Lowrance IFINDER GO2 ADVANCED USER GUIDE

www.lowrance.com

Pub. 988-0148-731



iFINDER Go

Handheld Mapping GPS Receiver

Advanced Users Guide

Copyright © 2005 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished,
transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written
consent of Lowrance. Any unauthorized commercial distribution

of this manual is strictly prohibited.

iFINDER
Electronics, Inc. DURACELL
Inc. RAYOVAC
Energizer



Go and Lowrance® are registered trademarks of Lowrance





is a registered trademark of Rayovac Corporation.

2

and e

are registered trademarks of Energizer Holdings, Inc.



is a registered trademark of Duracell,

eXitSource Database, copyright  2001-2005 Zenrin Co.
Ltd. Exit Authority and eXitSource are trademarks of
Zenrin Co. Ltd.

Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our
policies, regulations and special offers at any time. We reserve the right
to do so without notice. All features and specifications subject to change
without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated.

For free owner's manuals and the most current information on

this product, its operation and accessories,

visit our web site:

www.lowrance.com

Lowrance Electronics Inc.

12000 E. Skelly Dr.

Tulsa, OK USA 74128-2486

Printed in USA.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Read Me First!......................................................... 1

Capabilities and Specifications: iFINDER

How iFINDER Works ................................................................... 3

Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 4

How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions................ 6

Section 2: Installation & Accessories.................................... 9

Power............................................................................................. 9

Batteries .................................................................................... 9

Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter........................................... 10

R-A-M



Bracket Mounting System ............................................ 11

Other Accessories........................................................................ 11

Section 3: Easy Mode Operation .......................................... 13

Keypad......................................................................................... 13

Power/lights on and off ............................................................... 14

Main Menu .................................................................................. 14

Pages ........................................................................................... 15

Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 15

Navigation Page...................................................................... 16

Map Page................................................................................. 18

iFINDER Easy Mode Quick Reference ...................................... 20

Find Your Current Position........................................................ 21

Moving Around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys ............. 21

Selecting Any Map Item with the Cursor.................................. 21

Searching..................................................................................... 22

Set Home Waypoint .................................................................... 23

Navigate Back Home ..............................................................24

Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint........................................ 24

Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint .......................................... 25

Navigate to Cursor Position on Map.......................................... 25

Navigate to a Map Place............................................................. 26

Creating and Saving a Trail....................................................... 27

Displaying a Saved Trail ........................................................ 27

Navigating or Backtracking a Trail ........................................... 28

Visual Back Trailing ............................................................... 28

Navigate a Back Trail............................................................. 28

Clearing or Erasing a Trail .................................................... 29

Switch to Advanced Mode........................................................... 30

Switch Back to Easy Mode from Advanced Mode ................. 30

Section 4: Advanced Mode Operation................................. 31

Keypad......................................................................................... 31

Power/lights on and off ............................................................... 32

Main Menu .................................................................................. 32

i



Go, Go2 .................. 2

Pages ........................................................................................... 32

Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 32

Position Page........................................................................... 33

Navigation Page...................................................................... 34

Map Page................................................................................. 35

Moving Around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys ............. 35

Find Distance From Current Position To Another Location .... 36

Find Distance From Point to Point ............................................ 36

Find Your Current Position........................................................ 37

Icons............................................................................................. 37

Create Icon on Map................................................................. 37

Create Icon at Current Position ............................................. 38

Delete an Icon ......................................................................... 38

Navigate ...................................................................................... 38

Navigate Back Home ..............................................................39

Navigate Back to Man Overboard Waypoint......................... 39

Cancel Navigation................................................................... 39

Navigate a Route..................................................................... 39

Navigate to Cursor Position on Map...................................... 39

Navigate to an Icon................................................................. 39

Navigate to Map Place............................................................ 39

Navigate to a Waypoint .......................................................... 40

Navigate a Trail ...................................................................... 40

Backtrack a Trail .................................................................... 41

Routes.......................................................................................... 41

Create and Save a Route ........................................................41

Delete a Route ......................................................................... 43

Searching..................................................................................... 43

Find Any Item Selected by Map Cursor................................. 44

Find Interstate Highway Exits .............................................. 44

Find Map Places...................................................................... 46

Find Streets or Intersections.................................................. 47

Find Waypoints ....................................................................... 49

Switch to Easy Mode................................................................... 51

Switch Back to Advanced Mode from Easy Mode .....................51

Trails ........................................................................................... 51

Create and Save a Trail.......................................................... 51

Clear a Trail ............................................................................ 51

Delete a Trail .......................................................................... 52

Edit a Trail Name ................................................................... 52

Utilities........................................................................................ 52

Alarm Clock............................................................................. 52

Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator............................................ 52

ii

Trip Calculator........................................................................ 52

Trip Down Timer..................................................................... 52

Trip Up Timer ......................................................................... 52

Waypoints.................................................................................... 52

Create a Waypoint .................................................................. 52

Create Waypoint on Map .................................................... 52

Create Waypoint at Current Position ................................ 53

Create a Man Overboard Waypoint ...................................53

Create a Waypoint by Average Position ............................ 53

Create a Waypoint by Projecting a Position ...................... 53

Select a Waypoint ................................................................... 54

Delete a Waypoint................................................................... 54

Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol, Position or Altitude) ........ 54

Section 5: System & GPS Setup Options ............................ 55

Alarms ......................................................................................... 55

Auto Satellite Search.................................................................. 56

Com Port Configuration ............................................................. 57

Coordinate System Selection...................................................... 57

Map Fix.................................................................................... 59

Customize Page Displays ........................................................... 60

Customize Position or Navigation Page................................. 60

Customize Map Page .............................................................. 60

GPS Simulator ............................................................................ 61

Simulating Trail or Route Navigation ................................... 61

Map Auto Zoom........................................................................... 62

Map Data..................................................................................... 62

Earth Map Detail .................................................................... 63

Pop-up Map Info...................................................................... 63

Fill Land Gray......................................................................... 63

Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ........................ 63

Map Detail Category Selection................................................... 64

Map Orientation ......................................................................... 64

Pop-up Help................................................................................. 65

Reset Options .............................................................................. 66

Require WAAS ............................................................................ 66

Screen Contrast and Brightness ................................................ 67

Set Language .............................................................................. 69

Set Local Time ............................................................................ 69

Software Version Information.................................................... 70

Track Smoothing......................................................................... 71

Trail Options ............................................................................... 71

Flash Trails on Screen Option................................................ 72

Update Trail Option................................................................ 72

iii

Update Trail Criteria (Auto, Time, Distance) ....................... 72

Trail Update Rate (Time, Distance)....................................... 73

Delete Trail ............................................................................. 73

New Trail................................................................................. 74

Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................... 74

Units of Measure......................................................................... 74

Section 6: Supplemental Material .......................................76

Index........................................................................................... 78

A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD
TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION.

When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), a GPS unit will show
the shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to the
waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not
only take advantage of all available navigation tools when traveling to a way­point, but will also visually check to make sure a clear, safe path to the waypoint
is always available.

When a GPS unit is used in a vehicle, the vehicle operator is solely re­sponsible for operating the vehicle in a safe manner. Vehicle operators
must maintain full surveillance of all pertinent driving, boating or fly­ing conditions at all times. An accident or collision resulting in damage
to property, personal injury or death could occur if the operator of a
GPS-equipped vehicle fails to pay full attention to travel conditions and
vehicle operation while the vehicle is in motion.

WARNING!

CAUTION

WARNING!

iv

Section 1: Read Me First!

How this manual can get you out on the road, fast!

Welcome to the exciting world of GPS satellite navigation! We know
you're anxious to begin finding your way with this advanced technol­ogy, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab the batteries and head
outside, please give us a moment or two to explain how our manual can
help you get the best performance from this remarkable little GPS unit.

First, we want to thank you for buying an iFINDER
you're a first-time user or a professional navigator, you'll discover that
the iFINDER is a true pocket-sized, full-featured mapping GPS re­ceiver. No other consumer GPS mapping system on the market offers so
much information and so many features in one package.

Our goal for this book is to get you on the road or out to the woods and
water fast, with a minimum of fuss. Like you, we'd rather spend more
time traveling, and less time reading the manual!

So, we designed our book so that you don't have to read the whole thing
from front to back for the information you want. At the start (or end) of
each segment, we'll tell you what content is coming up next. If it's a
concept you're already familiar with, we'll show you how and where to
skip ahead for the next important topic. We've also made it easy to look
up any tips you may need from time to time. Here's how:

The manual is organized into six sections. This first section is an intro­duction to Lowrance GPS. It tells you the basics you need to know be­fore you can make the unit look around and tell you where you are.

Section 2 will help you get the batteries correctly installed in your
iFINDER. We'll also tell you about some of the accessories available for
your unit.

Section 3 is the heart of our book, Easy Mode Operation. It will intro­duce you to the basic GPS functions. We lead off this section with a one­page Easy Mode Quick Reference. (If you've already figured out

how to load the batteries yourself, and you just can't wait any
longer, turn to the Quick Reference on page 20 and head out­side with your iFINDER!)

The rest of Section 3 contains short, easy-to-scan lessons that follow
one another in chronological order. They're all you'll need to know to
find your way on the water or in the wilderness quickly.

