Lowrance LCX-112C, LCX-37C, LCX-38C HD, LCX-113C HD, LCX-28C HD User Manual

...

www.lowrance.com

Pub. 988-0151-511

LCX-27C; LCX-28C HD LCX-37C; LCX-38C HD

LCX-112C; LCX-113C HD

Fish-finding Sonar & Mapping GPS

Operation Instructions

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

Lowrance MapCreate™, FreedomMaps™, and NauticPaths™ are trademarks of LEI. Fishing Hot Spots Inc. Navionics 2000

is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

is a registered trademark of the National Marine Electronics

is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc. NMEA

is a registered trademark of Fishing Hot Spots

Association.

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. On the cover: LCX-113

C HD shown.

NMEA 2000

Certification Pending.

For free owner's manuals and other information,

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

How Your Sonar Works................................................................. 3

How Your GPS Works ................................................................... 4

Introduction to GPS and WAAS ................................................... 5

How to use this manual: typographical conventions .................. 7

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

Preparations .................................................................................. 9

Transducer Installation ................................................................ 9

Recommended Tools and supplies.......................................... 10

Single-frequency transom installations ............................. 10

Dual-frequency transom installations ............................... 10

Single-frequency trolling motor installations.................... 10

Shoot-through hull installations ........................................ 10

Selecting a Transducer Location ............................................ 10

Shoot-thru-hull vs. Transom Mounting ................................. 12

Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting ..................... 13

Trolling Motor Bracket Installation (single-frequency only) 19

Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches .............................. 20

Shoot-thru-hull Preparation................................................... 21

Shoot-thru-hull Installation ................................................... 23

Speed/Temperature Sensors ................................................. 25

GPS Antenna/Receiver Module .................................................. 26

Power Connections ...................................................................... 27

Powering Your Display Unit....................................................... 28

Power Diagram A ........................................................................ 29

Power Diagram B ........................................................................ 30

Powering a NMEA 2000 Network Bus....................................... 30

NMEA 2000 Cable Connections ................................................. 31

NMEA 0183 Wiring (Data cable)................................................ 32

Expanding to a NMEA 2000 Network ....................................... 34

Adding a Network Node.......................................................... 38

Additional Network Information............................................ 38

Mounting the Unit: Bracket or In-Dash .................................... 39

MMC or SDC Memory Card Installation................................... 43

To remove an MMC or SD Card ............................................. 45

To add an MMC or SD Card ................................................... 45

Other Accessories ........................................................................ 45

MMC and MapCreate.............................................................. 45

Switch Boxes............................................................................ 46

Face Cover................................................................................ 46

Cleaning Towel ........................................................................ 46

Section 3: Basic Sonar Operation ....................................... 47

Keyboard ...................................................................................... 47

Power/lights on and off................................................................ 48

Main Menu................................................................................... 48

Pages ............................................................................................ 50

Satellite Status Page............................................................... 50

Navigation Page ...................................................................... 51

Map Page ................................................................................. 52

Sonar Page ............................................................................... 52

Sonar Quick Reference .......................................................... 55

Sonar Operations......................................................................... 56

Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart ........................................ 58

Other Free Training Aids ....................................................... 59

Section 4: Sonar Options & Other Features..................... 61

ASP™ (Advanced Signal Processing) ..................................... 61

Alarms.......................................................................................... 62

Depth Alarms........................................................................... 62

Zone Alarm............................................................................... 63

Fish Alarm ............................................................................... 64

Calibrate Speed ........................................................................... 64

Chart Speed ................................................................................. 65

Colorline™.................................................................................... 65

Customize Page Displays............................................................ 68

FlashGraf™.............................................................................. 69

Map With Sonar Split Screen ................................................. 69

Sonar with Custom Gauges .................................................... 70

Depth Cursor ............................................................................... 70

Depth Range - Automatic ........................................................... 71

Depth Range - Manual................................................................ 71

Depth Range - Upper and Lower Limits.................................... 72

FasTrack™ ................................................................................... 73

Fish I.D.™ (Fish Symbols & Depths) ......................................... 74

FishTrack™.................................................................................. 75

Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency) ............................. 76

Log Sonar Chart Data................................................................. 77

Overlay Data (add, remove, change).......................................... 78

Ping Speed & HyperScroll™ ....................................................... 82

Reset Options............................................................................... 83

Reset Water Distance.................................................................. 84

Set Keel Offset............................................................................. 84

Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity.................................................... 85

