Inconsistent depth readings

[lilbuddy]

I've only had this boat for about 6 weeks. I noticed the past couple of times that my depth readings are way off from the helm and console. I actually don't think any of them are accurate. 

 

I did notice that the transducer on the trolling motor can easily move off parallel. I've attempted to tight that up. I then looked at the back and kind of the same issue but one other thing I noticed. (not sure why I didn't notice this when I was buying it)... the transducer on the back was not installed totally level. It looks like someone replaced the transducer or the whole unit and where the old transducer was they used one hole and then made another whole under the old screw... I know this may be hard to visualize but I dont have a pic right now. 

 

So my question is. 

1. Should I try to level out the transducer in the rear? If I do whats the best way to fill up the old holes?

2. I have a brand new hook 5 and hook 7 I could have installed to replace the older units. I forgot to mention the older units are elite 7xHDI up front and elite 5 chirp at console. 

 

As an example of the depth differences I was out this weekend and Im up front and I see 15ft...the guy fishing with me sees 6 ft at the console. Also some times the 7 up front would just flash zero...

 

 

[DINK WHISPERER]

As far as leveling the ducer goes, there's a couple great videos on YouTube. They involve a stack of change, a level and a quick trip on the water. Mine isn't level to the eye in relation to the bottom of the boat. But you have to consider how the boat sits in the water while idling. But mine reads perfectly when in use. Make sure the transducer is at the boats lowest step and as far away as possible from the propeller too. I have a hook 9 and it's a great unit. As far as what to use to fill the holes I use 3m 5200. 

[sully420]

Is your unit showing you the bottom at like 7' and showing a depth at 20' something like  that?

[lilbuddy]

1 minute ago, sully420 said:

Is your unit showing you the bottom at like 7' and showing a depth at 20' something like  that?

Im not totally sure. I havent had the boat out since last weekend. The issue I was seeing was the bow (elite 7) was either flashing zero or when it wasn't flashing it would ready something like 15' and the console would read something like 6'...I did stick my rod down in the water to get a better feel of the depth and the console was closer. The units came with the boat when I boat it. I think the elite 7 is the low end one and may just be garbage. 

 

[sully420]

Its pretty common at least for me and i have hummingbird units. This usually happens when you have 

• really soft bottom and the sonar is going tough the soft and reading the hard underneath. So on the unit you will see a double return one bottom will be shallow thats the true bottom, lets say it shows on the graph thats its at 7' but the read out on the unit says 15' just go off the top return reading.

• the other is hard bottom or sandy botton you well get a double return but the depth reading should be accurate.

You might need to adjust the Hertz in frequency your transducer is running at to stop this problem but I just go with what I'm seeing on the return and go with it

[Team9nine]

Usually not the units, per se. Definitely level out the transducers. If you have the feature on your units, use "keel offset" to standardize depth between them. Also, sounds like you might need to take them out of auto depth range or even auto sensitivity. New units and processors are much better and pretty smart, but not perfect.