(Help) Raymarine Dragonfly -Hobie outback

[Apex]

Upgraded to this dragonfly, looks cool and all but can't get this thing to work for me. Went to basspro and exchanged for a new one thinking the original was faulty. Didn't solve the problem so here's the issue, for the last 2 days I've been testing the fishfinder out at my local lake to dial it in. But can't seem to figure out the problem. While on the water at a drift, depth will zero out. I know I'm in more than 3 ft of water and then out of no where it starts reading. Really annoying and inconsistent, even the bottom reads with lots of detail then on some passes really unclear. At times it loses the bottom completely and for a minute or so won't read at all. Speed and temp work fine and never glitche out, I'm using 12volt 12 amp lead acid battery rechargeable (new).. Tansducer is mounted in my lowrance ready slot in my hobie outback level and exposed enough for a good read all connections are solid . Used the same battery on my elite dsi no problems. I've come to the conclusion that the unit is not getting enough juice to power the unit to its full potential ? Any advise would be greatly apreciated thanks for reading

[YakDout]

If you are using a 12 volt 12 ah battery it is more than enough to power your FF. as long as the battery is good. Have you tried putting a volt meter on the battery after charging. It should be closer to 13v after a full charge, and maintain that voltage for a while. You may also want to look into your charger. Third thing would be transducer. If not mounted properly, it could read that plate underneath it. Did you leave enough gap between the plate and transducer so that water can pas in between the two? How about cabling? Did you use all the right size and fuse it properly? Connections tight on everything? After all of those tests and everything checks out, I would try to return the transducer for another one. Did they give you another transducer when you did an exchange?

[cell128]

I been using the dragonfly for about 6 months. Mine also has some problems reading correct depths when on auto. Mainly when in the kelp. I just set the range to manual and adjust it until you can see the bottom. Other than that its a great unit very detailed readings.

[TJones]

Originally Posted by cell128

I been using the dragonfly for about 6 months. Mine also has some problems reading correct depths when on auto. Mainly when in the kelp. I just set the range to manual and adjust it until you can see the bottom. Other than that its a great unit very detailed readings.

Problem solved .

[jorluivil]

If it was a battery issue I believe the entire unit would fail and not just a certain part of it, the GPS (if it has one) and the sonar do not pull their own individual power from the battery. If your unit powers up with any issues it has to be something in your settings.


Try Google, I'm sure you'll find that someone else has had a similar problem

[Apex]

Dragonfly 4 pro- not so pro.. Yup that's the only way I've been able to get a good read on structure is in manual mode and adjust the contrast. Bummer sucks to have to look at the grid for depth half the time, instead of just look at just the read out . I'll take some pictures later of my transducer I'm pretty sure that's not the issue. Looks like this thing is going back and now gives an excuse to fork up the cash on a Hds 7

[octico]

I had this similar issue. Are you sure there is no sand or dirt between the transducer and the Lowrance plate on the Hobie?

[tsugg]

When wiring the unit to the battery be sure the ground sheild wire and the negative are connected together. In a boat they(ground sheild wire and negative wire) stay separate but in your kayak they have to be together. Make sure all your connections are solid.

[cell128]

Originally Posted by tsugg

When wiring the unit to the battery be sure the ground sheild wire and the negative are connected together. In a boat they(ground sheild wire and negative wire) stay separate but in your kayak they have to be together. Make sure all your connections are solid.

This I didn't know...thanks I'll wire mine up tonight and try this out

[radastaff]

Also had/have the same prob in auto mode.
Also just set it to manual mode and manually adjust depth with wheel.
Works ok but can be a hassle at times,
+ still shows depth reading bouncing around as it hits various objects under water but at least the screen stays stable.

was not sure if it was a defect or other??
did connect xtra ground to neg
my trans is direct in water over side

oh yeah
also did the settings reset to default

[Fish Taco]

Well this thread is disheartening... I am having Andy help out with my install today on my Stealth with an over-the-side transducer. On my move out from New York the movers lost (or ripped off) my head unit to my older Elite 5 (2011) which I still cannot find. Decided to upgrade to a Dragonfly 7 Pro. My original 'ducer was mounted to the inside of my hull by CJ in 2011. Was really hoping that this was going to be a smooth upgrade, but after reading this thread, not so sure. Guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and wait and see... ugh...

[tsugg]

If all else fails, send it back. Sure it's a pain in the ass but I have the first year of the DF 5" and mine ended up(gps wouldn't read) taking a trip back east(factory) and the one I received is working fantastic!, so don't give up be patient.

Originally Posted by radastaff

Also had/have the same prob in auto mode.
Also just set it to manual mode and manually adjust depth with wheel.
Works ok but can be a hassle at times,
+ still shows depth reading bouncing around as it hits various objects under water but at least the screen stays stable.

was not sure if it was a defect or other??
did connect xtra ground to neg
my trans is direct in water over side

oh yeah
also did the settings reset to default

[radastaff]

Originally Posted by tsugg

If all else fails, send it back. Sure it's a pain in the ass but I have the first year of the DF 5" and mine ended up(gps wouldn't read) taking a trip back east(factory) and the one I received is working fantastic!, so don't give up be patient.

well
I never give up

so far turning the dial for depth is working.
kinda lazy about taking it apart and boxing it up.
if it seems that this is a defect with some having the same prob,
I can always take it all back to West Marine and break out my
extended warranty paperwork.

when I orig set up my
dragonfly
it didn't have this problem
it came about on its own getting worse over time

battery is fairly new
12v 10.5 ah
Chrome brand thru amazon
wondering if the issue could be related to a failing battery
doesn't seem so
otherwise reads fine all day at least 9-10 hours

P

Ps
did find out some info reading Raymarines forum
http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topi...-serious-issue

might be a firmware bug

[ful-rac]

HDS works pretty bitchen'!

It's ok...you guys can switch back....

[alanw]

I've occasionally lost bottom on my unit while over thick kelp or giant bait balls.

There are some posts about this problem on the Raymarine site and they are aware of it. http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topi...bottom-reading

Try updating your software to the newest version which I think resolves the issue. http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=9512

[YakDout]

Yep, HDS all the way!

[Apex]

Well figured out the problem duhhh. New update v.11.46 and works flawless took out for a test run today @the cove and not a hiccup .

[radastaff]

went to give update a try
found card area corroded
guess water got in
my ver is 6.sumthin
so kinda old
prob my prob too

thanks for the info


P

[Cadillyak]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

HDS works pretty bitchen'!

It's ok...you guys can switch back....

Originally Posted by YakDout

Yep, HDS all the way!

Glad u got it fixed. But yea, what they said!!!

[kauaiboy04]

yup, upgrade to the newest software or place in manual. if you're biggest problem is losing your depth reading in AUTO, that's really not a big problem to have. I like to keep mine in MANUAL majority of the time, since I'm always in the same depth range all day.