Sonar Chart Mode ....................................................................... 87

Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options ............................. 87

Full Sonar Chart ..................................................................... 88

Split Zoom Sonar Chart .......................................................... 88

Digital Data/Chart .................................................................. 89

Sonar Simulator .......................................................................... 89

Stop Chart.................................................................................... 91

Surface Clarity ............................................................................ 91

Upper and Lower Limits............................................................. 92

User Presets................................................................................. 92

Zoom & Zoom Bar........................................................................ 93

Zoom Pan ..................................................................................... 93

Section 5: Sonar Troubleshooting ....................................... 95

Section 6: Basic GPS Operations ......................................... 99

Keyboard ...................................................................................... 99

Power/lights on and off.............................................................. 100

Main Menu................................................................................. 100

Pages .......................................................................................... 102

Sonar Page ............................................................................. 102

Satellite Status Page............................................................. 102

Navigation Page .................................................................... 104

Map Page ............................................................................... 105

Map with Custom Gauges......................................................... 110

GPS Quick Reference ........................................................... 111

Find Your Current Position ...................................................... 112

Moving Around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys........... 112

Selecting Any Map Item with the Cursor................................ 113

Searching ................................................................................... 113

Set a Waypoint .......................................................................... 115

Create Waypoint at Current Position .............................. 115

Create Waypoint on Map .................................................. 116

Create Waypoint by Entering a Position ......................... 117

Navigate To a Waypoint ........................................................... 117

Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint...................................... 118

Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint ............................................ 118

Navigate to Cursor Position on Map ........................................ 119

Navigate to a Point of Interest ................................................. 120

Creating and Saving a Trail ..................................................... 121

Displaying a Saved Trail .......................................................... 122

Navigating Trails ...................................................................... 123

Visual Trailing....................................................................... 123

Navigate a Trail (forward) .................................................... 124

Navigate a Back Trail (backtrack, or reverse) .................... 125

Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ........................... 126

Save GPS Data to Hard Drive .............................................. 128

Cancel Navigation ..................................................................... 128

iii

Section 7: Advanced GPS Operations ............................... 129

Find Distance From Current Position ..................................... 129

Find Distance from Point to Point ........................................... 129

Icons ........................................................................................... 129

Create Icon on Map ............................................................... 130

Create Icon at Current Position ........................................... 130

Delete an Icon ........................................................................ 130

Navigate to an Icon ............................................................... 131

Routes......................................................................................... 131

Create and Save a Route....................................................... 132

Delete a Route ....................................................................... 134

Edit a Route ........................................................................... 134

Navigate a Route ................................................................... 135

Navigate a Route in Reverse ................................................ 136

Trails .......................................................................................... 136

Delete a Trail ......................................................................... 136

Edit a Trail Name.................................................................. 136

Edit a Trail Color................................................................... 137

Edit a Trail Pattern............................................................... 137

Utilities ...................................................................................... 138

Alarm Clock ........................................................................... 138

Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator .......................................... 138

Trip Calculator ...................................................................... 138

Trip Down Timer ................................................................... 138

Trip Up Timer........................................................................ 138

Waypoints .................................................................................. 138

Delete a Waypoint ................................................................. 138

Edit a Waypoint (name, symbol, position) ........................... 138

Selecting a Waypoint............................................................. 139

Set a Waypoint by Average Position .................................... 139

Set a Waypoint by Projecting a Position.............................. 139

Section 8 System & GPS Setup Options ........................... 141

Alarms........................................................................................ 141

Auto Satellite Search ................................................................ 142

Check MMC Files and Storage Space ...................................... 143

Communications Port Configuration ....................................... 143

Configure NMEA 0183.............................................................. 144

Coordinate System Selection .................................................... 144

Map Fix ...................................................................................... 145

Customize Page Displays.......................................................... 147

GPS Simulator........................................................................... 148

Simulating Trail or Route Navigation ................................. 148

Hide GPS Features.................................................................... 149

Initialize GPS ............................................................................ 149

Map Auto Zoom ......................................................................... 149

Map Data ................................................................................... 150

Pop-up Map Info: ................................................................... 150

Map Boundaries: ................................................................... 151

Fill Water With White: ......................................................... 151

Trackline Extension: ............................................................. 151

Presentation Mode: ............................................................... 151

Safety Contour:...................................................................... 151

Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid): ..................... 151

Map Datum Selection................................................................ 152

Map Detail Category Selection................................................. 153

Map Orientation ........................................................................ 153

