Lowrance electronic H2O User Manual

www.lowrance.com

Pub. 988-0148-461

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iFINDER H2O

Handheld Mapping GPS Receiver

Operation Instructions

iFINDER

Lowrance

DURACELL

RAYOVAC

Energizer

Copyright © 2004 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

All rights reserved.



H2O is a trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

®

is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

Navionics



and e



is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc.



is a registered trademark of Duracell, Inc.



is a registered trademark of Rayovac Corporation.

2

are registered trademarks of Energizer Holdings, Inc.

Points of Interest Data in this unit are by infoUSA,
copyright  2001-2004, All Rights Reserved. infoUSA is a
trademark of infoUSA, Inc.

eXitSource Database, copyright  2001-2004 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 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

Sec. 1: Read Me First! ...............................................................1

Capabilities and Specifications: iFINDER

How iFINDER Works ................................................................... 4

Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 6

How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions................ 8

Sec. 2: Installation & Accessories .......................................... 9

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

Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter .............................................. 11

NMEA Cable Connections .......................................................... 11

MMC or SD Memory Card Installation ..................................... 12

FreedomMaps .......................................................................... 14

External Antenna ....................................................................... 14

R-A-M

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Bracket Mounting Systems .......................................... 15

Other Accessories........................................................................ 16

Sec. 3: Easy Mode Operation................................................. 17

Keypad......................................................................................... 17

Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 18

Main Menu .................................................................................. 18

Pages ........................................................................................... 19

Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 19

Navigation Page...................................................................... 20

Map Page................................................................................. 22

iFINDER

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Easy Mode Quick Reference ............................. 26

Find your Current Position ........................................................ 27

Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys.............. 27

Selecting any Map Item with the Cursor .................................. 28

Searching..................................................................................... 28

Set Home Waypoint .................................................................... 30

Navigate Back Home ..............................................................30

Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint........................................ 31

Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint .......................................... 31

Navigate to Cursor Position on Map.......................................... 31

Navigate to a Point of Interest................................................... 33

Creating and Saving a Trail....................................................... 33

Displaying a Saved Trail ........................................................ 34

Navigating or Backtracking a Trail ........................................... 34

Clearing or Erasing a Trail .................................................... 35

Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ............................. 36

Switch to Advanced Mode........................................................... 38

Switch Back to Easy Mode from Advanced Mode ................. 38

Sec. 4: Advanced Mode Operation ....................................... 39

Keypad......................................................................................... 39

i

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H2O........................ 2

Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 40

Main Menu .................................................................................. 40

Pages ........................................................................................... 40

Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 40

Position Page........................................................................... 41

Navigation Page...................................................................... 42

Map Page................................................................................. 43

Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys.............. 44

Find Distance from Current Position to Another Location ...... 44

Find Distance from Point to Point ............................................. 44

Find your Current Position ........................................................ 45

Icons............................................................................................. 45

Create Icon on Map................................................................. 45

Create Icon at Current Position ............................................. 46

Delete an Icon ......................................................................... 46

Load GPS Data Files from an MMC .......................................... 46

Navigate ...................................................................................... 47

Navigate Back Home ..............................................................47

Navigate Back to Man Overboard Waypoint......................... 47

Cancel Navigation................................................................... 48

In Easy Mode:...................................................................... 48

In Advanced Mode............................................................... 48

Navigate a Route..................................................................... 48

Navigate to Cursor Position on Map...................................... 48

Navigate to an Icon................................................................. 48

Navigate to Point of Interest (POI) ........................................ 48

Navigate to a Waypoint .......................................................... 48

Navigate a Trail ...................................................................... 49

Backtrack a Trail .................................................................... 50

Routes.......................................................................................... 50

Create and Save a Route ........................................................50

Delete a Route ......................................................................... 52

Save GPS Data Files to an MMC............................................... 52

Searching..................................................................................... 52

Switch to Easy Mode................................................................... 54

Switch Back to Advanced Mode from Easy Mode ................. 54

Trails ........................................................................................... 54

Create and Save a Trail.......................................................... 55

Clear a Trail ............................................................................ 55

Delete a Trail .......................................................................... 55

Edit a Trail Name ................................................................... 55

Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ............................. 55

Utilities........................................................................................ 56

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Alarm Clock............................................................................. 56

Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator............................................ 57

Trip Calculator........................................................................ 57

Trip Down Timer..................................................................... 57

