Lowrance electronic LMS 335C DF, LMS 330C User Manual

www.lowrance.com
Pub. 988-0156-011
LMS 330C &
LMS 335C DF
Fish-finding Sonar & Mapping GPS
Installation and Operation
Instructions
Copyright © 2004 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
Lowrance
®
is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
MapCreate is a trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
Navionics
is a registered trademark of Navionics, 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. On the cover: LMS-335C DF shown.
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: LMS-330C and LMS-335C DF.. 3
How Lowrance Sonar Works ........................................................ 5
How Lowrance GPS Works .......................................................... 6
Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 8
Free Training Aids Available ..................................................... 10
Sonar Viewer........................................................................... 10
Unit Emulator......................................................................... 11
How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions.............. 12
Sec. 2: Installation & Accessories ........................................ 15
Preparations................................................................................ 15
Transducer Installation.............................................................. 15
Selecting a Transducer Location............................................ 16
Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting ............................... 18
Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting ..................... 19
Trolling Motor Bracket Installation....................................... 25
Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches .............................. 25
Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation and Installation ..................... 26
Speed/Temperature Sensors....................................................... 30
Optional Temperature Sensor................................................ 30
Optional Speed Sensor Installation ....................................... 30
GPS Antenna/Receiver Module .................................................. 32
GPS Module Installation ........................................................ 33
Connecting Directly to the Unit ............................................. 35
Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network................................... 35
Power Connections ................................................................. 36
Powering a NMEA 2000 Buss (NMEA 2000 Power Cable)....... 37
Powering your Unit (Power Supply Cable)................................ 37
NMEA 2000 Cable Connections ................................................. 39
NMEA 0183 Cable Connections (Data Cable) ........................... 40
Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable .................... 41
MMC or SD Card Memory Card Installation ............................ 44
Face Cover................................................................................... 45
Other Accessories........................................................................ 46
Switch Boxes ...........................................................................46
Sec. 3: Basic Sonar Operation............................................... 47
Keyboard ..................................................................................... 47
Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 48
Main Menu .................................................................................. 48
Pages ........................................................................................... 50
Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 50
Navigation Page...................................................................... 51
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Map Page................................................................................. 51
Sonar Page .............................................................................. 52
Basic Sonar Quick Reference ............................................... 55
Sonar Operations ........................................................................ 56
Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart ........................................ 58
Sec. 4: Sonar Options & Other Features ............................59
ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) ......................................... 59
Alarms ......................................................................................... 60
Depth Alarms .......................................................................... 60
Zone Alarm .............................................................................. 61
Fish Alarm............................................................................... 62
Calibrate Speed........................................................................... 63
Chart Speed................................................................................. 64
Colorline ................................................................................... 65
Depth Cursor............................................................................... 66
Depth Range - Automatic ........................................................... 67
Depth Range - Manual................................................................ 67
To Turn Auto Depth Range on Again: ................................... 67
Depth Range - Upper and Lower Limits ................................... 68
FasTrack .................................................................................. 69
Fish I.D. (Fish Symbols & Depths) ......................................... 70
FishTrack................................................................................. 71
Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency) .............................71
HyperScroll .............................................................................. 72
Iceview Chart Mode (Signal Interpretation) ............................. 73
Signal Band Movement........................................................... 73
Signal Band Color ................................................................... 73
Signal Band Thickness ........................................................... 74
Log Sonar Chart Data ................................................................ 74
Noise Rejection............................................................................ 75
Overlay Data ............................................................................... 75
Ping Speed & HyperScroll....................................................... 77
Reset Options .............................................................................. 79
Reset Water Distance ................................................................. 79
Set Keel Offset ............................................................................80
Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity.................................................... 81
Turn Auto Sensitivity Back on:.............................................. 82
Sonar Chart Mode....................................................................... 82
Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options ............................. 83
Full Sonar Chart ..................................................................... 83
Split Zoom Sonar Chart.......................................................... 84
Digital Data............................................................................. 84
Customizing the Digital Data Screen ................................ 85
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FlashGraf ............................................................................ 86
Flasher..................................................................................... 87
Map with Sonar Split Screen ................................................. 87
Sonar Simulator.......................................................................... 88
Stop Chart ................................................................................... 90
Surface Clarity............................................................................ 91
Upper and Lower Limits ............................................................ 92
Zoom & Zoom Bar ....................................................................... 92
Zoom Pan..................................................................................... 92
Sec. 5: Sonar Troubleshooting.............................................. 95
Sec. 6: Basic GPS Operations................................................ 99
Keyboard ..................................................................................... 99
Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ..................................... 100
Main Menu ................................................................................ 100
Pages ......................................................................................... 102
Sonar Page ............................................................................ 102
Satellite Status Page ............................................................ 102
Navigation Page.................................................................... 104
Map Page............................................................................... 106
Background Map vs. Mapcreate Map Content ................ 108
Resize Window Command ................................................ 110
Basic GPS Quick Reference ................................................ 112
Find your Current Position ...................................................... 113
Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys............ 113
Selecting any Map Item with the Cursor ................................ 114
Searching................................................................................... 114
Set a Waypoint.......................................................................... 117
Create Waypoint at Current Position .................................. 117
Create Waypoint on Map...................................................... 118
Create Waypoint by Entering a Position ............................. 118
Navigate to a Waypoint ............................................................ 119
Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint...................................... 120
Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint ............................................ 120
Navigate to Cursor Position on Map........................................ 121
Navigate to a Point of Interest................................................. 122
Creating and Saving a Trail..................................................... 122
Displaying a Saved Trail .......................................................... 124
Navigating Trails...................................................................... 125
Visual Trailing ...................................................................... 125
Navigate a Trail (Forward)................................................... 125
Navigate a Back Trail (Backtrack, or Reverse) ................... 128
Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ........................... 128
Cancel Navigation..................................................................... 130
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Sec. 7: Advanced GPS Operations .....................................131
Find Distance from Current Position to Another Location .... 131
Find Distance from Point to Point ........................................... 131
Icons........................................................................................... 132
Create Icon on Map............................................................... 132
Create Icon at Current Position ........................................... 132
Delete an Icon ....................................................................... 133
Navigate to an Icon............................................................... 133
Routes........................................................................................ 134
Create and Save a Route ......................................................134
PC-Created Routes............................................................ 134
Routes Created in the Unit............................................... 134
Delete a Route ....................................................................... 137
Edit a Route Name................................................................ 137
Edit Route Waypoints........................................................... 137
Navigate a Route................................................................... 138
Navigate a Route in Reverse ................................................ 139
Trails ......................................................................................... 140
Delete a Trail ........................................................................ 140
Edit a Trail Name ................................................................. 140
Edit a Trail Color .................................................................. 141
Edit a Trail Pattern .............................................................. 141
Utilities...................................................................................... 142
Alarm Clock........................................................................... 142
Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator.......................................... 142
Trip Calculator...................................................................... 142
Trip Down Timer................................................................... 142
Trip Up Timer ....................................................................... 142
Waypoints.................................................................................. 142
Delete a Waypoint................................................................. 142
Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol and Position) ................... 142
Selecting a Waypoint ............................................................ 143
Set a Waypoint by Average Position .................................... 143
Set a Waypoint by Projecting a Position.............................. 144
Sec. 8: System & GPS Setup Options................................. 145
Alarms ....................................................................................... 145
Check MMC Files and Storage Space...................................... 146
Communications Port Configuration ....................................... 146
Configure NMEA ...................................................................... 147
Coordinate System Selection.................................................... 148
Setup Loran TD..................................................................... 149
Map Fix ..................................................................................... 150
Customize Page Displays ......................................................... 151
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Customize Satellite Status Page .......................................... 151
Customize Navigation Page ................................................. 151
Customize Map Page ............................................................ 151
GPS Simulator .......................................................................... 151
Simulating Trail or Route Navigation ................................. 152
Hide GPS Features ................................................................... 153
Initialize GPS............................................................................ 153
Map Auto Zoom......................................................................... 153
Map Data................................................................................... 154
Show Map Data..................................................................... 154
Pop-Up Map Information...................................................... 154
Map Boundaries .................................................................... 155
Fill Water with White........................................................... 155
Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ...................... 155
Map Datum Selection ............................................................... 155
Map Detail Category Selection................................................. 156
Map Orientation ....................................................................... 157
Navionics
Charts..................................................................... 158
Display a Navionics Chart:................................................... 158
Port Information ...................................................................159
Tidal Current Information ................................................... 160
Tide Information ................................................................... 162
Pop-Up Help.............................................................................. 163
Position Pinning........................................................................ 164
Reset Options ............................................................................ 164
Require WAAS .......................................................................... 165
Screen Contrast and Brightness .............................................. 165
Set Language ............................................................................ 166
Set Local Time .......................................................................... 167
Show WAAS Alarm................................................................... 167
Software Version Information.................................................. 168
Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles.............................................. 168
Track Smoothing....................................................................... 169
Trail Options ............................................................................. 170
Delete All Trails .................................................................... 170
Update Trail Option.............................................................. 170
Update Trail Criteria (Auto, Time, Distance).................. 170
Trail Update Rate (Time, Distance)................................. 171
Delete Trail ........................................................................... 171
New Trail............................................................................... 172
Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................. 172
Transparency ............................................................................ 172
Units of Measure....................................................................... 173
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Sec. 9: Searching.................................................................... 175
Find Addresses.......................................................................... 176
Find any Item Selected by Map Cursor ................................... 179
Find Interstate Highway Exits ................................................ 179
Find Map Places or Points of Interest (POI) ...........................182
Find Streets or Intersections.................................................... 184
Find Waypoints......................................................................... 188
Sec. 10: Supplemental Material.......................................... 191
Index......................................................................................... 197
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!
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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 compact, color display, combination fish finder and mapping 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 6, you have an incredible combination. You won't find another combination GPS and 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 fast, with a minimum of fuss. Like you, we'd rather spend more time boating or fishing and less time reading the manual!
So, we designed our book so that you don't have to read the whole thing from front to back for the information you want. At the start (or end) of each segment, we'll tell you what content is coming up next. If it's a concept you're already familiar with, we'll show you how and where to skip ahead for the next important topic. We've also made it easy to look up any tips you may need from time to time. Here's how:
The manual is organized into 10 sections. This first section is an intro­duction to the LMS-330C or LMS-335C DF, sonar and GPS. It tells you the basics you need to know before you can make the unit look around and tell you where you are, or look below the surface to find some fish.
Section 2 will help you install your unit, the transducer and the GPS antenna module. We'll show you how to get the MultiMedia Card (MMC) correctly installed inside the unit. We'll also tell you about some of the available accessories.
Section 3 covers Basic Sonar Operation. It will show you how easy it is to run your unit, right out of the box. This section features a one-page Sonar Quick Reference. (If you've already jumped ahead and fig-
ured 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!)
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After you've gained some experience with your sonar, you'll want to check out Section 4, which discusses more 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, just 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 112.
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 Opera- tions. 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, just 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 it's 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, we had to give this function it's own section in the manual! For example, did you know this unit can look up business phone numbers, functioning as 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 datums used, warranties and customer service information.
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Now, if you're into the fine details, glance over the next segment on specifications to see just how much sonar and GPS power your unit con­tains. 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 the sonar works, on page 5. (Background on GPS begins on page 6.)
Capabilities and Specifications: LMS-330C and LMS-335C DF
General
Display:............................ 1/4 VGA color, transflective TFT display; 5.0"
(12.7 cm) diagonal viewing area.
Resolution:...................... 320 pixels (vert.) x 240 pixel (horiz.) resolu-
tion; 153,600 total pixels
Backlighting:................... Color backlit screen and keypad for night use.
Input power:................... 10 to 15 volts DC.
Current drain: ............... Sonar only: 500 ma lights off; 600 ma lights
on. With GPS and lights on: 700 ma.
Case size:......................... 5.4" H x 6.9" W x 3.4" D (13.8 x 17.6 x 8.6
cm); sealed and waterproof; suitable for saltwater use.
MMC slots:...........................One with waterproof door (SD card compatible).
Recording:........................ GPS uses MMC & SD cards for recording trip
details and displaying charts or custom maps. Sonar uses them to record and save sonar chart logs.
Back-up memory: .......... Built-in memory stores sonar records and
GPS data for decades. User settings are stored when unit is turned off.
Languages:...................... 10; menu languages selectable by user.
Sonar
Frequency:...................... LMS-335C DF: 50/200 kHz.
LMS-330C: 200 kHz.
Transducers: .................... A dual-frequency Skimmer
transducer with
built-in temperature sensor is packed with the LMS-335C DF. It has 35°/12° cone angles. A single-frequency Skimmer transducer with built-in temperature sensor is packed with the LMS-330C. It has a 20° cone angle. Transduc­ers operate at speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts).
3
Maximum
transmitter power: ....... LMS-335C DF:
4,000 watts peak-to-peak/500 watts RMS.
