Furuno 1650 GPS/Sounder - Depth malfunction

[2020is]

When I am running around shallow areas the depth reading on my sounder dissappears and I get dashes(-----) in their place. I understand that this may happen but the problem comes when I get to deeper water or more underway the readings will start real high(like 1200feet) and slowly it just counts down and eventually(3-5min) gets to what would be a proper number. Is it broken or do many of you have this same problem.

[chiefbob1]

u need to define "running around" as to what exact speeds we are talking. More details please....what bottom type, normal depth contours, transducer type, etc.

[2020is]

Transom mounted transducer and speed does not seem to really matter. Also seems to be the same whether it is a muddy bottom or sandy bottom. It has done it in a few different bodies of water but always seems to happen if I run through a area that is somewhat shallow. I guess I expect it to have problems if it gets shallow but when I am back in deeper water I would like for it to return to its normal readings.

[chiefbob1]

the lack of readings in very shallow water, while unfortunate, is normal with many units. i would guess the unit taking some time to get a proper reading after leaving shallow and going into deep water is expected but 3-5 minutes seems way too long. the reason i asked about depth contours is that in some locations I have fished, depth goes from literally 5' to over 2,000' in the blink of an eye. The Solomon Islands in the Pacific come to mind. naturally, in a situation like this, it is going to take the unit some time to read depths from those two extremes. i will assume your "deep" water is not over about 400' and therefor you are operating at 200kHz. please confirm this...and are you sure your transducer was installed at the exact angle and height recommended in your manual?

[dogboy]

are you running another depth finder unit at the same time?.....i have an older one that gives very strange readings if my new one is also on....i can use one or the other, not both

[2020is]

I am not running any other depth units. I am also not going from 5' to 1,000', more like 2' to 5' if I'm lucky. The sounder is on the setting that allows it to auto set but the range is appropriate I think. The unit was also professionally installed(very reputable group and they will be happy to help me I'm sure) and the only other problem has been that 2 times in a hard chop the unit has cut off. I guess I will call the installer and run it by for them to check. Just wanted some input from you guys to see if it was normal operating procedure or not.

[chiefbob1]

that is a top-shelf unit but there are still a few ideas which come to mind. maybe your speed is too fast for the transom-mounted transducer and/or the water too turbib when you transition in depth. since you have a reputable installer, you might want to ask how they adjusted the transducer height relative to the transom and how they angled it. sounds like you have a good group working on it so they should be able to figure it out. I have seen one "click" of adjustment on the transducer angle make a a world of difference - good luck!

[2020is]

Thanks for your help chief. I emailed them today. They are a real good group but I did not want to bother them if it was working normally, but I think something must be a little screwy with it.

[Tightline Rod's]

One thing to do is offset you distance from the ducer face to the actual depth of the water...

Higher powered units do not like 2'- 4' readings.. but you can get by some times if you offset the distance the ducer sits below the water surface ... lets say from the keel to the bottom it's 2.6' but from the ducer to the surface it's 2.6' well your really in 5' of water and the reading should be 5' not 2.6'.. this trick often gets you past some of the issues of depth readings ...

Hope this helps you ...John