Garmin 90 User Manual

Fishfinder 90/140

full feature sonar

Owner’s Manual

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© 2008 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Garmin International, Inc.
1200 East 151st Street,
Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA
Tel. [phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
Liberty House
Hounsdown Business Park,
Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK
Tel. [phone] (outside the UK)

Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road,
Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan
Tel. [phone]

Fax [phone]
0808 2380000 (within the UK)
Fax [phone]

All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or
stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express prior written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a
single copy of this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to print one copy of this manual or of any revision
hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual must contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any
unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Garmin reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in
the content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements. Visit the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for
current updates and supplemental information concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin products.

Garmin® is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. This trademark may not be used without the
express permission of Garmin.

December 2008 Part Number 190-00582-10 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan

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Introduction

Introduction

This manual covers the features and operation of the
Fishnder 90/140.

About This Manual

To get the most out of your Fishnder 90/140, take time to
read this manual and learn the operating procedures for your
unit in detail. This manual is organized into the following
sections.

The Introduction sections contains the Table of Contents,
Product Registration, and Product Support Information.

The Getting Started sections contain information about
sonar and the Fishnder.

The Installing Your Fishnder section provides instruction
on installing the Fishnder and the Transducer. If you
experience difculty installing the Fishnder, contact
Garmin Product Support or an installation professional in
your area.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual iii

The Operating Your Fishnder section describes the
features and operation of the Fishnder 90/140.

The Appendix contains unit specications ,optional
accessories, and care information. You can also nd
warranty information, the Software License Agreement and
European Licensing Requirements in the Appendix.

An Index is provided at the end of the manual for reference.

Manual Conventions

This manual uses the term Warning to indicate a potentially
hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.

This manual uses the term Caution to indicate a potentially
hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result
in minor injury or property damage. It may also be used
without the symbol to alert you to avoid unsafe practices.

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Introduction

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................. iii

About This Manual ...........................................................iii

Manual Conventions ........................................................iii

Product Registration ........................................................ v

Contact Garmin ................................................................ v

Warning ........................................................................... vi

Getting Started ......................................................... 1

Understanding the Fishnder ...........................................1

Using Simulator Mode ...................................................... 4

Appendix ................................................................ 19

Specications .................................................................19

Optional Accessories .....................................................19

Caring for the Fishnder ................................................19

Software License Agreement .........................................21

Limited Warranty ............................................................21

Declaration of Conformity (DoC) ....................................23

Index ....................................................................... 24

Installing Your Fishnder ....................................... 5

Installing the Transducer .................................................. 6

Installing the Fishnder Unit ........................................... 10

Installing the Wiring Harness .........................................12

Testing the Transom Mount Installation .........................13

Operating Your Fishnder .................................... 14

Understanding Basic Functions .....................................14

Using the Main Menu ..................................................... 15

Using the Setup Menu ...................................................16

iv Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Introduction

Product Registration

Help us better support you by completing our online
registration today. Go to http://my.garmin.com. Keep the
original sales receipt, or a photocopy, in a safe place.

Contact Garmin

Contact Garmin Product Support if you have any questions
while using your Fishnder 90/140. In the USA, go to

www.garmin.com/support, or contact Garmin USA by

phone at [phone] or [phone].

In the UK, contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. by phone at 0808

2380000.

In Europe, go to www.garmin.com/support and click

Contact Support for in-country support information,

or contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. by phone at +44 (0)

870.8501241.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual v

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Introduction

Warning

Failure to avoid the following potentially hazardous situations could result in an accident or collision resulting in death or serious
injury.

When navigating, carefully compare information displayed on the Fishnder 90/140 to all available navigation sources, including information
from visual sightings, and maps. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies or questions before continuing navigation.

vi Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Getting Started

Getting Started

To get the most out of your new Fishnder:

• Before you install and use your Fishnder, read the
information in this manual.

• Assemble and install the hardware (page 5).

• Practice using your Fishnder in Simulator Mode
(page 4).

• Use the Fishnder (page 14).

Understanding the Fishnder

The Fishnder 90 or 140 is a fully automatic sonar unit
that allows you to go out on the water and nd sh without
having to congure a lot of settings; or, if from experience
you know exactly how you want your Fishnder screen to
look and function, you can customize each setting to your
specic needs.

