Testing a Humminbird Matrix F.F.

[MotoBoat]

I have a Matrix 17 fish finder unit, no wires or base mount. I do not know if it works. Looking for someone with a base unit hooked up in there boat, to test this unit. If it functions okay, I would purchase the power cord, and proper transducer. Any of the following models would be suitable for testing my f.f on that base:


Matrix 10, 12, 15, 17, 25, 27, 55, 65, 67, 77c, 87c, 97
100 Series 141C, 161
300 Series 323, 325, 343C, 345c, 363, 365i, 383C, 385ci
500 Series 515, 525, 535, 550, 560, 561, 565, 570, 575, 580, 581i, 585C, 586C, 586c HD, 587CI, 587ci HD, 595C,
596C, 596c HD, 597CI, 597ci HD
700 Series 717, 718, 727, 728, 737, 747c, 757c, 767, 768, 777c2, 778c, 778c HD, 787c2, 787c2I, 788C, 788 ci HD
800 Series 858c
900 Series 917c, 931c, 937c, 957c, 958c,
1100 Series 1157c, 1158c
HDR Series HDR 610, HDR650
Piranha 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
PiranhaMax 10, 15, 150, 160, 170, 190c, 20, 210, 215, 220, 230, 240, 30
XP Series 2000, 4000

If Matrix tests to be good. If anyone has the transducer (XHS-9-20-T (original part number) or XNT-9-20-T (part # super seeds old one)). Also needed is a wire collector (MBCC M. Fits inside the base mount). Also, would entertain purchasing the hockey puck GPS (part # AS GR4). If any or all of the parts are available, gibe me a shout. Hopefully, someone is near the Shoreline area. Also, if your humminbird uses a MBCC-M wire collector were in business.

[rcthepirate]

Where are you located? I know if you run it in to west marine up in everett they will let you plug it in to their display if they have one that will work.

[MotoBoat]

Where are you located? I know if you run it in to west marine up in everett they will let you plug it in to their display if they have one that will work.

I had not considered the retail box store option. Who would be closest to Shoreline for a test? I can power the unit up, but really need someone with the correct transducer for proper testing. My concern is the box store has the ability to power up the unit, but not test for on screen display of speed, temp, and depth function.

[BentRod]

I'm a bit far away, but I've got a Matrix 10 set up as a portable unit (not tied down to the boat). If you're down this way in the near future and I'm available I'd be happy to help you test your head unit.
FWIW, I was in the same boat a couple years ago. Another WL member graciously supplied a transducer and I found a good price on the power cable and base unit on Amazon (the Prime membership helped). Otherwise I found that buying those three parts outright would have cost as much as just buying a new basic FF.

[BentRod]

Where are you located? I know if you run it in to west marine up in everett they will let you plug it in to their display if they have one that will work.

I had not considered the retail box store option. Who would be closest to Shoreline for a test? I can power the unit up, but really need someone with the correct transducer for proper testing. My concern is the box store has the ability to power up the unit, but not test for on screen display of speed, temp, and depth function.

If it powers up then you should be able to run in Demo mode to test the display.

[MotoBoat]

Where are you located? I know if you run it in to west marine up in everett they will let you plug it in to their display if they have one that will work.

I had not considered the retail box store option. Who would be closest to Shoreline for a test? I can power the unit up, but really need someone with the correct transducer for proper testing. My concern is the box store has the ability to power up the unit, but not test for on screen display of speed, temp, and depth function.

If it powers up then you should be able to run in Demo mode to test the display.

I have wide optic humminbird wired up in the boat. Surprisingly, the Matrix will fit on that base mount. Will power up, but even though the transducer plugs are the same for both units, the transducers are different. So, the Matrix shows whacky depths, and the temp is inconsistent.

I also have the optional speed wheel for the Wide Optic. Which, is compatible with the Matrix. The base unit for both is the same. What is different is the Mounting cable collector, inside the base unit. The speed wheel also has water surface temp. But the optional speed temp is not registering on the Matrix. I am thinking it is because of the cable collector. Optic part is a MS2Y.........Matrix part MSM. Base unit the same for both F.F.

There is a Matrix on Ebay that indicates a incorrect depth on the screen. Seller does not know if the transducer or the unit is the problem. For that reason, plugging my unit into another base unit, and comparing screen results. Eliminates any guess work moving forward with parts needed for the conversion. Which, would be collector and transducer. Or, transducer only if the speed wheel option is deleted.

Purchasing a used gps is a pipe dream. But throwing that out there in case somebody's display crapped out, and has the transducer, base with proper wire collector and or .........gps?

Thanks Bentrod! Issaquah is not close. But it is an option I did not have before.

[MotoBoat]

Bentrod, do you have the speed wheel option, hooked up on your Matrix 10?

[BentRod]

Bentrod, do you have the speed wheel option, hooked up on your Matrix 10?

No, just the transducer. I had the speed wheel option on my old Eagle Optima before it died. I found that it would not work at the low speeds produced by my electric trolling motor (3-5 mph max), so took it off and used my hand held GPS instead.

[Hunter757]

Motoboat, I have the 565 set up on both my boats. I live in Puyallup and fish American at least once a week sometimes more. I have the speed wheel set up also. I know its a bit far but willing to help out if I can.

Thanks,
Eric

[MotoBoat]

Hunter, thanks for the offer. If I get down your way, I would certainly set something up! I am not familiar with the 565. But guessing that is a grey scale finder? How well does that unit decipher kokanee from trout? How about picking up the dr ball. Can you explain how the 83htz 20 degree and 200 htz 60 degree transducer angles translate on the screen?

[Hunter757]

MB, yes its the grey scale so It does not decipher any fish just shows a fish and by size small med and large. I like it but would love to upgrade to the Lowrance elite 7 in time. As far as the transducer I can split the screen and it shows what is under the boat and then on the sides of the boat, kind of like a small cone and larger cone picture. I mostly use the larger screen and it picks them all up, the fish the shows on the screen with also be solid and hollow thus being under or just on the sides of the boat. I have never used it to catch fish as I just go by how the air smells, but as far as seeing kokanee they tend to run in groups and this is a dead give away for me. So if I go past a few schools and no bits I will change speed or color of lures I am using. Its funny when there are no fish on the screen I catch fish and once in a blue moon when I see a school I catch a fish who knows but nice to see and here the beeps but also the speed helps tons. When I upgrade mine I plan on selling my current one. I just really like that lowarance vs the newer Humminbird, but hummingbird is all I have ever owned. Let me know if I can help. Thanks, Eric