LMS-330C:
2,400 watts peak-to-peak/300 watts RMS.
Sonar sounding
depth capability: ........... LMS-335C DF: 2,500 feet/762 meters.
LMS-330C: 900 feet/275 meters.
(Actual capability depends on transducer configuration and installation, bottom com­position and water conditions. All sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than in salt water.)
Depth display:................ Continuous display.
Graph recording:........... More than 256 MB on one MMC (or SD) card
Audible alarms: ............. Deep/shallow/fish/zone.
Automatic ranging:....... Yes, with instant screen updates.
Auto bottom track:........ Yes
Zoom bottom track: ...... Yes.
Split-screen zoom:......... Yes.
Surface water temp: ..... Yes, built into transducer.
Speed/distance log: ....... Yes, with optional speed sensor (sensor in-
cluded with LMS-335C DF.)
GPS
Receiver/antenna:............External; LGC-2000 12 parallel channel
NMEA 2000-ready GPS/WAAS re­ceiver/antenna.
Background map:.......... Built-in custom, detailed Lowrance map.
Contains: enhanced detail of continental U.S. and Hawaii. Includes more than 60,000 nav aids and 10,000 wrecks/obstructions in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Metro ar­eas, selected major streets/highways and in­terstate exit services details included.
Custom mapping: .......... MapCreate 6 software optional; optional
LEI FreedomMaps offer the same high­detail without the work of MapCreate; Navi-
onics
charts on MMC cards optional.
4
Mapping memory:............More than 256 MB on one MMC (or SD) card.
Position updates: .......... Every second.
Position points: ............. 1,000 waypoints; 1,000 event marker icons.
Audible alarms: ............. Arrival/off-course/anchor.
Graphic symbols for waypoints or event
marker icons: ................. 42.
Routes:............................. 100; up to 100 waypoints per route.
Plot Trails: ...................... 10 savable; up to 9,999 points per trail.
Zoom range:.................... 40 ranges; 0.02 to 4,000 miles.
NOTE:
The above memory capacities refer only to the unit's on-board memory. The amount of GPS or sonar data you can record and save for recall later is only limited by the number and capacity of MMC cards you have.
NOTICE!
The storage and operation temperature range for your unit is from -4 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 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.
How Lowrance 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 under water basics.
Sonar is an abbreviation for SOund NA ogy 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. In simple terms, here's how it finds the bottom, or the fish:
The transmitter emits an electrical impulse, which the transducer con­verts into a sound wave and sends into the water. (The sound frequency can't be heard by humans or fish.) The sound wave strikes an object (fish, structure, bottom) and bounces back to the transducer, which converts the sound back into an electrical signal.
vigation and Ranging, a technol-
5
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 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 or product emulator. The viewer and emulator are available for download from the Lowrance web site, www.lowrance.com.
You can save several different sonar log files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over again. The size of your sonar recordings is only limited by the free space available on your MMC.
How Lowrance GPS Works
You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how the 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 15. If you're new to GPS, read on, and you can later impress your friends with your new-found knowledge.)
First, think of your unit as a small but powerful computer. (But don't worry — we made the units in this 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. 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.)
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, it plots that position on the moving map shown on the screen. The whole process takes place several times a second!
6
The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of each GPS 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 6. 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.
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, or even personal computers.
This unit has one more thing in common with a personal computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and exchanging files, the unit 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 more than 256 MB 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. (The MMC is also used 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. (NOTE: No matter where they come from, GPS Data Files must be loaded from the MMC into memory before the unit 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 de-
7
tail 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 LMS-335C DF and the hand-held iFINDER
GPS receiver.)
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!).
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 15, 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
12. 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.
8
A minimum of three satellites are required to determine a 2D fix.
The system requires signal reception from three satellites in order to determine a position. This is called a 2D fix. It takes four satellites to determine both position and elevation (your height above sea level — also called altitude.) This is called a 3D fix.
Remember, the unit must have a clear view of the satellites in order to receive their signals. Unlike radio or television signals, GPS works at very high frequencies. These signals can be easily blocked by trees, buildings, an automobile roof, even your body.
Like most GPS receivers, 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 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.
9
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.
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.
Free Training Aids Available
Now that you know something about the technology that makes this unit possible, you're ready to start learning how to use that technology! This manual will guide you through the process of setting up and run­ning your unit, but that's only one of many resources available.
If you or a friend has Internet access, visit our web site! Find us at
WWW.LOWRANCE.COM. The site is packed with additional information
on using our products. For instance, you can learn more about inter­preting what you see on your sonar screen with our free Sonar Tutorial. The tutorial includes animated illustrations and more pictures of actual sonar returns, all described in detail. There's even a "printer friendly" version of the tutorial available on our web …it makes a great supple­ment to this operation manual.
Sonar Viewer
You can also download a free copy of our Sonar Viewer software. This PC-based software application plays back any sonar chart log recorded with a Lowrance sonar product. Features include:
Adjustable range, zoom, sensitivity, ColorLine, noise rejection,
surface clarity, etc. of the recorded file.
Color interpretation of sonar signals can be user defined.
10
Operates like a Windows Multimedia Player with forward, re-
verse, pause, fast forward, fast reverse, and scroll buttons.
Adjustments update the entire record displayed.
Can print in full color.
Window can dynamically be sized on your monitor.
Mouse cursor shows GPS position, depth and sounding number
anywhere on the visible record.
Unit Emulator
For the ultimate training aid, be sure to download the free emulator software for your unit. Aside from being just plain fun, this program can help you learn both basic and advanced operations without burning boat fuel! Lowrance is the first sonar manufacturer to provide this type of training tool for customers.
This PC application simulates the actual sonar/GPS unit on your com­puter. You can run it from your computer keyboard or use your mouse to press the virtual keys. Easy download and installation instructions are available on our web site.
Free training emulator is available for your unit on our web site.
The emulator works exactly like your real sonar/GPS unit. Using the Sonar Simulator and GPS Simulator features, it allows you to play back sonar logs, run GPS routes and trails, even create real waypoints you can use in the field! You can even take snapshots of the Sonar Chart and print them or e-mail them to friends.
11
And that's just some of the material available on our web site. To find out all we have available, go to
WWW.LOWRANCE.COM and look around.
For now, though, we'll get back to how to use this particular unit. And, first, how to use the manual.
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 control a hori­zontal line depth cursor on the sonar screen. The arrow keys help you move around the menus so you can execute different commands. They are represented by symbols like these, which denote the down arrow
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/Icons" key is shown as
ENT and the "Menu" key is shown as MENU.
Menu Commands
A menu command or a menu option will appear in small capital letters, in a bold sans serif type like this:
ROUTE PLANNING. These indicate that you are
to select this command or option from a menu or take an action of some kind with the menu item. Text that you may need to enter or file names you need to select are show in italic type, such as trail name.
Instructions = Menu Sequences
Most functions you perform with the 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 Trail 1|
ENT| to NAVIGATE|ENT.
MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT.
12
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.
Translated into complete English, step 1 above would mean: "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 would mean: "Press the down arrow key repeatedly to scroll to the trail named Trail 1, and press Enter. Next, press the right arrow key to highlight the Navigate command, then press Enter."
13
Notes
14
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 to the bracket.
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.
15
transducer on a
Read these instructions carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the mounting positions is right for your boat. Re-
member, the transducer installation is the most critical part of a sonar installation.
NOTE:
The following installation types also call for these recommended tools and required supplies that you must provide (supplies listed here 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, 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
16
at speeds faster than 35 mph. Typically, a good transom location on
prevent the transducer from
location
Deadrise less than 10
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.
°
Left, vee pad hull; right, vee hull. A pod style transducer is shown
Pad
here, 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
entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed.
Good location
Poor location
Good
Poor angle
Good and poor transducer locations.
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
17
usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protec-
Transom
centerline
tion from bangs and bumps.
Transducer
Hull bottom
Align transducer centerline with 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 waves or wakes. 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.
However, the shoot-thru-hull installation 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.
18
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 CAN NOT 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.
19
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.
Alignment letters
Alignment
positions
Transducer
Transducer bracket
Transducer
Insert and align ratchets.
bracket
Transducer
Ratchet
Add ratchets to bracket and transducer.
Ratchet
2. Aligning the transducer on the transom.
A. One-piece bracket: Slide the transducer between the two ratch-
ets. 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.
20
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.
21
Flat washer
Bolt
Flat washer
Assemble transducer and bracket.
Lock washer
Nut
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
Assemble transducer and bracket.
washer
Metal washer
Bolt
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).
22
Transom
Transom
Position transducer mount on transom and mark mounting holes.
Side view shown at left and seen from above at 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 at left and seen from above at 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 sealant.
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.
23
Flat-bottom hull
Bottom
of
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 aerators can be picked up by the sonar. 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. Don't allow the transducer bracket to go below the bottom of the hull!
24
TROLLING MOTOR BRACKET INSTALLATION
Flat washer
(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
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.
25
Partial fish arches
Transducer aimed
too far back
Full fish arch
Proper transducer angle
Transducer angles and their effects on fish arches.
Transducer aimed
too far forward
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.
SHOOT-THRU-HULL PREPARATION Hulls With Floatation Materials
The transducer installation inside a fiberglass hull must be in an area that does not have air bubbles in the resin or separated fiberglass lay­ers. The sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. A successful transducer installation can be made on hulls with flotation materials (such as plywood, balsa wood or foam) between layers of fiberglass if the material is removed from the chosen area. See the following figure.
26
WARNING:
Do not remove any material from your inner hull unless you know the hull's composition. Careless grinding or cutting on your hull can result in damage that could sink your boat. Contact your boat dealer or manufacturer to confirm your hull specifications.
Fill with polyester resin
Flotation material
Inner hull
Epoxy to hull first
Epoxy the transducer to a solid portion of the hull.
Outer hull
For example, some (but not all) manufacturers use a layer of fiberglass, then a core of balsa wood, finishing with an outer layer of fiberglass. Removing the inner layer of fiberglass and the balsa wood core exposes the outer layer of fiberglass. The transducer can then be epoxied di­rectly to the outer layer of fiberglass. After the epoxy cures for 24 hours, fill the remaining space with polyester resin. When the job is finished, the hull is watertight and structurally sound. Remember, the sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. Any air bubbles in the fiberglass or the epoxy will reduce or eliminate the sonar signals.
Testing Determines Best Location
Ideally, the shoot-thru transducer should be installed as close to the transom as possible, close to the centerline. This will give you the best performance during high speed maneuvers.
Transducer location
(high speed)
Transducer location
(trolling speed)
Shoot-thru-hull transducer locations for
high speed or trolling speed operation.
27
To choose the proper location for shoot-thru-hull mounting, follow these
Second bottom
True bottom
testing procedures: (You may need a helper to complete these steps.)
1. Anchor the boat in about 30 feet of water. Add a little water to the sump of the boat. Plug the transducer into the sonar unit, turn it on, then hold the transducer over the side of the boat in the water. Adjust the sensitivity and range controls until a second bottom echo is seen on the display. (You'll need to turn off Auto Sensitivity, Auto Depth Range and ASP. Try a range setting that is two to three times the water depth. The harder (more rocky) the bottom, the easier it will be to get a second bottom signal.) Don't touch the controls once they've been set.
Manual range setting
Example of a second bottom signal. Unit is in 30 feet of water, with
range set at 80 feet and sensitivity set at 87 percent.
2. Next, take the transducer out of the water and place it in the water in the sump of the boat, face down. (The transducer face is shown in the figure on the following page.) Notice how the signal strength de­creases. The second bottom signal will probably disappear and the bot­tom signal intensity will likely decrease.
3. Now move the transducer around to find the best location with the strongest possible bottom signal. If you find a spot with an acceptable bottom signal, mark the location and move on to step 4.
If you can't get an acceptable bottom signal, try turning up the sensi­tivity by three or five keystrokes and then move the transducer around once more. If you find a spot that works, mark it and move on to step 4.
If you have to turn up sensitivity by more than five keystrokes to get a good signal, the transducer should be mounted on the outside of the hull. This is especially true if you have to turn sensitivity all the way up to get a decent bottom signal.
28
4. Most people can get good results by following steps 1 through 3, so this step is optional. If you want to make an extra effort to be absolutely sure that your selected location will work under all conditions, make a test run with the boat on plane and observe the bottom signal. You'll need to figure some way to prop the transducer into position while you make your test run. (A brick or two might be sufficient to hold it in place.)
5. When you're satisfied with a location, mark it and proceed with the installation.
Shoot-thru-hull Installation
If you are installing the transducer on a hull with floatation material sandwiched within the hull, refer to the text "Hulls With Flotation Ma­terials" beginning on page 26.
1. Make sure the area is clean, dry and free of oil or grease, then sand both the inside surface of the hull and the face of the transducer with 100 grit sandpaper. The sanded hull area should be about 1-1/2 times the diameter of the transducer. The surface of the hull must be flat so the entire transducer face is in contact with the hull prior to bonding. After sanding, clean the hull and transducer with rubbing alcohol to remove any sanding debris.