If you have used a Fishnder before, and you know how
to interpret the sonar information on the screen, you can
skip this section. If you have not used a Fishnder before,

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 1

you might want to learn a bit about sonar: what it is, how it
works, and what you might see on the Fishnder 90 or 140
screen. This manual does not go into technical detail about
sonar, but it can give you a general understanding of those
things that you need to know about sonar that can help you
interpret the screen and nd the sh.

Understanding Sonar

During installation, you connect your Fishnder 90 or 140
to a transducer. The transducer uses sound to determine
information about what is in the water beneath your boat.
Then the transducer sends the information to your Fishnder
to be displayed on the screen for you to view and interpret.

The transducer sends sound waves down into the water
in a cone shape, similar to a ashlight beam (covering a
smaller circular area at the top and angling out to a larger
circular area at the bottom). These sound waves reect off
of any object that they hit, and then the waves travel back
up to the transducer. These objects could be sh, branches,
the bottom, or any other object that has density that is
different from the water. The transducer receives the sound

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Getting Started

wave information, and then sends the information to the
Fishnder. The Fishnder displays the information on the
screen for you to see and interpret. The type of transducer
and settings you choose determine how the information is
shown on the screen.

Understanding Dual Beam Transducer
Coverage

A dual beam transducer can transmit a narrow or a wide
beam. The water area covered by the transmitted sound
waves is determined by the beam width of the transducer
and the water depth. The narrow beam provides crisp detail
of what is under your boat, and is helpful if you are shing
in deeper water where the beam covers more area (for
example, at a 30-foot depth, the narrow beam covers the
area of about a 7-foot circle).

The wide beam is more helpful in shallow water, because
it gives you a much wider view of objects in the water,
including areas beyond the sides of your boat. At a 30-foot
depth, the wide beam covers the area of approximately a
20-foot circle.

Narrow

Beam

Wide

Beam

2 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Getting Started

Understanding the Fishnder Screen

Experimentation and experience are the keys to successfully
interpreting your Fishnder screen. We recommend that you
take your Fishnder out on familiar water, and spend time
learning to interpret what you see on the Fishnder 90 or
140 screen.

Think of the Fishnder screen as if you took a picture
from the side of an aquarium in your home. You can see
how deep a sh is in the water (how close it is to the top
or bottom), but you cannot tell where the sh is located
horizontally in the water (whether it is near the front or the
back of the aquarium). Remember this when you are trying

Water
temperature at
the transducer

suspended targets

as arches or sh

Water depth

You see

symbols.

Structure

Simulator

mode

indicator

Bottom shape and type

Depth range

to locate exactly where something is in the water.

The strongest sonar returns appear on your screen as solid,
dark areas. The weakest returns appear less intense, less
solid. The bottom of the water body returns the strongest
signal, so you can identify the bottom as the continuous,
solid line running across the bottom of the screen. The
strength of the sonar return can also help you interpret the
hardness of the bottom. The thicker the bottom line, the
harder the bottom.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 3

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Getting Started

The Fishnder 90 and 140 include the latest technology

instead of arches (page 17).
in interpreting bottom signals; they can see through sh,
structures, and thermoclines (shown in the weakest hues).
Even so, large schools of sh or dense structures close to
the bottom can affect water depth return readings.

NOTE: If the Fishnder is unable to track the bottom for

any reason, the digits which indicate depth ash on and off
to alert you that the Fishnder is not tracking the bottom.

Along the top of the screen, you might see a grouping of
intense hues. This area is surface clutter, which can be
caused by waves or any other sonar interference at the
surface of the water. Too much surface clutter can obscure
your view of sh. You can turn down the Gain setting to

Using Simulator Mode

Use Simulator Mode to practice and learn the operation of

the Fishnder. If the Fishnder does not detect a transducer

at startup, it automatically starts in Simulator Mode.

While in Simulator Mode, the Fishnder displays a bottom

scene, and you can control the Fishnder (except the Gain

and Auto Gain options) just as if it were on the water.

If no keys are pressed for two minutes, the Fishnder

automatically resets to default settings while in Simulator

Mode.

To exit Simulator Mode, turn off the Fishnder.
reduce this surface clutter (page 15).