Easy Mode operation will meet the navigation needs of many users.
But, after you've learned the basics (or if you already have some GPS
experience), you may want to try out some of iFINDER's many ad-



Go. Whether

1

vanced navigation features. That brings us to Section 4, Advanced
Mode Operation. After we introduce the Advanced Mode menus and

submenus, this section contains the rest of iFINDER's command func­tions, organized in alphabetical order.

When you come to a GPS menu command on the iFINDER screen, you can
look it up in the manual by skimming over the table of contents or index,
just flipping through Section 3 or scanning through the command portion of
Section 4.

iFINDER is ready to use right out of the box, but you can fine tune and
customize its operation with dozens of options. We describe how to use
general system options along with GPS options in Section 5, System
Setup and GPS Setup Options. This section covers both Easy Mode and
Advanced Mode options.

Finally, in Section 6, we offer Supplemental Material, including a list of
the GPS datums used, warranties, and customer service information.

Now, if you're into the fine details, glance over the next segment on
specifications to see just how much GPS power you hold in your hand.
It's important to us (and our power users), but if you don't care how
many waypoints iFINDER can store or how long the batteries last, skip
ahead to important information on how iFINDER works, on page 3.

Capabilities and Specifications: iFINDER Go, Go2

General

Display:............................ 2" (51 mm) diagonal high contrast Film Su-

perTwist, 16-level grayscale.

Resolution:...................... 200V pixel x 140H pixel resolution; 28,000

total pixels.

Backlighting:.................. Amber LED for night and low-light viewing.

Input power:................... 3 volts DC (two 1.5v AA batteries); operates

up to 61 hours on batteries with no back­light. Operates for 30 hours with backlight
set to half bright and for 18 hours with
backlight set to full bright.

Case size: ............................pocket-size, 5.15" H x 2.12" W x 1.25" D (131 x

58 x 32 mm); waterproof to IPX7 standards.

Weight:............................. 5.7 ounces (162 grams) with batteries.

Back-up memory: .......... Built-in memory stores GPS data for dec-

ades. User settings are stored when the unit
is turned off.

2

Map & data memory: .... Go has 32 MB of built-in memory for the map

and GPS data; Go2 has 64 MB.

Languages:...................... 10; menu selectable by user.

GPS

Receiver/antenna: ......... Internal; 16 parallel channel GPS/WAAS.

Background map:.......... Go contains low-detail world map and me-

dium-detail USA map. Go2 contains same
maps plus high-detail USA shoreline data.
Go2 International contains world reference
map. For complete description of data con­tained in these maps, see information else­where in this manual.

Position updates: .......... Every one second.

Man Overboard:............. MOB feature precisely marks man overboard

location with special icon, then automatically
displays navigation data to that position.

Screen alarms: ............... Arrival/off-course/destination passed/anchor.

Graphic symbols for
waypoints or event

marker icons: ................. 42.

Position points: ............. 1,000 waypoints; 1,000 event marker icons.

Routes:............................. 100; up to 100 waypoints per route.

Plot Trails: ...................... 100 savable; up to 9,999 points per trail.

Zoom range:.................... 40 map zoom ranges; 0.02 to 4,000 miles.

How iFINDER Works

You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how iFINDER scans
the sky to tell you where you are on the earth — and, where you're go­ing. (But if you already have a working understanding of GPS receivers
and the GPS navigation system, skip on ahead to Section 2, Installation
& Accessories on page 9. If you're new to GPS, read on, and you can
later impress your friends with your new-found knowledge.)

First, think of your iFINDER as a small but powerful computer. (But
don't worry — we made iFINDER easy to use, so you don't need to be a
computer expert to find your way!) The iFINDER includes a keypad
and a screen with menus so you can tell it what to do. The screen also
lets iFINDER show your location on a moving map, as well as point the
way to your destination.

3

This pocket-sized computer also contains an antenna and specialized
scanning receiver, something like your car radio. But instead of your
favorite dance tunes, this receiver tunes in to a couple of dozen GPS
satellites circling the earth. (It will also listen in to the WAAS satellites
in orbit, but more about that in the upcoming segment introducing you
to GPS and WAAS.)

iFINDER listens to signals from as many satellites as it can "see" above
the horizon, eliminates the weakest signals, then computes its location
in relation to those satellites. Once iFINDER figures its latitude and
longitude, it plots that position on the moving map shown on the
screen. While the screen is updated once a second, your iFINDER is
making these internal calculations and determining its position several
times a second!

The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of
each iFINDER is a basic background map of the entire world. We lock it in
here at the factory — you can't change or erase this map.

Another portion of iFINDER's onboard memory is devoted to recording
GPS navigation information, which includes waypoints, event marker
icons, trails and routes. This lets you look back the way you came.
Think of this data storage like the hard drive memory in a computer or
a tape in a cassette tape recorder. You can save several different GPS
data files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over and over again.