Spread epoxy here
Sand this surface
Epoxy transducer to hull.
WARNING:
Use only the epoxy available from LEI. It has been for- mulated to work with these installation procedures. Other epoxy types may be too thin or may not cure to the right consistency for optimum transducer performance.
29
2. The epoxy consists of the epoxy itself and a hardener. Remove the two compounds from the package and place them on the paper plate.
Thoroughly stir the two compounds together until the mixture has a uniform color and consistency. Do not mix too fast or bubbles will form in the epoxy. After mixing, you have 20 minutes to complete the installation before the epoxy becomes unworkable.
Spread a thin layer of epoxy (about 1/16" or 1.5 mm thick) on the face of the transducer as shown in the previous figure. Make sure there are no air pockets in the epoxy layer! Then, apply the remaining ep­oxy to the sanded area on the hull.
3. Press the transducer into the epoxy, twisting and turning it to force any air bubbles out from under the transducer face. Stop pressing when you bottom out on the hull. When you're finished, the face of the transducer should be parallel with the hull, with a minimum amount of epoxy between the hull and transducer.
4. Apply a weight, such as a brick, to hold the transducer in place while the epoxy cures. Be careful not to bump the transducer while the ep­oxy is wet. Leave the weight in place for a minimum of three hours. Allow the epoxy to cure for 24 hours before moving the boat.
5. After the epoxy has cured, route the cable to the sonar unit and it's ready to use.
Speed/Temperature Sensors
Optional Temperature Sensor
All the units in this series can display water temperature using the TS­1BL temp sensor. This is an analog temp sensor that plugs directly into the sonar socket on the back of your unit. However, the units in this series come packed with a transducer with a temp sensor built-in.
The Sonar socket on your unit is designed to receive only one tempera­ture sensor. Since your transducer contains a built-in temp sensor, at­taching the TS-1BL to your unit's Sonar socket will override the tem­perature information provided by the transducer's temp sensor. Your unit will only display the temperature provided by the TS-1BL.
Most users will prefer to use the temp sensor built into the transducer. If you do wish to purchase an optional TS-1BL, see accessory ordering information inside the back cover of this manual.
Optional Speed Sensor Installation
All the units in this series can display speed and distance traveled, but only the LMS-335C DF comes packed with a speed sensor. If you wish
30
to purchase an optional additional sensor for your unit, refer to the ac­cessory ordering information inside the back cover of this manual. The following instructions describe how to install the speed sensor.
Recommended tools for this job include: drill, 7/8" drill bit, 1/8" drill bit for pilot holes, screwdriver. Required supplies for this job include: four #8 stainless steel wood screws (3/4" long), high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline sealant. (Supplies are not included.)
First find a location on the boat's transom where the water flow is smoothest. Don't mount the sensor behind strakes or ribs. These will disturb the water flow to the speed sensor. Make sure the sensor will remain in the water when the boat is on plane. Also make sure the lo­cation doesn't interfere with the boat's trailer. Typically, the sensor is mounted about one foot to the side of the transom's centerline.
Once you've determined the proper location for the unit, place the sen­sor on the transom. The bottom of the bracket should be flush with the hull's bottom. Using the sensor as a template, mark the hull for the screws' pilot holes. Drill four 1/8" holes, one in each end of the slots.
Mount the sensor to the hull using #8 stainless steel wood screws. Use a high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline sealant to seal the screws. Make sure the sensor is flush with the bottom of the hull and tighten the screws.
Good location
Stern view showing good location for mounting sensor on transom.
Transom
Bottom of hull
Speed sensor mounting configuration:
side view (left) and rear view (right.)
Bottom of hull
31
If the base of the transom has a radius, fill the gap between the tran­som and the sensor with the sealant. This will help ensure a smooth water flow.
Route the sensor's cable through or over the transom to the sonar unit. If you need to drill a hole in the transom to pass the connector through, the required hole size is 7/8".
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 screws.
The sensor is now ready for use. Connect the sensor to the sonar socket on the back of your unit and connect the transducer to the speed sensor's socket (see drawing on page 41). If you have any questions concerning the installation of the sensor, please contact your local boat dealer.
GPS Antenna/Receiver Module
This unit's package includes the LGC-2000 GPS module. This device con­tains the unit's external antenna and receiver for GPS and WAAS signals. The antenna/receiver module comes with a 25-foot Y-adapter extension cable. This module can be mounted on a flat surface or pole, or an optional magnet is available for temporary mounting on any ferrous surface.
LGC-2000 Module, bottom view (left) and top view (right).
Tools required for installation are: wire pliers, flat screwdriver, drill, 1" (25 mm) drill bit and 3/16" (4.75 mm) drill bit.
The LGC-2000 requires 9 to 20 volts DC power. It draws power through the unit or from the NMEA 2000 buss (instructions on powering a NMEA 2000 buss appear later in this section).
The GPS module can be mounted on any flat surface, provided there is access behind the mounting surface for the screws. The optional mag­net allows the module to be easily used on cars or off-road vehicles. The pole mount adapter lets you mount the antenna on a pole or swivel mount that uses standard marine 1" - 14 threads.
32
GPS Module Installation
Surface Mount
The GPS module can be easily installed on any flat surface that is at least 3-1/2" (90 mm) wide. Be sure that a clear, unobstructed view of the sky is available at the selected location. GPS signals travel "line-of­sight" at very high frequencies, so nearly anything blocking the an­tenna can stop the unit from finding a satellite. Caution: Do not mount
in line with a radar antenna. Radar radiates high-energy signals that can interfere with GPS signal reception.
In an automobile, 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 help hold the antenna in place. This may not work well if you have a cab-over design pickup truck camper or motor home. If dashboard reception is poor, simply relocate the antenna mod­ule elsewhere on the vehicle for a clearer view of the sky.
Once you’ve determined the mounting location, use the template on page 34 to drill the screw holes. The screws supplied with this unit are about 1-1/8" long (4mm x 30mm). Drill 3/16" (4.75 mm) holes for the mounting screws.
If you need to route the cable through the mounting surface, drill a 1" (25mm) hole for the cable's connector. There is a notch in the antenna housing that allows the cable to pass through to the outside, if desired, instead of routing it through the mounting surface.
After drilling the holes, pass the O-ring over the cable and press it into the groove on the bottom of the antenna housing. Now attach the an­tenna to the mounting surface, using 4 mm screws and the supplied lock washers. Route the cable and the GPS module installation is finished.
Magnet Mount
A magnet (available as an option) lets you temporarily mount the GPS module on any ferrous metal surface, such as a car. To use the magnet, simply peel the backing off the magnet's adhesive coating and press the magnet to the bottom of the antenna housing. The module is ready for use.
Magnet
Under side view showing magnet.
33
Pole Mount
The GPS module attaches to the pole mount adapter with the supplied 4 mm screws. You can route the cable through the slot in the side of the module and down the side of the pole. Or, you can pass it down through the pole mount adapter and run the cable inside the pole. The 1"-14 threads on the pole mount adapter accept a standard marine an­tenna mount.
Pole mount adapter
with module attached.
Drill size 3/16" (4.75 mm) Drill four places.
Drill size 1" (25 mm ) (If needed.)
GPS module mounting template.
After the module is installed, connect it to the unit. The LGC-2000 can communicate with your GPS unit either directly (using the supplied ex­tension cable) or through a NMEA 2000 network.
34
Connecting Directly to the Unit
After the module is installed, attach it to the end of the Y-adapter ex­tension cable as shown in the following diagram. To connect it to the unit, insert the extension cable's splitter plug into the Network socket on the back of the unit and your system is ready to use.
60-ohm terminator
LGC-2000
To unit
Splitter plug
25' Y-adapter extension cable
LGC-2000 direct connection to GPS unit.
NOTE:
The extension cable’s shorter branch will have a 60-ohm terminator at­tached to it. Do not remove this terminator. When you're not con­necting to a NMEA 2000 buss, you must leave the terminator con­nected to this socket for your antenna/receiver to function correctly.
Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network
The LGC-2000 can be connected to a NMEA 2000 buss, providing GPS information to any Lowrance GPS units attached to the buss. Contact LEI Extras (look inside back cover for accessory ordering information) for a NMEA 2000 buss adapter cable if you would like to do this.
There are two ways to connect the antenna to a NMEA 2000 network port. One method (shown in the following image) is to use the extension cable's Y-adapter to connect both the antenna and the unit to the same network port. To do this, simply remove the 60-ohm terminator shown in the previous image and attach the NMEA 2000 buss adapter cable to the shorter branch of the extension cable's Y-adapter. Connect the NMEA 2000 buss adapter cable's other end to an available network port.
LGC-2000
25' Y-adapter extension cable
To NMEA 2000 network port
LGC-2000 and GPS unit connection to NMEA 2000 buss.
To unit
You can also attach the antenna to a remote port on the network, and pass position information along the network. To do this, simply attach the
35
LGC-2000's connector to one end of the buss adapter cable and attach the other to an available port on the NMEA 2000 buss, as shown in the fol­lowing image. (You will have to use a similar adapter cable to connect the GPS unit to the NMEA buss as described later in this section.)
To NMEA 2000 network port
LGC-2000
LGC-2000 remote connection to NMEA 2000 buss.
NOTE:
An existing operational NMEA 2000 buss will already have termina­tors in place and will already be powered. If you're connecting to such a network, you won't need the terminators provided. Do not add termi­nators or power to a functional NMEA 2000 buss!
When the LGC-2000 is connected to the unit (directly or indirectly), it will begin providing GPS signal information.
Power Connections
Your unit comes with a power/data cable that splits into three ends, each with several exposed wires (shown in the following figure). The end with 4 wires (blue, yellow, orange and shield) is a Data cable that connects to a NMEA 0183 interface. The end with three wires (red, black and shield) is a power cable that connects to a NMEA 2000 buss. The thicker three-wire cable (red, black and white) is the Power Supply for your unit (and optional external speaker connection for some units).
Power Supply wires: red, black and white
To unit
NMEA 2000 Power wires:
red, black and shield
NMEA 0183 Data Cable wires: blue, yellow,
The Power/Data cable for this unit.
orange and shield
Depending on your configuration, you may not use all of these wires. (For example, many units cannot operate an optional external speaker, so the white wire on the Power Supply cable isn't functional.) The fol­lowing segments include instructions for installing all the wires that you will use with this unit.
36
Caution:
All of the wires in the power/data cable have bare ends for eas­ier installation. The bare ends on any unused wires could cause an electrical short if left exposed. To prevent this, you should cover the individual wire ends – either by capping them with wire nuts or wrapping them with electrical tape. (You should cut off the bare wire before taping off the ends.)
Powering a NMEA 2000 Buss (NMEA 2000 Power cable)
A NMEA 2000 buss must be connected to a power source to operate. If you have a pre-existing NMEA 2000 installation, it may already be connected to another power source. If your NMEA 2000 buss is already powered, you can ignore the NMEA 2000 Power cable. Never attach
two power sources to a single NMEA 2000 buss.
If you do need to power your NMEA 2000 buss, attach the NMEA 2000 Power cable to your boat's battery just as indicated in the following segment for connecting your unit's Power Supply cable. The NMEA 2000 Power cable's red wire should be attached (with provided 3-amp fuse) to the boat battery's positive terminal, and the NMEA 2000 Power cable's black and shield wires should both be attached to the battery's negative terminal.
NOTE:
If the NMEA 2000 buss draws power directly from the boat's battery, the LGC-2000 will remain on (drawing power) all the time. The LGC­2000's current draw is very small and shouldn't decrease the boat's storage battery life, but if this small draw is a concern, you can in­stall a switch between the NMEA 2000 buss and the battery.
Powering Your Unit (Power Supply cable – red and black wires)
The unit works from a 12-volt battery system. For the best results, at­tach the power cable directly to the battery. You can attach the power cable to an accessory or power buss, however you may have problems with electrical interference. Therefore, it's safer to go ahead and attach the power cable directly to the battery.
CAUTION:
When using the unit in a saltwater environment, we strongly rec­ommend that you shut off the power supply to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When the unit is turned off but still connected to a power supply, electrolysis can occur in the power cable plug. This may result in corrosion of the plug body along with the electri­cal contacts in the cable and the unit's power socket.
37
In saltwater environments we recommend you connect the power cable to the auxiliary power switch included in most boat designs. If that results in electrical interference, or if such a switch is not available, we recommend connecting direct to the battery and in­stalling an inline switch. This will let you shut off power to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When you are not using the unit, you should always shut off power to the power cable, es­pecially when the power cable is disconnected from the unit.
