I recently bought a D/F from Cabelas in the Bargain cave, which is the discontinued, returns, etc, area of Cabelas. Well I took it on the water Friday and there seemed to be a problem.  The Chart would show a definite change in teh depth and contour of the bottom however the depth reading never changed.  The depth would read 12 ft deep, then the chart would show a hump or a channel that was obviously much deeper or shallower, but the reading still said 12 ft.  To me this seems like a problem, but I have very little experience with electronics so I don't know if I have something set wrong.  

I only have a few more days before I can't return it and need to know if I should take it back or if I have the settings wrong.

Thanks.

Return it for a full refund and get a unit from a reputable manufacturer with a warranty.

First > What make and model did you buy ? so we can understand what you see.  Sounds like your reading the range NOT the depth. Is your transducer adjusted in to the correct  angle ?  Are you in auto operation and NOT simulation mode.

It was an Eagle 480.  I took it back since I only had a couple of days before the time limit to return them.  I will probably go out and buy a new one of the same make and model.  I am pretty sure that I had the transducer "mounted" correctly.  I fish out of a pontoon kickboat so it was mounted on a PVC bracket that swings down in the water.  I had the transducer mounted so it sat parallel to the bottom of the lake, and it was in auto mode, not simulation.