NauticPath™ USA Marine Charts........................................... 154

Nautical Chart Notes ............................................................ 154

Port Information.................................................................... 155

Tidal Current Information.................................................... 156

Tide Information.................................................................... 158

Navionics® Charts ..................................................................... 159

To display a Navionics chart: ............................................... 160

Overlay Data (add, remove, change)........................................ 160

Popup Help ................................................................................ 166

Reset Options............................................................................. 166

Screen Contrast and Brightness .............................................. 167

Set Language ............................................................................. 168

Set Local Time ........................................................................... 168

Show WAAS Alarm ................................................................... 169

Software Version Information .................................................. 170

Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles .............................................. 170

Track Smoothing ....................................................................... 171

Trail Options.............................................................................. 171

Delete All Trails .................................................................... 172

Update Trail Options ............................................................ 172

Delete Trail ............................................................................ 173

New Trail ............................................................................... 173

Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................. 173

Units of Measure ....................................................................... 174

Section 9: Searching............................................................. 175

Find Addresses .......................................................................... 176

Find Any Item Selected by Map Cursor................................... 178

Find Interstate Highway Exits ................................................ 179

Find Map Places or Points of Interest (POI) ........................... 180

Find Streets or Intersections .................................................... 182

Find a Street .......................................................................... 182

Find an Intersection.............................................................. 183

Find Waypoints ......................................................................... 185

Section 10: NMEA 2000 Device Configuration............... 187

NMEA 2000 Menu..................................................................... 187

Bus Setup................................................................................... 187

Engine & Tank Configuration .................................................. 188

Tank Select ........................................................................ 189

Tank Size ........................................................................... 189

Set Configuration button .................................................. 189

Device Configuration Menu .................................................. 190

Device Information and Device Data ................................... 190

Fuel Management Menu........................................................... 191

Adding Fuel to Tank ............................................................. 191

Engine Operations................................................................. 192

NMEA 2000 Alarms .................................................................. 193

Waypoint Sharing ..................................................................... 194

Backlight Synchronization ....................................................... 194

Configuring EP Sensors............................................................ 194

EP-35 Temperature Configuration....................................... 194

Advanced Options menu ....................................................... 195

EP-10 Fuel Flow Configuration............................................ 196

Advanced Options menu ....................................................... 197

EP-15 Fluid Level Configuration ......................................... 198

Advanced Options menu ....................................................... 199

Suzuki Engine Interface Configuration ............................... 200

Advanced Options menu ....................................................... 201

Calibrating EP Sensors............................................................. 202

EP-10 Fuel Flow Calibration ................................................ 202

EP-15 Fluid Level Calibration.............................................. 204

Fuel Flow Calibration in a Suzuki Engine Interface .......... 207

Engine Trim Calibration....................................................... 208

Reset Trim Calibration ......................................................... 208

Bennett Trim Tabs Calibration ............................................ 208

To calibrate Trim Tabs:..................................................... 208

To Reset Calibration:......................................................... 209

Section 11: Supplemental Material Datums Used ......... 211

WARNING!

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.

CAUTION

WARNING!

vii

Notes

viii

Section 1:

Read Me First!

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

Welcome to the exciting world of digital sonar and GPS! We know you're anxious to begin navigating and finding fish, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab the unit and begin installing it, please give us a moment or two to explain how our manual can help you get the best performance from your combination fish finder and GPS receiver.

First, we want to thank you for buying a Lowrance sonar/GPS unit. Whether you're a first time user or a professional fisherman, you'll discover that your unit is easy to use, yet capable of handling demanding navigation and sonar tasks. When you team your unit with our custom mapping software MapCreate™, you have an incredible combination. With a full recording capability and remarkable resolution, you won't find another GPS/sonar unit with this much power and this many features for this price!

Our goal for this book is to get you on the water. Like you, we'd rather spend more time boating or fishing and less time reading the manual!

So, we designed our book so you don't have to read the whole thing from front to back to find 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 in 11 sections. This first section is an introduction to the unit's sonar and GPS. It tells you the basics you need to know so you’ll easily be able to make the unit not only tell you where you are but also where to find fish.

Section 2 will help you install your unit, the transducer and the GPS antenna module. We'll also show you how to install the MultiMedia Card (MMC) and give you some information on available accessories.

