Intel 150SX User Manual

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 Guarantee - free of
charge during the first year after purchase, and available at
a reasonable rate after the one-year period. Complete
details are included at the end of this manual.

We encourage you to read this operations manual carefully
in order to get full benefit from all the features and uses of
your Humminbird product. Also, to register your purchase
and help us learn more about you, please fill out the
warranty registration card at the back of this manual.

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.

WWW.HUMMINBIRD.COM

INSTALLATION PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Parts Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Alternative Transducers and Mounting Methods. . . . . . 4

Transducer Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

USING THE 150SX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

How Sonar Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Simulator Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What You See On Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Control Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Menu Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ADVANCED FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Using Diagnostic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Rev. 10522E

2

INSTALLATION PREPARATION

PARTS SUPPLIED

PARTS SUPPLIED

Before installing your 150SX, please ensure the following parts are included
in the box:

If any of these items is missing, contact your local distributor.

ACCESSORIES

Humminbird offers a wide assortment of accessories that complement and
expand the capability of your new 150SX. These accessories are designed
with the same high standards and are backed by the same one-year
warranty. The Humminbird Accessory catalog included with your unit
contains descriptions of the many accessories available and ordering
information. All Humminbird accessories are available through your full­service Humminbird dealer or factory direct through our number listed in
the Customer Support section.

INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

The 150SX consists of two primary components to install: the control head
and the transducer.

The control head contains the sonar transmit and receive circuitry, as well
as the user controls and display. It should be installed in a location that
provides access to the controls and visibility while in use. The control head
mounts on a quick disconnect mounting system that swivels and tilts
providing flexibility for viewing from almost anywhere on the boat.

The transducer converts electrical energy from the transmitter into
mechanical pulses or sound waves. The transducer also receives the
reflected sound waves and converts them back into electrical signals for
display on the control head. It should be installed in contact with the

• 150sx fish finder

• transducer with 20ft (6m) of cable

• transducer mounting hardware kit

• mounting system and mounting

hardware kit

• 6 ft (2m) power cable

• operations manual

• installation sheet

• publications kit

3

INSTALLATION PREPARATION

INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

surface of the water in an area that has smooth water flow - usually on the
transom of the boat. There are several mounting options for the
transducer. Review the following section to determine the method that
works for you and your boat.

Determining How to Mount the Transducer

The 150SX includes a model XHS-6-24 transducer. This transducer can be
mounted on the transom of the boat, or
bonded to the inside of a fiberglass hull
boat.

The transom installation, which is the
most widely used, places the transducer
on the outside of the boat hull. This
technique produces the least signal loss,
and provides a way to adjust the
transducer after installation. The
mounting hardware included is designed
to protect both the boat and the
transducer should the boat strike debris
in the water or when trailering.

As an alternative to transom mounting, it is possible on many fiberglass­hulled boats to glue the transducer on the inside of the boat hull. Since

fiberglass has similar sonar character­istics as water, the sonar signal can
pass through the boat hull with
minimal loss. The hull of the boat
must be single layer construction
(not double-hulled). Also, any air
trapped in the lamination of the
fiberglass would prevent the sonar
signal from passing through.

Transom Mounted Transducer

Inside the Hull Mounted Transducer

For additional details reference the
TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION section of
the enclosed Installation Sheet.

4

Inside the hull installations require no holes be drilled into the boat and
through experimentation, high-speed operation comparable to transom
mounting can be achieved. Two part, slow cure epoxy is required to glue
the transducer in place.

ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS

The 150SX comes with everything necessary for installation and operation
on most boats. However, there are several situations which may require a
different type of transducer. Inboard boats, wood or metal hulls, and sail
boats create unique transducer mounting needs. Alternate transducers and
mounting methods are detailed below.

Portable Mounting

The standard transducer can be adapted for
portable installations using part number MHX­PT2. This accessory adapts your transducer to a
suction cup mount for temporary installation on
the boat hull or other surface.

Trolling Motor Mounting

The standard transducer can also be adapted to
mount on most trolling motors using part
number AD-STM-7. This accessory includes a
bracket and hose clamp that allows mounting
the transducer to the body of most trolling
motors.

INSTALLATION PREPARATION

ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS

TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE

Other transducers are available as replacements for the standard
transducer. You may exchange your new and unassembled transducer for
another type by returning it to the address listed in Customer Support.
Some transducers may have additional costs. Refer to the Accessory cata­log or call Customer Support for information.

BEGINNING INSTALLATION

Now that you have determined the transducer mounting method, you can
begin installation of the 150SX. The fold out installation guide included
provides detailed step by step instructions for installation of the control
head and transducer. For transom mount transducer installations, you will
need the mounting template at the back of this manual.

In addition to the parts included you need the following for installation and
operation:

• A powered hand drill and various drill bits

• Phillips and flat-head screw drivers

• A ruler or measuring tape

• Pen or pencil

• 12 volt power source (your boat’s battery)

• A 1-amp fuse

• A fuse holder (if you are wiring directly to the boat’s battery)

• Silicone sealant (for sealing drilled holes)

• 2-part, slow-cure epoxy (for inside the hull transducer installations)

INSTALLATION PREPARATION

TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE

5

USING THE 150SX

HOW SONAR WORKS

6

HOW SONAR WORKS

Your Humminbird unit uses sonar to
locate and define underwater objects,
define the bottom terrain, as well as
determine distance.

