unit in the boat over the winter. I thought the freezing temps caused the problem. It was on an old Eagle. I have had HB, older than the poster's unit, and not had those issues. They were never left out in the freezing weather though.

 

[EVIL "X"]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

Thanks for the tips. I haven't hooked anything up yet. One more question. There's another smaller potted sensor of some sort in addition to the main transducer. Maybe a speed sensor? I don't see anything in my operations manual about it.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

Thanks for the tips. I haven't hooked anything up yet. One more question. There's another smaller potted sensor of some sort in addition to the main transducer. Maybe a speed sensor? I don't see anything in my operations manual about it.

The two main sensors HB had back then, was temp probe and water speed. Sometimes, combined into one. The water speed will have a wheel that spins. The temp probe had a stubby round end. Post a picture, and will be able to tell.

 

[EVIL "X"]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

If I remember correctly, the first pic faces out. The second pic shows the side mounted against the bottom of the transom facing in. Doesn't look quite like you described. BTW, is it me or is this site painfully slow? I regularly get on a couple of other forums and see much faster site navigation.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

That is half of a water speed or water speed/temp sesor. The block (which screws to this) with the paddle wheel is missing. While HB sells the paddle wheel, they don't sell the missing block. If it was a combined speed/temp sensor, the temp might still work.

 

[EVIL "X"]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

I did a little research and found a simulator program on my WideView. Hooked up the power and it seems to run just fine including the temp sensor. I also found out that the complete speed/temp sensor assembly including the speed wheel and block with 20ft of cable is available from several sources. This accessory is compatible with many models including mine. I can get one including shipping for $50. Worth it?

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

I did a little research and found a simulator program on my WideView. Hooked up the power and it seems to run just fine including the temp sensor. I also found out that the complete speed/temp sensor assembly including the speed wheel and block with 20ft of cable is available from several sources. This accessory is compatible with many models including mine. I can get one including shipping for $50. Worth it?

A paddle wheel is good for getting water speed vs land speed from gps. It can be important if you do allot of slow speed trolling. Otherwise, a gps is much more accurate at higher speeds. I run my old HB temp/speed (from Wide Portrait days) on my 798ci. I display it under my gps speed. On flat water, the two readings are usually with 1 mph of each other, with upto max speed of 30mph for my fishing boat. This weekend I was out in some heavy river current and while heading upstream there was a 5ph difference in water speed and land speed. Currently, the aux temp is missing from the latest 798 S/W. Don't realy need two temp probes (temp in transducers is pretty much standard now). Only you can answer the question if it is worth it.

 

[MarIntimo]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

I've got a Humminbird Wideview fishfinder that I've had for maybe 10 yrs. I don't know if it works as it came with a boat I bought back then and never used. I have all of the components but none of the small screws and washers need to mount everything. I can deal with that. Couple of questions; Is it worth my time to gather hardware and test this unit? Are they a reliable, user friendly unit? I don't know what kind of $$$ it's worth or cost new. I did download the operations manual.

Evil X - Do you still have the unit? Ours has a badly crazed screen and can't be repaired. We need a new head unit only. Other members - any suggestions?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Humminbird Wideview

Evil X - Do you still have the unit? Ours has a badly crazed screen and can't be repaired. We need a new head unit only. Other members - any suggestions?

Suggest starting your own thread. Many hijackers get no answers.