788 Bird with universal sonar

[whofan]

Hello
A friend of mine bought a new Humminbird 788 to replace a Lowrance 334 for the bow of his boat.

He thinks his universal sonar is different from the universal sonar 2. He bought his new Bird from Jolly ann. The cord adapter he got was the plastic connecter.

His trolling motor is a autopilot with the universal sonar. His motor is about five years old.

Our problem is when I hooked the sonar up for him the 788 does not reconise being hooked up to a transducer.
We went into the menu and found the various options for transducers that Humminbird has and just the option for the universal sonar 2 for Minnkota.

Is his universal sonar different from 2? If so is the 788 not compatible with the older universal sonar?

We both have been Lowrance users so the birds menu has throwen us off a bit.

I really like the Humminbirds display and think the 788 in a nice looking unit.

Being unfamilar with the new birds we really appreciate what tips you can give us at transforming over to the Humminbird interface.
We have read some of the operators manual. Thank you, whofan

[hondo]

Universal Sonar is different than Universal Sonar 2.

Did he get the correct cable for his US motor, it should be part number MKR-US-8?

[whofan]

Universal Sonar is different than Universal Sonar 2.

Did he get the correct cable for his US motor, it should be part number MKR-US-8?

Yes he has the right cable for his unit. The only option prelisted in the menu was for the sonar 2.

He later called me back and said that he thought he had it figured out.

Like I said the menu and options are different than Lowrance. I guess you don`t have an enter button to confirm your selection with Humminbird.

Took us a while to figure out how to turn the simulator off. Have jump into the menu during start up to do this.

It looks like a great unit it will just take time to figure out. thanks!


Just found out that that sonar 2 option on the bird works for the older universal sonar also.

Just that the soft ware is written as sonar2.

So all you need is the right connection and the Sonar2 option on the new Birds works with the older version of universal sonar.

[walleyefreak]

Just a little FYI

I also have an older universal sonar motor and recently corresponded with Minn Kota customer service about combatibility of the connectors. Like Hondo stated they are different and a universal 2 sonar cable wont work on a universal sonar motor.

Another thing I asked about was the ability to "upgrade" an older universal sonar motor to universal sonar 2. The reply I got back was:
"Yes, technically you can convert your motor over to a US2 transducer. It would require changing the front end bell and transducer assembly and the transducer extension cable. I would suggest contacting your local Minn Kota service center to do the work".

Something I am thinking about due to the dual frequency transducer and temp reading capability of the universal sonar 2. Just thought I would let you know.