humminbird 55 question

[MECATCHUMBIGONE]

I just tried my Humminbird 55 for the first time. I was surprised that I had to turn up the gain to detect bottom. I have fished with vex's and never had to turn up the gain to see bottom.  Has any one had the same experience, or is some thing wrong with the unit?

Thanks
 

[xeon]

How high did you have to set the gain? I notice with the 35 you just have to put it up like 3-6 and its solid.

[dml78]

Try the auto setting which is the first setting on the range dial. If you can not get a clear bottom reading than you may have a faulty unit. You should get a clear reading in auto range mode. These units are not without there flaws. I had to get a new head unit after the first time using my 55. One good thing is that humminbird has great customer service and if you have a faulty unit they will fix the problem as they did with me. Good luck.

[Knoodles]

I am starting to get pretty nervous about the new birds.  i took a buddies on a 5 day fishing trip and really liked the unit.  only problem is it SUCKS battery huge.

anyways, i liked it and bought one.  i have been having troubles with the unit not starting up.  so i call humminbird and they did send a new one out. 

well, i tried the new one this weekend and it does not suck battery as much, but the bottom jumps all over the place.  i was in 45' of water and the bottom read at 18'.  Needless to say i am calling Bird on Monday and asking them to send out another new unit. 

I know it is the first year, but how can a flasher be SO difficult to figure out.  I am just hoping i didnt screw up here going with the bird.  hoping they send me a unit that actually works as well as the first one a i tried.

[Scott Steil]

I just tried my Humminbird 55 for the first time. I was surprised that I had to turn up the gain to detect bottom. I have fished with vex's and never had to turn up the gain to see bottom.  Has any one had the same experience, or is some thing wrong with the unit?

A flasher that is made correctly should not get a bottom reading wth a Gain setting of zero.  Both MarCum and Humminbird do it correctly.  With a Vexilar it is impossible to get rid of the bottom because of how they have their units power set, this is the same reason you need a supression cable or a low power setting.

You Humminbird is working correctly if you do not get a bottom on a gain setting of one, same with the MarCum units.

Scott Steil