Introduction to GPS and WAAS

Well, now you know the basics of how iFINDER does its work. You
might be ready to jump ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories,
on page 9, so you can install the batteries. Or you might want to see
how our text formatting makes the manual tutorials easy to skim. If
that's the case, move on to "How to Use This Manual" on page 6. But, if
you want to understand the current state of satellite navigation, look
over this segment describing how GPS and its new companion WAAS
work together to get you where you're going.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was launched July 17, 1995 by
the United States Department of Defense. It was designed as a 24­hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year, all weather global navigation system for
the armed forces of the U.S. and its allies. Civilian use was also avail­able at first, but it was less accurate because the military scrambled
the signal somewhat, using a process called Selective Availability (SA).

GPS proved so useful for civilian navigation that the federal govern­ment discontinued SA on May 2, 2000, after the military developed

4

other methods to deny GPS service to enemy forces. Reliable accuracy
for civilian users jumped from 100 meters (330 feet) under SA to the
present level of 10 to 20 meters (about 30 to 60 feet.)

Twenty-four satellites orbit 10,900 nautical miles above the Earth,
passing overhead twice daily. A series of ground stations (with precisely
surveyed locations) controls the satellites and monitors their exact loca­tions in the sky. Each satellite broadcasts a low-power signal that identi­fies the satellite and its position above the earth. Three of these satellites
are spares, unused until needed. The rest virtually guarantee that at
least four satellites are in view nearly anywhere on Earth at all times.

A minimum of three satellites are required to determine a 2D fix.

The system requires signal reception from three satellites in order to
determine a position. This is called a 2D fix. It takes four satellites to
determine both position and elevation (your height above sea level —
also called altitude.) This is called a 3D fix.

Remember, the unit must have a clear view of the satellites in order to
receive their signals. Unlike radio or television signals, GPS works at
very high frequencies. These signals can be easily blocked by trees,
buildings, an automobile roof, even your body.

Like most GPS receivers, iFINDER doesn’t have a compass or any
other navigation aid built inside. It relies solely on the signals from the
satellites to calculate a position. Speed, direction of travel, and distance
are all calculated from position information. Therefore, in order for
iFINDER to determine direction of travel, you must be moving and the
faster, the better. This is not to say that it won’t work at walking or
trolling speeds — it will. There will simply be more "wandering" of the
data shown on the display.

GPS is plenty accurate for route navigation, but the U.S. Federal Avia­tion Administration has special needs for aircraft traffic control that go

5

beyond basic GPS. The FAA has a plan under way to boost GPS per­formance even further with its Wide Area Augmentation System, or
WAAS. This GPS add-on will include a time control element that will
help airliners fly closer together while avoiding collisions. In addition to
carefully spacing airplanes along travel corridors, WAAS will eventu­ally make instrument landings and takeoffs more accurate as it re­places existing aviation navigation systems.

Non-aviators can use WAAS signals to make their GPS navigation even
more accurate. Your iFINDER receives both GPS and WAAS signals.
However, WAAS has some limits you should know about.

First, the U.S. government has not completed construction of the
WAAS system, so it is not yet fully operational. The ground stations are
in place, but only a few of the needed WAAS satellites have been
launched.

WAAS can boost the accuracy of land GPS navigation, but the system is
designed for aircraft. The satellites are in a fixed orbit around the Equa­tor, so they appear very low in the sky to someone on the ground in
North America. Aircraft and vessels on open water can get consistently
good WAAS reception, but terrain, foliage or even large man-made struc­tures frequently block the WAAS signal from ground receivers.

You'll find that using your GPS receiver is both easy and amazingly
accurate. It’s easily the most accurate method of electronic navigation
available to the general public today. Remember, however, that this
receiver is only a tool. Always have another method of navigation avail­able, such as a map or chart and a compass.

Also remember that this unit will always show navigation information
in the shortest line from your present position to a waypoint, regardless
of terrain! It only calculates position, it can’t know what’s between you
and your destination, for example. It’s up to you to safely navigate
around obstacles, no matter how you’re using this product.

How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions

Many instructions are listed as numbered steps. The keypad and arrow
"keystrokes" appear as boldface type. So, if you're in a real hurry (or
just need a reminder), you can skim the instructions and pick out what
menu command to use by finding the boldface command text. The fol­lowing paragraphs explain how to interpret the text formatting for
those commands and other instructions:

6

Arrow Keys

The arrow keys control the movement of dotted cross-hair lines on your
mapping screen called the cursor. The arrow keys also help you move
around the iFINDER menus so you can execute different commands.
They are represented by symbols like these, which denote the down ar-

row key, the up arrow, the left arrow and the right arrow: ↓ ↑ ← →.

