Garmen 498 transducer failed on me in the Keys.

[Loki]

I was out trolling for Dolphin when it stopped reading the bottom, just got a flashing 0.0 for a reading. It was still reading the water temp at this point. This has happened before and a just turned the unit off and on. This time it didn't work. So I jumped in 600 feet of water and made sure the transducer was still "pointing" in the right direction, it was. I tried moving it up and down one notch, nogo. So I went under the console with the Unit on and disconnected and reconnected the transducer, still no bottom reading, temp reading still working. Gave up for the day.

The next day it wouldn't read the bottom and the temp was obviously wrong as it thought the temp was 26F. I didn't much feel like playing with it while on vacation and plus it was the 4th, I'm sure Garmen tech support was closed. The next day I powered on the Garmen and got the error msg that the transducer was not installed. Sounds to me like a bad transducer, unless someone else has a better idea. The Garmen and transducer is only three and half months old. I sure hope this isn't a reoccuring problem with the 498c.

Loki

[Harry]

Me too since I have one also.
One thing I noticed is that sometimes, While even drifting, that I lose bottom and might get a 0.0 reading or an obvious false reading such as it stays on the last depth it read say, 5.7' when I know for fact I moved into deeper water, and then it will pick up the correct reading a couple seconds (or longer) later.

I need to play around with the daul beam as well. what was your set on?

[Loki]

When it quit working it was set on dual beam.

[Fillet1]

I have the 298C which is virtually the same unit. I've had no probs at all yet. Are there any chafing/cuts on the transducer cable?
Let us know how it works out..

[Loki]

I haven't pulled the cable yet, but from what I can see of the exposed cable it's not chafed or cut. The only part I can't see is whats run with all of the other cables from the rear deck to the center console.

[Wes]

Loki,
How old is the unit, and what is the warranty? I would try and send it back... Thanks for the post.. not a big fan of garmin, I see a lot of 498's out there, I had hoped they have upgraded some... I was always disappointed in their coversion of TD's to Lat/Lon #'s. They never even came close.
I am in the market for a smaller boat, and a slightly used DLV I looked at had a 498...
Northstar has some lower end stuff now, I don't know how good it is, it looks similar to all the $500 and under combo machines out there, I think one I looked at was about $700...
But I would suspect a bad 'ducer as well.. maybe seawater got in it, or it just is defective.. Maybe take the unit to BW and hook up to a 'ducer on one over there , if you can, and see what kind of reading you get...

[Loki]

I bought the unit new from West Marine back in early April. I've been so busy at work that I haven't gotten a chance to pull the ducer or call Garmin. Prolly wont have much time this weekend either, but I am going to try and get to it. I might just end up getting a Furuno and keep the Garmen for the GPS. I'll keep ya'll informed on how things turn out.


Loki

[Fillet1]

Loki - any luck yet? I have the same problem with mine now...

[Loki]

I haven't been able to mess with it yet. I hope this isn't a reoccuring problem with the 498c.


Mike

[o2bfishn]

Pleased keep us infromed about this, I have the same unit, no problems so far. Thanks.

o2bfishn

[Slim to None]

i haven't ever had a problem with any of our Garmins, but their customer service was great when my brother needed it! his gps didn't work when he bought the boat used, so he called Garmin and sent in his unit. they "refurbished" it for 100 bucks and we had it back in two weeks. a new gps unit was over 300. i would call them, as they should take care of whatever the problem is.

[Fillet1]

So far I received this response by e-mail from Garmin:

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,

I would first check the mount on the transducer to make sure that the
transducer is still secure. I will also check all of the connection to
make sure the there are no loose connections on the power cable. I
would
also check to the transducer cable to make sure that it is still
connected with the power cable on the unit. You should also do a run
through of the settings on the unit. On the sonar page you will want to

make sure the the Range is set to Auto. The gain should also be set to
Auto. If it is possible you may want to call in while you are on your
boat so that we can walk through the settings with you.

With Best Regards,

Product Support Specialist
2nd Shift Marine Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Dewan B
www.garmin.com


I am going to look it over tonight and I ordered another ducer anyway. For 56 bucks I'll know the answer.

[Familymanof5]

My frien has a 23 dorado with the garmin 498. His transducer failed as well. He pulled his complete unit and cable. Sent it back to garmin and they replaced it. Good Luck.


TOM

[Fillet1]

As an update,

I connected the new transducer and it wasnt making any sound (click sounds that it should make). I spoke to Garmin and they sent me out another power supply and that was not the problem. So its got to be the unit itself. I am going to send it in for repair soon. I am happy with the cust service so far. This is the first problem I've had with a Garmin unit of any type.

[Fillet1]

I spoke with Garmin and I am going to send them the unit for repair. They said 10-12 days return time which isnt bad. I'll have it back for fall striper season.

[Loki]

Hey Fillet, get the Garmin back? Is it working now? inquiring minds want to know!


Thanks,
Mike

[Fillet1]

Not yet Mike. I'll check the status on their website today. I shipped it 2nd day UPS to them on Tuesday. They told me about 2 weeks turn around.

[Loki]

Thats cool, thanks for the update!


Mike

[Fillet1]

I called customer service today. The repair is done and the unit will be shipped out today. So far I'm happy. They moved quickly.

[Loki]

Sounds great, did they mention what was actually wrong?


Mike

[Harry]

Sounds great, did they mention what was actually wrong?


Mike


Operator error....... 005

[Fillet1]

Dont know. But if Harry's right i'm gonna kick my own ***. 004 ;D

[Loki]

If it is, explain to me what not to do so I can get mine working! 001

[Fillet1]

I got it back today. They replaced the unit. It has a new serial number. They didnt say what was wrong but the took care of the problem quickly. They transferred all of my data to the new unit. I hooked it up to the boat and its working fine.

[Loki]

That's great news, glade everything worked out!