Trip Up Timer ......................................................................... 57

Waypoints.................................................................................... 57

Create a Waypoint .................................................................. 57

Create Waypoint on Map .................................................... 57

Create Waypoint at Current Position ................................ 57

Create a Man Overboard Waypoint ...................................57

Create a Waypoint by Average Position ............................ 58

Create a Waypoint by Projecting a Position ...................... 58

Select a Waypoint ................................................................... 58

Delete a Waypoint................................................................... 59

Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol, Position and Altitude) ..... 59

Sec. 5: System & GPS Setup Options................................... 61

Alarms ......................................................................................... 61

Auto Satellite Search.................................................................. 62

Check MMC Files and Storage Space........................................ 63

Com Port Configuration ............................................................. 63

Configure NMEA ........................................................................ 64

Coordinate System Selection...................................................... 65

Map Fix.................................................................................... 66

Customize Page Displays ........................................................... 67

External Passive Antenna.......................................................... 68

GPS Simulator ............................................................................ 68

Simulating Trail or Route Navigation ................................... 69

Map Auto Zoom........................................................................... 70

Map Data..................................................................................... 70

Show Map Data....................................................................... 70

Popup Map Information.......................................................... 71

Draw Boundaries ....................................................................71

Fill Land with Gray ................................................................ 71

Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ........................ 71

Map Datum Selection ................................................................. 71

Map Detail Category Selection................................................... 72

Map Orientation ......................................................................... 73

Navionics

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Charts....................................................................... 74

Port Information .....................................................................75

Tidal Current Information ..................................................... 76

Tide Information ..................................................................... 78

Pop-Up Help................................................................................ 79

Reset Options .............................................................................. 80

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In Advanced Mode............................................................... 80

In Easy Mode....................................................................... 80

Screen Contrast and Brightness ................................................ 80

Set Language .............................................................................. 82

Set Local Time ............................................................................ 82

Software Version Information.................................................... 84

Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles................................................ 84

Track Smoothing......................................................................... 85

Trail Options ............................................................................... 86

Flash Trails on Screen Option................................................ 86

Update Trail Option................................................................ 87

Update Trail Criteria (Auto, Time, Distance) ....................... 87

Trail Update Rate (Time, Distance)....................................... 88

Delete Trail ............................................................................. 88

New Trail................................................................................. 88

Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................... 89

Units of Measure......................................................................... 89

Sec. 6: Searching......................................................................91

Find Addresses............................................................................ 91

Find any Item Selected by Map Cursor ..................................... 94

Find Home Waypoint.................................................................. 94

Find Interstate Highway Exits .................................................. 95

Find Map Places or Points of Interest (POI) .............................96

Find Streets or Intersections...................................................... 98

Find Waypoints (Advanced Mode only) ................................... 101

Sec. 7: Supplemental Material............................................ 103

Index......................................................................................... 109

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 hand-held 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. When you team an iFINDER with one of our specialized maps or
our custom mapping software MapCreate 6, you have an incredible
combination. 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:

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H2O. Whether

The manual is organized into seven 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 and MultiMedia Card (MMC)
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 26 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.

1

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 ad­vanced 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.

In Section 6, we go into more detail on one of iFINDER's most remark­able capabilities — Searching. We'll introduce a couple of search exam­ples in both the Easy and Advanced mode sections, but there are so
many map items you can search for, we had to give this function its
own section in the manual! For example, did you know iFINDER can
look up business phone numbers, functioning as a virtual Yellow
Pages? We’ll show you how in Section 6.

Finally, in Section 7, 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 4.

Capabilities and Specifications: iFINDER

General

Display:............................ 3" (7.3 cm) diagonal high contrast Film Su-

perTwist.

Resolution:...................... 240 pixel x 180 pixel resolution; 43,200 total

pixels.

Backlighting:.................. White LED screen backlighting for night and

low-light viewing.

2

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

to 12 hours on batteries when using one-second
position updates (longer update rates further
extend battery life, but will reduce GPS accu­racy). Cigarette lighter power adapter in­cluded.

Case size:......................... 5.6" H x 2.5" W x 0.9" D (142 x 65 x 25 mm);

water resistant to IPX-2 standards.

Weight:..................................8.48 ounces (242 grams) with alkaline batteries.

GPS

Receiver: ......................... Internal, 12 parallel channel GPS+WAAS; ex-

ternal active or passive antennas optional.

