Hummingbird 153 not reading depth in water less than 6'

[Longtrav]

Ok is this normal? Thanks! Did the goop mounting method

[john from md]

No, it is not normal. I don't have your model but I have owned a number of Humminbirds on the boat and yak.

On one of your menu selection you should have a depth offset adjustment. You need to put the yak in a known depth, like three feet (check with your paddle) and adjust the depth so it reads three feet. Another menu item is the upper limit. You need to check this is not set at six feet. I have my upper limit set at 2 feet with the yak as you probably won't be targeting fish with the sonar at that depth. This helps to take away the surface noise.

Regards,

John

[Longtrav]

Thanks looked up the manual not sure were the instructions are to do this . Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Turtle135]

It does not look like the 153 has a depth offset feature in the menu. Normally you should be able to get an accurate reading in 3 feet of water or more. When you are in 6 feet of water or more does the unit function normally (are you seeing what you should see)?

[Longtrav]

The depth seems accurate in 6' or more. The image in not sure need to see it more in deep water. To tell.

[Turtle135]

I've never tried the "in the hull" mounting method. If it checks out okay in water deeper than 6' (getting good readings, seeing fish and cover, etc.) that would seem to eliminate any issues with how the puck is mounted. A head scratcher on what is going on if that is the case.

[john from md]

OP, go to the depth selection menu and move it from auto to 1 or 2 feet and see if that helps.

Regards,

John

[Frogsauce]

My 175 is mounted thru-hull and gets readings fine at 1' and more. Try Johns suggestion about the depth selection. I don't have to mess with that setting, but I can see how it would affect the screen layout.

[Longtrav]

Thanks , the first reply from hummingbird was three ideas that did't even work on my unit. Then I got a email saying they service it for free . I guess I will try what john suggested if that doesn't work I will need to remove the transducer (goop) not fun. Lol

[Longtrav]

Ok I removed the transducer and got everything off the bottom. Still have some foam from the puck on the sides. ( does that matter ) what's another way to install other than the goop. Thanks

[Frogsauce]

Get the kit that humminbird sells for through hull transducers. That's what I used.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...t-MHX-XMK.html

[HJS]

Now that you have removed the puck, try hanging it over the side of your kayak in shallow water to see if it works.

Also, what exactly is showing on the screen when in water less than 6'?

With my Eagle FishMark 320, if the sensitivity is set too high sometimes the surface clutter merges with the bottom and I can't see anything except clutter... although the numerical depth reading is still accurate. When this happens I lower the sensitivity and then all is well.

[Turtle135]

Ok I removed the transducer and got everything off the bottom. Still have some foam from the puck on the sides. ( does that matter ) what's another way to install other than the goop. Thanks

I have always had the puck in the water to get an accurate water temperature. I used to deploy mine on a PVC arm like so.



Currently I have mine routed down a scupper hole (taking advantage of the hull shape of the Ride 115).

[Longtrav]

The readings in less than 5-6 feet was a blank screen with a big fat 0. Then it goes to 6 feet and only shows bottom on almost full sensitivity 8-9. The goop install did't look that great when removed. Got some puddy.