Humminbird PIRANHA MAX 30 User Manual
SmartCast™ Mode Operations Manual
Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Humminbird®, America's #1 name in fishfinders. Humminbird® has built its reputation by designing and manufacturing top-quality, thoroughly reliable marine equipment. Your Humminbird®is designed for trouble-free use in even the harshest marine environment. In the unlikely
event that your Humminbird
®
does require repairs, we offer an exclusive Service Policy-free of charge during the first year after purchase, and available at
a reasonable rate after the one-year period. For complete details, see the separate warranty card included with your unit. We encourage you to read this
operations manual carefully in order to get full benefit from all the features and applications of your Humminbird®product.
The PiranhaMax30 is a combo unit that allows you to choose either Transducer user mode or SmartCast™ user mode. This manual addresses SmartCast™
user mode only. See the PiranhaMax30 Transducer Mode Operations Manual also included with this unit for Transducer user mode information. With this
purchase you should have:
• PiranhaMax30
Control Head
• One Advanced Remote Sonar Sensor - RSS
• Portable Carry Case
• Portable Mount Transducer
• This SmartCast™ Operations Manual
• The PiranhaMax30 Transducer Operations Manual.
If any of these components are missing or are not included, please contact our Customer Resource Center at 1-334-687-0503 or visit our website at
www.humminbird.com
.
WARNING! This device should not be used as a navigational aid to prevent collision, grounding, boat damage, or personal injury. When the boat is moving, water depth may change too
quickly to allow time for you to react. Always operate the boat at very slow speeds if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects.
WARNING! Disassembly and repair of this electronic unit should only be performed by authorized service personnel. Any modification of the serial number or attempt to repair the
original equipment or accessories by unauthorized individuals will void the warranty. Handling and/or opening this unit may result in exposure to lead, in the form of solder.
WARNING! This product contains lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.
User Modes
The PiranhaMax30 has two different user modes:
SmartCast™:
This user mode allows you to operate the PiranhaMax30 with an Advanced RSS.
Transducer:
This user mode allows you to operate the PiranhaMax30 with the Portable Mount Transducer.
Use the User Mode menu choice to change between these two user modes.
NOTE: If a transducer is not connected to the PMax30 the unit will automatically default to SmartCast™ user mode. If a transducer is connected
then the PMax30 will default to the last mode used prior to powering off.
When “SmartCast” is displayed on the screen, the unit is in SmartCast™ mode.
Using the SmartCast™ User Mode
The SmartCast™ user mode allows you to use the Advanced Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) wireless fishfinder that comes with your PiranhaMax. Simply
attach the RSS to the end of your fishing line and cast it into the water as you would a normal float or lure, then power on the PiranhaMax and you are
ready to fish. In SmartCast™ mode, your PiranhaMax uses sonar technology to send sound waves from the RSS into the water.
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The returned “echoes” are transmitted with wireless technology to the display unit and plotted on the LCD. New information appears on the right. As this
information moves to the left a very accurate picture of the underwater world is created, including the depth of underwater objects such as the bottom, fish,
and structures.
WARNING! The electronic parts in the Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) are made to withstand use when casting into water. Because shock from abrupt contact with rocks can damage your
RSS, we recommend using your RSS in water deeper than 1 foot only.
While in SmartCast™ mode, the Advanced RSS can be used in two distinct ways:
Sonar Graph:
The RSS can be used to create a sonar graph of the bottom. Cast the RSS into the
water beyond an area of interest. Retrieving the RSS slowly and steadily will produce a screen
detailing structure, fish and bottom detail. Rhythmic wave action and rocking may cause the display
of a rippled bottom.
Stationary Float:
The RSS can be used as a float in a stationary location to monitor the area below, giv-
ing you a live update as fish approach your bait.
Attaching the RSS
The line coming from your reel can be tied off to the front hole in the RSS. If you wish to also use the RSS as a conventional float, use the second hole to
attach your hook using a lighter weight line. A snag will break the lighter line if you have to break free. Slip line techniques are not recommended because
of the higher risk of losing the RSS. If you do use the slip line method, use a lighter weight line after the lower stop, enabling retrieval of the RSS if the
lower line with hook breaks away.
Water Surface Line
Depth – Measured at
the Transducer
Structure
Surface Clutter
Upper Range
Temperature
Fish ID+ Symbols
Bottom Contour
Lower Range
To scan an area, cast and then reel in at a steady
rate with your rod tip up. Jerks may break water
contact, causing gapped signal input. A low rod
tip or heavy line may cause signal loss if the
RSS submerges.
CAUTION: You will increase the possibility of breaking your line if you use light test pound line on your reel. The RSS is positively buoyant (is buoyant under its own weight plus 0.2 ounces
of bait and lead weight.) The maximum amount of weight for any attachment to the RSS is approximately 0.2 ounces (5.67 grams), and includes the combined weight of any hook, line,
weight, swivel/snap swivel and bait that is attached to the RSS. The RSS itself weighs 1 ounce, and therefore light test line might break.
Store the RSS in a dry, non-metallic container, such as a tackle box, in a separate compartment, and isolated from any metallic devices.