Active Antenna

Voltage:............................ 3 volts DC.

Recording: ...................... Removable MMC or SD memory cards for

recording GPS trip details, displaying cus­tom maps, upgrading operating system soft­ware and transferring trip data to personal
computer without a slow serial connection.

MMC slots: ...................... One, inside battery compartment. Accepts

non-proprietary MMC or SD memory cards.

Background map:.......... Built-in custom, detailed Lowrance map.

Contains: low-detail maps of the whole world
(containing cities, major lakes, major rivers,
political boundaries); and medium-detail
maps of the United States (containing all in­corporated cities; Interstate, U.S. and state
highways; Interstate highway exits and exit
services information; large- and medium­sized lakes and streams.)

Custom mapping: .......... Accepts custom, higher-detail MapCreate 6

mapping on memory cards, with searchable
Points-of Interest database of hotels, restau­rants, shopping, services and more. Navion-



ics

charts on MMC cards optional.

Mapping memory: ......... Up to 512 MB on one MMC (MultiMedia

Card) or SD (Secure Digital Card.)

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

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

3

Graphic symbols for
waypoints or event

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

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

Plot Trails: ...................... 99 savable; up to 9,999 points per trail.

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

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

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

Com Port: ........................ One serial communications port, NMEA 0183

version 2.0 compatible. Allows exchange of
position data with another device, such as an
autopilot or personal computer. Optional
combination serial/power cable available.

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

NOTE:

The above memory capacities refer only to iFINDER's on-board
memory. The amount of GPS data you can record and save for re­call later is only limited by the number of MMC cards you have.

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.

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

4

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.
Like any computer file, these GPS Data Files (file format *.usr) can be
shared between iFINDERs, other Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units,
even personal computers.

iFINDER has one more thing in common with a personal computer.
Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and exchanging
files, iFINDER has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD (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 512 MB in size. (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB capacity!)
iFINDER uses all that MMC space for two key purposes.

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 iFINDER's memory.
(NOTE: No matter where they come from, GPS Data Files must be
loaded from the MMC into memory before iFINDER can use them.)

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 much greater de­tail than the basic background map. These Custom Map Files (file
format *.lcm) can also be shared between iFINDERs, other Lowrance
GPS or sonar/GPS units and personal computers.

You make your own Custom Map Files with our MapCreate software,
but you don't have to. We also sell ready-to-use FreedomMaps. These
custom maps are pre-loaded on MMCs. (No computer work required!).

5

iFINDER 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 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 8. 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
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.

6

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 alone is plenty accurate for route navigation, but the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration has special aircraft navigation needs that go
beyond basic GPS. So, the FAA has developed a program to boost GPS
performance with its Wide Area Augmentation System, or WAAS. The
FAA commissioned the system on July 11, 2003.

WAAS is designed to increase GPS accuracy to within 7.6 meters vertically
and horizontally, but it consistently delivers accuracies within 1-2 meters
horizontal and 2-3 meters vertical, according to the FAA. It does this by
broadcasting correction signals on GPS frequencies. Your unit automati­cally receives both GPS and WAAS signals.

However, there are some fringe areas of the U.S., including parts of
Alaska, that do not yet receive robust WAAS coverage. Continued WAAS
development is planned to extend WAAS coverage in the years to come.

WAAS boosts 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 can sometimes 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.

7

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:

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

Menu Commands

A menu command or a menu option will appear in small capital letters,
in a bold sans serif type like this:
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 H2O
as iFINDER, or simply as the unit.

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

ADVANCED MODE. These indicate that you

8

Section 2:

Installation & Accessories

Power

The iFINDER operates from AA batteries or on 3 volts DC using an
optional external power cable with a cigarette lighter adapter. When
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 will keep your stored data safe and accessible for the life
of the product — after the unit is turned off, no battery or external
power is needed to store your data.

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.



brand, but other brands will work.



ULTRA bat-

You can also use rechargeable AA alkaline batteries, such as those
made by RAYOVAC



, or rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
batteries. We do not recommend nickel cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable
batteries because we tend to get poor battery life from them.

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

Lithium batteries are lighter than alkaline, and with some brands of
lithium battery the iFINDER H2O will float. We've tested the iFINDER
H2O using Energizer





2

e

lithium batteries, and it remained afloat.

NOTE:

The battery gauge on the Satellite Status Page may not read accu­rately with some battery brands because discharge rates can vary
significantly. This is especially true for rechargeables. This battery
gauge was calibrated for alkaline batteries.

