I have had a Garmin 160 Blue and now have a Garmin 441s on my boat. With both devices I experience the same problem. The depth indicator works well as low speeds but, once I get into double digit speeds (around 12 - 15 mph), the most recent depth reading starts blinking and will not change. Once I slow down or stop, the number stops blinking but the unit will not go back to detecting my depth.
I am did not replace the transducer when I bought the new Garmin as they are compatible and since I am experiencing the same problem with both units, I am fairly confident that it is the transducer. It was already on the boat when I bought it but, I suspect that maybe the transducer is improperly mounted (too much turbulence, etc…). Any thoughts from those of you more knowledgeable than me?
I have a different depthfinder, but had the same problem. I moved the transducer to a spot with a minimal amount of turbulance and it has worked well since. The only time it will cut out is if I am in really rough water, and I think that it may be coming out of the water for a short period and blinks off.
It’s certainly due to transducer placement. However, a software update may help with the unit’s ability to obtain the depth again after you slow down. The latest software for that unit is Ver. 2010.0818 dated Aug 18, 2010. You should update the software regardless of the problem you are experiencing.
“I suspect that maybe the transducer is improperly mounted (too much turbulence, etc…).”
Bingo. It’s normal. Just need to keep the air from under the ducer. They sometimes have trouble reaquiring the on their own, without a reboot, after a signal loss. Gotta reboot the unit sometimes. Like MSC said, it’s possible a software/firmware update might have updated code that imrpoves the units ability to reaquire the bottom after a signal loss (not sure, but there’s a chance). Best bet is to optimize ducer placement and just reboot the unit whenever it happens (because on some boats, it’s going to happen at top speed no matter what you do).
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
It might be the angle of the transducer. My garmin 178c will do this sometimes if the transducer is not level with the bottom of the boat or angle slighly ahead of the boat. If you are traveling very fast and in deep water the transducer has to be aimed slightly ahead of the boat. The transducer sends down a signal then has to receive to calculate the depth of the water. If it is not angles right and you are moveing fast the boat has moved ahead of the returning signal (sound waves). When mine dose this i just stop the boat reach down and cange the anlge of the transducer and problem is fixed.