Section 3 covers Basic Sonar Operation. It will show you how easy it is to run your sonar, right out of the box. This section features a one-page Sonar Quick Reference. (If you've already jumped ahead and figured out

how to install the unit yourself, and you just can't wait any longer, turn to the Quick Reference on page 55 and head for the water with your unit!)

After you've gained some experience with your sonar, you'll want to check out Section 4, which discusses advanced Sonar Options and Other Features.

When you come to a sonar menu command on the unit's screen, you can look it up in the manual by skimming over the table of contents, flipping through Section 3, or scanning through the sonar options in Section 4.

If you're having difficulty with your sonar, you can find an answer to the most common problems in Section 5, Sonar Troubleshooting.

The manual switches from sonar to navigation in Section 6, which introduces you to Basic GPS Operations. This section features a one- page GPS Quick Reference on page 111.

Section 6 contains short, easy-to-scan GPS lessons that follow one another in chronological order. They're all you'll need to know to find your way on the water quickly.

After you've learned the basics (or if you already have some GPS experience), you may want to try out some of the unit's many advanced navigation features. That brings us to Section 7, Advanced GPS Operations. This section contains the rest of the unit's GPS command functions, organized in alphabetical order.

When you come to a GPS menu command on the screen, you can look it up in the manual by skimming over the table of contents, flipping through Section 6, or scanning through the command portion of Section 7.

This unit is ready to use right out of the box, but you can fine tune and customize its operation with dozens of options. Since sonar is the unit's key feature, we put the main sonar options in Section 4. Some options, such as screen brightness settings, affect both sonar and GPS operations. We describe how to use those common options along with GPS options in Section 8, System Setup and GPS Setup Options. Section 8 is organized in alphabetical order.

In Section 9, we go into more detail on one of the unit's most remarkable GPS capabilities — Searching. We'll introduce a search example in the Basic GPS Operation section, but there are so many map items you can search for that we had to give this function its own section in the manual! For example, did you know your unit can look up business phone numbers, like a virtual Yellow Pages? We’ll show you how in Section 9.

Finally, in Section 10, we offer Supplemental Material, including a list of the GPS data, warranties and customer service information.

It's important to us (and our power users), but, if you don't care how many watts of power the unit has, or how many waypoints it can store, skip ahead to important information on how sonar works, on page 6 (Background on GPS begins on page 7).

NOTICE!

The storage and operation temperature range for your unit is from 20 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-28 degrees to +75 degrees Celsius). Extended storage or operation in temperatures higher or

lower than specified will damage the liquid crystal display in your unit. This type of damage is not covered by the warranty. For more

information, contact the factory's Customer Service Department; phone numbers are listed on the last page of the manual.

How Your Sonar Works

Sonar has been around since the 1940s, so if you already know how it works, skip down to read about the relatively new technology of GPS. But, if you've never owned a sonar fish finder, this segment will tell you the underwater basics.

Sonar is an abbreviation for SO developed during World War II for tracking enemy submarines. (Lowrance developed the world's first transistorized sportfishing sonar in 1957.) A sonar consists of a transmitter, transducer, receiver and display. Here’s a simple explanation of how it finds the bottom and the fish.

The transmitter emits an electrical impulse, which the transducer converts into a sound wave and sends into the water. (Humans or fish can't hear the sound frequency.) The sound wave strikes an object (fish, structure or bottom) and bounces back to the transducer, which converts the sound back into an electrical signal.

und NAvigation and Ranging, a technology

The receiver amplifies this return signal, or echo, and sends it to the display, where an image of the object appears on the scrolling sonar chart. The sonar's microprocessor calculates the time lapse between the transmitted signal and echo return to determine the distance to the object. The whole process repeats itself several times each second.

Your sonar unit can record a log of the sonar signals that scroll across the screen and save them to the MMC memory card. (These recordings are also called sonar charts or sonar graphs.) You can replay this sonar log in the unit using the Sonar Simulator function, or play it back on a personal computer using our free Sonar Viewer. The viewer is available for download from the Lowrance web site, www.lowrance.com.

You can save several different sonar log files, erase them and record new ones, over and over again. The size of your sonar recordings are only limited by the free space available on your MMC.

How Your GPS Works

You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how this unit 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 newfound knowledge.)

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

This gimbal-mounted unit uses an external antenna/receiver module, which makes the whole system work something like your car radio. However, instead of your favorite dance tunes, this receiver tunes in to a 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.)

Your unit 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 it figures its latitude and longitude, the unit plots that position on the moving map shown on the screen. The whole process takes place several times a second!

The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of every unit 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.

