Screwed by Humminbird

Early summer of 2016 I bought a Humminbird 598 ci hd for the front of my boat. By the end of this summer, the on / off switch was malfunctioning. Most of the time, it would turn on fine, but about one out of four trips it wouldn’t turn on no matter how many times I pushed the button. Later in the day, it would eventually turn on, but it was a real pain.

Just got done talking with Humminbird. They want $295 for the repair of the button! That’s worth more than the unit is worth! We used to be able to get these critters repaired locally, but now, they won’t let them touch it so that they can steal our money on the repair side. That is nothing less than what this is.

The MN legislature took up a “Right to repair” bill but the righties in congress killed it. Not that long ago, we could take out defective or broken electronics to several guys who did a great job for a few bucks. Now, we get raped by the big companies. I’ll throw the damn thing in the garbage before I give them that kind of money for a small fix. And I won’t be buying Humminbird again, even though I know all the other guys are just as bad. Until we show them that we will not take it, they will keep on shoving this stuff down our throats.

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Never a good deal when stuff like this happens. Sounds like a opportunity for someone who can repair this stuff.

Crack the thing open and lets see it! It may be a small button soldered to a board. If that’s the case, solder a new one on. Mouser has just about every possible electrical component.

If you think they are bad, try getting a tv fixed. You’ll get laughed out the joint.

How exactly were you screwed by Humminbird? It states a $259.45 flat rate to repair a 598 HD SI on their website and they also tell you that prices will change without notice. That was likely posted on their website before you purchased your unit.

gordonk wrote:

but now, they won’t let them touch it so that they can steal our money on the repair side.

I don’t believe Humminbird can control whether a local repair shop attempts to fix your machine. It’s true they no longer distribute parts or repair manuals, so fewer people are able to work on them than was once the case. But the repair shop makes the final call right?

I feel for you but it’s not as if Bird is unique here. Are you going to be in a better situation if you buy a Lowrance and wind up needing repair after warranty?

Have you brought it back to where you bought it, particularly if you had issues right away (might be more difficult a year and half later)? And I’m w/ P2F there is no law against having someone fix it, if you can find someone to do so…

It’s all the “righties” fault

Why did you wait to until 2018 to contact them when it was happening in 2016?

And the Russians….

wasn’t the 598ci HD discontinued in 2015?

HRG

Maybe do some research before buying a discontinued product. Or blame Humminbird and righties. Whichever makes you feel better.

I feel your pain.
I got a wife in 1990, and she had our first child in 1992. Lots of things changed on her….more than I can type about on here. Couldn’t return her, No exchanges, and No warranty. The cost to have her refurbished was almost as much as my truck, boat, and equipment combined.
Since the manufactures wouldn’t do anything about it, I ended up sending her to the doctor once in a while for maintenance and keep her in operation. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as we wish. She has a few flaws but she’s been a solid and very loyal unit to me for the last 28 years.

The MN legislature took up a “Right to repair” bill but the righties in congress killed it.

I missed this part when I first read through. Would this be the same as the “Right to Cure Act” that many other states (including WI) has? If so, how would that apply? The right to Repair or Cure goes to the contractor or manufacture BEFORE you can seek resolve from a 3rd party AND try to submit financial claim to the manufacture. :???::???::???:

^^^LMAO @randywieland

Have you checked all your wiring connections? Those things can come loose and corroded after a couple years.

That sucks about the repair, crazy how these things depreciate. It is not right how these things work out.

Good luck.

Wow….

There is no law stating you can’t open it up yourself and take a look. It’s a few screws. A push button is pretty easy to fix. And the Humminbird police won’t come knocking on your door.

Don’t know where you are but you can bring it in to Fishlectronics in Columbia Heights and they can look at it as well.

nhamm wrote:

Have you checked all your wiring connections? Those things can come loose and corroded after a couple years.

That sucks about the repair, crazy how these things depreciate. It is not right how these things work out.

Good luck.

x2
My 798 has had issues with the unit not setting in the base snuggly. Causes all sorts of problems. Bump it and it shuts off. Doesnt turn on, etc. Using a pin or small nail to widen the power pins helps. May be worth a shot.

