Humminbird 955c

[FuriousMob]

I've noticed this normally expensive chartplotter has dropped in price from around $1200 to $500 (all over at many stores on the net). I'm in the market for a decent chartplotter, and was looking to spend around a max of $400, and I'm wondering if anyone knows anything this about this particular model or any reasons why it would drop so drastically other than the potential of a newer model coming in to replace it. The difference you get in this model and the choices I have that come in under $400 is drastic, so before I drop the money on what seems like a great deal, it would be nice to find a little personal oppinion on it (which is lacking all over the web, sadly).

 

[dingbat]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Trying to clear out last years stuff for next year?s new stuff.

Planed obsolescence. Keeps them coming back for year or two for "better" units.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Humminbird 955c

I have a Garmin GPSmap 178c sounder, when it came out in 2004 it was $800 +, by the end of 2006 it was on blow out sale for $459 because they were getting ready to come out with a new series, I got mine from work 2 weeks ago for $50, partly because it was 2 years obsolete.

Google "Humming Bird (whatever model it is) review" and see what you get, someone somewhere has to have reviewed it, I found reviews on the Garmin and it isn't currant.

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Thanks...I figured it was as much, but $500 is nothing to take lightly. I normally rely heavily on others reviews on the web and I really did try to find them just like that, and I can't find a thing. Good news is though, of the models I was looking at prior to finding the cheap 955c, all the negative points mentioned are not present with the 955c, and it's definitley a much nicer unit.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Get the 'bird.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Make sure there are Navionics maps for the area you want to boat in. The Unimap is OK, but I would assume you are looking for something that is better for a standalone chartplotter.

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

SE Virginia, Tidewater and Chesapeake...definitely covered

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

The 955c worked great with the navionics gold maps. I think my dad was a little jealous of my GPS this weekend.

The default maps are pretty horrible, so its worth the navionics upgrade, which made the whole deal come to in just under $700, but it's definitely worth that price.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird 955c

I think my dad was a little jealous of my GPS this weekend.

A little screen size envy?

 

[P3_sailor]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Does it come with a depthsounder? I was looking at it too and it doesn't say. West marine's website says it includes one. I guess what I'm getting at is can you use it as a fishfinder too? Thanks

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Not according to the HB website. That would be quite a deal, if it did.

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

No this only came with the external GPS, but I do believe you can hook a transducer into it. It also allows for radar and some special weather alert external hook-ups, but I have no idea how much all the extras cost. It is nice to know that it's a system that can grow and be updated over years without worries of being outdated.

Pops isn't jealous of the screen size, he likes his Garmin 120 GPS, and prefers monochrome screens over all the colors...he's mainly jealous of the fact that I was able to purchase the navionics maps for the east coast at a fraction of the cost of what it would cost for him to get the Garmin proprietary upgrades for his.

Unit works great, just draws too many amps for my current setup. I have a dual battery with a switch, but the second deep cycle/starting hybrid isn't even hooked up to the switch (previous owner manually charged and only used it for a trolling motor). I'll have to figure out the wiring to get it into the switch so I can put the 2 fish/depth finders and the new gps onto the deep cycle, and allow my switch to actually let the alternator charge the deep cycle if needed.

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird 955c

I think the only sonar it can use is the smart cast remote receiver. That is the one that you cast the sonar away from the boat. It was designed for shore fisherman. Somewhat of a "toy" vs a fishfinder.

The 955c has the 7-pin transducer connector, but I bet is it doesn't have the internal pins or the electronics to drive a transducer. If it did, and the S/W supported it, that would be an excellent buy. I wouldn't buy one for that reason until someone could confirm that it works.

Yep, large, bright, color screens draw their fair amount of power.

I recommend you registering your unit at the HB website and see if there are any firmware updates for your unit.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Humminbird 955c

Just went thru the manual.

No radar, no sonar capability. Options include a barometric pressure sensor, link to a Cannon downrigger and a module to accommodate the ?smartcast? wireless sonar mentioned above. The unit does not support NEMA 2000.

Nice unit for the money

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

I figured out what the issue was with the unit and the power. I had it wired through the fuse panel on a switch, and after taking some readings on the voltage from there, it was a little too low. There is a lot hooked through the fuse panel, and turning anything off/on caused small voltage jumps that the unit did not like. Instead, I just straight wired it off of the Perko with an inline 3amp fuse. Works perfectly now.

 

[rgrycki]

Re: Humminbird 955c

How has this unit been working out for you? Wish you had integral sonar? Anyone else want to share experiences with this unit? Found one on sale and thinking about getting it. I eventually want to get side imaging, should I just break down and get the 998c SI for $1200 more? Does HB make any SI sonar units with no gps?

 

[John_S]

Re: Humminbird 955c

How has this unit been working out for you? Wish you had integral sonar? Anyone else want to share experiences with this unit? Found one on sale and thinking about getting it. I eventually want to get side imaging, should I just break down and get the 998c SI for $1200 more? Does HB make any SI sonar units with no gps?

All current and past HB SI units included GPS. They have combined functions that you wouldn't be able to use on seperates. Such as, you can view a SI image, either current on-screen or a recorded one, and move the cursor over an object and get gps coordinates or mark a waypoint. I doubt they see much of a market to remove the gps from the SI.

HB is coming out with a new 1100 series next year. It will have a brighter screen and ethernet port. The 500 and 700 series will get ethernet ports, as well. If linking units is important to you, I'd wait. The 500 will have a larger screen and pixel density, but no SI. The 700 might be getting a higher pixel density option, but details haven't been released.

 

[FuriousMob]

Re: Humminbird 955c

How has this unit been working out for you? Wish you had integral sonar? Anyone else want to share experiences with this unit? Found one on sale and thinking about getting it. I eventually want to get side imaging, should I just break down and get the 998c SI for $1200 more? Does HB make any SI sonar units with no gps?

It's been working out great as a GPS, no problems. I have not added to it, and don't really see a need for myself. If you are looking for those extra features, I'd say spend the money on them. I've made too many mistakes in the past where I tried to save a buck even though I truely wanted a better or more feature filled product. Once you make the purchase, you will most likely stick with the unit for a very long time, so if you can afford to get everything you want, I say go for it.