The background map is suitable for many navigation chores, but for maximum accuracy and much more detail, you need our optional mapmaking software, MapCreate™. Some unit features — such as searching for businesses and addresses — won't work without a custom MapCreate map. There is so much detail in our background map (and even more in MapCreate) that we'll describe their contents and differences in Section 6, Basic GPS Operations, on page 99.

NOTE:

The LCX-28CHD, LCX-38 CHD and LCX-113CHD have NauticPath™ charts, Fishing Hot Spots preloaded onto a 30-Gigabyte hard drive. Therefore, if you own either the LCX-28CHD or the LCX-113CHD, you do not need to load any of those charts/maps into the unit. The unit can also use Navionics must be loaded into the unit via a Navionics card. MMC and SD cards still will be necessary to log sonar chart data and to store GPS data files.

Elite charts and all high detail custom maps

charts, but they

Another portion of the unit'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 again. Like any computer file, these GPS Data Files (file format *.usr) can be shared between other Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units and even personal computer.

Your unit has one more thing in common with a personal computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and exchanging files, this unit has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD card (Secure Digital card) flash memory card. These solid-state memory devices are about the size of a postage stamp, but can hold data ranging from 8 MB to 1 GB in size (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB capacity!). The unit uses all that MMC space for two key GPS purposes (You can also use the MMC to record sonar logs.).

First, you can backup your onboard GPS Data Files by copying them to the MMC. Since the MMC is removable (like a floppy disk or a cassette tape), you can store these GPS Data Files on a personal computer equipped with an MMC card reader (Or store them on a pocketful of MMCs, if you don't have a computer.). Our MapCreate mapping software can save, edit or create its own GPS Data Files, which can be copied to the MMC and then loaded from the MMC into the unit's memory.

The other key GPS use for MMCs is storage of special high-detail, custom maps, which you can produce on your computer with our MapCreate software. These MapCreate custom maps contain more detail than the basic background map. These Custom Map Files (file format *.lcm) can also be shared between other Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units and personal computers (For example, the exact same MMC, custom map files and GPS data files can be used interchangeably between your gimbal-mounted unit and the hand-held iFINDER

GPS receiver.).

The unit automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the MMC or SD card. To use a custom map, all you need to do is slide an MMC containing a map into the unit.

Introduction to GPS and WAAS

Well, now you know the basics of how the unit does its work. You might be ready to jump ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories, on page 9, so you can mount your unit and plug in the power. 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

7. 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 United States Department of Defense launched Global Positioning System (GPS) on July 17, 1995. It was designed as a 24-hour-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, 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 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 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. Trees, buildings, an automobile roof, even your body can easily block these signals.

Like most GPS receivers, this unit 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 the unit 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 accurate enough for route navigation, but the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has special needs for aircraft traffic control that go beyond basic GPS. The FAA has a program 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 unit receives both GPS and WAAS signals. WAAS, however, has some limits you should know about.

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 public today. But remember this receiver is only a tool. Always have another method of navigation available, such as a map or chart and a compass.

Also remember 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. It’s up to you to navigate safely 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 you can easily skim the instructions and pick out what menu command to use.

Arrow Keys

The arrow keys control the movement of dotted cross-hair lines on your mapping screen called the cursor. The arrow keys also control a horizontal line depth cursor on the sonar screen. The arrow keys also help you move around the menus so you can execute different commands. They are represented by symbols like these, which denote the down arrow, up arrow, left arrow and 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. For example, the "Enter/Icons" key is shown as

Menu Commands

A menu command or a menu option will appear in small capital letters, in a bold sans serif type like this: to select this command or option from a menu or take an action of some kind with the menu item. Text that you need to enter or file names you need to select are show in italic type, such as trail name.

Instructions = Menu Sequences

Most functions you perform with this unit 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 navigating a trail would look like this:

1. From the Map Page, press

2. Press ↓ to

3. You are asked to wait while it converts the trail into a route.

4. The wait message disappears and the unit begins showing navigation information along the trail. Now, begin moving and follow your unit's directions.

In clearer terms, Step 1 (above) means: "Start on the Map Page. Press the Menu key twice. Next, repeatedly press (or press and hold) the down arrow key to scroll down the menu and select (highlight) the My Trails menu command. Finally, press the Enter key."

Step 2: "Press the down arrow key repeatedly to scroll to the trail named Trail 1, and press Enter. Next, press the right arrow key and then the down arrow key to highlight the Navigate command, then press Enter."