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.)

9

Battery Installation

Turn the unit over so that the back is facing you. With your thumb or
nail, pull back on the small clip to release the battery cover latch as
shown in the following images. Once the latch is released, pull the bat­tery cover up out of the grooves in the bottom of the case.

Remove iFINDER battery cover.

Install the batteries according to the embossed signs in the battery com­partment, which shows the correct polarity. Point the positive pole of the
upper battery to the left; point the positive pole of the bottom battery to
the right.

NOTE:

Inside the battery compartment is a rotating MMC card lock. The
grip on this lock must be turned parallel with the direction of the
batteries for them to fit properly.

Replace the battery compartment cover. First align the latch tabs at the
bottom of the cover with the slots at the case's base. Press the cover into
place, and then firmly push up on the clip at the top of the cover until it
latches in place. There is usually an audible click when the latch engages.

Replace battery compartment cover. Align tabs with slots

in the base, left. Press latch firmly until it clicks, as shown right

10

Cigarette Lighter Power Adapter

To use external DC power: Plug the power cable's cigarette lighter
adapter into a cigarette lighter receptacle. Next, pull aside the rubber
cover on the bottom of the unit and insert the other connector as shown
in the following image. A small clip on the connector should hold the
connector in place.

Attach external power cable to iFINDER.

WARNING:

Do not remove the cigarette lighter adapter and splice
the exposed wires directly to a 12-volt power system. The
cigarette lighter adapter contains in the plug a protec­tive fuse and a voltage regulator to convert 12 volts
down to about 3 volts. Without this regulator, connecting
your unit to a 12-volt power source will destroy the unit.
This damage will not be covered by your warranty.

The iFINDER can use two other optional external cables to supply a
NMEA/serial data connection or a combination of power and data. These
cables are discussed in the following segment on NMEA connections.

NMEA Cable Connections

NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic
equipment. For example, an autopilot can connect to the NMEA interface
on this unit and receive positioning information. The unit can exchange
information with any device that transmits or receives NMEA 0183 data.

To exchange NMEA data, Lowrance offers an optional data only cable
and a power/data combo cable:

The PC-DI7 is a NMEA/serial communications cable. It has a standard
female DB-9 connector on one end to attach your unit to a computer's
serial communications port.

11

The PC-DI8 combines a cigarette lighter power adapter with a DB-9
plug for a NMEA/serial com port connection to a laptop computer or
other device. This is our favorite cable for connecting the iFINDER
H2O to a laptop computer in an RV or other vehicle. By transmitting
NMEA data to the computer, you can get live position data for GPS­compatible mapping software.

You can also run one of our free Lowrance GPS emulators on your lap­top, and operate it with real-time position information.

To use it, plug the power adapter into a cigarette lighter socket, plug
the DB-9 connector into a serial port on the computer and attach the
cable to the iFINDER. Then see "Com Port Configuration" in Sec. 5.

MMC or SD Memory Card Installation

Your iFINDER uses a MultiMedia Card to store information, such as
custom maps, waypoints and other GPS data. The unit can also use Se­cure Digital Cards (SD cards) to store information.

NOTE:

Throughout this manual, we will use the term MMC, but just re­member that your unit can use an MMC or SD card to store data.

Both of these solid-state flash memory devices are about the size of a
postage stamp. An SD card is slightly thicker than an MMC. As this
manual went to press, MMCs were available in storage capacities of 8
MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB and 128 MB. SD cards were available in
capacities of 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB and up. We
have successfully tested SD cards up to 512 MB.

Additional MMC cards are available from LEI Extras; see ordering in­formation inside the back cover of this manual. MMCs and SD cards
are also available at many consumer electronics stores.

The MMC slot is located in the battery compartment, beneath the bat­teries on the right side of the unit. The contact pins are springy, to
make it easier to insert and remove the MMC card.

To remove an MMC

1. Remove battery compartment cover.

2. Remove batteries, if present.

3. Hold unit facedown in right hand. Use your thumb or index finger
and press down on the center of the MMC label.

12

Remove an MMC Card.

4. Drag the MMC from the slot into the battery compartment.

5. Turn the iFINDER face up and give it a shake to dump the MMC
into your hand or onto a work surface.

To add an MMC or SDC

1. Remove battery compartment cover.

2. Remove batteries, if present.

3. Hold unit facedown in right hand. Drop the MMC card into the slot,
label-up, with the notched edge toward the right.

4. Press down on the center of the label and slide the card to the right.

Add an MMC Card.

