Humminbird blues

Ive got a dilemma...

Ive got a Humminbird 597Ci HD DI I bought new when they first came out, and was registered in 2011. I have had only a little success with it from the beginning. That is- not getting a depth reading (flashing), erratic or showing >1000ft. Sometimes turning it off/on will bring it back but that's not working anymore. GPS has always worked fine.

- I thought it was the foam puck/through hull mounting of the transducer, so I moved it to a deployment arm.
- updated software at every new release
- replaced transducer (at my own cost)
- closely inspected pins and connections and judicious use of marine grease no issues whatsoever.
- good 12V power (even tried multiple power sources)
- there are no other electronic devises or anything else besides this ff on the battery.
- reset factory defaults and have read the manual and been trough all of the settings (at nausium) to make sure it is configured properly, DI turned on, checked sensitivity settings , etc.

I consider myself a pretty technically savvy guy, and out of stubbornness never did contact Humminbird for technical support or help while it was in the warranty period. (This was due to the fact I believed it was a foam puck install issue with the DI transducer) I now see that was a big mistake. It is now well beyond their 1 year warranty and I don't have a leg to stand on. I have contacted their technical support and after telling them all of this I was advised if it is after the 1 year period there would be a service fee for the repair for this unit of $255.45. Keep in mind this unit was well over $600 new, and although there are tears in my eyes as I write this, I am not here to bash Humminbird. So here is the dilemma... What would you do?

a. Buck up the dough and send it in to have repaired.
b. Chalk it up as a lesson and go buy a new one today that has the same features or better for under $300 (Not a Humminbird!)
c. Sell it for cheap for someone else to deal with.
d. Write a post online to get advice from your NWKA buddies and maybe get the attention of a Humminbird ambassador.

If it's had issues before, it'll probably have issues again, even after the (ridiculously expensive) repair. And you won't receive the repaired unit back with any sort of warranty. I'd ask Humminbird if they could at least give you some credit towards a new unit, though i'm guessing that's unlikely.

If it were me, I'd be cautious about more sunk costs. I'd list it for sale and disclose all issues, accept best offer (whatever that may be), then buy anything but Humminbird. Technology on these units is changing fast, and if you're dropping triple digits you may as well get a later model. Heck, for $255 you could probably get a new, under warranty Lowrance Elite 4 or 5 HDI + Navionics Gold Chip.

OR....maybe you can get the attention of a Humminbird ambassador.

$255!  That's insane!  Lowrance charged nothing when they warranty replaced my wife's old unit.  Being outside the warranty period, I guess I can understand the charge, but not the amount.  Sounds like wholesale replacement cost (which is probably what it is!)

Just make sure you're less stubborn next time you have a problem like that!

I would pay the $255. I run the same unit, and it's been flawless. Managed to kill it in the surf a couple years ago (completely my fault) and they warranty replaced it. Outside of that I've never had any technical problems. You won't be able to touch a comparable model for that kind of cash. There is a short warranty period on the repaired unit too. Something like 90 days. They replaced that 597 model with the 688. It's essentially all the same, but the screen is lust smaller, and the layout of the buttons have also been "updated" as well.

I picked up a Raymarine Dragonfly 6 with Navionics Gold Charts for $150.  We originally agreed on $235, but his de-installer cut the transducer cable to remove it from his PB.  Since I had to buy a new transducer, he dropped the price accordingly to account for that, and the total was $150.

Shop around for a used unit.  Good deals are out there if you're not desperate for an immediate solution.   There's another Dragonfly 5 with Navionics Gold for sale on Bloodydecks right now for $400.  Not sure of the rules for posting links to outside web forums here, so if you'd like the link then shoot me a PM and I'll send it to you. 

I guess that is the dilemma. It seems the technology is outpacing the pricing of most electronics. Same is true with tvs, computers, cell phones and stuff. Kind of cool actually. For such an outstanding unit (when it did work) its a shame to just dispose of it. Its been well taken care of. It is still "modern" technology Down Imaging and has exactly all of the features I want with the perfect size screen. I actually love the finder, just disappointed at the reliability and now support.

A google search, and see I'm not the only one that has had this very same issue with this unit. Quite a common problem actually. And yes, they didn't keep this model very long either as they discontinued it. I wonder why? Makes you go "hmmmm..." I feel they have a known issue with those units I'm at the brunt of their loss prevention.

For those that have a Humminbird here are the service repair fees:
http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/RepairFees/

If my hummingbird goes out, I'm most likely going to replace with a lowrance.  My current FF is working fine though.

I call it my "bumminbird"

I've been down that road.  I've had two Humminbirds. I have the same unit as you and just replaced the transducer which was cheaper than sending it under warranty which I did with my earlier model. I have the Lowrance Elite 7 on my other kayak and it's pretty smooth.