If possible, keep the power cable away from other boat wiring, especially the engine's wires. This will provide the best isolation from electrical noise. If the cable is not long enough, splice #18 gauge wire onto it. The power cable has two wires, red and black. Red is the positive lead, black is negative or ground. There is also a white wire to power an optional external speaker for some units. Make sure to attach the in-line fuse holder to the red lead as close to the power source as possible.
For example, if you have to extend the power cable to the battery or power buss, attach one end of the fuse holder directly to the battery or power buss. This will protect both the unit and the power cable in the event of a short. It uses a 3-amp fuse.
White external speaker wire
To unit
To power a NMEA 2000 buss, also connect NMEA 2000 Power cable to the boat's battery.
(not used by this unit)
Black wire
Optional power off switch for salt­water installations
Red wire with
3 amp fuse
12 volt
battery
Data Cable
NMEA 2000 Power Cable
Power connections for the unit.
NOTE:
If you're powering a NMEA 2000 buss, you will attach both the NMEA 2000 Power cable and the unit's Power Supply cable to the boat's battery. To attach the NMEA 2000 Power cable, connect the red wire to battery's + and black and shield wires to battery's –.
38
WARNING:
This product must be independently fused with the en­closed 3-amp fuse (or equivalent), even if you connect to a fused accessory or power buss.
If a malfunction happens inside the unit, extensive dam­age can occur if the enclosed fuse is not used. As with all electrical devices, this unit could be damaged to a point that it is unrepairable and could even cause harm to the user when not properly fused.
CAUTION:
Do not use this product without a 3-amp fuse wired into the power cable! Failure to use a 3-amp fuse will void your warranty.
This unit has reverse polarity protection. No damage will occur if the power wires are reversed. However, the unit will not work until the wires are attached correctly.
An optional 8-foot, CA-4 external power cable with a cigarette lighter adapter is available from Lowrance.
NMEA 2000 Cable Connections
NMEA 2000 is a new buss network specifically designed for boats. This is a very young industry standard and, at the time of printing, few boats being built now have a NMEA 2000 buss installed. Over the next few years, however, NMEA 2000 will become much more common. To help you get the most out of this technology, your Lowrance unit is designed to work with a NMEA 2000 network as soon as it becomes available.
Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network
Your unit can be connected to a NMEA 2000 buss, receiving sensor in­formation from any Lowrance units attached to the buss. Contact LEI Extras (look inside back cover for accessory ordering information) for a NMEA 2000 buss adapter cable if you would like to do this. You can connect both the unit and antenna module through the antenna's ex­tension cable (as described earlier), or you can connect the unit directly to a network port. To do so, simply attach the adapter cable's manual locking collar connector to the Network port on the back of the sonar unit and attach the other end to an available port on the NMEA 2000 buss, as shown in the following figure.
To NMEA 2000 network port
Lowrance unit direct connection to NMEA 2000 buss.
To sonar unit's Network socket
39
As soon as the unit is connected to the network, it will begin receiving
Yellow (Transmit)
shared information. Please note that the buss must be powered to oper­ate. (For more on powering a NMEA 2000 buss, see the instructions earlier in this section.)
NMEA 0183 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.
See the following diagram for general wiring connections. Read your other product’s owner’s manual for more wiring information.
NMEA 0183 Wiring (Data cable)
To exchange NMEA 0183 data, this unit has one NMEA 0183 version
2.0 communication port. Com port one (Com-1) can be used to receive
NMEA format GPS data. The com port can also transmit NMEA format GPS data to another device.
The four wires for the com port are combined with the Power Supply cable and NMEA 2000 Power cable to form the power/data cable (shown earlier). Com-1 uses the yellow wire to transmit, the orange wire to re­ceive and the shield wire for signal ground. Your unit does not use the blue wire.
Com-1 To unit
Orange (Receive)
Shield (Ground)
NMEA Transmit
Ground
To Other
GPS Receiver
Com-1 To unit
Com-1 wiring to receive NMEA position information
from some other GPS receiver.
NMEA Receive
Shield (Ground)
Com-1 wiring to transmit NMEA position information
to another NMEA-compatible device.
Ground
40
To Other
Device
Unit, rear view
Sonar socket
Power/Data socket
NMEA 0183
Data cable
(four wires)
NMEA 2000
Power cable
Power Supply
cable
Network socket
SP-BL optional speed sensor
LGC-2000 25' extension cable
60-ohm
terminator
Transducer
GPS
antenna
module
Cable connections shown.
Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable
You can install the unit on the top of a dash with the supplied gimbal bracket. It can also be installed in the dash or mounted on a portable power supply.
If you use the supplied bracket, you may be interested in the optional R-A-M bracket to a swivel mount, which can be used on the dash or overhead mounting positions.
bracket mounting system. This converts the unit's gimbal
41
Optional R-A-M mounting system.
Bracket Installation
Mount the unit in any convenient location, provided there is clearance behind the unit when it's tilted for the best viewing angle. You should also make sure there is enough room behind the unit to attach the power, transducer and GPS antenna/receiver module cables. (A drawing on the next page shows the dimensions of a gimbal-mounted unit.)
Holes in the bracket's base allow wood screw or through-bolt mounting. You may need to place a piece of plywood on the back side of thin fiber­glass panels to reinforce the panel and secure the mounting hardware.
Front
Install the gimbal bracket. Orient the bracket so the arms slope toward
the front of your unit.
42
Drill a 1-inch (25.4 mm) hole in the dash for the power, transducer and antenna cables. The best location for this hole is immediately under the gimbal bracket location. This way, the bracket can be installed so that it covers the hole, holds the cables in position and results in a neat in­stallation. Some customers, however, prefer to mount the bracket to the side of the cable hole — it's a matter of personal preference.
77.1 [3.03]
27.6
173.9 [6.85]
[1.09]
137.9 [5.43]
Millimeter
[Inch]
Front view (left) and side view (right) showing dimensions of LMS-
335C DF sonar/GPS unit when mounted on gimbal bracket.
157.9 [6.22]
56.9 [2.24]
After drilling the hole, pass the transducer connector up through the hole from under the dash, followed by antenna connector. Pass the power cable's bare-wire end down though the hole from the top.
If you wish, you can fill in the hole around the cables with a good ma­rine caulking compound. (Some marine dealers stock cable hole covers to conceal the opening.) No matter what type of installation you prefer, be sure to leave enough slack in the cables to allow tilting or swiveling the unit. If you choose to fill in the hole, be sure to position the cables against the rear edge of the hole as you apply the fill material.
Before positioning the bracket, be sure to hold the cables against the rear edge of the hole. Then, slide the bracket over the hole and butt the rear of the bracket base firmly against the cables, thus pinning them in place against the side of the hole. Finally, fasten the bracket to the dash. Attach the unit to the gimbal bracket using the supplied gimbal knobs and washers.
43
In-Dash Installation
ALWAYS VERIFY DIMENSIONS
You can mount the unit in the dash with an optional FM-5 In-Dash Adapter Kit. The kit includes mounting hardware, a template for cut­ting the hole and an instruction sheet, part 988-0147-43.
146.5 [5.76]
Top
R 7.9 [0.31]
In-Dash
Template
Millimeters
[Inches]
113.5 [4.46]
In-dash mounting template for LMS-335C DF sonar/GPS unit, showing
dimensions. NOTE: The figure above is not printed to scale. A scaled
template (FM-5 In-Dash Adapter Kit instructions) is available for free
download from our web site, www.lowrance.com.
MMC or SD Card Memory Card Installation
Your unit uses a MultiMedia Card to store information, such as sonar logs, custom maps, waypoints, trails and other GPS data. The unit can also use Secure Digital Cards (SD card) to store data.
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 higher.
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 camera and consumer electronics stores.
44
The MMC slot is located in a compartment on the front of the case. The compartment door is located at the lower right corner. The following figure shows a close-up with the door opened.
Thumb
screw
Memory card compartment with a 16 MB MMC card installed.
Insert card face up,
this way
To remove an MMC
1. Open the card compartment door by unscrewing the thumb screw.
The screw should only be finger tight. If it was over-tightened, use a thumbnail, a coin or a screwdriver to open the door.
2. Just press a finger against the label of the MMC and drag it from the slot.
3. Close the compartment door and fasten the thumb screw finger tight.
To add an MMC or SD Card
1. Open the card compartment door.
2. Grasp the bottom of the MMC and push the top of the card into the
slot. Once the card is started, use your fingernails to slide it the rest of the way to the left, until it is firmly seated in the slot.
3. Close the compartment door and fasten the thumb screw finger tight.
Face Cover
Your unit comes with a white protective cover that snaps on and off the front of the unit. This cover is intended for use when your unit and the vehicle it's mounted in are idle.
WARNING:
When the unit is mounted in an unprotected area, such as an open boat cockpit, the protective face cover must be removed when the vehicle is moving at high speed. This includes towing a boat on a trailer at highway speeds. Otherwise, wind blast can pop off the cover.
45
Other Accessories
Other accessories include MMC cards, MMC card readers and MapCre­ate™ 6 custom mapping software for your computer. MMC card readers are available in USB and parallel port versions.
MapCreate™ 6 CD-ROM, left; MMC card reader for USB ports, right.
Switch Boxes
Two switch boxes are available for this unit. The SB-9BL transducer switch box switches two transducers to one sonar unit. The SB-10BL transducer switch box switches two sonar units to one transducer.
If any of these accessories are not available from your dealer, see the accessory ordering information on the inside back cover of this manual. Visit our web site for a complete listing of all the available accessories for your unit.
Now that you have your unit installed, move on to Section 3, Basic So- nar Operations. There, we'll present a series of step-by-step tutorials to teach you the basics of sonar operation.
NOTE:
When you first turn the unit on, the Map Page appears. If you'd rather start learning about GPS operation first, turn over to Sec. 6, Basic GPS Operations. (Remember, you don't need to read this manual from cover-to-cover to get going. We designed it so you can skip around to the section you want to read.)
46
Section 3: Basic Sonar Operation
2
This section addresses the unit's most basic sonar operations. The in­structions presented in Sec. 3 follow a chronological order. Sec. 4, Sonar Options & Other Features, will discuss other more advanced functions and utilities. Material in Sec. 4 is arranged in alphabetical order.
Before you turn on the sonar unit, it's a good idea to learn about the different keys, the Main Menu, the four Page screens and how they all work together. BUT, if you just can't wait to get on the water, turn to the one-page Quick Reference on page 55.
Keyboard
4
8
3
5
MMC slot access door
LMS-335C DF sonar/GPS unit, front view, showing full sonar chart
screen display, keyboard and access door for the MMC slot.
1. PWR/LIGHT (Power & Light) – The PWR key turns the unit on and
off and activates the backlight.
2. PAGES – Pressing this and the arrow keys switches the unit
between the four different page screens. (Satellite Status Page, Naviga­tion Page, Map Page and Sonar Page.) Each page represents one of the unit's major operation modes.
9
7
6
1
47
3. MENU – Press this key to show the menus and submenus, which
allow you to select a command or adjust a feature. This also accesses search functions for streets, intersections, addresses and highway exits.
4. ARROW KEYS – These keys are used to navigate through the
menus, make menu selections, move the map and sonar chart cursors and enter data.
5. ENT/ICONS (Enter & Icons) – This key allows you to save data, ac-
cept values or execute menu commands. It is also used to create event marker icons.
6. EXIT – The Exit key lets you return to the previous screen, clear
data or erase a menu.
7. WPT – (Waypoint) The Waypoint key is used to save and recall way-
points, search for waypoints and access the waypoint list. It also launches the Point-of-Interest (POI) search menus and is involved in some navigation functions.
8. ZOUT – (Zoom Out) – This key lets you zoom the screen out. On the
Sonar Page, this key returns you to a full sonar chart display, showing the entire water column from surface to bottom. On the Map Page, this lets you see a larger geographic area on the map. Less detail is seen as you zoom out.
9. ZIN – (Zoom In) – This key lets you zoom the screen in. On the Sonar
Page, this key enlarges fish signals and bottom detail. On the Map Page, zooming in lets you see greater detail in a smaller geographic area on the map.
Power/lights on and off
To turn on the unit, press PWR. As the unit powers up, the Map Page is displayed first. To switch to the Sonar Page, press
To turn on the backlight, press levels to select from. Repeatedly pressing backlight settings and turn off the backlight.
Turn off the unit by pressing and holding the
PWR again. The unit has three backlight
PWR will cycle through the
PAGES||EXIT.
PWR key for 3 seconds.
Main Menu
The unit has a Main Menu, which contains some function commands and some setup option commands. The instructions in this section will deal only with sonar functions, the basic commands that make the unit show sonar signals on your screen. This sonar unit will work fine right out of the box with the factory default settings. But, if you want to
48
learn about the various sonar options, see Sec. 4, Sonar Options & Other Features. (For general system setup and GPS options, see Sec. 8, System Setup and GPS Setup Options.)