You can see in the previous illustration how the sh are
indicated in a few different ways. By default, sh appear
as arches. Actual sh returns might not always appear as
perfect arches, due to the speed, sh orientation, or other
conditions. You can also turn on the Fish Symbols setting if
you want to see suspended targets indicated by a sh shape

4 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Installing Your Fishnder

A

Make sure you completely read and understand all
instructions before you install and use your Fishnder. If
you have problems, contact Garmin Product Support, or
seek other professional assistance.

You can install the Fishnder hardware on a transom or on
a trolling motor. Before installation, make sure the wiring

(Fishnder 90)

harness can reach the Fishnder and transducer locations.

Check the packing list below. If you are missing any items,
contact your Garmin dealer.

Installing Your Fishnder

E

F

B1

(Fishnder 140)

C

G

(Fishnder 90)

D

B2

S

Packing List (one of each, unless otherwise noted):

A—Fishnder sonar unit
B1—Swivel mount bracket (Fishnder

140; optional for Fishnder 90); or

B2—Tilt mount bracket (Fishnder 90)
C—Swivel base (Fishnder 140)
D—Mounting knobs
E—Mounting knob spacer
F—Snap ring
G—Transducer with power cable
H—Transducer mount

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 5

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I—Trolling motor mount gasket
J—5 mm Flat washers (2)
K—5 x 30 mm Screws (2)
L—10-32 Lock nut
M—4 x 12 mm Screws (4)
N—10-32 x 1.75 Screw
O—1/4" Cable clamps (2)
P—Plastic spacer
Q—1/4" Rubber washer
R—Cable tie, 5.6" (4)
S—Cable tie, 20”

(Cable not shown)

J

K

L

M

N

O

H

I

P

R

Q

Installing Your Fishnder

Installing the Transducer

Assembling the Transducer

1. Insert the rubber washer (Q) and plastic spacer (P) into

the transducer (G) at the same time. DO NOT lubricate
the rubber washer.

2. Route the cable toward the back of the transducer. Slide

the transducer into the transducer mount (H).

3. Place a 5 mm at washer (J) on the 10-32 x 1.75" screw

(N), and insert the screw through the transducer mount,
spacer, and rubber washer.

4. Place the remaining 5 mm at washer on the exposed

end. Install the 10-32 lock nut (L) nger tight. You can

Mounting the Transducer on a

Trolling Motor

1. Slide the large cable tie (S) through the slot on the
transducer mount (H) with the ridges of the band facing
up until equal lengths extend on both sides of the mount.
(NOTE: For cold water, or heavy timber or debris areas,
a metal 4-5" worm gear clamp is recommended.)

2. Position the mount gasket (I) on the curved top of the
transducer mount.

3. Place the transducer assembly against the motor body of
the trolling motor, with the front of the
transducer pointed away from the
trolling motor propeller.

tighten the transducer further after installation on the
boat.

Back of the transducer

6 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

Cable tie

slot

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Installing Your Fishnder

4. Wrap the two ends of the cable tie around the motor
body. Place the pointed end of the cable tie through the
fastener hole on the opposite end and pull it through until
it is snug but not tight. (The cable tie clicks when you pull
it.)

5. Position the transducer so that it is parallel with the
bottom when in use, and make sure the gasket is aligned
properly. Pull the cable tie end until tight. Trim off the
excess, if necessary. Tighten the 10-32 locking nut until
it touches the mounting bracket and then tighten 1/4 turn
more. (Do not overtighten.)

6. Route the 20’ (6 m) transducer cable using the supplied
cable ties to secure the cable to the motor shaft. You
can ll the forward-facing portion (except the cable tie
pocket) of the transducer mount with sealant to avoid
accumulating debris.

Mounting the Transducer on a Transom

Tool List (not included)—drill, 3/8" wrench or socket,
5/32" and 1/8" drill bits, masking tape, #2 Phillips
screwdriver, and marine sealant.

When selecting a transom mount location, consider the
following for optimal performance:

• For your sonar to operate properly, the transducer must
be located in calm water. DO NOT mount the transducer
behind strakes, rivet lines, struts, ttings, water intake,
discharge ports, eroding paint, or anything that creates
turbulence.

• Mount the transducer as close to the center of the boat as
possible.

• DO NOT cut the transducer lead. (This voids your
warranty.)

