Smartcast Portable Case Assembly
Case Assembly Overview
In the following step-by-step procedures the following portable case
assembly tasks are described, and must be performed in order:
1. Attaching the control head
2. Installing the batteries
Attaching the Control Head
1. Remove the thumb knob bolt, gimbal
knob, and rubber washers
from the hardware bags.
Thank Y ou!
Thank you for purchasing a Smartcast wireless fishfinder
from Humminbird, America’s #1 Manufacturer of quality
consumer marine electronics.
With this purchase you should have:
❏ Remote Sonar Sensor ❏ Smartcast Control Head ❏ Hardware
❑ Smartcast Portable base ❑ Smartcast Operation Guide
If any of these components are missing or are not included, please
contact our Customer Resource Center at
1-334-687-0503.
WARNING! The RSS (Remote Sonar Sensor) is not intended for use by children less
than 6 years old without adult supervision as the RSS may represent a choking hazard
to small children.
The electronic parts in the Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) are made to withstand use when
casting into water. Because shock from abrupt contact with rocks can damage your RSS
we recommend using this sensor in water 1 foot and deeper.
Do not lay the RSS in a wet area when not in use as this will turn on the RSS and
shorten its usable life.
The bottom of the RSS should not be handled during sonar operation.
2. Place the rubber washers between the control head’s pivot
knuckle and the arms from the portable case.Make sure that
the control head screen is facing the case cavity and away
from the battery compartment.
3. Slide the pivot bolt through the side with the smaller hole (
¹⁄₄
”)
and screw the gimbal knob onto it using only 2-3 turns.The
gimbal knob may have two alignment pins that will seat into
holes in the case arm holding the Smartcast control head.
Make sure these pins are seated and then tighten the assembly to a snug tension.
Installing the Batteries in the Smartcast
1. With a #2 Phillips screwdriver, remove both screws located
on either side of the battery door.
2. Insert the 8 “AA” batteries (not included) into the case as
shown on the diagram inside the battery compartment.
Note: It is recommended that only high-quality 1.5 volt
alkaline batteries be used.
3. Before reattaching the battery door, make sure the silicon
gasket is still in place.It should be just above the plastic,and
completely in the gasket channel. Make sure that the gasket
is clean of debris.
4. Reattach the battery door to the case using a #2 Phillips
screwdriver. Partially insert one screw and then the other.
Fully seat the screws. Hand tighten only; please do not use
power tools. Finally,plug in the power cable to the RF10.
5. Under normal use you should expect the life of the batteries
to last from 30 hours with the LCD backlight(s) on, to 80
hours with the backlight(s) off.
Attachment Instructions for the RSS
The line coming from your reel can be tied off to the front hole in
the RSS. If you wish to also use the RSS as a conventional float
use the second hole to attach your hook using a lighter weight line.
A snag will break the lighter line if you have to break free.Slip line
techniques are not recommended because of the higher risk
factor for loss of the RSS.If you do use the slip line method use a
lighter weight line after the lower stop, enabling retrieval of the
RSS if the lower line with hook breaks away.
RSS Power
The Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) has a non-replaceable battery
that have a shelf life of three years and will last for approximately
400 hours of continuous use. Discard the used RSS in compliance with local laws as you would any electronic components
and or batteries.The RSS uses a Lithium battery.
Using the Smartcast
The Smartcast is a first-of-its-kind wireless fishfinder that is incredibly easy to use.Simply attach the Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS) to the
end of your fishing line (see detailed attachment instructions) and
cast it into the water as you would with a normal float or lure.Then
power on the Smartcast Base display and you are ready to fish. The
Smartcast system uses sonar technology to send sound waves from
the RSS into the water.The returned “echoes”are transmitted with
wireless technology to the display unit and plotted on the LCD
screen. New information appears on the right. As this information
moves to the left a very accurate picture of the underwater world is
created including depth of underwater objects such as the
bottom, fish, and structures.
Operational Modes
The RSS can be used in two distinct ways:
1. The RSS can be used to graph the bottom creating a sonar
graph. Cast the RSS into the water beyond an area of interest. A slow and steady speed of reeling in the RSS will produce a screen detailing structure, fish and bottom detail.
Wave motion and rocking may have some effect, causing an
undulating bottom from the rhythmic wave action.
2. The RSS floats in a stationary location and monitors the area
below,giving you a live update as fish aprroach your bait.
Powering ON and OFF
To turn on the display,Press and release POWER-MENU.Press and
hold POWER-MENU until the display unit shuts down to power off.
The RSS has contacts that sense being in water.These contacts
turn on the Sonar Transmitter/Receiver and begin transmitting that
sonar information via radio to the display. The RSS automatically
stops using power when pulled out of the water.
Note:Store the RSS in a dry area when not in use to conserve power.
Never lay it in a wet area of a boat or on a metal surface that could
accidentally turn on the RSS.Additionally,if you use the RSS in salt
water,rinse with fresh water before final storage..