Keyboard

The other keys perform a variety of functions. When the text refers to a
key to press, the key is shown in bold, sans serif type. For example, the
"Enter/Save" key is shown as

ENT and the "Menu" key is shown as MENU.

Menu Commands

A menu command or a menu option will appear in small capital letters,
in a bold sans serif type like this:

ADVANCED MODE. These indicate that you

are to select this command or option from a menu or take an action of
some kind with the menu item. Text that you may need to enter or file
names you need to select are shown in italic type, such as trail name.

Instructions = Menu Sequences

Most functions you perform with iFINDER are described as a sequence
of key strokes and selecting menu commands. We've written them in a
condensed manner for quick and easy reading.

For example, instructions for backtracking a trail in Easy Mode would
look like this:

1. Press

MENU|↓ to NAVIGATE TRAIL|ENT.

2. Now, begin moving and follow your iFINDER.

Translated into complete English, step 1 means: "Press the Menu key.
Next, press the down arrow key to scroll down the menu and select (high­light) the Navigate Trail menu command. Finally, press the Enter key."

Also note that throughout this text, we will refer to the iFINDER Go as
iFINDER, or simply as the unit.

7

Notes

8

Section 2:

Installation & Accessories

Power

The iFINDER operates from two AA batteries or on 3 volts DC using an
optional external power cable with a cigarette lighter adapter. If the
power cable is used, the iFINDER automatically switches to it if the
external power is greater than the battery voltage. If the external
power fails, the unit automatically switches to the batteries.

Flash memory and an internal lithium battery will keep your stored
data safe and accessible for the life of the product.

Batteries

The unit requires two 1.5-volt AA batteries. We recommend that you
use alkaline batteries for the best trade-off between battery life and
cost. We recommend DURACELL
If you're looking for an extended-life battery, the Duracell
tery has performed well in our tests.

You can also use rechargeable AA alkaline batteries, such as those
made by RAYOVAC
batteries. We do not recommend nickel cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable
batteries because you will get poor battery life from them.

Rechargeable alkaline batteries will not last as long as standard alka­line batteries. NiMH batteries are rechargeable, however, and should
give you suitable battery life.

Do not mix different battery types. Mixing battery types may cause leak­age. (For example, don’t use both alkaline and NiMH batteries at the
same time, and don't use standard alkalines with rechargeable alka­lines.)

Battery Installation

Turn the unit over so that the back is facing you. Use your thumb to press
the latch on the battery compartment cover toward the bottom of the unit.



, or rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride (NiMH)



brand, but other brands will work.



ULTRA bat-

9

Release the latch to remove iFINDER battery cover.

When the latch clicks free, lift the battery compartment cover away
from the unit. Install the batteries according to the decal in the battery
compartment, which shows the correct polarity.

Replace the battery compartment cover. Align the two tabs in the bot­tom of the cover with two small sockets in the base of the unit. Then
fold the cover into place and make sure the latch clicks closed.

Replace battery compartment cover.

Align tabs with slots, then snap cover in place.

Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter

To use external DC power: Plug the power cable's cigarette lighter
adapter into a cigarette lighter receptacle. Next, slide the other connec­tor over the power contacts on the bottom of the iFINDER case.

10

Attach external power cable to iFINDER.

R-A-M Bracket Mounting System

A R-A-M mounting bracket is available for your iFINDER. The
mounting arm and cradle can swivel on a ball for easy viewing in any
type of vehicle.

R-A-M mounting system.

Other Accessories

Other iFINDER accessories include a belt holster with a see-through
cover, as well as other cable connections. If these accessories are not
available from your dealer, see the accessory ordering information on
the inside back cover of this manual.

11

See-through belt holster for the iFINDER Go.

12

Section 3:

2

Easy Mode Operation

This section addresses Easy Mode operation for iFINDER's main GPS
functions. The principles are the same in both operating modes, so this
discussion also serves as a good introduction to Advanced Mode work.

Before you turn on iFINDER and find where you are, it's a good idea to
learn about the different keys, the three Page screens and how they all
work together. BUT, if you just can't wait to get outside, grab the bat­teries and turn to the one-page Quick Reference on page 20.

Keypad

7

4

6

3

9

1

iFINDER keypad.

1. PWR/LIGHT (Power & Light) – The PWR key turns the unit on and
off and activates the backlight. Turn off the unit by pressing and hold­ing the

2. PAGES – Pressing this key switches the unit between the three dif­ferent page screens in Easy Mode. (Satellite, Navigation and Map.)
Each page represents one of the unit's major operation modes.