• DO NOT mount the transducer in locations where it
might be jarred when launching, hauling, trailering, or
storage.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 7

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Installing Your Fishnder

• DO NOT mount the transducer in the path of the prop on
single-drive boats. The transducer can cause cavitation
that can degrade the boat’s performance and damage the
prop. On twin-drive boats, mount the transducer between
the drives, if possible.

Do not mount the transducer behind

strakes, rivet lines, struts, ttings, water

intakes or discharge ports.

Mount the transducer

parallel with the water line.

Make sure the transducer is below

water level when the boat is on plane

at high speed.

Apply marine sealant to all screw threads to prevent

water from seeping into the transom.

8 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Installing Your Fishnder

To mount the transducer on a transom:

1. Position the transducer mount at the selected transom
location. Make sure the transducer is parallel with the
water line. Mark the center locations of each hole on the
transducer mount. (See the gures on the next page.)

2. Using a 5/32" bit, drill the pilot holes approximately 1"
(25 mm) deep at the marked locations. To avoid drilling
the holes too deep, wrap a piece of tape around the bit
at 1" from the point of the bit.

3. Apply marine sealant to the 5 x 30 mm screws. Attach
the transducer assembly to the transom using the 5 x 30

5. Place the rst cable clamp on the transducer cable
approximately one third of the distance between the
transducer and the top of the transom. Mark the location.
Using a 1/8" bit, drill a pilot hole approximately 3/8" (10
mm) deep.

6. Attach the cable clamp using a 4 x 12 mm screw. Coat
the screw with marine sealant before installation. Repeat
steps 5 and 6 using the other cable clamp.

7. Route the transducer cable, as needed, to the Fishnder.
DO NOT CUT THE CABLE. Avoid routing the cable with
electrical wires or other sources of electrical interference.

mm screws. Adjust the transducer assembly to extend
beyond the bottom of the transom approximately 1/8"
(3 mm) on berglass hulls or 3/8" (10 mm) on aluminum
hulls. Adjust the transducer assembly to be aligned
parallel with the water.

4. Tighten the 10-32 locking nut until it touches the
mounting bracket, and then tighten 1/4 turn more. (Do
not overtighten.)

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 9

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Installing Your Fishnder

Drill pilot holes here.

Level

Installing the Fishnder Unit

Selecting a Fishnder installation Location

Select a Fishnder installation location that allows you to

Align with the

transom bottom. The

transducer should
extend 1/8" below
berglass hulls or

3/8" below aluminum

hulls.

Keep it parallel with the water line.

OK

Vertical

Bottom of the transom

view and operate it easily while operating the vessel. Select
a mounting surface strong enough to support the weight
of the Fishnder and protect it from excessive vibration or
shock. DO NOT mount the bracket in a location where the
Fishnder is exposed to extreme temperature conditions.
When installing the mounting bracket, be sure to allow
room to connect and rout the power cable.

Mounting the Bracket Assembly

Tool List (not included)—drill, screwdriver (Phillips or
standard), three #8 pan-head machine bolts with matching
nuts and washers, and a 5/32" drill bit; or three #8 pan-head,
self-tapping screws and a 1/16" drill bit.

10 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Installing Your Fishnder

To mount the bracket assembly:

1. Using the tilt mount bracket (Fishnder 90) or the
swivel base (Fishnder 140; Fishnder 90 option) as a
template, mark the location of the three holes that you
use to secure the bracket to the mounting surface.

2. If securing the base with machine bolts, drill three 5/32"
holes at the locations you marked; or, if securing the
base using self-tapping screws, drill 1/16" starter holes
at the locations you marked. Drill starter holes no deeper
than half the screw length.

3. Secure the tilt mount bracket or swivel base with three
bolts or screws. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.

To install the Fishnder on the mount bracket:

1. Align the slot on the back of the Fishnder with the long
mounting knob, and slide the Fishnder into place. If
necessary, adjust the long knob to spread the bracket
arms apart. (Turn counter-clockwise to widen the bracket
arms and clockwise to tighten.)

2. Adjust the Fishnder angle, and tighten the long
mounting knob until snug.

3. For the Fishnder 140 (Fishnder 90 option), rotate
the swivel mount bracket by twisting it left or right. The
bracket clicks as you turn it. Select a good viewing
angle, and then tighten all knobs.