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

ROUTE PLANNING. These indicate that you are

MENU|MENU|↓ to MY TRAILS|ENT.

Trail 1|ENT|→|↓ to NAVIGATE|ENT.

Section 2:

Installation & Accessories

Preparations

You can install the sonar and GPS systems in some other order if you prefer, but we recommend this installation sequence:

CAUTION:

You should read over this entire installation section before drilling any holes in your vehicle or vessel!

1. Determine the approximate location for the sonar/GPS unit, so you can plan how and where to route the cables for the antenna, transducer and power. This will help you make sure you have enough cable length for the desired configuration.

2. Determine the approximate location for the transducer and its cable route.

3. Determine the approximate location for the GPS antenna module and its cable route.

4. Determine the location of your battery or other power connection, along with the power cable route.

5. Install the transducer and route the transducer cable to the sonar/GPS unit.

6. Install the GPS antenna and route the antenna cable to the sonar/GPS unit.

7. Install the power cable and route it to the sonar/GPS unit.

8. Mount the sonar/GPS unit.

Transducer Installation

These instructions will help you install your Skimmer transom, on a trolling motor or inside a hull. These instructions cover both single- and dual-frequency Skimmer transducers. Please read all instructions before proceeding with any installation.

The smaller single-frequency Skimmers typically use a one-piece, stainless steel mounting bracket. The larger dual-frequency Skimmers typically use a two-piece, plastic mounting bracket. The trolling motor mount uses a one-piece plastic bracket with an adjustable strap.

These are all "kick-up" mounting brackets. They help prevent damage if the transducer strikes an object while the boat is moving. If the transducer does "kick-up," the bracket can easily be pushed back into place without tools.

transducer on a

Read these instructions carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the mounting positions is right for your boat. Use extreme care if mounting the transducer inside the hull; because, once the epoxy is applied and it is set into position, the transducer cannot be removed. Remember, the transducer installation is the most critical

part of a sonar installation.

Recommended Tools and supplies

If you prefer the option of routing the cable through the transom, you will need a 1" drill bit. A transom mount requires use of a high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline caulking compound.

NOTE:

The following installation types also call for these recommended tools and required supplies (supplies are not included):

Single-frequency transom installations

Tools include: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, flathead screwdriver. Supplies: high quality, marine grade above- or belowwaterline sealant/adhesive compound.

Dual-frequency transom installations

Tools: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #20 (0.161") drill bit, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: four, 1" long, #12 stainless steel slotted wood screws, high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline sealant/adhesive compound.

Single-frequency trolling motor installations

Tools: two adjustable wrenches, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: plastic cable ties.

Shoot-through hull installations

Tools: these will vary depending on your hull's composition. Consult your boat dealer or manufacturer. Other tools are a wooden craft stick or similar tool for stirring and applying epoxy, and a paper plate or piece of cardboard to mix the epoxy on. Supplies: rubbing alcohol, 100 grit sandpaper and specially formulated epoxy adhesive available from LEI (see ordering information on the inside back cover). A sandwich hull also requires polyester resin.

Selecting a Transducer Location

1. The location must be in the water at all times, at all operating speeds.

2. The transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of water at all times. If the transducer is not placed in a smooth flow of water, interference caused by bubbles and turbulence will show on the sonar's display in the form of random lines or dots whenever the boat is moving.

NOTE:

Some aluminum boats with strakes or ribs on the outside of the hull create large amounts of turbulence at high speed. These boats typically have large outboard motors capable of propelling the boat at speeds faster than 35 mph. Typically, a good transom location on aluminum boats is between the ribs closest to the engine.

3. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. For shoot-thru applications: Many popular fishing boat hulls have a flat keel pad that offers a good mounting surface. On vee hulls, try to place the transducer where the deadrise is 10° or less.

Deadrise less than 10°

Left, vee pad hull; right, vee hull. A pod style transducer is shown here,

Pad

but the principle is the same for Skimmers inside a hull.

Strakes

4. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make sure it doesn't interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don't mount it closer than approximately one foot from the engine's lower unit. This will prevent cavitation (bubble) interference with propeller operation.

5. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from engine wiring, bilge pumps and aerators can be displayed on the sonar's screen. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires.

CAUTION: Clamp the transducer cable to transom near the transducer. This will help prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed.

Good location

Poor angle

Good and poor transducer locations.

Poor location

Good location

How low should you go?