WARNING! The bottom of the RSS should not be handled during sonar operation, as this may cause physical discomfort and may result in personal injury in the form of tissue damage.
Handle the RSS only by the antenna tower when it has been in the water.
WARNING! The RSS (Remote Sonar Sensor) is not intended for use by children younger than 6 years old without adult supervision as the RSS may represent a choking hazard to small children.
WARNING! Handling and/or opening this unit may result in exposure to lead, in the form of solder.
RSS Power
The Advanced Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) has a non-replaceable Lithium battery with a shelf life of three years that will last for approximately 500 hours
of in-water use (when the nighttime LED is turned off).
Discard the used RSS in compliance with local laws as you would any electronic component or battery.
The RSS has contacts that perceive when the device is immersed in the water. These contacts turn on the Sonar Transmitter/Receiver and begin transmitting the sonar information via RF to the display. The RSS automatically stops using power a few seconds after being pulled out of the water.
WARNING! Do not place the RSS in a wet area when not in use as this will turn on the RSS and shorten its usable life. Store the RSS in a dry area when not in use to conserve power.
Never place the RSS in a wet area of a boat or on a metal surface that could accidentally power it on.
NOTE: If the RSS was used in salt water, rinse it with fresh water before storing it.
Powering ON and OFF
Press and release the POWER-MENU key to power the PiranhaMax on. Press and hold the POWER-MENU key until the unit shuts down to power off.
Display
LEFT Arrow Key
POWER/MENU Key
RIGHT Arrow Key
Use a heavy test line,
standard knots, and
tackle such as a swivel.
Handle the RSS by the antenna tower when it has
been in water.
The second leader hole is for using the RSS as a
float. Connect a lighter weight hook line to this
hole. Do not over-weight the hook line as this will
submerge the RSS, causing signal loss.
When the PiranhaMax powers on, the Start-Up menu temporarily appears. From this menu, use the arrow keys to select either
Start-Up, Simulator, or SetUp. If you do nothing, the unit will default to normal on the water use.
• Use Start-Up for on the water use
• Use Simulator for learning how to use the system with simulated sonar data; access Simulator by pressing the Right Arrow
Key once
• Use SetUp to display additional set-up menu choices; access SetUp by pressing the RIGHT Arrow Key twice (See
SetUp
Menu
for more information).
The Menu System
A simple menu system allows you to access your PiranhaMax’s adjustable settings. To activate the menu system, press the POWER-MENU key. Press the
POWER-MENU key repeatedly to display the PiranhaMax menu settings, one at a time. When a menu setting is on the display, use the RIGHT and LEFT
Arrow keys to adjust the menu setting. Menus settings are removed from the screen automatically after several seconds. In Normal operating mode, most
menu settings saved to memory will not return to their default values when the unit is turned off. See individual menu choices for more information.
NOTE: Each time the POWER-MENU key is pressed, the backlight momentarily illuminates for easy viewing at night. Adjust the LIGHT menu setting to keep the backlight on.
NOTE: If Simulator Mode is selected from the Start-Up Menu and a transducer is plugged in, some menu setting changes will be saved in memory even after the unit is powered down.
Menu setting changes will not be saved from Simulator mode when a transducer is not connected.
NOTE: Turning on the SetUp menu choice from the Main Menu System allows you to access additional set-up menu choices. See SetUp Menu for more information.
Light
(Setting Not Saved in Memory)
Press the POWER-MENU key until LIGHT appears. Use the backlight for night fishing. Select either 0 (Off), or 1 through 5 to activate the backlight at the
desired level. (0 to 5, Default = 0)
NOTE: Continuous backlight operation will significantly decrease the battery life for PiranhaMax Portables.
Sensitivity
(Setting Saved in Memory)
Press the POWER-MENU key until SENSITIVITY appears. Sensitivity controls how much detail is shown on the display. Increasing the sensitivity shows
more sonar returns from small baitfish and suspended debris in the water; however, the display may become too cluttered. When operating in very clear
water or greater depths, increased sensitivity shows weaker returns that may be of interest. Decreasing the sensitivity eliminates the clutter from the display that is sometimes present in murky or muddy water. If Sensitivity is adjusted too low, the display may not show many sonar returns that could be fish.
(0 – 10, Default = 5)
Depth Range
(Setting Not Saved in Memory)
Press the POWER-MENU key until DEPTH RANGE appears. Automatic is the default setting. When in automatic, the lower range will be adjusted by the
unit to follow the bottom. (Auto, 10 to 120 Feet, Default = Auto)
NOTE: In manual operation, if the depth is greater than the depth range setting, the bottom will not be visible on the display. Select AUTO to return to automatic operation.
Zoom
(Setting Not Saved in Memory)
Press the POWER-MENU key until ZOOM appears. Select Auto to magnify the area around the bottom in order to reveal fish and structure close to the bottom that may not be visible during normal operation. When ZOOM is set to Auto, the upper and lower Depth Ranges are automatically adjusted to keep the
area above and below the bottom on the display. Select Off to return to normal operation. (Off, Auto, Manual Ranges, Default = Off)
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