4. If you are using the swivel mount, place the swivel mount
bracket over the swivel base and secure it with the short
knob.

Swivel mount bracket

Tilt mount bracket

Swivel base

(Fishnder 90)

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 11

(Fishnder 140;

Fishnder 90 option)

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Installing Your Fishnder

Installing the Wiring Harness

The Fishnder comes with a wiring harness that connects
the Fishnder to power and the transducer with one
easy-to-remove connection. If it is necessary to extend the
power wires, use 22 AWG wire. DO NOT cut the transducer
cable, because this voids your warranty. If your boat has an

3. Install the black (-) wire on the negative fuse holder or
battery terminal.

4. Install a 2 Amp fuse in the fuse holder (fuse block only).

5. Align the notches on the cable plug and on the back of
the Fishnder. Insert the cable into the connector and
turn the lock ring counter-clockwise until it stops.

electrical system, you might be able to wire the Fishnder
directly to an unused holder on your current fuse block. If
you are using the boat’s fuse block, remove the in-line fuse
holder supplied with the Fishnder. You can also wire the
Fishnder directly to the battery.

CAUTION: The Fishnder input voltage is 10–18 volts

DC. Do not exceed this voltage, because this can damage
the Fishnder and void the warranty.

To install the wiring harness:

1. Determine the polarity of the power source using a test
light or volt meter.

2. Install the red (+) wire on the positive fuse holder or
battery terminal.

12 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Installing Your Fishnder

Testing the Transom Mount Installation

Perform this test after you install the Fishnder. Because
you need water to carry the sonar signal, the Fishnder
does not function properly with the transducer out of the
water. When you place your boat in the water, CHECK FOR
LEAKS around the screw holes that are below the water
line. DO NOT leave your boat in the water for an extended
period of time without checking for leaks.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 13

To test the transom mount installation:

1. Begin testing the installation at a slow speed. If the
sonar appears to be working properly gradually increase
the boat’s speed observing the sonar’s operation. If
the sonar signal suddenly is lost or the bottom return is
severely degraded, note the speed at which this occurs.

2. Return the boat to the speed at which the signal was
lost. Make moderate turns in both directions, and see if
the signal improves.

3. If the signal strength improves while turning, adjust the
transducer so that it extends another 1/8" below the
transom of the boat. It might take several adjustments to
eliminate the degradation.

4. If the signal does not improve, it might be necessary to
move the transducer to a different location.

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Operating Your Fishnder

Operating Your Fishnder

Understanding Basic Functions

To turn on the Fishnder:
Press and release the Power key.

To turn off the Fishnder:

Arrow keys—the up and down Arrow

keys select an item on a menu. Only
the Fishnder 140 has the right and left
Arrow key that cycles through the Main
menu options.

Press and hold the Power key.

To change the backlight level:

Press the Power key repeatedly to cycle between off,

low, and high.

To view or change settings for your Fishnder, use the Main
menu and the Setup menu.

ENTER key—conrms a selection.

ENTER

MENU

14 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

MENU key—shows or exits a menu.

Power key—turns the Fishnder on or

off and controls the screen backlight.

(Fishnder 140 is shown.)

To change a setting:

1. Press MENU. The Main menu appears.

2. Use the Arrow keys to move the selection arrow to an
option, and press ENTER. The settings appear.

If you select Setup, the Setup menu appears. See

“Using the Setup Menu” on page 16.

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Operating Your Fishnder

3. To select a setting, use the Arrow keys to move the
selection arrow, and press ENTER. (When you reach
the end of a menu, the selection arrow wraps to the
beginning.) Press and hold an Arrow key to rapidly
advance the selection speed.

4. To close a setting or a menu, press MENU.

• To quickly change a setting for the current option
that appears in the upper-left corner of the screen (for
example, the Range option in the above screen), press an
Arrow key.

Options and Settings

The following settings reset to the system defaults each time

Using the Main Menu

From the Main menu, you can change the Range, Gain,
Scroll, Zoom, and View settings.

• To view the current menu settings, press MENU.

you turn on the Fishnder.

Range—sets the maximum depth that you want the
Fishnder to display. Auto (default) automatically tracks
the bottom, or you can set the range, 5–600 feet.

