Thread: 788 ci combo help

Brand new unit but the gps doesnt seem to be working.Keep getting no fixed position error.Is there something i have to turn on or should the gps start up automatic.The unit has an enternal gps.

GPS fix should be automatic. Not in the garage are you? Antenna needs unobstructed view to sky also check the connection from external antenna. After these call help desk at HB. These guys are great.

How is the external GPS Receiver connected to the 788ci unit? Direct connection or are you using the Y-cable, InterLink or AS-SysLink cable to connect it to the unit?

If you can: connect up your 788ci unit to someone else’s boat that has a Humminbird unit with an external GPS Receiver. Does not matter that it is not another 788ci unit as all you want to do is test the GPS to determine where the problem is: in the unit or the GPS Receiver (or where it is mounted). This can be done while the test boat is on the trailer. I would make sure that the test boat has the GPS Receiver connected directly to the unit or is using the Y-cable (AS-YC) to connect the GPS Receiver directly to the unit as you do not want to test this with an InterLink connected GPS Receiver.

Also, go into the main menu system and look for the “GPS Override” menus under the “Nav” menu tab. Make sure that it is either set to the “Auto” or “Local External GPS” setting. This should make sure that the unit is not trying to use it’s own internal GPS Receiver.

The 788ci combo has Internal gps i dont have a puck with it.I will try what you recommend and get back with you guys thanks

Aquaman,
You’re confusing me here (which is getting easier and easier to do!):
In your first post you stated that “The unit has an enternal gps”. Now you are staing that it “has Internal gps i dont have a puck with it”. The “I” in the model number means that it has an internal GPS but by your statement in your first message I assumed (uh, oh…) that you had purchased an external GPS Receiver. If the problem is with the internal GPS Receiver than there is not much point in trying to test it with an external GPS Receiver. Whatever the problem is, it is contained in the unit so you need to call the Humminbird Customer Resource folks at 1-800-633-1468 and get your unit tested and fixed.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes it has Internal gps.And for some reason seems to be working fine now.thanks for all your input.Leaving for Kentucky Lake in the morning(Springville TN).Will let you no how the unit works.

thanks again

Aquaman,
I should have thought about this but if the unit has been moved more than 200 miles or it has been more than a few weeks since it last got a position fix than it may take a few minutes to lock onto the satellites as it must download a new almanac (location of the satellites). After this “cold start” the unit should quickly get a position fix when powered on. This is all assuming that the built-in GPS Receiver has a clear view of the satellites.

Let us know how it works for you.

Humminbird Greg,

The unit took a while to locate the satelites,and worked great this last trip.Had no problems just have to wait a bit to acquire sats.Thanks for the help.

Aquaman,
After letting the 788ci lock onto the satellites; power the unit off wait a few minutes and power it back on. It should lock into the satellites within a minute. If not you may want to call the Humminbird Customer Resource folks (1-800-633-1468) and see about getting it looked at. Once the unit has an updated almanac, that 50 channel GPS Receiver should lock onto the satellites pretty quickly (assuming it has an uninterrupted view of the satellites).