Continued Solix woes, need help

On my console I have a Gen 1 SI Solix 15. At the bow is a Gen 1 Solix 12. The bow unit works fine. However, the console unit keeps losing bottom on 2D and DI. Side imaging is fine as is GPS. It does it randomly but consistently. I have tried everything I know to stop this to no avail. Took it to the dealer and that wasn't much help either. I guess I could take screen shots when it is acting up and call Hummingbird but was hoping someone else is experiencing this with a fix. So frustrating. Thanks

Probably just turbulence in water flow under your transducer. I doubt there's anything wrong with your unit. Is transducer thru-hull or transom mounted?

Got to be a transducer problem. What transducers are you using?

Have you switched the bow unit to the console to see if it works there? Wayne also asked about your settings for chirp. Have you messed with that? What did the dealer tell you? Bob

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Originally Posted by gsb0824

On my console I have a Gen 1 SI Solix 15. At the bow is a Gen 1 Solix 12. The bow unit works fine. However, the console unit keeps losing bottom on 2D and DI. Side imaging is fine as is GPS. It does it randomly but consistently. I have tried everything I know to stop this to no avail. Took it to the dealer and that wasn't much help either. I guess I could take screen shots when it is acting up and call Hummingbird but was hoping someone else is experiencing this with a fix. So frustrating. Thanks

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You left a lot out of your description. For example, is this at trolling speed, medium speed, or high speed? Also, which Solix G1 transducer are you using? I don't believe the supplied transom mount transducer is designed to provide returns at high speeds. For that, you need s separate through the hull transducer. I have my factory supplied G1 Mega transducer mounted on a pontoon and, in order to continue to get depth readings and sonar readings, I have to tilt the transducer so the back is slightly down (not a large amount but just slightly off level)... I guess that helps with the turbulence over the surface of the transducer but that means that I'm now scanning slightly ahead of the transducer rather than directly below. I have found this to be an acceptable tradeoff in my case.

I apologize for the lack of details. My transducer is the one that came with the unit and is on the transom. I realize it probably won't pick up the bottom at high speed, but I lose bottom sitting idle or at any speed. Even when it does read the bottom, it looks like it has interference. (see the attached image) However, it used to work fine before any updates, restore defaults, etc. Again, my bow unit is fine and it is networked to the console unit. It is very hard to move the console unit to the bow to see if it works properly because it is in the dash and the last time I removed it from the dash, I almost couldn't get it back in. I could take it to the dealer to remove and re-install but leaving a boat at the dealer means you will be without it for a month. I am tempted to buy another transducer, but hate to do this before I know this is the culprit. Maybe I can switch it to use the TM transducer since it is networked and see what it does. I don't know if that is possible, but worth a try I guess. I am at wits end and ready just to have a new one installed and eat what I invested in it.

The dealer told me to set a max depth around 100' to see if that works. It didn't. I can't use any frequency other than the high frequency in 2D due to the interference and even then the Switchfire has to be on clear. Again, it used to work just fine until I started doing updates. Might just have to send the unit to HB and have them check it out. It is a pain though because it is in dash.

The updates clear most of settings.(set to defaults) It would seem there are settings that are not proper for your installation. I would make a temporary set up with your bow unit hooked to the console cables to confirm whether it is hardware or not. Bob
By the way you show low frequency on your 2D pic in the other post. That 2D would look much better on full chirp. Also the only interference I see is from crosstalk with the other unit.(light vertical lines)

Maybe I don't understand problem fully. But I would use only one transducer on the network. To determine if problem is the MFD or the transducer. Back when I had two Humminbirds on my boat. That was the problem. Interference from both transducer cones overlapping. I disconnected one of the transducers and had no further problems. If I remember right it only happened in water deeper than 30'. As that depth the 2d cones signals started to mesh.

Guys that are more familiar with the Solix. Can tell you how to share the same transducer on your network. Since your units are flush mounted might save you a few head aches.

To adjust one of the units to make it the best you can turn the other off and vs/vrsa. Then deal with the interference you get with both on. Share a transducer or mess with the filter or just stop pinging on the console while you are up front. If that is your main issue. Bob