Gain—controls the sensitivity of the Fishnder’s sonar
receiver. Auto (default) automatically sets the sonar
sensitivity, or you can set the gain. To see more detail on the
screen, increase the receiver sensitivity by selecting a higher
gain. If there is too much detail or if the screen is cluttered,
lower the sensitivity (lower the gain) to increase the clarity
of the screen.

• To exit any window, press MENU.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 15

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Operating Your Fishnder

Scroll—sets the rate that the graph scrolls from right to
left. If you are sitting still or the graph is moving too fast,
slowing or pausing the graph can help. The settings are

Ultra, Fast (default), Medium, Slow, and Paused.

Zoom—sets the zoom level for the screen. Off is the

default.

View—when you select a 2X or 4X Zoom setting, you
can select a specic area to view on the screen. You can
also allow the Fishnder to automatically select a zoomed
viewing area based on the bottom.

Using the Setup Menu

To access the Setup menu:

Press MENU. Use the Arrow keys to move the selection arrow to Setup, and

press ENTER. The options appear.

Options and Settings

Your changes to the following settings are used until you
set the System Defaults option to Yes.

Alarms

Battery—controls an alarm that sounds when the battery is
reaching a critical state of discharge. The settings are

Off (default) and 8.5–16.0 volts remaining.

Shallow—sets an alarm for a shallow water warning at a
specic depth. The settings are Off (default) and 1.0–600
feet.

Deep—sets an alarm for a deep water warning at a specic
depth. The settings are Off (default) and 1.0–600 feet.

Fish—turns on or off (default) an alarm that sounds when

the Fishnder detects what it determines to be a sh.

16 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Operating Your Fishnder

Graphs

Fish ID—sets how the Fishnder shows underwater
targets and background information. If you select a
sh symbol, the screen shows only the information

the sides of the boat. You can also choose Narrow (default)
beam.

Whiteline—sets how the Fishnder shows information
about the bottom type.

related to that symbol (large, medium, and small sizes).
When using wide beam, sh symbols that are to the

• Off—the bottom return appears as solid black.

sides of the boat appear hollow. Those that are directly
below the boat appear as solid black sh symbols.

(default) the Fishnder does not interpret the sonar
return data. Fish appear as arches

Suspended targets appear as symbols. No background
information appears

Same as previous with the target depth shown.

Suspended targets appear as symbols. Background
information appears, making the distinction between

Whiteline Off

• On (default)—the bottom return appears as a grayscale
pattern and can help to determine bottom hardness.
A hard bottom displays a thicker bottom layer. A soft
bottom appears as a thinner bottom layer.

Whiteline On

sh and structure easier.

Same as previous with target depth shown.

Beam—controls the angle of the transducer beam. Wide
beam allows you to see more sh in shallow water, even off

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 17

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Operating Your Fishnder

Auto Gain—controls the aggressiveness of the Auto Gain.
The higher the setting, the greater the number of targets
appear on the screen. The lower the setting, the less clutter
on the screen. The settings are High, Medium (default), and
Low.

Numbers

Size—sets the appearance of depth, temperature, and battery
numbers. The settings are Small and Large (default).

Battery—sets whether the current battery voltage appears
on the screen. The settings are Hide (default) and Show

Water Temperature—sets whether the water temperature
appears on the screen. This appears only if you have a
temperature-capable transducer. The settings are Hide and
Auto (default).

Units

Depth—sets the measurements in Feet (default), Meters, or
Fathoms.

Temperature—sets the water temperature units. The
settings are Fahrenheit (default) and Celsius.

System

Simulator—controls the simulator mode. The settings are
Off and On (default). See page 4 for more information.

Language—sets your language choice.

Beeper—controls all Fishnder sounds. The settings are
Off and On (default).

Contrast—adjusts the contrast of the screen to compensate

for light levels or viewing angles. Use the Arrow keys to
increase or decrease the screen contrast.

Defaults—restores all default settings.