3. MENU – Press this key to show the menus, which allow you to select
or adjust a feature from a list.

4. ARROW KEYS – These keys are used to navigate through the
menus, make menu selections, move the map cursor and enter data.

5. ENT/SAVE (Enter & Save) – This key allows you to save data, ac­cept values or execute menu commands.

PWR key for 3 seconds.

8

13

5

6. EXIT – The Exit key lets you return to the previous screen, clear
data or erase a menu.

7. FIND – The Find key launches the iFINDER search menus.

8. ZOUT – (Zoom Out) – This key lets you zoom the screen out to see a
larger geographic area on the map. Less detail is seen as you zoom out.

9. ZIN – (Zoom In) – This key lets you zoom the screen in to see greater
detail in a smaller geographic area on the map.

Power/lights on and off

To turn on the unit, press PWR. To turn on the backlight, press PWR
again. Pressing PWR once again will turn off the backlight. (Press EXIT
to clear any message or alarm displays.)

Turn off the unit by pressing and holding the

PWR key for 3 seconds.

Main Menu

Easy Mode has a single Main Menu, which contains some function com­mands and some setup option commands. The tutorial lessons in this sec­tion will deal only with functions, the basic commands that make
iFINDER do something. iFINDER will work fine for these lessons right out
of the box with the factory default settings. But, if you want to learn about
the various options, see Sec. 5, System Setup and GPS Setup Options.

Main Menu, Easy Mode.

The Main Menu commands and their functions are:
Go To Cursor command: navigates to the current cursor position on
the map

Cancel Navigation command: turns off the navigation command after
you have reached the end of a back trail or your destination waypoint,
Point of Interest or map cursor location.

14

Screen command: changes the contrast or brightness of the display screen.

Sun/Moon command: finds the rising and setting time of the sun and

the moon.

Units of Measure command: changes the speed or distance units. Also
used to change the heading and time formats.

Set Local Time command: sets the time for your local time zone.

Advanced Mode command: used to switch from Easy Mode to Ad-

vanced Mode. Easy Mode shows only the most commonly used features
to simplify the interface and simplify operation.

Software Info command: shows the product name and software version
of the unit's operating system software, as well as copyright notices.

Pages

Easy Mode has three Page displays that represent the three major op­erating modes. They are the Satellite Status Page, the Navigation Page
and the Map Page. They are accessed by pressing the
Pressing

PAGES repeatedly scrolls among the three screens in an end-

less circular loop.

Satellite Status Page

This Page, shown in the following images, provides detailed informa­tion on the status of iFINDER's satellite lock-on and position acquisi­tion. To get to the Satellite Status Page: press

PAGES repeatedly until

the page you want appears.

PAGES key.

No matter what page you are on, a flashing current position indica­tor/question mark symbol and flashing GPS data displays indicate that
satellite lock has been lost and there is no position confirmed. This page
shows you the quality and accuracy of the current satellite lock-on and
position calculation.

WARNING:

Do not begin navigating with this unit until the numbers
have stopped flashing!

15

Satellite Page showing active satellites with varying

degrees of signal strength.

This screen shows a graphical view of the satellites that are in view.
Each satellite is shown on the circular chart relative to your position.
The point in the center of the chart is directly overhead. The small in­ner ring represents 45° above the horizon and the large ring represents
the horizon. North is at the top of the screen. You can use this to see
which satellites are obstructed by obstacles in your immediate area if
you hold the unit facing north.

The GPS receiver is tracking satellites that are in bold type. The re­ceiver hasn't locked onto a satellite if the number is grayed out, there­fore it isn't being used to solve the position.

Beneath the circular graph are the bar graphs, one for each satellite in
view. Since the unit has twelve channels, it can dedicate one channel
per visible satellite. The taller the bar on the graph, the better the unit
is receiving the signals from the satellite.

The "Estimated Position Error" (horizontal position error) shown in the
upper right corner of the screen is the expected error from a benchmark
location. In other words, if the EPE shows 50 feet, then the position
shown by the unit is estimated to be within 50 feet of the actual loca­tion. This also gives you an indicator of the fix quality the unit cur­rently has. The smaller the position error number, the better (and more
accurate) the fix is. If the position error flashes dashes, then the unit
hasn't locked onto the satellites, and the number shown isn't valid.

Navigation Page

This Page has a compass rose. It shows your direction of travel and the
direction to a recalled waypoint. The navigation screen looks like the
one in the following image when you're not navigating to a waypoint or
other destination. No graphic course information is displayed. Your po­sition is shown by an arrow in the center of the screen. Your trail his-

16

tory, or path you've taken, is depicted by the line extending from the
arrow. The arrow pointing down at the top of the compass rose indicates
the current track (direction of travel) you are taking.

