My humminbird died, help

[Gundy7]

I have the humminbird ice 35. Last week when I went out the lights on the screen wouldn't function unless I was jostling the unit. If I softly rock/shake the unit side to side the lights will flicker. I have tried to take it apart and verify that all the connections are secure and they seem to be. The unit is 6-7 seasons old and has treated me well. Is it worth trying to look into repairing the unit? Maybe it's time to make the jump to something else. I have been looking at the vexilar FL28. It's almost Christmas, maybe it would make a good present for myself. Any thoughts?

[3300]

either the motor is fried or the on/off/depth switch is bad.
wiggle the on/off knob and see if it changes any thing. make sure all of the connections are good.
don't send it in for repair! spend the 180$ plus on another brand!

could be a bad charger or battery too. my ice55 went 5 seasons and the motor was toast! you could smell the smoke it made. some have just the bearings go bad so it can't turn or "bounces" the display. try to use different battery and charger or measure the charger and look for 14 volts and measure the battery and look for 12.5 volts when not on a charger. turn on the sonar and remeasure the battery and see if it stays at 12.5 or close to it for a while. replace either one if bad. i use battery tender jr for small batteries like those.

look at target separation before buying any thing else and warranty. ideally, you want 1/2" target separation.

[ice dawg]

I have the humminbird ice 35. Last week when I went out the lights on the screen wouldn't function unless I was jostling the unit. If I softly rock/shake the unit side to side the lights will flicker. I have tried to take it apart and verify that all the connections are secure and they seem to be. The unit is 6-7 seasons old and has treated me well. Is it worth trying to look into repairing the unit? Maybe it's time to make the jump to something else. I have been looking at the vexilar FL28. It's almost Christmas, maybe it would make a good present for myself. Any thoughts?

Lol, if you get an FLX28 for Christmas you'll love it. I would love to have one. 

[DaveSS1]

If you know someone with the same unit perhaps try using their power supply.  Other than that you might be looking at a new unit.  Also, I have seen that guys do buy/sell broken units on facebook or other forums.  Might not get much out of it but  at least something to put towards the next one.  If I was to purchase a new sonar I would go with the FL-28 based on the feedback I have seen.  Otherwise I would go towards lowrance.

[FishGut]

Oxidation kills every electronic gizmo. Can you handle a small screw driver? If not, borrow a kid. Take the back off, and just unplug and replug every connection. You don't even have to unplug all the way. Just break that microscopic rust loose and re seat connections, and you'll most likely fix the problem.

[Adkrs]

Vexilars can be considered ol' faithfuls...but once you go digital you never go back. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a lx7

[Hawkeyes005]

My 35 is doing something similar but only lights up momentarily when i bump the transducer. Were you able to fix the issue or find out what was causing it?

[3300]

the power/depth decoder knob is in a really bad place. it probably needs to be replaced, but humminbirds tech won't replace them and instead will say "can not replicate issue"  on my heated indoor environment work bench, like they did when i sent mine in for that. they will also say"no changes made" that's all you get for 180$! service fee. that fee is supposed to cover every thing wrong with the unit and they promise to rebuild it basically. they charge about 180$ plus your shipping to them to try to get one installed. simply the worst ever customer service i ever had.

i highly recommend you don't give them any more of your money and instead eat the cost of the unit and spend that nearly 200$ on a new unit and not another bird.

you can try wiggling it and push in and out on it to try to work for a while more.

their other major problem (and they have plenty) is the way the cords in the back are held in and tipping the head unit makes them get stressed and fall out and will eventually break wires inside their case. so check that area out too. look for green corrosion in the jacks while your inspecting the connectors.

Vexilars can be considered ol' faithfuls...but once you go digital you never go back. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a lx7

exactly!
no moving parts is great and digital and the way you fish them with the transducer just barely in the water makes landing fish so easy. no more jerking a long swim noodle out of the ice hole to land fish is very nice!
tons of features and nothing else is like it, except lx6 and lx9.

[Hawkeyes005]

I ended buying a new transducer and I believe that fixed the issue but haven't had it out yet. Wish me luck.
Going to buy a new one next year and have junior use this one until it breaks.