5. Turn the plastic rotating card lock until it holds the card firmly in
place, with the grip parallel to the direction of the batteries.

6. Replace the batteries and battery cover.

13

FreedomMaps

FreedomMaps are pre-made custom maps that cover multiple states,
provinces, countries or other geographic regions on a single memory
card. They give you all the features found in our MapCreate™ mapping
software, but without the necessity of using a computer. FreedomMaps
are available for the United States, Canada and Europe. In 2004, Free­domMaps with topographic contours will become available for the United
States and Canada.

Like custom maps built in MapCreate, the custom map on a FreedomMap
card contains all of these features: rivers/lakes/tributaries; more than
60,000 critical navigation aids; more than 10,000 wrecks/obstructions in
coastal and Great Lakes waters; interstate/federal/state highways; inter­state exit services; searchable Points-of-Interest (POI) database including:
airports, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, emergency services; rural
roads and city streets; cities and towns; railways; key landmarks; search­able street intersections and street addresses; national parks and forests
with boundaries; wildlife preserves; and more!

FreedomMaps come to you preloaded on a single 128 or 256 MB mem­ory card. Simply insert the memory card into your Lowrance GPS unit,
and you're ready to go.

FreedomMaps are available through LEI-Extras. To order a card (or for
a list of the areas available) see the ordering information in the back of
this manual.

External Antenna

A GPS antenna requires a clear view of the sky for optimum operation.
Inside a vehicle, your iFINDER can sometimes maintain satellite lock
while sitting on the seat beside you, but we don't recommend this for
optimum performance.

Since the "view" is restricted to what can be seen through the windows,
this operating mode will reduce position accuracy and will increase the
chance of losing satellite lock. Inside a vehicle, the unit operates best
with an optional external antenna mounted on the windshield, on the
dash or on the top of the vehicle.

The optional external antenna can use a magnetic base that allows
temporary mounting on any flat ferrous metal surface. A suction-cup
mount allows you to attach the antenna to a windshield.

The iFINDER H2O can use the passive FA-8 antenna or the active
RAA-3 antenna. The active antenna offers a further performance boost
by amplifying the satellite signals it receives. This is especially helpful
when operating in areas such as dense forests, which can obstruct GPS

14

signals. Your unit will automatically switch between the active RAA-3
and its internal antenna (located in the top of the case). If you purchase
the passive FA-8, you must use a menu check box to manually switch
between it and the internal antenna. See the topic "External Passive
Antenna" in Sec. 5.

Attach iFINDER antenna to windshield bracket with two screws.

You may achieve good results by simply placing the external antenna
on the top of the dash, at the base of the windshield. A piece of the rub­ber non-skid shelf liner material available in recreational vehicle sup­ply stores will also help hold the antenna in place.

To use the antenna: Mount it in a location with an unobstructed view of
the sky. Plug the connector into the unit's antenna socket, located on
the back, in the upper left corner of the case.

R-A-M Bracket Mounting Systems

Several R-A-M mounting brackets are available for your iFINDER.
There are permanent mounts and temporary mounts suitable for virtu­ally any boat, aircraft or other vehicle, even motorcycle handlebars.

Two R-A-M mounting systems for your unit.

15

One model has a mounting arm and cradle attached to a swivel ball
plate that can be screwed or bolted to a supporting surface. Another has
a moldable, weighted, rubber foot and gooseneck for support virtually
anywhere without screws or adhesives. R-A-M even has suction cup
bases for attachment to windscreens or fiberglass surfaces. See your
Lowrance dealer or visit the LEI web site for the latest options; acces­sory ordering information is on the inside back cover of this manual.
For a complete look at the many mounting options, visit the R-A-M web
site at www.ram-mount.com.

Other Accessories

Other iFINDER accessories include MMC cards, MMC card readers and
MapCreate™ 6 custom mapping software for your computer. (The
iFINDER H2O Plus model ships with the GPS Accessory Pack, which is
composed of the MapCreate CDs, the card reader, and one memory card.)

If these accessories are not available from your dealer, see the acces­sory ordering information on the inside back cover of this manual.

MapCreate™ 6 CD-ROM and MMC card reader for USB ports.