You can access the Main Menu from any of the four Page screens by pressing display, press
MENU|MENU. To clear the menu screen and return to the page
EXIT. (Remember, our text style for "MENU|MENU" means
"press the Menu key twice." See a full explanation of our instruction text formatting on page 12, "How to use this manual…."
Main Menu.
The Main Menu commands and their functions are:
Screen command: changes the contrast or brightness of the display screen.
Sounds command: enables or disables the sounds for key strokes and alarms and sets the alarm style.
Transparency command: adjust the level of transparency for menus.
Alarms command: turns sonar and GPS alarms on or off and changes
alarm thresholds.
Route Planning command: used to plan, view or navigate a route.
My Trails command: shows, creates and deletes plot trails. Also used
to navigate or backtrack a trail.
Cancel Navigation command: turns off the various navigation com­mands. Used to stop navigating after you have reached your destina­tion waypoint, Point of Interest or map cursor location; or after you reach the end of a route or trail.
Sonar Setup command: sets various sonar options.
49
GPS Setup command: sets various GPS receiver options.
System Setup command: sets general configuration options.
Sun/Moon Calculations command: finds the rising and setting time
of the sun and the moon.
Trip Calculator command: shows trip status and statistics.
Timers command: controls the up timer, down timer and alarm clock
settings.
Browse MMC Files command: this allows you to view the installed MMC card and the files it contains.
Pages
The unit has four Page displays that represent the four major operating modes. They are the Satellite Status Page, the Navigation Page, the Map Page and Sonar Page. They are accessed by pressing the using or to select a Page. (Clear the Pages Menu by pressing
PAGES key, then
EXIT.)
Pages Menu, showing some Sonar display options.
Satellite Status Page
The Satellite Status Page provides detailed information on the status of the unit's satellite lock-on and position acquisition. To get to the Satel­lite Status Page: Press the (Clear the Pages Menu by pressing
PAGES key, then use or to select STATUS.
EXIT.)
This page represents a GPS function, so it is discussed in much greater detail in Sec. 6.
No matter what Page you are on, a flashing current position indica­tor/question mark symbol and flashing GPS data displays indicate that satellite lock has been lost and there is no position confirmed.
50
WARNING:
Do not begin navigating with this unit until the numbers have stopped flashing!
Satellite Status Page showing satellite lock-on with a 3D position
acquired (latitude, longitude and altitude), including WAAS reception.
Navigation Page
This screen has a compass rose that not only shows your direction of travel, but also the direction to a recalled waypoint. To get to the Navi­gation Page: Press
PAGES| or to NAVIGATION|EXIT.
This page represents a GPS function, so it is discussed in much greater detail in Sec. 6.
Navigation Page, recording a trail, traveling southwest.
Map Page
The Map Page screens show your course and track from a "bird's-eye" view, on a moving map. By default, this unit shows the map with north
51
always at the top of the screen. The arrow in the center of the screen is your present position. It points in the direction you're traveling.
Map Page, showing position on Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. At left is
the full map option. At right, map with sonar option.
Map Page is also the default screen that appears when you turn on the unit. To get to the Map Page from another page: Press to
MAP|EXIT.
PAGES| or
You can display a split screen showing both the Map and Sonar pages at the same time. This feature is discussed in Sec. 4, Sonar Options & Other Features.
The Map Page represents a GPS function, so it is discussed in much greater detail in Sec. 6.
Sonar Page
The Sonar Page displays the sonar chart. This is a "cross-section" view of the water column beneath the boat. The chart moves across the screen, displaying sonar signal echoes that represent fish, structure and the bottom.
To get to the Sonar Page: Press the lect
SONAR. (Clear the Pages Menu by pressing EXIT.) The Pages Menu
PAGES key, then use or to se-
also offers five chart display options under the Sonar Page category. To access them, press
PAGES| or to SONAR| to Option Name|EXIT.
The Sonar Page also has its own menu, which is used for some advanced functions and for setting various options. (Sonar Options and other fea­tures are discussed in Sec. 4.) To Access the Sonar Page menu, from the Sonar Page press
MENU.
52
At left, Pages Menu, showing sonar chart display option commands.
At right, Sonar Page in full sonar chart display mode.
Sonar chart display options (from left) split zoom and digital data.
Sonar chart display options (from left) FlashGraf and flasher.
53
Sonar Page Menu. Most of these functions are discussed in Sec. 4.
Digital data overlay (depth & temperature)
Fish arches
Structure
Surface signal
Bottom signal
Sonar Page, showing full sonar chart mode.
Surface clutter
Depth scale
In FasTrack, fish arches show as horizontal bars.
Zoom bar
FasTrack
bar graph
You can customize how the Sonar Page displays its pictures and other data in many ways. Your unit also includes several special sonar features and options that can help you better interpret the underwater scene.
We'll discuss all of those features and options in Sec. 4, but to show you how easy this unit is to operate, the following page contains a simpli­fied, 10-step quick reference that will cover most fish finding situations. The quick reference describes how your unit will operate with all the sonar features in their automatic modes, which are set at the factory.
54
Basic Sonar Quick Reference
1. Mount the transducer, antenna and unit. Connect the unit to electric
power and the transducer. (If GPS operation is desired, connect GPS antenna, too.) Make sure the MMC is in. (See complete installation de­tails beginning on page 15.)
2. Launch your boat.
3. To turn on the unit, press and release
4. Opening screen displays Map Page. Rotate through the four main
Page screens (Map Page, Satellite Status Page, Navigation Page, Sonar Page) by pressing
PAGES| or to select Page Name|EXIT. Switch
Pages to display Sonar Page.
5. If GPS data is desired, wait while unit locates satellites and calculates
current position. When the unit acquires position, a tone sounds and a posi­tion acquired message appears.
6. With position acquired (if desired), head for your fishing grounds.
Your unit will automatically display digital depth and surface water temperature in the top left corner of the screen.
The auto settings will track the bottom, displaying it in the lower por­tion of the screen. The full sonar chart will scroll from right to left, showing you what's under the boat as you cruise across the water. You can change the display by:
Zoom in to enlarge the chart for more detail: press Zoom out to return to full chart mode: press
7. Watch the display for the appearance of fish symbols (or arches, if
Fish I.D. is turned off). When you see fish symbols or arches, you've found fish! Stop the boat and get your lure or bait into the water at the depth indicated on the sonar chart.
8. Gauge the fish depth by visually comparing the fish symbols or
arches with the depth scale on the right side of the screen, or get a more accurate measure with the Depth Cursor. Press
CURSOR|ENT. Press ↓ or to align the cursor line with the fish arch. The
exact depth appears in a box at the right end of the cursor line. To clear the cursor, press
EXIT.
9. If you are drifting at a very low speed or anchored, you are not mov-
ing fast enough for a fish to return the tell-tale fish arch signal. As you drift over a fish, or as a fish swims through the transducer's signal cone, the fish echo will appear as a straight line suspended between the surface and the bottom when Fish I.D. is turned off.
10. To turn off the unit, press and hold
PWR key.
ZIN.
ZOUT.
MENU| to DEPTH
PWR key for three seconds.
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Sonar Operations
As you can see from the quick reference on the previous page, basic operation is pretty easy, right out of the box. If you are a sonar novice, try operating the unit with the factory defaults until you get a feel for how it's working.
As you're learning the basics, there is one setting you might want to tinker with from time to time — Sensitivity.
Sensitivity controls the unit's ability to pick up echoes. If you want to see more detail, try increasing the sensitivity, a little at a time. There are situa­tions when too much clutter appears on the screen. Decreasing the sensitivity can reduce the clutter and show the strongest fish echoes, if fish are present. As you change the sensitivity setting, you can see the difference on the chart as it scrolls.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
These figures show results of different sensitivity levels on the same lo­cation. Fig. 1: Sensitivity at 88 percent, determined by Auto Sensitivity.
Typical of full auto mode. Fig. 2: Sensitivity set at 75 percent. Fig. 3: Sen-
sitivity set at 50 percent. Fig. 4: Sensitivity set at 100 percent.
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You can change the sensitivity level whether you are in Auto Sensitivity mode or Manual Sensitivity mode. The adjustment method works the same in both modes, but it gives you slightly different results.
Adjusting sensitivity in Auto Sensitivity Mode is similar to manually ad­justing a car's speed with the accelerator pedal while cruise control is on. You can tell the car to run faster, but when you let off the gas the cruise control automatically keeps you from running slower than the minimum speed setting. In the unit, auto mode will let you increase sensitivity to 100 percent, but the unit will limit your minimum setting. This prevents you from turning sensitivity down too low to allow automatic bottom tracking. When you change the setting with auto turned on, the unit will continue to track the bottom and make minor adjustments to the sensitivity level, with a bias toward the setting you selected.
Adjusting sensitivity in Manual Sensitivity Mode is similar to driving a car without cruise control — you have complete manual control of the car's speed. In the unit, manual mode allows you to set sensitivity at 100 percent (maximum) or zero percent (minimum.) Depending on wa­ter conditions, the bottom signal may completely disappear from the screen when you reduce sensitivity to about 50 percent or less!
Try adjusting sensitivity in both auto and manual modes to see how they work.
To adjust sensitivity:
1. Press
MENU|ENT.
2. The Sensitivity Control Bar appears. Press to decrease sensitivity;
press to increase sensitivity. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT. (When you reach the maximum or minimum limit, a tone sounds.)
At left, Sonar Menu with Sensitivity command selected. At right, the
Sensitivity Control Bar.
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NOTE:
If you want to change the sensitivity in Manual Mode, first turn off Auto Sensitivity: from the Sonar Page, press
SENSITIVITY|ENT| to SENSITIVITY|ENT. Press ↓ or to pick a different
sensitivity setting. When it's set at the desired level, press
MENU| to AUTO
EXIT.
Important Tip:
While you are experimenting and learning, it's possible to scramble the settings so that the sonar picture disappears from your screen. If that happens, remember that it's easy to switch back to full automatic operation by simply restoring the factory auto settings. Here's how:
To Restore Factory Settings
1. Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT|↓ to RESET OPTIONS|ENT.
2. The unit asks if you want to reset all the options. Press to
YES|ENT. All options are reset, and the unit reverts back to the Map
Page at the 4000 mile zoom range. (Any recorded sonar logs or GPS data will be unchanged.)
Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart
You may have noticed in the quick reference that we used fish arches in full sonar chart mode for our example, and not the popular Fish I.D. fish symbol feature. Here's why.
Fish I.D. is an easier way for a sonar novice to recognize a fishy signal return when he sees it. However, locating fish by symbol only has some limitations.
Your sonar unit's microprocessor is remarkably powerful, but it can be fooled. Some of the echoes calculated to be fish could be tree limbs or tur­tles! To see what's under your boat in maximum detail, we recommend
you turn off Fish I.D. and begin learning to interpret fish arches.
Fish I.D. is most handy when you're in another part of the boat or per­forming some task that prevents you from watching the sonar screen. Then, you can turn on Fish I.D. and the audible fish alarm. When that lunker swims under your boat, you'll hear it!
Fish I.D. can also be useful when you want to screen out some of the sonar detail gathered by your unit. For example, in one case fisherman in San Francisco Bay saw clouds of clutter in the water but no fish arches. When a down rigger was pulled up, it brought up several small jellyfish. The fisherman switched their sonar to Fish I.D., which screened out the schools of jellyfish and clearly showed the game fish there as fish symbols.
The sonar options section discusses Fish I.D., fish alarms and other features in greater detail.
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Section 4: Sonar Options & Other Features
Material in this section is arranged in alphabetical order.
ASP (Advanced Signal Processing)
The ASP feature is a noise rejection system built into the sonar unit that constantly evaluates the effects of boat speed, water conditions and interference. This automatic feature gives you the best display pos­sible under most conditions.
The ASP feature is an effective tool in combating noise. In sonar terms, noise is any undesired signal. It is caused by electrical and mechanical sources such as bilge pumps, engine ignition systems and wiring, air bubbles passing over the face of the transducer, even vibration from the engine. In all cases, noise can produce unwanted marks on the display.
The ASP feature has four settings — Off, Low, Medium and High. If you have high noise levels, try using the "High" ASP setting. However, if you are having trouble with noise, we suggest that you take steps to find the interference source and fix it, rather than continually using the unit with the high ASP setting.
There are times when you may want to turn the ASP feature off. This allows you to view all incoming echoes before they are processed by the ASP feature.
At left, Sonar Menu with Sonar Features selected. In the Sonar
Features menu, Noise Rejection is selected with ASP in the default low
setting (center, dual-frequency menu; at right, single-frequency menu).
To change the ASP level:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
NOISE REJECTION|ENT.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
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3. Press ↓ or ↑ to select a setting, then press
ENT.
4. To return to the previous page, press
EXIT|EXIT.
Alarms
This unit has three different types of sonar alarms. The first is the Fish Alarm. It sounds when the Fish I.D. feature determines that an echo is a fish.