What You See On Screen
At startup a intro screen will display followed by either
"Waiting for Sonar" or "Received Sonar".The Smartcast displays received underwater sonar information in an easy to
understand format.The top of the display corresponds to the
water surface, and the bottom of the display corresponds to the
selected Depth Range (see Depth Range).The display varies as
the area under the RSS changes. Reeling in the RSS at a slow
and steady rate will allow you to graph the bottom for structure,
detail and fish. Digital readouts provide precise information for
bottom contour,depth and fish locations below the RSS.
Understanding the On-screen Images
If you are using Smartcast to graph an area, terrain and bottom
composition variations are displayed on-screen. Fish and bait
fish are displayed when detected. Underwater conditions vary
greatly, so some experience and interpretation is needed to
realize all the benefits of the Smartcast – use the picture below
as a guide to the most common conditions and practice using
the Smartcast over known bottom types.
Accessing Menu Features
A simple menu system accesses Smartcast base station’s
adjustable features. To activate the menu system, press the
POWER-MENU button and a menu appears. Press POWERMENU repeatedly to access other Smartcast menus one at a
time.When a menu is on the display,use the right and left arrow
keys to adjust the menu.Menus are automatically removed from
the screen after several seconds.
Note: Menu settings are not saved in memory. All settings
return to factory defaults when the Smartcast is turned off.
Light
(Defaults to OFF)
Press POWER-MENU until the LIGHT
menu appears. Select either OFF or ON to activate the backlight .
Note: Continuous backlight operation significantly decreases
the Smartcast’s battery life by 60%.
Sensitivity
(Defaults to 3)
Press POWER-MENU until the
SENSITIVITY menu appears.
Select a higher number to show smaller sonar returns on-screen,
or a lower number to remove clutter from the screen. Adjusting
Sensitivity also affects how sonar returns not attached to the bottom are identified as Fish ID Symbols. Only large returns will be
shown as fish at a lower setting. Increasing Sensitivity selects
smaller returns to be identified as fish. Sensitivity settings range
from 1 at the extreme left to 5 on the right.Center is 3 and is the
Factory Setting.
Depth Range
(Defaults to AUTO)
Press POWER-MENU until the Depth
Range menu appears. Select AUTO to have the Smartcast automatically set the Depth Range. Select 10,15, 20, 30, 60 or 100ft.
to set a manual depth range. This locks the depth range to a
specific setting.
Note: In manual operation, if the water depth is greater than
the depth range setting, the bottom will not be visible
on-screen. Select AUTO to return to automatic operation.
5. The screen jumps and the bottom has an abrupt
change; sometimes a vertical line is missing or a
black line from top to bottom is displayed.
This screen image jump is due to an automatic change in depth. New
returns graphed at a different scale will not match up with the historic
data already graphed at a higher or lower scale.Vertical lines can also
occur as the radio signal from the RSS is lost and then regained in
rough water conditions.
Replacement Battery Power Cables
You will not have to install the battery power cable before first use,but
may need to replace it should it become corroded after prolonged
usage in a marine environment. Order replacement cables at
www.humminbird.com.
Replacement / Optional RSS Units
There are two versions of the RSS that are available at your local tackle dealer,major outdoor retailers, or at www.humminbird.com.
The Channel A RSS (RF40A) comes standard with your Smartcast
product.The Channel B RSS (RF40B) is an optional RSS that will work
with your Smartcast unit (simply select Channel B in the Channel Menu
on the display unit) and will minimize RF Interference with Channel A
RSS units. If a Channel A and B are very close together, they could
experience sonar interference.
ensure there is no corrosion.Confirm that your batteries are good and
properly installed.
2. When in very shallow water,I get gaps in the bottom
reading and inconsistent digital depth indication.
The Smartcast will work reliably in water 2’ (.6m) or deeper. The
depth is measured from the RSS. A transmitter (RSS) to receiver
(Smartcast) distance of greater than 100' may cause intermittent
screen display.Overly rough water may cause the RSS to submerge,
again losing contact.
Be sure to include the RSS if returning the unit for repair.
3. The screen begins to fade out. Images are not as
sharp as normal.
Check the battery voltage.The Smartcast will not operate on voltages
below 8 VDC.Use 1.5 volt alkaline “AA”batteries.
4. The display shows many black dots at high
sensitivity settings.
You are seeing noise or interference caused by one of several sources.
Noise can be caused by other electronic devices.Turn off any nearby
electronics and see if the problem goes away.Other sonar devices or
any electronic device operating in the 915 mHz range could cause
interference with your Smartcast. Additionally, the Smartcast system
comes with the capability to receive separate signals from an A-type
RSS or a B-type RSS.Two A or B type RSS units used simultaneously
can cause RF interference between each other.
