I get questions almost every day from anglers who don't get good pictures from their fish finders. They see screenshots posted online and don't understand why they don't get the same or similar images when they operate the exact same model fish finder.
I divide troubleshooting tips into two basic categories, imaging interference issues and power cycle issues. If you follow these fish finder installation tips, you will not encounter any of these issues.
Imaging Issues and Intervention
If you're having fish finder image issues, not getting good pictures, or screen interference, these are the basic steps to follow to troubleshoot these issues.
Before I delve into the details of these troubleshooting steps, I want to cover a basic and often overlooked troubleshooting step. If you know a local person who uses the same model of fish finder and has good photos, you can test run the main unit of the fish finder on their boat and eliminate interference and installation issues right away. If you take your Solix 10 and put it on another boat running the Solix 10 and have great pictures, you can immediately confirm that it's an installation issue and dive into the troubleshooting steps below.
Install the Latest Updates
Although this is not technically an imaging or interference step, it is a basic troubleshooting 101 step.
Make sure you are running the latest software version for your fish finder and that this software is kept up to date. Running the latest OS will ensure trouble-free performance. If you're running a net that has add-on fish finders, i-Pilot Link, Minn Kota Talons or other accessories, make sure everything is up to date.
Restore Default Settings
Restore fish finder unit to default settings. It's not uncommon for anglers to adjust the settings and cause problems. The Humminbird Helix and Solid units will provide great images right out of the box, so go back to the default mode and make sure you haven't caused a problem with the settings.
Check Connections
It is not uncommon for fishermen to make bad connections or even damage wires or terminals in the process. Check the connections and pins on the wiring and make sure there is no damage to the Humminbird unit or wiring. Check for broken or damaged pins and ensure that there is no dust or debris in the connections. In addition, when you make connections, make sure they are plugged in or fully plugged in and have a good connection.
Maintain Good Clean Power
One very common problem is electrical interference, most often caused by wire shorts, inappropriate wiring or bad connections.
There are several basics when it comes to wiring and "good clean power".
Directly to the Battery
This means that your power cord should run directly from the fish finder to your battery with a built-in fuse in place. Fish finders are often installed with power running through switches on the controller or other "shortcuts" versus being powered directly by the battery. Controller switchboards are one of the most common causes of electrical interference, and in my opinion should be avoided at all costs. Run the wire straight from the Humminbird power cord to the battery.
It's Easy to Troubleshoot a Fish Finder
Again, it has been my experience with Humminbird units that the vast majority of issues hunters encounter are directly related to settings or installation.
If you follow these basic troubleshooting steps, you should resolve the majority of issues. If you've followed all of these troubleshooting steps, your next step should be to contact Humminbird support for further troubleshooting.
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