Hummingbird PiranhaMax 215 won't show depth at speed....Help!

[afmarko99]

Hey all. 

I have a Hummingbird Piranha Max 215 depth finder.  At around 10 MPH it will stop working.  The only thing that works after this speed is the temperature.  I have set the chart speed to max and tried to change the angle of the transducer.  It is mounted from the factory on my new SV18Bass.  It isn't installed directly behing one of the ridges.

At this point I am not sure what to do.  Is it suppossed to work at speeds above 10MPH?  Is it a cheap depthfinder?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[-Joe-]

I recently purchased the HB 787C2 and installed it myself per the instructions, I had the same problem. I called tech support (very friendly and helpfull), they had me move the transducer up the transom so that it gets out of the water turbulence. Works at top end speeds now. Hope this helps

Joe.

[afmarko99]

Thanks for the tip.  The transducer can move up about a half an inch or so.  Did you have to make a drastic change?  Does the transducer have to be submerged to work?

[BassBUFF]

Yes, the transducer has to be submerged to work. I haven't seen a Hummingbird work above 10-15 mph myself. My father-in-law has had 3 different models on 2 different boats, all had the same issue.

I don't know what the new units with the SI technology are capable of but there are a few folks on here that have more experience with this brand than I do. Hopefully they'll chime in.

[afmarko99]

Yes, the transducer has to be submerged to work. I haven't seen a Hummingbird work above 10-15 mph myself. My father-in-law has had 3 different models on 2 different boats, all had the same issue.

I don't know what the new units with the SI technology are capable of but there are a few folks on here that have more experience with this brand than I do. Hopefully they'll chime in.

I believe my dad's depth finder was a hummingbird when I was a kid and it did work on plane either.  What depth finders actually work no matter what?  I may buy a new one and put this humminbird one on my trolling motor.

[BassBUFF]

I've had good luck with Eagle and Lowrance with the x-ducer mounted on the transom. I've got a 520c on mine now and the x-ducer is mounted in the hull, it will lose the depth reading over 45+mph at times. I never had this problem on my old ride with the x-ducer mounted on the transom.