Another alarm is the Zone Alarm, which consists of a bar on the side of the screen. Any echo on the chart that appears inside this bar triggers this alarm.
The last alarm is the Depth Alarm, which has both a Shallow and a Deep setting. Only the bottom signal will trigger this alarm. This is useful as an anchor watch, a shallow water alert or for navigation.
Depth Alarms
The depth alarms sound a tone when the bottom signal goes shallower than the shallow alarm's setting or deeper than the deep alarm's set­ting. For example, if you set the shallow alarm to 10 feet, the alarm will sound a tone if the bottom signal is less than 10 feet. It will continue to sound until the bottom goes deeper than 10 feet.
The deep alarm works just the opposite. It sounds a warning tone if the bottom depth goes deeper than the alarm's setting. Both depth alarms work only off the digital bottom depth signals. No other targets will trip these alarms. These alarms can be used at the same time or individually.
At left, Main Menu and Sonar Alarms command.
At right, the Sonar Alarms menu.
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To adjust and turn on the shallow alarm:
1. Press MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to SONAR ALARMS|ENT.
2. Press to
SHALLOW ALARM DEPTH|ENT.
3. Press or to change the first number, then press to move the
cursor to the next number and repeat until the depth is correct, then press
ENT.
4. Press to
5. To turn off the alarm, press
SONAR ALARMS|ENT|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
SHALLOW ALARM ENABLED|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to
To switch to a different depth setting, open the Sonar Alarms menu and repeat the instructions in step 3 above.
To adjust and turn on the deep alarm:
1. Press MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to SONAR ALARMS|ENT.
2. Press to
DEEP ALARM ENABLED| to DEEP ALARM DEPTH|ENT.
3. Press or to change the first number, then press to move the
cursor to the next number and repeat until the depth is correct, then press
ENT.
4. Press to
5. To turn off the alarm, press
SONAR ALARMS|ENT| to DEEP ALARM ENABLED|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
DEEP ALARM ENABLED|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to
To switch to a different depth setting, open the Sonar Alarms menu and repeat the instructions in step 3 above.
Zone Alarm
The zone alarm is triggered when any echo passes inside the zone alarm bar, shown on the right side of the screen.
To adjust and turn on the zone alarm:
1. Press MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to SONAR ALARMS|ENT.
2. Press to
ZONE ALARM ENABLED| to ADJUST ZONE|ENT.
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At left, Sonar Alarms menu, with Adjust Zone command selected.
At right, Adjust Zone Alarm selection box, with Upper selected.
3. To set the upper boundary for the Zone Alarm, use or to select
UPPER, then press or to move the top of the bar to the desired depth.
4. To set the lower boundary for the Zone Alarm, use or to select
LOWER, then press ↑ or to move the bottom of the bar to the desired depth.
5. Press
EXIT| to ZONE ALARM ENABLED|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT. Now, any
echo — fish, bottom, structure — within the zone alarm's depth range will trigger the zone alarm.
6. To turn off the alarm, press
SONAR ALARMS|ENT| to ZONE ALARM ENABLED|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to
To switch to a different depth setting, open the Sonar Alarms menu and repeat the instructions in steps 3 and 4 above.
Fish Alarm
Use the fish alarm for a distinctive audible alarm when fish or other suspended objects are detected by the Fish I.D. feature (Fish I.D. must be turned on for the Fish Alarm to work). A different tone sounds for each fish symbol size shown on the display.
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Sonar Alarms menu with Fish Alarm selected. The check box to the left
is blank, indicating the alarm is turned off.
To turn the fish alarm on:
1. Press MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to SONAR ALARMS|ENT.
2. Press to
3. To turn off the alarm, press
SONAR ALARMS|ENT| to FISH ALARM|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
FISH ALARM|ENT|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU|MENU| to ALARMS|ENT| to
Calibrate Speed
The speed sensor can be calibrated to compensate for inaccuracies. Be­fore you change the setting, first calculate the percentage that the speed is off. You will enter this percentage in a moment.
For example, if you figure the sensor is reading 10 percent faster than actual speed, you will enter – 10 in the calibration window. If the sen­sor is reading 5 percent slower than true speed, you will enter + 5 in the window.
A good way to gauge your speed sensor's performance is to compare its reading with the ground speed measured by your unit's GPS functions. When you make a run to compare GPS ground speed to speed sensor speed, perform your test in relatively calm water free of current, if pos­sible. (Unless, of course, you are taking the current speed into consid­eration when making your calculation.) After you have a correction fig­ure, here's how to enter it:
1. Press
SPEED|ENT.
2. Enter the number you calculated earlier: press or to change the
first character (+ or –), then press to move the cursor to the next number and repeat until the percentage is correct, then press
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to CALIBRATE WATER
EXIT.
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Chart Speed
The rate that echoes scroll across the screen is called the chart speed. The default is maximum; we recommend that you leave the speed set there for virtually all fishing conditions.
However, you might consider experimenting with chart speed when you are stationary or drifting very slowly. You may sometimes achieve bet­ter images as you slow down the chart speed to match how fast you are moving across the bottom.
If you are at anchor, ice fishing or fishing from a dock, experiment with a chart speed around 50 percent. If you are drifting slowly, try a chart speed around 75 percent. When you are stationary and a fish swims through the sonar signal cone, the image appears on the screen as a long line instead of a fish arch. Reducing the chart speed may result in a shorter line that more closely resembles a regular fish return.
At left, Sonar Page menu with Chart Speed command selected.
At right, Chart Speed Control Bar.
If you do experiment with chart speed, remember to reset it to maxi­mum when you resume trolling or moving across the water at higher speed. To change chart speed:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to CHART SPEED|ENT.
2. The Chart Speed Control Bar appears. Press to decrease chart
speed; press to increase chart speed.
3. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT.
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ColorLine
ColorLine lets you distinguish between strong and weak echoes. It "paints" a brighter color on targets that are stronger than a preset value. This allows you to tell the difference between a hard and soft bottom. For example, a soft, muddy or weedy bottom returns a weaker signal which is shown with a narrow, colored line (dark blue tinged with red or a little yellow.) Since fish are among the weakest echoes, they show up mostly as blue arches. A hard bottom or other relatively hard target returns a strong signal which causes a wider brightly col­ored line (reddish yellow to bright yellow.)
If you have two signals of equal size, one with red to yellow color and the other without, then the target with brighter color (yellow) is the stronger signal. This helps distinguish weeds from trees on the bottom, or fish from structure.
ColorLine is adjustable. Experiment with your unit to find the Color­Line setting that's best for you.
At left, Sonar Page menu with ColorLine command selected.
At right, the ColorLine control bar.
To adjust the ColorLine level:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to COLORLINE|ENT.
2. The ColorLine Control Bar appears. Press to decrease ColorLine;
press to increase ColorLine.
3. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT.
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Wider ColorLine
Thin or no ColorLine
At left, little ColorLine indicates a soft bottom, probably sand or mud.
At right, the wider ColorLine indicates a harder, rocky bottom.
Depth Cursor
The depth cursor consists of a horizontal line with a digital depth box on the right side. The numbers inside the box show the depth of the cursor.
Cursor line
Depth box
At left, Sonar Page menu with Depth Cursor command selected. At
right, sonar chart with the depth cursor active. The line indicates the
school of fish is 31.91 feet deep.
The cursor can be moved to any location on the screen, letting you pin­point the depth of a target.
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to DEPTH CURSOR|ENT.
2. The depth cursor appears. Press to lower the cursor line; press to
raise the cursor line.
3. To clear the depth cursor, press
EXIT.
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Depth Range - Automatic
When turned on for the first time, the bottom signal is automatically placed in the lower half of the screen. This is called Auto Ranging and is part of the automatic function. However, depending upon the bottom depth and the current range, you can change the range to a different depth. To do this:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to DEPTH RANGE|ENT.
At left, Sonar Page menu with Depth Range command selected. At
right, the Depth Range Control Scale.
2. The Depth Range Control Scale appears. Press or to select a dif-
ferent depth range. A blue bar highlights the selected range. Range numbers in light blue cannot be selected.
3. When the new range is selected, press
EXIT to clear the menu.
Depth Range - Manual
You have complete control over the range when the unit is in the man­ual mode. There are 16 depth ranges, from 5 feet to 4,000 feet.
To switch to Manual Depth Range:
1. First, turn off automatic depth range. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to AUTO DEPTH RANGE|ENT.
2. Press to
DEPTH RANGE|ENT and the Depth Range Control Scale appears.
3. Press or to select a different depth range. A horizontal blue bar
highlights the selected range.
4. When the new range is selected, press
To turn Auto Depth Range on again:
EXIT to clear the menu.
From the Sonar Page, press MENU| to AUTO DEPTH RANGE|ENT|EXIT.
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NOTE:
The sonar's depth capability depends on the transducer installa­tion, water and bottom conditions, and other factors.
Depth Range - Upper and Lower Limits
Virtually any segment of the water column can be displayed by using the upper and lower limit feature. This lets you pick the shallow and deep depth range limits that are shown on the screen, provided there is at least 10 feet between the upper and lower limit you select. For ex­ample, a range from 12 feet to 34 feet could be used.
Changing the upper and lower limits gives you far greater control over the depth range. This feature lets you "zoom in" the display in almost unlimited combinations. Nearly any segment of the water column, from the surface to the bottom can be shown. This enlarges the sonar targets to best suit your fishing needs and water conditions.
At left, Sonar Page Menu with Upper and Lower Limits command se-
lected. At right, Sonar Chart Limits menu, with Upper Limit selected.
To change the upper and lower limits:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to UPPER AND LOWER LIMITS|ENT.
The Sonar Chart Limits menu appears, with Upper Limit selected.
2. To set the upper limit, press
ENT. Press or to change the first
number, then press to move the cursor to the next number and re­peat until the depth is correct, then press
3. To set the lower limit, press to
EXIT.
LOWER LIMIT|ENT. Press or to
change the first number, then press to move the cursor to the next number and repeat until the depth is correct, then press
EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
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Fish arches
Area "zoomed"
Normal display, in auto depth range mode, left. At right, display
"zoomed" with Upper and Lower Limits focusing on the portion of the
water column from 20 feet to 40 feet deep. In the "zoomed" image, note
the target definition around the structure.
To turn off upper and lower limits:
Reactivate Auto Depth Range. From the Sonar Page, press
AUTO DEPTH RANGE|ENT|EXIT.
MENU| to
FasTrack
This feature automatically converts all echoes to short horizontal lines on the display's far right side. The graph on the rest of the screen con­tinues to operate normally. FasTrack gives you a rapid update of condi­tions directly under the boat. This makes it useful for ice fishing, or when you're fishing at anchor. When the boat is not moving, fish sig­nals are long, drawn out lines on a normal chart display. FasTrack con­verts the graph to a vertical bar graph that, with practice, makes a use­ful addition to fishing at a stationary location.
Surface clutter
Fish arches
Structure
Bottom signal
ColorLine
In FasTrack, fish arches show as horizontal bars.
Sonar Page showing FasTrack.
FasTrack
bar graph
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Fish I.D. (Fish Symbols & Depths)
The Fish I.D. feature identifies targets that meet certain conditions as fish. The microcomputer analyzes all echoes and eliminates surface clutter, thermoclines, and other signals that are undesirable. In most instances, remaining targets are fish. The Fish I.D. feature displays fish symbols on the screen in place of the actual fish echoes.
There are several fish symbol sizes. These are used to designate the relative size between targets. In other words, Fish I.D. displays a small fish symbol when it thinks a target is a small fish, a medium fish sym­bol on a larger target and so on.
The sonar's microcomputer is sophisticated, but it can be fooled. It can't distinguish between fish and other suspended objects such as trotlines, turtles, submerged floats, air bubbles, etc. Individual tree limbs ex­tending outwards from a group of limbs is the hardest object for the Fish I.D. feature to distinguish from fish.
You may see fish symbols on the screen when actually, there are no fish. The reverse is also true. The illustrations on the next page show how Fish I.D. can actually miss fish that are present.
Does that mean Fish I.D. is broken? No — the feature is simply inter­preting sonar returns in a specific way to help take some of the work out of reading the screen. Remember: Fish I.D. is one of the many tools we provide so you can analyze your sonar returns for maximum fish finding information. This and other features can help you successfully "see" beneath the boat under varied water and fishing conditions. So, practice with the unit in both the Fish I.D. mode and without to become more familiar with the feature. The default for Fish I.D. is off.
Sonar Features menu with Fish I.D. Symbols selected (at left, dual-
frequency menu; at right, single-frequency menu). When the check box
to the left is checked, the feature is on.
70
To turn the Fish I.D. feature on:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
FISH SYMBOLS|ENT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
To turn off Fish I.D., repeat these instructions.
FishTrack
The FishTrack feature shows the depth of a fish symbol when it ap­pears on the display. This lets you accurately gauge the depth of tar­gets. This feature is available only when the Fish I.D. feature is on. The default setting for FishTrack is off.