Track or compass heading indicator, showing direction of travel

Present
position
arrow

Trail line

Navigation Page, recording a trail, traveling due north. Page looks like

this when not navigating to a waypoint, or following a route or trail.

Compass

rose

Navigation
information
display

When navigating to a waypoint or following a route, the Navigation
screen looks like the one shown in the following image. Your ground
speed, track, distance and bearing to waypoint, and course are all
shown digitally on this screen. Closing speed is also known as velocity
made good. It's the speed that you're making towards the waypoint.

The current cross track error is shown in the Off Course line. This is
the distance you are off-course to the side of the desired course line.
The course line is an imaginary line drawn from your position when
you started navigating to the destination waypoint. It's shown on the
steering screen as a vertical dotted line.

Lines on either side of the present position show the current cross track
error range. The default for the cross track error range is 0.20 mile. For
example, if the present position symbol touches the right cross track
error line, then you are .20 mile to the right of the desired course. You
need to steer left to return to the desired course. You can use the

ZOUT keys to change the cross track error range. A circular symbol de-

ZIN or

picting your destination (waypoint) appears on the screen as you ap­proach the waypoint as shown on the screen below.

17

Travel Time is the time that it will take to reach your destination at
your present closing speed. Arrival Time is the local time that it will be
when you arrive at the destination, based upon your present closing
speed and track.

Current track or
heading, shown
in degrees

Waypoint
symbol

Compass bearing
to destination

Bearing
arrow

Trail line

Cross track
error range
(off course
indicator)

Navigation Page, backtracking a trail. Driver is headed due east (a

110º track) toward a waypoint 110º (bearing) away. The cross track er-

ror range (white corridor) is 0.20 miles either side of the course. The
driver is headed toward waypoint 001, which is 0.21 miles away. The

vehicle is very nearly on course (off course 23 feet). Traveling at a

speed of 42 mph, the driver will arrive at the waypoint in 18 seconds.

Destination
name

Navigation
information
display

Map Page

The map screens show your course and track from a "bird's-eye" view. By
default, this unit shows the map with north always at the top of the screen.
(This can be changed using options in Advanced Mode. See the topic Map
Orientation, in Sec. 5.) If you're navigating to a waypoint, the map also
shows your starting location, present position, course line and destination.

NOTE:

When our text says, "navigating to a waypoint," we really mean
navigation to any selected item, whether it is a waypoint you made,
a map feature or a map place such as a city or town.

Using the map is as simple as pressing the

PAGES key. A screen similar to

those in following images appears. The arrow flashing in the center of the
screen is your present position. It points in the direction you're traveling.
The solid line extending from the arrow is your plot trail, or path you've
taken. (Remember, a flashing question mark on the arrow symbol or
flashing text displays means iFINDER has not yet calculated a position.)

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The map zoom range is the distance across the screen. This number
shows in the lower left corner of the screen. In the first example below
left, the range is 4,000 miles from the left edge of the map to the right
edge of the map.

The Zoom In and Zoom Out keys zoom the map to enlarge or reduce its
coverage area and the amount of mapping detail shown. There are 39
available map zoom ranges, from 0.02 miles to 4,000 miles.

Far left, Map Page opening screen. Center, zoomed to 100 miles and
right, zoomed to 6 miles. Over Zoomed means you have reached the

detail limits in an area covered only by the basic background map.

Zooming in any closer will reveal no more map details.

The map data loaded in your iFINDER Go contains a low-detail world
map and a medium detail USA map. The Go2 model contains the same
maps plus high detail USA lake, river and coastal shoreline data.

The low-detail world map contains some large cities and most country
political boundaries. The medium-detail U.S. map contains: all incorpo­rated cities; shaded metropolitan areas; county boundaries; some major
city streets; Interstate, U.S. and state highways; lakes and streams and
more than 60,000 navigation aids and 10,000 wrecks and obstructions
in U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters. The map also contains exit
services information for Interstate highways.

The iFINDER Go2 International contains a world reference map with
basic worldwide coverage of country political boundaries, major inland
lakes, rivers and coastal waters, plus key cities, and major and minor
highways.

The following page contains an 11-step quick reference for Easy Mode
operation. If you don't want to carry the manual with you as you prac­tice with iFINDER, you might consider photocopying this quick refer­ence page and tucking it into your pocket.

19

iFINDER Easy Mode Quick Reference

1. Install two AA batteries in the battery compartment on back of case.

2. To turn on iFINDER, press and release

PWR key.

3. Opening screen displays map of North America at the 4,000 mile
zoom range. Rotate through the three main Page screens (Map Page,
Satellite Status Page, Navigation Page) by repeatedly pressing

PAGES

key. Switch Pages to display Satellite Status Page.

