How many guys run the Onix SI?

Humminbird finally gave me what I’ve wanted, a no touch Onix option….(I’m a guy who hates any type of smear/smudge on my screens) so personally a touchscreen fish finder seemed like the worst idea I’ve ever heard of…

For those who run the Onix, what are your likes/dislikes with it? I heard the latest software update fixed alot of the headache issues that existed?

The biggest question I have is “How long is the bootup time?” From pressing the power button until the screen is usable is X amount of seconds?

Relatively new owner on an Onix 10 touch. Boot up time seems exceptionally long to me, and I don’t think it helps with v2.0.

I admit I am very new to the Onix, and struggle with the menu a lot and know the menus on the core products like the back of my hand.

With that said, I am wiling to stay the course with the Onix because what I’m seeing on the screen is nothing short of incredible.

I downloaded v2.0 today, but haven’t put it in yet. Maybe tomorrow. I was hesitant to get really involved with my settings, knowing I would have to reset them all with the update. I can tell you that almost everyone I’ve talked to about v2.0 says it will totally change the units operation, but doesn’t improve boot up speed. With the current version of software in my unit, it reminded me of the first computer I bought 20 years ago.

hmmm, from what I’ve gathered online, most owners said the bootup speed was improved upon after 2.0 (but still much longer than the Core line)

I was going to purchase a 999ci HD SI but Humminbird appears to be dropping support for those units and focusing on Onix/Ion moving forward…I just cannot stand the white data boxes of the Core product line and Humminbird turns a blind eye when I ask why they can’t remove them like they do in the full screen SI view. With the rebates going on I could get into a new 999si for $1,000, for the 8″ SI NT Onix it would be $1,800…I think i’m gonna pull the trigger on the Onix and get the latest technology and the actual screen display size i’m paying for (no white boxes)…

Let me know your thoughts after installing 2.0

I haven’t jumped into the Onix yet, but will as soon as the cash flow allows. Everyone that I fished with last year that has it, has been pleased. The boot up time is longer, but that is far out weighed by the faster processing time while in use.

Boot up speed did decrease with the new update. I cant say how many seconds it takes but it is quicker.

Just a FYI, on the original Onix (touch units) you can shut the touch screen off and you have the same function as a non touch unit.

Being that i migrated to HB products with the new boat. My biggest pet peeve is the not able to save your settings when upgrading the unit as reddog pointed out. I have taken pics with my cell on the menus to record all the settings.

Over all my 1198 and 1199 i like so far and i never thought i would be using birds since my last boat had the gen1 hds units.

Appreciate the responses, the non-touch model saves me $500 for something I would never use, so I couldn’t be happier… I’m 80% leaning towards an Onix now…never thought in a million years I’d spend almost $2,000 on a fish finder….but this would be a long term investment..

carver wrote:

Being that i migrated to HB products with the new boat. My biggest pet peeve is the not able to save your settings when upgrading the unit as reddog pointed out. I have taken pics with my cell on the menus to record all the settings.

Over all my 1198 and 1199 i like so far and i never thought i would be using birds since my last boat had the gen1 hds units.

FWIW: You can save/ backup your settings with the Onix platform.

I’m torn myself on the Onix platform. I visited the boat show and a major retailer where I know the guys that sell the product and are HB guys. Bottom line is its very S-L-O-W. Not just boot up time but everything. I was shocked the general verdict I got was to either buy a 999/1199 series or wait for the next product release, but skip this one even with the software upgrades.

I was ready to drop coin, and very surprised at the hesitancy to upset me into something newer and more expensive.

FryDog62 wrote:

I’m torn myself on the Onix platform. I visited the boat show and a major retailer where I know the guys that sell the product and are HB guys. Bottom line is its very S-L-O-W. Not just boot up time but everything. I was shocked the general verdict I got was to either buy a 999/1199 series or wait for the next product release, but skip this one even with the software upgrades.

I was ready to drop coin, and very surprised at the hesitancy to upset me into something newer and more expensive.

Onix software 2.0 addressed a majority of the interface speed issues, mostly with the touch interface, so it’s surprising to hear them mention interface speed. It appears Humminbird will focus primarily on Onix/Ion moving forward and phase out the legacy devices soon, so don’t buy Onix for today, buy it for the future. Most diehard bird guys say Onix 2.0 software is what it should have been released with a year ago, they rushed it out… Like I said earlier, with rebates, the online price difference is about $700 between a 999ci HD SI vs an Onix 8 SI NT, for the $700 you get a dedicated DI crystal, bigger screen (especially without the white data box issue) higher screen resolution, easier configuring, alot more exclusive features like Auto Chart Live and full future software support.

I get it and would like to make the switch to the new technology, digital platform, etc. But these guys are saying even with 2.0 that it’s slow and not very intuitive. They anticipate a different and improved unit next year.

Guys I am way late to this post obviously. I googled ONIX Touch Screen Problems and this was a link.

Anyway H-Bird has killed the ONIX production from what I can see and for good reason. God I wish I had my 1198 back. Besides the boot up issues (unbelievably slow) the touch screen is terrible. It’s intermittent in its functionality. On a good day maybe it starts out working for first 2-3 hours of a trip. Most days it’s 50/50 as to whether or not it even works at all. So then you are stuck operating from the control panel which is not user friendly at all.

I bought it used which is a little less painful from cost standpoint, but my advice to anyone looking into ONIX is PASS. It is handicapped.

I have a love hate relationship with my Onix.. But love it more than I hate it,