18 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Appendix

Appendix

Specications

Fishnder 90

Size: 4.7" W x 4.9" H x 2.43" D (11.9 x 12.4 x 6.1 cm)

Weight: 15.5 oz (.439 kg)

Display: 2.0" W x 3.3" H (5.0 x 8.4 cm), 3.9" (9.9 cm) diagonal,

64 x 128 pixels, black-and-white FSTN display

Usage: 3.5 watts maximum, Nominal: 12 VDC @ 0.15 Amps

Fishnder 140

Size: 6.1" W x 4.9" H x 2.6" D (15.5 x 12.5 x 6.6 cm)

Weight: 18.7 oz. (.530 kg)

Display: 3.2" W x 3.1" H (8.1 x 7.9 cm), 4.7" (9.9 cm) diagonal,

128 x 240 pixels, 4-level gray scale FSTN display

Usage: 8 watts maximum, Nominal: 12 VDC @ 0.5 Amps

Fishnder 90 and Fishnder 140

Case: Fully Gasketed, high-impact plastic alloy Waterproof: IEC 529,
level IPX-7 (submerged to 1 meter for 30 minutes)

Temperature Range: +5°F to 158°F (-15°C to 70°C)

Internal memory backup to retain user settings

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 19

Input: 10 to 18 VDC with high voltage protection

Sonar Power Output: 100 watts (RMS), 800 watts (peak-to-peak)

Frequency: 80 kHz (wide) and 200 kHz (narrow)

Depth: 600 foot max depth. (Depth capacity is dependent on water

salinity, bottom type, and other water conditions.)

Specications are subject to change without notice.

Optional Accessories

Purchase the following optional accessories on the Garmin Web site:

Swivel mount for the Fishnder 90—allows your Fishnder 90 to tilt
and swivel on its mounting bracket.

Portable case with battery pack and suction mount transducer—
makes your Fishnder portable, so that it can go on any boat, with no
installation (requires eight D-cell batteries, not included).

Flush mounting kit—mounts your shnder ush on the bulkhead or
cabin wall. Press the side clips to release the Fishnder so you can take it
with you.

Protective cover—protects your product when you are not using it.

Caring for the Fishnder

The Fishnder case is constructed of high quality materials
and does not require user maintenance except cleaning.

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Appendix

Cleaning the Case

Clean the Fishnder’s outer casing (except for the screen)
using a cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution, and
then wipe it dry. Avoid chemical cleaners and solvents that
may damage plastic components.

WARNING: The Fishnder screen is coated with a special

anti-reective coating which is very sensitive to skin oils,
waxes, and abrasive cleaners. CLEANERS CONTAINING
AMMONIA WILL HARM THE ANTI-REFLECTIVE
COATING. It is very important to clean the screen using
an eyeglass lens cleaner which is specied as safe for anti­reective coatings and a clean, lint-free cloth.

Cleaning the Screen

The Fishnder screen should be cleaned using a soft, clean,
lint-free cloth. Water or eyeglass cleaner can be used if
needed. If these are used, apply the liquid to the cloth and
then gently wipe the screen with the moistened cloth.

Storage

Do not store the Fishnder where prolonged exposure to
temperature extremes may occur (such as in the trunk of a
car), because permanent damage may result.

Water Immersion

The Fishnder is waterproof to IEC Standard 60529 IPX7.
It can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for 30
minutes. Prolonged submersion can cause damage to the
Fishnder. After submersion, be certain to wipe and air dry
the Fishnder before reuse.

20 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Appendix

Software License Agreement

BY USING THE FISHFINDER YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE
LICENSE AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT
CAREFULLY.

Garmin grants you a limited license to use the software embedded in
this device (the “Software”) in binary executable form in the normal
operation of the product. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property
rights in and to the Software remain in Garmin.

You acknowledge that the Software is the property of Garmin and
is protected under the United States of America copyright laws and
international copyright treaties. You further acknowledge that the
structure, organization, and code of the Software are valuable trade
secrets of Garmin and that the Software in source code form remains a
valuable trade secret of Garmin. You agree not to decompile, disassemble,
modify, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, or reduce to human readable
form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works
based on the Software. You agree not to export or re-export the Software
to any country in violation of the export control laws of the United States
of America.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 21

Limited Warranty

This Garmin product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or
workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Within this period,
Garmin will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail
in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge
to the customer for parts or labor, provided that the customer shall be
responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does not cover
failures due to abuse, misuse, accident, or unauthorized alteration or
repairs.