4. Wait while unit locates satellites and calculates current position. Process
is visible on Satellite page. This takes an average of 1 minute or less under
clear sky conditions (unobstructed by terrain or structures). When the unit
acquires position, a position acquired message appears.

5. With position acquired, press

PAGES key to display Map Page, which

shows a bird's eye view of the earth. You can move around the map by:

Zoom in closer to see greater detail: press
Zoom out to see more area, less detail: press

ZIN (zoom in key.)

ZOUT (zoom out key.)

Scroll map north, south, east or west using arrow keys ↑ ↓ → ←.

To stop scrolling and return to current position on map, press

EXIT key.

6. Set Home waypoint at your current position so you can navigate back
here: press

ENT|ENT.

7. Zoom/scroll map to find a nearby object or location. Use arrow keys to
center cursor cross-hair over the map object or location.

8. To navigate to the selected location: press

MENU|ENT|EXIT. Follow

steering arrow on Map Page or compass bearing arrow on Navigation Page.

9. At destination, Arrival Alarm goes off; to clear it, press
navigation: press

MENU|↓ to CANCEL NAVIGATION|ENT|← to YES|ENT.

EXIT. Cancel

10. Navigate back home by Go To Home or Navigate Trail. Go Home:
press

NAVIGATE TRAIL|ENT. Wait while route is calculated, then follow arrows.

11. Back home, Arrival Alarm goes off; press
press

FIND|ENT; follow navigation arrows. Trail: press MENU|↓ to

EXIT. Cancel navigation:

MENU|↓ to CANCEL NAVIGATION|ENT|← to YES|ENT.

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Find Your Current Position

Finding your current position is as simple as turning iFINDER on. Un­der clear sky conditions, the unit automatically searches for satellites
and calculates its position in approximately one minute or less.

NOTE:

"Clear sky" means open sky, unobstructed by terrain, dense foliage
or structures. Clouds do not restrict GPS signal reception.

If for some reason satellite acquisition takes longer, you may be inside
a structure or vehicle or in terrain that is blocking signal reception. To
correct this, be sure you are positioned so that the unit has as clear a
view of the sky as possible, then turn the unit off and back on again.

Moving Around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys

The map is presented from a bird's eye view perspective. The current
zoom range shows in the lower left corner of the screen.

1. Press the
a smaller geographic area.

2. Press the
detail, but a larger geographic area.

When you are walking or riding in a vehicle, the map will automatically
move as you move. This keeps your current location roughly centered
on the screen.

You can manually pan or scroll the map northward, southward, east­ward or westward by using the arrow keys, which launches the cross­hair map cursor. This allows you to look at map places other than your
current position. To clear the cursor, press
back to the current position or the last known position.

ZIN key (zoom in) to move in closer and see greater detail in

ZOUT key (zoom out) to move farther away and see less map

EXIT, which jumps the map

Tip:

Use the cursor to determine the distance from your current position
(or last known position, when working indoors) to any map object or
location. Simply use the arrow keys to position the cursor over the
object or place. The distance, measured in a straight line, appears in
the data box at the bottom of the map. Press

EXIT to clear the cursor.

Selecting Any Map Item with the Cursor

1. Use the zoom keys and the arrow keys to move around the map and
find the item you wish to select.

21

2. Use the arrow keys and center the cursor cross-hair on the desired ob­ject. On most items, a pop-up box will give the name of the selected item.

You will also notice a black ring surrounds the item as it becomes se­lected. Once that happens, if you press
with an extra option at the top of the list:

FIND the Find Menu will pop up

SELECTED ITEM. Press ENT to see

the Waypoint Information screen for the selected item.

Searching

Now that you've seen how iFINDER can find where you are, let's search
for something somewhere else. Searching is one of the most powerful
features in the Lowrance GPS product line.

In this example, we'll look for the body of water. For more information on
different types of searches, refer to Sec. 4, Advanced Mode Operation.

After iFINDER has acquired a position:

1. Press

FIND|↓ to MAP PLACES|ENT|↓ to WATER|ENT.

Find Map Places Menu, left, category menu with water selected, cen-

ter, and Find By Nearest menu, right.

2. A window will pop up giving you the option of choosing a body of wa­ter by name or viewing a list of the locations nearest you. For this ex­ample, we'll search by nearest, so press

ENT. A list appears, with the

closest body of water at the top of the list, and the farthest at the bot­tom of the list. The nearest is highlighted.

3. If you wish, you could scroll ↑ or ↓ here to select another location, but
for now we will just accept the nearest one. Press

ENT.

4. The Map Place's Waypoint Information screen appears. If you
wanted to navigate there, you could press Enter, since the Go To com­mand is highlighted. But we just want to see it on the map, so press →
to

FIND ON MAP|ENT.

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