Sonar technology is based on sound
waves. Your Humminbird unit sends
out a sound wave signal. With this
signal it determines distance by
measuring the time between the
transmission of the sound wave and
when the sound wave is reflected off
an object. Your Humminbird uses the
reflected signal to interpret location,
size and composition of an object.

Sonar is very fast. A sound wave can travel from the surface to a depth of
240' (70m) and back again in less than

¹⁄₄ of a second. It is unlikely that

your boat can "outrun" this sonar signal.

The 150SX is a 200 kHz, single-beam fishfinder. The 200 kHz frequency
provides excellent sonar resolution (the ability to distinguish small returns
or returns which are close to the bottom), while providing depth
capabilities to 600’ (185m). The shape of the sonar beam is symmetrical
and covers an area of approximately 24 degrees side to side and front
to rear.

Actual depth capability depends on factors such as bottom hardness, water
conditions, and transducer installation. Units will typically read to deeper
depths in fresh water than in salt water

SIMULATOR OPERATION

The 150SX contains a simulator that allows you to use the unit as if you are
on the water. The simulator is invaluable for learning how to operate the
150SX.

7

USING THE 150SX

SIMULATOR OPERATION

There are two ways to start the simulator. If
the unit is powered off, press and hold the
POWER button for approximately three
seconds until you hear a continuous chirp.

The simulator can also be started by
selecting the Simulator option on the start­up screen after you power-up the unit.
When this screen is shown, simply press the DOWN ARROW until
“Simulator” is highlighted. When the screen times out, the unit will be in
simulator mode.

When in simulator operation, the 150SX responds to control inputs as if it
is in actual operation, so feel free to experiment, or to customize the unit
for your particular operation.

To exit Simulator mode, power the unit off.

When in simulator mode, the word “simulator” occasionally
scrolls across the display indicating the information on-screen is
not real sonar data.

FEATURE MEMORY

If your 150SX is installed with a transducer connected, any changes you
make to the set-up or User Options (see Control Functions) while in
Simulator are retained in the unit’s memory. This allows you to use
simulator to experiment with the various set-up options, and retain your
selected settings for normal operation.

If you are using the 150SX in Simulator when no transducer is connected,
any selected options are lost when the unit is powered off. The 150SX will
return to Factory Settings, or options selected when last used with a
transducer, if no transducer is connected.

IMPORTANT: A transducer must be connected to the 150SX in
order to retain user settings selected when in simulator mode. If
no transducer is detected, the unit defaults to pre-selected
options when powered off.

What You See On-Screen

Your 150SX uses a 128 V x 64 H matrix FSTN LCD display. This display
provides outstanding viewability in all light conditions over a wide range of
temperatures.

At initial power-up, the 150SX uses settings that were set at the factory.
After initial use, the 150SX will remember the settings you enter.

There are several elements on-screen that are common to all modes of
operation.

Depth. The digital depth number shows the water depth directly beneath
the transducer location.

Depth Range. The depth range is shown to the right of the screen. The upper
number is 0 indicating the surface of the water. The lower number is one of the nine
depth ranges available that best match the depth of the water. As the depth of the
water changes, the range changes as necessary in order to retain a bottom
representation on-screen.

When in Auto mode, the horizontal line at the top of the screen is the “zero line,”
representing the surface of the water. Occasionally there is a gap in this line. This gap
indicates the unit is updating the
display even if the bottom is not visible
on-screen, or if the bottom information
is not changing.

New sonar information appears on the
right side of the graphic area of the
display and moves to the left as new
information is displayed. The 150SX
automatically selects the appropriate
depth range to show the depth of
water beneath the transducer. This
range is selected so the bottom
representation is typically shown about
²⁄₃ down the display.

8

USING THE 150SX

WHAT YOU SEE ON-SCREEN

Water Depth

Bottom Depiction

Depth Range

Zero Line

Bottom. The graphic depiction of the bottom provides an effective tool
for understanding the composition of the bottom. If the bottom is hard
and smooth, the bottom depiction is narrow and dense. If the bottom is
soft mud or sand, the depiction will be thick and less dense. This indicates
much of the signal is absorbed by the soft bottom. If the bottom is rocky
or rugged in composition, the depiction is of varying density and textured
in appearance.

Wave action also affects the bottom
depiction. The information drawn is
a distance measurement, so if the
boat is moving up and down over flat
bottom, the bottom depiction often
appears in regular variations that
match wave timing.

Structure. Structure is defined as any
object physically attached to the
bottom. The sonar configuration of
the 150SX is optimized to give the
most accurate depiction of bottom
structure possible. Grass, trees,
stumps, wrecks or other debris are
accurately displayed, however the
depiction of these objects varies with
boat speed and direction. The best way to learn to interpret structure is to
operate the 150SX over a variety of known conditions and experiment with
user functions to best represent those conditions on-screen.

Surface Clutter. Surface clutter is the layer of water near the surface that
is rich in algae and other growth, and often is aerated by wind or wave
action. This area of water interferes with sonar transmission and often
appears on-screen as regular clusters of individual dots near the “0” line.

Thermoclines. Thermoclines are sharp differences in water temperature.
These are easily identified by the continuous nature of the return.

Second Returns. When a sonar signal is reflected off the bottom back to

9

USING THE 150SX

WHAT YOU SEE ON-SCREEN

Surface Clutter Rocky Bottom

Soft Bottom Hard Bottom