For most situations, you should install your Skimmer transducer so that its centerline is level with the bottom of the boat hull. This will usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protection from bangs and bumps.

Transducer centerline

Align transducer centerline with hull bottom.

Transom

Hull bottom

However, there are times when you may need to adjust the transducer slightly higher or lower. (The slots in the mounting brackets allow you to loosen the screws and slide the transducer up or down.) If you frequently lose bottom signal lock while running at high speed, the transducer may be coming out of the water as you cross-wave or wake. Move the transducer a little lower to help prevent this.

If you cruise or fish around lots of structure and cover, your transducer may be frequently kicking up from object strikes. If you wish, you may move the transducer a little higher for more protection.

There are two extremes you should avoid. Never let the edge of the mounting bracket extend below the bottom of the hull. Never let the bottom – the face – of the transducer rise above the bottom of the hull.

Shoot-thru-hull vs. Transom Mounting

In a shoot-thru-hull installation, the transducer is bonded to the inside of the hull with epoxy. The sonar "ping" signal actually passes through the hull and into the water. This differs from a bolt-thru-hull installation (often called simply "thru-hull"). In that case, a hole is cut in the hull and a specially designed transducer is mounted through the hull with a threaded shaft and nut. This puts the transducer in direct contact with the water.

Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high-speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of transducer damage from floating objects, as there is with a transommounted transducer. A transducer mounted inside the hull can't be knocked off when docking or loading on a trailer.

The shoot-thru-hull installation, however, does have its drawbacks. First, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same hull. This is caused by differences in hull lay-up and construction.

Second, the transducer angle cannot be adjusted for the best fish arches on your sonar display (This is not an issue for flasher-style sonars.). Lack of angle adjustment can be particularly troublesome on hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds.

Third, a transducer CANNOT shoot through wood and metal hulls. Those hulls require either a transom mount or a thru-hull installation.

Fourth, if your Skimmer transducer has a built in temp sensor, it will only show the temperature of the bilge, not the water surface temp.

Follow the testing procedures listed in the shoot-thru-hull installation section at the end of this lesson to determine if you can satisfactorily shoot through the hull.

Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting

The best way to install these transducers is to loosely assemble all of the parts first, place the transducer's bracket against the transom and see if you can move the transducer so that it's parallel with the ground.

The following instructions sometimes vary depending on the mounting bracket that came with your transducer. Single-frequency Skimmers come with a one-piece stainless steel bracket, while dual-frequency Skimmers come with a two-piece plastic mounting bracket. Use the set of instructions that fits your model.

1. Assembling the bracket. A. One-piece bracket: Press the two small plastic ratchets into the

sides of the metal bracket as shown in the following illustration. Notice there are letters molded into each ratchet. Place each ratchet into the bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the dot stamped into the metal bracket. This position sets the transducer's coarse angle adjustment for a 14° transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a 14° angle.

Dot

Align plastic ratchets in bracket.

B. Two-piece bracket: Locate the four plastic ratchets in the

transducer's hardware package. Press two ratchets into the sides of the plastic bracket and two on either side of the transducer as shown in the following illustrations. Notice there are letters molded into each ratchet.

Place the ratchets into the bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the alignment mark molded into the bracket. Place the ratchets onto the transducer with the letter "A" aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem. These positions set the transducer's coarse angle adjustment for a 14° transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a 14° angle.

lignment letters

lignment

positions

Transduce

Transducer bracket

Insert and align ratchets.

Transduce

bracket

Transducer

Ratchet

Add ratchets to bracket and transducer.

2. Aligning the transducer on the transom. A. One-piece bracket: Slide the transducer between the two

ratchets. Temporarily slide the bolt though the transducer assembly and hold it against the transom. Looking at the transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the "A" position is correct for your hull.

If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove the transducer and ratchets from the bracket. Place the ratchets into the holes in the bracket with the letter "B" aligned with the dot stamped in the bracket.

Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place them against the transom. Again, check to see if you can move the transducer so it's parallel with the ground. If you can, then go to step 3A. If it doesn't, repeat step 2A, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly.

Ratchets

Insert bolt and check transducer position on transom.

B. Two-piece bracket: Assemble the transducer and bracket as shown

in the following figure. Temporarily slide the bolt though the transducer assembly but don't tighten the nut at this time. Hold the assembled transducer and bracket against the transom. Looking at the transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the "A" positions are correct for your hull.