So you need more government regulations to help you with your $200 repair on a now outdated piece of technology?

Bass_attack wrote:

So you need more government regulations to help you with your $200 repair on a now outdated piece of technology?

Think the point was less government involvement.

Outdated as it is, it’s only 3 yrs old. Considering how much these things cost initially, and how often they are used they should go way longer than 3 yrs without $300 repair bills.

Randy Wieland wrote:

I feel your pain.
I got a wife in 1990, and she had our first child in 1992. Lots of things changed on her….more than I can type about on here. Couldn’t return her, No exchanges, and No warranty. The cost to have her refurbished was almost as much as my truck, boat, and equipment combined.
Since the manufactures wouldn’t do anything about it, I ended up sending her to the doctor once in a while for maintenance and keep her in operation. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as we wish. She has a few flaws but she’s been a solid and very loyal unit to me for the last 28 years.

This just made my day!!!

Randy Wieland wrote:

I feel your pain.
I got a wife in 1990, and she had our first child in 1992. Lots of things changed on her….more than I can type about on here. Couldn’t return her, No exchanges, and No warranty. The cost to have her refurbished was almost as much as my truck, boat, and equipment combined.
Since the manufactures wouldn’t do anything about it, I ended up sending her to the doctor once in a while for maintenance and keep her in operation. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as we wish. She has a few flaws but she’s been a solid and very loyal unit to me for the last 28 years.

coming up on 31 years with mine. My second wife hasn’t even been born yet!

nhamm wrote:

Outdated as it is, it’s only 3 yrs old. Considering how much these things cost initially, and how often they are used they should go way longer than 3 yrs without $300 repair bills.

I agree they should last a long time. Tech companies make their money by coming out with new technology and making the the previous obsolete. Your smartphone batteries only last 2-3 years and apple and Samsung will not replace them to get you to buy the new product. Not just batteries but software updates are not offered for older products also. On a side note this product was purchased after the helix series came out which is why it would be considered outdated.

I’m sure you can find a place to fix it a lot cheaper than what bird wants. I bet it’s a simple fix.

Add an in-line switch to the power cable to turn it on/off. Cheap, easy fix and you don’t have to feed the h-bird thieves…

Good luck.

https://www.fishntech.com/humminbird_asc.html

HRG

Hot Runr Guy wrote:

https://www.fishntech.com/humminbird_asc.html

HRG

Sure, they’re “Authorised”….but are they “Authorized”?

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nhamm wrote:

Have you checked all your wiring connections? Those things can come loose and corroded after a couple years.

That sucks about the repair, crazy how these things depreciate. It is not right how these things work out.

Good luck.

Also, check or just switch out the fuse. It may look fine, but the end on the wire inside the fuse may be losing connection. Had this happen to me. Took me a couple of years to figure out. Worked fine, hit a wave, shut off. Repeat!

-J.

munchy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hot Runr Guy wrote:</div>
https://www.fishntech.com/humminbird_asc.html

HRG

Sure, they’re “Authorised”….but are they “Authorized”?

Well according to their website they are both.

For the rest of the world outside the US and Canada, “authorise” is a commonly accepted form of that word. They’re just trying to appeal to a wider audience

belletaine wrote:

Why did you wait to until 2018 to contact them when it was happening in 2016?

That ^ is an issue… but I had a Standard Horizon marine radio that I didn’t get around to having repaired after 3 years. They told me to send it in. Came back repaired at no charge! Good radios. Excentent support!

I’m a bit disgruntled with all the marine electronics companies. I can by a laptop for $300. that does far more than even the $3000. locators. I keep my mouth shut because they are doing well and the new improvements coming out each year is boggling and that costs money too.

To the point of the on off switch, I think you’ll find it’s pretty easy with a small enough screwdriver to get at the switch area. It could be as simple as a hair over the contacts. Normally this is not a “switch” but rather the button connecting 2 contacts.

Worth a shot and good luck!