16

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 26.

Keypad

7

3

1

iFINDER H2O keypad.

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

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.

4

8

17

9

6

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 and
some navigation functions.

8. ZOUT – (Zoom Out) – This key lets you zoom the screen out to see a
larger geographic are 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.

18

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

Sounds command: enables or disables the sounds for key strokes and
alarms and sets the alarm style.

Navigate Trail command: sets up navigation back to the start of the
current trail.

Clear Trail command: clears all the points stored in the plot trail.

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, time and temperature 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.

Transfer My Data command: load from or save to an MMC card GPS
Data Files containing waypoints, routes, trails and event marker icons.

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.
No matter what page you are on, a flashing current position indica-

tor/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!

PAGES key.

19

Satellite Page. Left view indicates unit has not locked on to any satel-

lites and does not have a fix on its position. Center view shows satel-

lites being scanned. Right view shows satellite lock-on with a 3D posi-

tion acquired (latitude, longitude and altitude.)

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

20

other destination. No graphic course information is displayed. Your po­sition is shown by an arrow in the center of the screen. Your trail his­tory, 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 east. Page looks like this

when iFINDER is not navigating to a waypoint , following a route, or

backtracking a trail.

Compass

rose

Navigation
information
data boxes

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.

The current cross track error is shown in the XTK box. 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 navi­gation page 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 0.20 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.

21

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

Cross track
error range
(off course
indicator)

Navigation Page, going to cursor. Driver is headed east (a 68º track)

toward a cursor location 68º (bearing) away. The cross track error

range (white corridor) is 0.20 miles either side of the course. The
driver is headed toward the cursor location, which is 0.17 miles away.
The vehicle is virtually on course (off course only 1 foot). Traveling at

a speed of 34 mph, the driver will arrive at the waypoint in 18 seconds.

Compass bearing
to destination

Bearing
arrow

Trail line

Destination
name

Navigation
information
data boxes

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 an item (like a restaurant) from the POI database.

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.)

22

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 because a high-

detail custom map has not been loaded on the MMC for this area.

If you're using only the factory-loaded background map, the maximum
zoom range for showing additional map detail is 8 miles. You can con­tinue to zoom in closer, but the map will simply be enlarged without
revealing more map content (except for a few major city streets). Load
your own high-detail custom map made with MapCreate, and you can
zoom in to 0.05 miles with massive amounts of accurate map detail.

Map Pages with high-detail map of an urban area loaded on the MMC.

At left, arterial streets appear at the 4 mile zoom range, with a few

Point of Interest icons visible. Center, numerous dots representing

Points of Interest become visible at the 3 mile range. Right, at the 0.4

mile zoom, you can see an interstate highway with an exit, major and

minor streets as well as Point of Interest icons.

23

Background map vs. MapCreate map content

The background map includes: low-detail maps of the whole world (con­taining cities, major lakes, major rivers, political boundaries); and me­dium-detail maps of the United States.

The medium-detail U.S. maps contain: all incorporated cities; shaded
metropolitan areas; county boundaries; shaded public lands (such as
national forests and parks); some major city streets; Interstate, U.S.
and state highways; Interstate highway exits and exit services informa­tion; large- and medium-sized lakes and streams; and more than 60,000
navigation aids and 10,000 wrecks and obstructions in U.S. coastal and
Great Lakes waters

MapCreate custom maps include massive amounts of information not
found in the background map. MapCreate contains: the searchable
Points of Interest database, all the minor roads and streets, all the
landmark features (such as summits, schools, radio towers, etc.); more
rivers, streams, smaller lakes and ponds and their names.

What's more important is the large scale map detail that allows your
GPS unit to show a higher level of position accuracy. For example, the
background map would show you the general outline and approximate
shape of a coastline or water body, but the higher detail in MapCreate
shows the shoreline completely and accurately (finer detail). Many
smaller islands would not be included in the background map, but are,
of course, in MapCreate.

Cursor lineInterstate Major Street

Restaurant
POI

POI
Markers

POI

School POI

Zoom
Range

When the map is zoomed out far enough, most POIs appear as square

dots. As you zoom in closer, the symbols become readable icons. In the

0.3 mile zoom example at right, the cursor has selected the Cholita's
Mexican Restaurant POI, which triggers a pop-up box with the POI

name. This pop-up box works on POIs at any zoom range.

Pop-up

Position,
distance and
bearing data

24