If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove and disassemble the transducer and ratchets. Place the ratchets into the bracket holes with the letter "B" aligned with the bracket alignment mark. Place them on the transducer aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem.

Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place them against the transom. Again, check to see if you can move the transducer so it's parallel with the ground. If you can, then go to step 3B. If it doesn't, repeat step 2B, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly.

Bolt

Flat washer

Lock washe

Nut

Flat washe

Assemble transducer and bracket.

3. Assembling the transducer. A. One-piece bracket: Once you determine the correct position for

the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the following figure. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time.

Metal

Nut

Rubber washers

washer

Metal washer

Bolt

Assemble transducer and bracket.

B. Two-piece bracket: Once you determine the correct position for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the figure in step 2B. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time.

4. Drilling mounting holes.

Hold the transducer and bracket assembly against the transom. The transducer should be roughly parallel to the ground. The transducer's centerline should be in line with the bottom of the hull. Don't let the bracket extend below the hull!

Mark the center of each slot for the mounting screw pilot holes. You will drill one hole in the center of each slot.

Drill the holes. For the one-piece bracket, use the #29 bit (for the #10 screws). For the two-piece bracket, use the #20 bit (for the #12 screws).

Transom

Position transducer mount on transom and mark mounting holes.

Side view shown (left) and seen from above (right).

5. Attaching transducer to transom. A. One-piece bracket: Remove the transducer from the bracket and

re-assemble it with the cable passing through the bracket over the bolt as shown in the following figures.

For single-frequency Skimmer, route cable over bolt and through

bracket. Side view shown (left) and seen from above (right).

Both bracket types: Attach the transducer to the transom. Slide the transducer up or down until it's aligned properly with the bottom of the hull as shown in the preceding and following figures. Tighten the bracket's mounting screws, sealing them with the caulking compound.

Adjust the transducer so that it's parallel to the ground and tighten the nut until it touches the outer washer, then add 1/4 turn. Don't over tighten the lock nut! If you do, the transducer won't "kick-up" if it strikes an object in the water.

Bottom

hull

Flat-bottom hull Deep-"vee" hull

Align transducer centerline with hull bottom and attach transducer to

transom. Rear view of dual-frequency Skimmer shown.

6. Route the transducer cable through or over the transom to the sonar unit. Make sure to leave some slack in the cable at the transducer. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from the engine's wiring, bilge pumps, VHF radio wires and cables, and the sonar can pick up aerators. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires.

WARNING:

Clamp the transducer cable to the transom close to the transducer. This can prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed.

If you need to drill a hole in the transom to pass the connector through, the required hole size be 1".

CAUTION:

If you drill a hole in the transom for the cable, make sure it is located above the waterline. After installation, be sure to seal the hole with the same marine grade above- or below-waterline sealant used for the mounting screws.

7. Make a test run to determine the results. If the bottom is lost at

high speed, or if noise appears on the display, try sliding the transducer bracket down. This puts the transducer deeper into the water, hopefully, below the turbulence causing the noise. Be careful not to install the transducer bracket below the bottom of the hull!

TROLLING MOTOR BRACKET INSTALLATION (single-frequency only)

1. Attach the optional TMB-S bracket to the transducer as shown in the following figure, using the hardware supplied with the transducer. (Note: The internal tooth washer is supplied with the TMB-S.)

TMB-S bracket

Bolt

Internal tooth washer

Nut

Flat washe

Attach motor mounting bracket to transducer.

2. Slide the adjustable strap supplied with the TMB-S through the slot in the transducer bracket and wrap it around the trolling motor. Position the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the water. Tighten the strap securely.

3. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the trolling motor shaft. Make sure there is enough slack in the cable for the motor to turn freely. Route the cable to the sonar unit and the transducer is ready for use.

Transducer mounted on trolling motor, side view.

TRANSDUCER ORIENTATION AND FISH ARCHES

If you do not get good fish arches on your display, it could be because the transducer is not parallel with the ground when the boat is at rest in the water or at slow trolling speeds.

Partial fish arches

Transducer aimed

too far back

Transducer aimed

too far forward

Full fish arch

Proper transducer angle

Transducer angles and their effects on fish arches.

If the arch slopes up – but not back down – then the front of the transducer is too high and needs to be lowered. If only the back half of the arch is printed, then the nose of the transducer is angled too far down and needs to be raised.

NOTE:

Periodically wash the transducer's face with soap and water to remove any oil film. Oil and dirt on the face will reduce the sensitivity or may even prevent operation.

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