Whats up with humminbird??

I purchased a humminbird fishlocator a few years back. It sat on the front of my casting deck, well over the summer I cracked the front glass hauling camping equipment in and out of the boat. I contacted humminbird about getting it fixed and they want to charge me a flat rate of $90 to fix it and they wont send me a part so I can fix it myself( my preferred way to fix it- new front housing and I am set to go). After I said no go to there “service offer” they countered with a trade in on any of there new locaters for about $100 off of a new locater, the thing is there is nothing wrong with this one, I just need to weather proof it again with a new glass piece. Are all locater companys this way with there service?? I want to fix it myself-How come I cant buy a part…….like I can for my boat or car or trolling motor. Someone please help!!!! Bill

To be honest, 90.00 sounds pretty cheap. They are filled with a gas and sealed to keep moisture out in all weather. I wouldn’t want to try to fix it myself and I feel I’m quite capable in most situations.
Good luck in your decision.

The Flat Rate charge is pretty common with the electronics companies once you are out of the warranty period. $90 does not seem out of line.

Herb is correct about the gas seal. Only the factory can do it right.

Good Luck,
Jon J.

I have a friend who has an old humminbird (as do I). He left his outside over the winter and some of the pixels on the lCD broke. He was able to find a suitable replacement from Datek or one of the major electronics houses without going through humminbird and fix it himself. That said, the guy is an electrical engineer, so it might not be the kind of thing that Joe Fisherman wants to take on, and a lot of people would gladly pay the $90 to have someone else deal with it.

He didn’t bother to vaccuum his or fill it with gas. He does not use it during the winter (stays in the basement now), and has never had a problem with it during the summer. If the glass looks like something you can cut or have cut and replace yourself, it’s all a matter of how much you care about the unit as to whether or not you should try to fix it yourself.

Had a problem with my Zercom 2000…window would fog up. Sent it in and they resealed it for around $60. Quick turn around time.