To turn on FishTrack:
(Note: These instructions will turn on FishTrack and Fish I.D. at the same time.)
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
FISH DEPTHS|ENT|EXIT|EXIT.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
To turn off FishTrack, repeat the instructions in step 1. Turning off FishTrack in this manner will not turn off Fish I.D. symbols.
Symbols with
FishTrack depths
Sonar Features menu with Fish I.D. Depths selected (at left, dual-
frequency menu; center, single-frequency menu). When the check box to
the left is checked, the feature is on. At right, Sonar Page showing Fish
I.D. symbols and FishTrack depths turned on.
Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency) (LMS-335C DF only)
The LMS-335C DF transducer operates with both 200 kHz and 50 kHz. The 200 kHz frequency has a 12° cone angle and the 50 kHz frequency has a 35° cone angle.
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Fig. 1A
Fig. 1B
The default frequency is 200 kHz, which is best for use in shallow water (about 300 feet or less). This frequency is the best choice for about 80 percent of the fresh and salt water sport fishing applications. When you get into very deep salt water, 300 to 500 feet or deeper, the 50 kHz fre­quency is the best choice.
The 200 kHz transducer will give you better detail and definition, but less depth penetration. The 50 kHz transducer will give you greater depth penetration, but a little less detail and less definition. (Remember, all sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than in salt water.)
There is a common exception to these rules of thumb. Some fishermen on freshwater lakes (or the ocean) using downriggers like to see them on the sonar. In many of those cases, you'll see a 50 kHz transducer frequency in use because the wider cone angle lets them watch the bait.
Sonar Features menu with a frequency of 200 kHz selected.
To change the frequency setting to 50 kHz:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
3. Press
FISH DEPTHS| to 50 KHZ|ENT.
EXIT|EXIT to clear the menu.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
To change the frequency setting to 200 kHz:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
3. Press
FISH SYMBOLS| to 200 KHZ|ENT.
EXIT|EXIT to clear the menu.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
HyperScroll
See the entry on Ping Speed, which controls the HyperScroll feature.
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IceView Chart Mode (Signal Interpretation)
IceView color mode was included in your unit because the addition of an optional portable power pack lets your unit double as an ice fishing flasher sonar. But this capability has warm-weather applications, too.
For example, some lakes contain acres of standing, drowned timber which are magnets for crappie. When fishermen find a tree holding crappie, they frequently tie up to the dead snag and go after the popu­lar panfish with jigs and minnows. While stationary, the sonar chart page will not show the classic arches that indicate the presence of fish. In this situation, try selecting one of the flasher pages and set it to Ice­View color mode. (See Sonar Chart Mode later in this section for in­structions on switching to this color scheme.)
This works best if you tie up with the transducer end of the boat pointing where you want to fish, then drop your lure below the trans­ducer to place it within the sonar signal cone. You'll be able to see your bait on the flasher screen. At this point, you should probably adjust the sensitivity. You can have one sensitivity setting for the chart pages and a different setting for the flasher pages; the Sensitivity Control Bar controls the page you launch it from.
Drop the lure five to 10 feet below the transducer, then adjust sensitiv­ity up or down until the lure is barely visible as a black or blue signal band on the screen. With that set, go ahead and fish at the desired depth. When a fish approaches the bait, its signal will stand out from the lure because it will be a moving signal that is wider and a brighter color than your lure.
When you monitor your flasher screen for signs of fish, there are three signal band characteristics to watch for: movement, color and thickness.
Signal band movement
In a stationary setting like ice fishing or at anchor over a brush pile, the bottom, structure and cover will show on the flasher screen as sta­tionary bands of color. Signals between the surface and the bottom that come and go or move up and down (even slightly) will be fish that have appeared inside the sonar signal cone.
Signal band color
The color of the signal bands correspond to both fish size and their posi­tion in the sonar signal cone. Black and blue signals tend to be smaller fish, or fish that are at the outside edge of the sonar cone. These smaller or more distant fish return weaker echoes.
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Red signals are much larger fish, or fish that are in the center of the sonar cone, almost directly below the transducer. They return the strongest echoes.
Signals that are yellow and some other color result from mid-sized fish that are in a transition zone between the center and outer edges of the sonar cone. They represent medium-strong echoes.
As a fish moves through part of the signal cone, the signal may change from black to blue to green or yellow then back again. The signals may appear to move up slightly and then back down, even if the fish doesn't actually change depth. This is caused by the relative distance from the transducer to the fish as it passes by the transducer.
Signal band thickness
Simply put, smaller fish return smaller echoes that result in thinner and fainter signal bands. A thin signal can also indicate a fish located toward the outer edge of the signal cone. As fish size increases, the ech­oes grow stronger and the signal band grows wider. Signal width also increases as a fish approaches the center of the sonar cone.
Log Sonar Chart Data
If you have an MMC installed in the unit, the sonar data shown on the screen can be saved to the MMC. This can be played back at any time (to play a recorded sonar chart log, see the entry in this section for So­nar Simulator). If you have a personal computer and Internet access, visit our web site, www.lowrance.com, and download the free Sonar Viewer and the emulator for your unit. These programs will allow you to replay sonar logs on your personal computer.
At left, the Sonar Page menu with the Log Sonar Chart Data command
selected. At right, Sonar Chart Logging menu, with the Start Logging
command selected. The menu says the MMC has 34.2 MB of free space,
which will record the scrolling chart for 44 minutes and 59 seconds.
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To record or log chart data:
1. Press
MENU| to LOG SONAR CHART DATA|ENT.
2. To record data using the default settings, press
ENT. The menu clears
and the Sonar Page title bar shows the name of the file you are record­ing. Warning messages will appear as recording time begins to run out.
NOTE:
You can change any of the settings by using the cursor arrows to highlight different commands. Select FILE NAME if you want to change the name. Select
CHART QUALITY if you want to lower the file
quality and record for a longer period of time. After you've changed the settings, select
START LOGGING and press ENT.
Noise Rejection
See the entry on Advanced Signal Processing in this section.
Overlay Data
To change the digital data shown "floating" on top of the Sonar Page or the Map Page:
First, press
To select data for display:
1. From the Map or Sonar page, press MENU| to OVERLAY DATA|ENT.
2. Press ↓ or ↑ to select Data Type|
PAGES, use or to select a Page Name, then press EXIT.
ENT.
Overlay Data command on the Sonar Menu, at left. Overlay Data
Shown selection menu, right. In this example, we scrolled down the
data list to highlight "Ground Speed."
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When selected, the data type shifts to the top of the data list and a check mark appears beside the data type. (If you wish, you may now use or to select other Data Types for display.)
Data list showing "Ground Speed" selected to display on Sonar Page.
3. To return to the previous page, press EXIT|EXIT.
To turn off displayed data:
1. From the Map or Sonar page, press MENU| to OVERLAY DATA|ENT.
2. Press or to select Data Type|
ENT. The selected data type disappears
from the top of the list and reverts to its previous, unchecked position. (If you wish, you may now use or to select other Data Types to turn off.)
3. To return to the previous page, press
To change displayed data font size:
EXIT|EXIT.
1. From the Map or Sonar page, press MENU| to OVERLAY DATA|ENT.
2. Press ↓ or ↑ to select Data Type|press → or ← to Data Size|
EXIT.
The selected data type will be displayed in the new size. (To change the font size for another Data Type, press
ENT and repeat these steps, be-
ginning with step two above.)
3. To return to the previous page, press
EXIT.
Tip:
If you wish, you can change the displayed data font size when you select a data type:
1. From the Map or Sonar page, press
DATA|ENT.
2. Press or to select Data Type|press or to select Data Size|
ENT.
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MENU| to OVERLAY
The data will be shown in the new font size. To return to the previ-
arrow
ous page, press
Steering
EXIT|EXIT.
At left, Map Page showing boat cruising Puget Sound, Washington,
with Overlay Data turned on. This example shows Depth, Ground
Speed and the Steering Arrow. Note that the Steering Arrow always
points directly to the destination you are navigating toward. In this case, the boater is headed on a northwesterly course of 275º. Since the helmsman is on course, the Steering Arrow is pointing straight ahead.
If the helmsman veered off course, the arrow would show which direc-
tion to steer to get back on course toward the destination. At right,
Sonar Page with Overlay Data turned on. This example shows Depth,
Ground Speed and the Track the boat is following.
NOTE:
Some data types can be displayed in only one font size. If that is the case, the Data Size box will not be displayed for that data type.
Ping Speed & HyperScroll
Ping Speed controls the rate at which the transmitter and transducer broadcast sonar sound waves — pings — into the water. The unit has a default ping speed of 50 percent. At normal boating speeds, this auto­matically provides enough return echoes to refresh the screen and scroll the chart at maximum chart speed.
However, when you are running at high speeds, or just want the fastest possible screen update, you may want to use the HyperScroll feature. When you change the Ping Speed to any setting greater than 50 per­cent, the unit automatically enters HyperScroll mode.
These faster ping rates allow you to maintain a high-detail picture on the screen, and the screen refresh rate and chart scroll speed can keep pace with the boat as it moves quickly over the bottom terrain.
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When using HyperScroll, you may also need to manually decrease the sensitivity for optimum performance. Depending on water depth and other conditions, HyperScroll may cause a second bottom echo to return to the transducer during the next ping cycle, or sounding. This can result in a large amount of clutter appearing on the screen. If this occurs, just decrease the sensitivity to a level that eliminates the clutter. When you turn HyperScroll off, you can return to your original sensitivity level.
At left, Sonar Menu with Ping Speed command selected.
Ping Speed Control Bar, right, at default setting.
To change Ping Speed:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to PING SPEED|ENT.
2. The Ping Speed Control Bar appears. Press to increase ping speed; press to decrease speed. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT.
To adjust Sensitivity:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU|ENT.
2. The Sensitivity Control Bar appears. Press to decrease sensitivity; press to increase sensitivity. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT. (When you reach the maximum or minimum limit, a tone sounds.)
To turn off HyperScroll:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to PING SPEED|ENT.
2. The Ping Speed Control Bar appears. Press to decrease ping speed to 50 percent. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT.
When you boost ping speed and switch into HyperScroll, the width of the FasTrack bar graph display doubles in width at the right side of the
78
screen. This allows you to better see the virtually instantaneous sonar returns, just as you would on a flasher sonar unit. For more informa­tion on FasTrack, see its entry in this section.
Reset Options
This command is used to reset all features, options and settings to their original factory defaults. This is useful when you have changed several settings and want to return the unit to basic automatic operation.
1. Press
2. Press to
MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to RESET OPTIONS|ENT.
YES|ENT.
3. All the menus are cleared and the unit reverts to the Map Page at the 4000 mile zoom range, just as if you had turned it on for the first time. All options have been returned to the factory settings.
At left, System Setup menu with Reset Options command selected. At
right, the Reset Options dialog box, with "Yes" selected.
NOTE:
Reset Options does not erase any waypoints, routes, plot trails, or sonar logs.
Reset Water Distance
The sonar chart's Digital Data display option includes a box that shows distance traveled, called Water Distance. This information is calculated from an optional water speed sensor, not the GPS. The Water Distance window can be reset to zero using the Reset Water Distance command.
Press
TANCE
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to RESET WATER DIS-
|ENT. The menus are cleared and the water distance is reset to 0.00.
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Set Keel Offset
This unit measures water depth from the face of the transducer. Since the transducer is installed below the water surface, the distance dis­played by the digital depth, chart depth scale, chart cursor or fish sym­bols is not the exact water depth. If the transducer is 1 foot below the surface, and the screen shows the water depth as 30 feet, then the ac­tual depth is 31 feet.
On sailboats or other large vessels with deep drafts, the distance be­tween the transducer installation and the keel or lower engine unit can be several feet. In those cases, an inexact depth reading could result in grounding or striking underwater structure. The Keel Offset feature eliminates the need for the navigator to mentally calculate how much water is under his keel.
Keel Offset lets you calibrate the digital depth, chart depth scale, chart cursor depth and fish symbol depth displayed on the screen. To calibrate the depth indicators, first measure the distance from the face of the transducer to the lowest part of the boat. In this example, we will use 3.5 feet. This will entered as a negative 3.5 feet, which makes the depth indi­cators perform as if the transducer's lower in the water than it really is.
1. Press
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to SET KEEL OFFSET|ENT.
2. The Keel Offset dialog box appears. Press to change the plus (+) sign to a minus (–) sign.
3. Press to the first number, then press to change the number to 3
4. Press to the second number, then press to change the number to 5, then press
EXIT. The depth indicators now accurately show the depth
of water beneath the keel.
NOTE:
If knowing the exact depth of water beneath the keel is less important, you can calibrate the depth indicators so that they show the actual wa­ter depth from surface to bottom. To do this, first measure the distance from the face of the transducer up to the surface (the water line on the boat). In this example, we will use 1.5 feet. This will be entered as a positive 1.5 feet, which makes the depth indicators perform as if the transducer's higher in the water than it really is.