This product is intended to be used only as a travel aid and must not
be used for any purpose requiring precise measurement of direction,
distance, location, or topography. Garmin makes no warranty as to the
accuracy or completeness of map data in this product.

THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN
ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES
EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING
ANY LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU
SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO
STATE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE

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Appendix

PRODUCT. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Garmin retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the unit or software
or offer a full refund of the purchase price at its sole discretion. SUCH
REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.

To obtain warranty service, contact your local Garmin authorized dealer
or call Garmin Product Support for shipping instructions and an RMA
tracking number. Securely pack the unit and a copy of the original sales
receipt, which is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs.
Write the tracking number clearly on the outside of the package. Send the
unit, freight charges prepaid, to any Garmin warranty service station.

Online Auction Purchases: Products sold through online auctions
are not eligible for rebates or other special offers from Garmin. Online
auction conrmations are not accepted for warranty verication. To
obtain warranty service, an original or copy of the sales receipt from the
original retailer is required. Garmin will not replace missing components
from any package purchased through an online auction.

International Purchases: A separate warranty is provided by
international distributors for units purchased outside the United States.
This warranty is provided by the local in-country distributor and this
distributor provides local service for your unit. Distributor warranties
are only valid in the area of intended distribution. Units purchased in the
United States or Canada must be returned to the Garmin service center in
the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, or Taiwan for service.

Garmin International, Inc. Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
1200 East 151st Street, Liberty House,
Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Hounsdown Business Park,
Tel. [phone] or Southampton, Hampshire, SO40
[phone] 9RB UK
Fax [phone] Tel. [phone] (outside
the UK)

0808.2380000 (within the UK)

Fax [phone]

Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road,
Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]

22 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

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Appendix

Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

Hereby, Garmin, declares that this Fishnder 90/140 is
in compliance with the essential requirements and other
relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

To view the full Declaration of Conformity, see the Garmin
Web site for your Garmin product:

www.garmin.com.

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 23

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Index

Index

A

accessories 19
alarms 16

battery 16
deep 16
sh 17

shallow 16
Anti-reective coating 20
arches 4
assembling the transducer 6

B

backlight 14
battery alarm 16
battery number 18
Beam 2, 17
beeper setting 18
bottom of the water 3
bracket assembly 10

24 Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual

C

cleaning the case and screen 20
clutter 4
contrast setting 18

D

defaults setting 18
depth units 18
dual beam 2

E

enter key 14

F

sh alarm 17
sh ID graph 17
sh symbols 4

G

gain 15
gain setting 4
graphs 17

auto gain 18
beam 17
sh ID 17
Whiteline 17

H

hardness of the bottom 3

I

installing

the Fishnder unit 10
the transducer 6
the unit on the

mount bracket 11
the wiring harness 12
your Fishnder 5

K

key

arrow 14
enter 14
menu 14

L

language setting 18
limited warranty 21
location, installation 10

M

menu

main 15

setup 16
menu key 14
mounting the bracket assembly

10
mounting the transducer on a

transom 9
mounting the transducer on a

trolling motor 6

N

narrow beam 2
numbers 18

battery 18

water temperature 18

O

optional accessories 19

P

packing list 5
product registration v

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Index

R

range 15

S

scroll 16
selecting a transom mount

location 7
setting, changing a 14
setup menu 16
setup menu option 14
shallow alarm 16
simulator mode 4
simulator setting 18
size, number 18
software license agreement 21
Sonar 1
sound waves 1
specications 19
storage 20
strongest sonar returns 3
surface clutter 4
swivel mount bracket 11

Fishnder 90/140 Owner’s Manual 25

T

temperature number 18
temperature units 18
testing the transom mount

installation 13

transducer 1

assembling 6
installing 6
mounting on a transom 7
mounting on a trolling

motor 6

transom mount installation 13

U

units 18

depth 18
temperature 18

V

view 16

W

warning statement vi
warranty, limited 21
water immersion 20
water temperature number 18
weakest sonar returns 3
whiteline 17
wide beam 2
wiring harness 12

Z

zoom 16

190-00582-10_0A.indd 25 12/2/2011 3:08:59 PM

For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of your Garmin products, visit

the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com.

© 2008 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK

Garmin Corporation

No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan

www.garmin.com

December 2008 Part Number 190-00582-10 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan

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