1. Press
SET
|ENT.
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to SET KEEL OFF-
2. The Keel Offset dialog box appears with a plus (+) sign at the front of the box.
80
3. Press to the first number, then press to change the number to 1.
4. Press to the second number, them press to change the num­ber to 5, then press
EXIT. The depth indicators now accurately show
the water depth from surface to bottom.
Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity
The sensitivity controls the ability of the unit to pick up echoes. Sensi­tivity can be adjusted, because water conditions vary greatly. A low sensitivity level (from zero to 50 percent) excludes much of the bottom information, fish signals, and other target information.
High sensitivity levels let you see this detail, but it can also clutter the screen with many undesired signals. Typically, the best sensitivity level shows a good solid bottom signal with Grayline and some surface clutter.
Automatic Sensitivity
The default sensitivity mode is automatic. The unit bases the sensitiv­ity level on water depth and conditions. When the unit is in the auto­matic mode, sensitivity is automatically adjusted to keep a solid bottom signal displayed, plus a little more power. This gives it the capability to show fish and other detail.
However, situations occur when it becomes necessary to increase or de­crease the sensitivity. This typically happens when you wish to see more detail, so an increase in sensitivity is indicated. Or, wave action and boat wakes can create enough tiny air bubbles to clutter much of the water column. In that case, a decrease in sensitivity is indicated to reduce some of the clutter.
The control bar used to adjust sensitivity up or down is the same whether the unit is in the automatic or manual mode. In automatic you can adjust sensitivity up to 100 percent but the unit will limit your minimum setting. In auto, the unit will continue to make small ad­justments, allowing for the setting you selected.
In manual mode, you have complete control over sensitivity, with the ability to set it anywhere from zero to 100 percent. Once you select a level in manual, the unit will continue to use that exact sensitivity set­ting until you change it or revert to auto mode.
To adjust sensitivity in auto mode:
1. Press
MENU|ENT.
2. The Sensitivity Control Bar appears. Press to decrease sensitivity; press to increase sensitivity. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT. (When you reach the maximum or minimum limit, a tone sounds.)
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At left, Sonar Menu with Sensitivity command selected. At right, the
Sensitivity Control Bar.
To adjust sensitivity in manual mode:
1. First, turn off Auto Sensitivity: from the Sonar Page, press to
AUTO SENSITIVITY|ENT.
2. Press to
SENSITIVITY|ENT and the Sensitivity Control Bar appears.
MENU|
Press or to pick a different sensitivity setting. When it's set at the desired level, press
EXIT.
To turn Auto Sensitivity back on:
From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to AUTO SENSITIVITY|ENT|EXIT.
NOTE:
To return to the original factory setting for Auto Sensitivity, see the entry in this section on Reset Options. If sensitivity is in manual mode, the Reset Options command will switch back to Auto and re­set the factory setting at the same time.
Tip:
For quicker sensitivity adjustments, try leaving the Sensitivity Control Bar on the screen as the chart scrolls. You can see the changes on the screen as you press the up or down arrows. This is handy when there's a lot of clutter in the water, and you are matching the sensitivity to rapidly changing water conditions.
Sonar Chart Mode
The default color scheme for the sonar chart is white background, but we offer other variations to suit your viewing preferences. You can se­lect the chart to be displayed in grayscale, reverse grayscale, blue back­ground, or Nightview, IceView, or bottom color tracking.
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To change the chart mode color scheme:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
2. Press to
SONAR COLOR MODE|ENT.
3. Press ↓ or ↑ to Mode Name|
4. Press
EXIT|EXIT to return to the Sonar Page.
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT.
ENT.
IceView was specially designed for flasher use while stationary. This color mode has fewer, higher-contrast colors than the default mode. This simplified color scheme makes it easier to "see" and interpret a fish signal when it appears on the flasher screen. For more information on interpreting IceView signals, see page 73.
Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options
The Pages Menu offers five chart display options. To access them, press
PAGES| to SONAR| to Option Name|EXIT.
Pages Menu, showing sonar chart display options.
Full Sonar Chart
This is the default mode used when the unit is turned on for the first time or when it's reset to the factory defaults.
The bottom signal scrolls across the screen from right to left. Depth scales on the right side of the screen aid in determining the depth of targets. The line at the top of the screen represents the surface. The bottom depth and surface temperature (if equipped with a temperature sensor or a transducer with a temp sensor built in) show at the top left corner of the screen.
The FasTrack™ display shows just to the right of the scale. This changes all echoes into short horizontal bars, replicating a flasher so­nar. The zoom bar on the far right shows the area that's zoomed when the zoom is in use. (See the Zoom section for more information.)
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Full Sonar Chart. The Overlay Data (depth and water temperature)
are set to different text sizes.
Split Zoom Sonar Chart
A split chart shows the underwater world from the surface to the bot­tom on the right side of the screen. The left side shows an enlarged ver­sion of the right side. The zoom range shows at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Split Zoom Sonar Chart. Image at left shows the left window zoomed to
2X. Press ZIN and the left window zooms to 4X, shown at right.
Digital Data
This mode shows the chart on the right side of the screen. The left side has five large digital data boxes or windows containing (by default): Water Depth; Water Temperature; Water Speed (from an optional speed sensor); Water Distance (distance traveled or log, it also requires a speed sensor); and Voltage. The Depth box also shows settings for the Shallow and Deep alarms.
84
Digital Data.
Customizing the Digital Data Screen
The Digital Data screen can be customized to show digital data differ­ent from the defaults first shown. To customize this screen:
1. From the Sonar Page (in Digital Data mode), press
CUSTOMIZE|ENT.
MENU| to
At left, the Sonar Page Menu showing the Customize command high-
lighted. At right, the label for the first customizable data box (Water Temperature, or "W Temp") begins flashing to indicate it is selected.
2. The Water Temperature box title bar flashes, indicating the box con­tents can be changed. Press
ENT| or to select data type|ENT|EXIT.
(The top Depth box cannot be customized.)
85
Options List for customizing Digital Data boxes. At left, the list first ap-
pears with Water Temperature selected. At right, Maximum Speed has
been picked to replace Water Temperature in the top digital data box.
Tip:
You can customize other digital data boxes before returning to the Sonar Page. After changing the first box by selecting the Data Type and pressing Enter, use the key to select another box to change. When the selected box title bar flashes, press data type| then press
ENT. Repeat these steps until you're finished customizing,
EXIT to return to the Sonar Page.
FlashGraf
The FlashGraf sonar page option represents a flasher style sonar com­bined with a scrolling chart and a small map display. A circular dial shows all returning echoes at a high screen refresh rate. It uses the ColorLine feature to show weaker echoes in colors such as dark blue or black. The strong echoes appear as yellows and reds. The bottom depth is also shown as a black bar across the outer circle.
ENT| or to select
86
Bottom signal
Surface clutter
Surface clutter
Fish signal,
approximately
32 feet
FlashGraf page.
Flasher
We've also included a full-screen flasher for those times you need to see all the detail. Like FlashGraf, the Flasher page represents a flasher style sonar, but without the additional data boxes and narrow scrolling chart.
See topic "Overlay
Data" earlier in this
section to add temp
Bottom signal
Fish signal,
approximately
13 feet
Flasher page.
Map With Sonar Split Screen
There is a page mode that splits the screen in half, with the map on the left and the sonar on the right. This screen option can be found on the Pages Menu under the Map Page category.
87
Map With Sonar split screen option. At far left, the full Map Page is
shown. The Pages Menu with the Map option list is shown in the
center. At right, the Map With Sonar split screen is shown.
When this screen is activated, you need to specify which side the Menu, Zoom In and Zoom Out keys correspond to. To do this, press
PAGES|PAGES. The window with the black title bar at the top of the screen
is the active window. To switch back, just press
PAGES|PAGES again.
Sonar Simulator
This unit has a built-in simulator that lets you run it as if you were on the water. All sonar features and functions are useable. To use the simulator:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
SONAR SIMULATOR|ENT|EXIT. Repeat these steps to turn it off.
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to
At left, Main Menu with Sonar Setup command selected. Center, sub-
menu with Sonar Simulator command selected. At right, Sonar Simu-
lator menu, with simulator turned off (check box is unchecked).
88
NOTE:
With Simulate Position checked, the simulator will also automatically run the GPS simulator (if GPS data was recorded with the sonar log).
2. To use the default sonar chart log stored in the unit, press
ENT|EXIT.
The recorded chart begins scrolling across the screen, just as if you were on the water.
3. Turn off Sonar Simulator by pressing
SETUP|ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR|ENT|ENT|EXIT.
Title bar with chart file name
Sonar Page, playing a recorded sonar chart in Sonar Simulator mode.
MENU|MENU| to SONAR
"Play" symbol flashing
Tip:
The Sonar Simulator can use sonar charts that you or a friend has recorded (logged) on an MMC card. (To see how, read the entry in this section on Log Sonar Chart Data.) To play back your own sonar chart, make sure the MMC containing the chart is installed, then:
1. Press
2. Press to
3. Press or to select chart name|
ON|ENT|EXIT.
MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR|ENT.
CHART USED|ENT.
ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR
While you're in the Sonar Simulator menu, don't forget to check Simulate Position if you want to run the sonar and GPS simulators simultaneously. As you review sonar logs, you can create waypoints to mark sites you want to return to.
While the simulator is running, you can switch from one chart log to another by opening the Sonar Simulator menu and using the in­structions in step 2 to select a different chart.
89
Tip:
There's more than one way to play a recorded sonar chart. You can also turn on the simulator from the MMC files list. Here's how:
1. Press
2. Press ↓ or ↑ to chart name|
MENU|MENU| to BROWSE MMC FILES|ENT|ENT.
ENT| to PLAY|ENT|EXIT.
NOTE:
For some great practice, try running the Sonar Simulator and the GPS Simulator at the same time. This will really give you a feel for how the unit will work in the field.
NOTE:
If you turn on your unit before attaching a transducer, it may enter a demo mode. The words "demo mode" flash on the bottom of the screen and a sonar chart plays much like the simulator. Unlike the simulator, the demo mode is for demonstration only, and will auto­matically stop as soon as you turn on the unit with a transducer at­tached. The simulator will continue to function normally.
Stop Chart
If you are running multiple units on a boat or using this unit in a car, there are times when you may want to turn off the sonar. This com­mand turns off the sonar and stops the chart from scrolling. Sonar re­starts automatically each time you turn on your unit.
Press
MENU| to STOP CHART|ENT|EXIT.
To turn on sonar and start the chart scrolling again, repeat the above step.
Sonar Menu with Stop Chart command selected. The box is unchecked,
indicating that the chart is scrolling across the screen.
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Surface Clarity
The markings extending downward from the zero line on the chart are called "surface clutter." These markings are caused by wave action, boat wakes, temperature inversion and more.
The surface clarity control reduces or eliminates surface clutter sig­nals from the display. It does this by changing the sensitivity of the receiver, decreasing it near the surface and gradually increasing it as the depth increases.
There are three levels of surface clarity available: low, medium, or high. It can also be turned off. The default level is off.
To adjust the Surface Clarity level:
1. From the Sonar Page, press
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT|ENT.
Sonar Features menu with Surface Clarity selected (at left, dual-
frequency menu; at right, single-frequency menu).
2. Press ↓ or ↑ to select clarity level|EXIT|EXIT|EXIT.
Surface clutter
In the illustration at left, Surface Clarity is turned off.
The right view shows Surface Clarity set at High.
91
Upper and Lower Limits
See the entry in this section for Depth Range - Upper and Lower Limits
Zoom & Zoom Bar
"Zooming" the display is a common, fast and easy method used to en­large small detail, fish signals and the bottom with its associated struc­ture. This unit lets you zoom the display quickly and easily by pressing the Zoom In key,
ZIN.
Pressing
ZIN once doubles the size (2X) of all echoes on the screen.
Pressing it again quadruples the size of the echoes (4X). When turned on, the zoom bar on the far right side of the screen shows which echoes will be displayed on the screen when the
To turn on the zoom bar, press to
ZOOM BAR|ENT|EXIT|EXIT. Repeat these steps to turn it off.
For example, pressing the
MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT. Press
ZIN key once will enable a 2X zoom which
ZIN key is pressed.
will show all echoes that are between the top and bottom of the 2X zoom bar. Pressing the key again will give a 4X zoom and only the ech­oes between the top and bottom of the 4X bar will show on the screen.
Press the Zoom Out key,
ZOUT, to return the display to the normal mode.
At left, Sonar Page, normal view. Center, same view zoomed to 2X.
Right, same view zoomed to 4X
Zoom Pan
Your unit has the handy ability to quickly zoom in on any portion of the water column with just the touch of an arrow key. The Zoom Pan feature lets you rapidly move the zoomed area up and down to different depths.
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