Troubleshooting
Do not attempt to repair the Smartcast or RSS yourself.There are no user
serviceable parts inside, and special tools and techniques are required
for assembly to ensure the waterproof integrity of the housings.Repairs
should be performed only by authorized Humminbird technicians.
Many requests for repair received by Humminbird involve units that do
not actually need repair.These units are returned “no problem found.”If
you have a problem with your Smartcast, use the following troubleshooting guide before calling the Customer Resource Center or sending your unit in for repair.
Note: Retrieving the RSS too rapidly, or the repetitive rocking
motion of rough water, can result in loss or distortion of the
bottom picture. This will cause intermittent screen display. For
best bottom detail, perform a smooth and slow reel-in with
constant speed and the rod tip up (holding the rod tip low or
using a heavy line may cause the RSS to submerge and
momentarily lose radio contact). The RSS has a maximum
transmit range of 100 feet. If the unit is cast or drifts more than
100 feet away from the receiver,the signal may be inconsistent
or lost. Raising the Smartcast slightly above ground level will
also increase signal capture.
1. Nothing happens when I turn the Smartcast on.
Check the power cable connection at both ends.Check the power connection to the Smartcast. It is possible to force the power cable connector into the cable holder incorrectly.If the connector is reversed,the
unit will not work. Examine the contacts on the back of the unit to
Channel
(Defaults to A)
Press POWER-MENU until the Channel menu appears. Select
either A or B to match your RSS. See Replacement / Optional
RSS Units.
Maintenance
Your Smartcast base is designed to provide years of trouble-free operation with virtually no maintenance.Follow these simple procedures to
ensure your Smartcast continues to deliver top performance.
If the unit comes into contact with salt spray, wipe the affected
surfaces with a cloth dampened in fresh water.The RSS wet switch
pins must be rinsed with fresh water after exposure to salt water to
prevent corrosion. Do not use a chemical glass cleaner on the lens -this may cause cracking in the lens.
When cleaning the LCD protective lens, use a chamois and
non-abrasive, mild cleaner.Do not wipe while dirt or grease is on the
lens. Be careful to avoid scratching the lens.
If your RSS remains out of the water for a long period of time, it may
take some time to wet it when returned to the water.Small air bubbles
can cling to the surface of the RSS and interfere with proper operation.
These bubbles dissipate with time,or you can wipe the face of the RSS
with a gathered wet cloth.
Never leave the unit in a closed car or trunk - the extremely high temperatures generated in hot weather can damage the electronics.
Fish Alarm
(Defaults to OFF) requires Fish ID ON.
Press POWER-MENU until the FISH ALARM menu appears. Select
OFF for no fish alarm, or one of the following symbols to set the
alarm point and turn it on.
• Alarms on big fish only.
• Alarms on big and medium fish only.
• Alarms on all fish.
Fish ID+
(Defaults to ON)
Press POWER-MENU until the FISH ID menu appears. Select either
OFF to view “raw” sonar returns, or ON to take advantage of
Smartcast’s ability to identify sonar returns that are determined to
be a fish.The sensitivity setting also affects the definition of sonar
returns as fish (see Sensitivity). Some fish symbols will show the
depth of the fish above the fish symbol. Fish Alarm does not sound
if Fish ID+ is turned off.
Bottom Black
(Defaults to ON)
Press POWER-MENU until the Bottom
Black menu appears. Select OFF to gain bottom hardness information by viewing second returns. Leave your view setting on
Bottom Black for a high contrast, easy to view from a distance,
bottom picture.
Techsonic Industries’ 1-Year Limited Warranty
We warrant to the original retail purchaser that Techsonic Industries products have been manufactured free from defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty is effective for one year from the date of original
retail purchase, excepting that where Techsonic Industries products are
used commercially or in any rental or other income producing activity; then
this warranty is limited to ninety days from the date of original purchase
for mechanical and electrical products.
We will provide replacement product without charge for any Techsonic
Industries product not covered by this warranty,which is returned (freight
prepaid) within the warranty period to the dealer from whom such products were purchased, or to us at the appropriate address. In any such
case,Techsonic Industries products found to be defective and covered by
this warranty will be replaced or repaired at Techsonic Industries’ option,
and returned to the customer.
Techsonic Industries’ sole responsibility under this warranty is limited to
the repair or replacement of product which is, in Techsonic Industries’
opinion,defective.Techsonic Industries is not responsible for charges connected with the removal of such product or reinstallation of replacement
or repaired parts.
We will have no obligations under this warranty for any product which:
has been improperly installed;
has been used in an installation other than as recommended in our instal-
lation or operation instructions or specifications;
has failed or has been damaged due to an accident or abnormal operation
including racing, misuse or alterations outside our factor y;
has been repaired or modified by entities other than Techsonic Industries;
has been used on an engine/boat combination where the engine horsepow-
er exceeds the rating established by the boat manufacturer;
has been used with other product(s) which, in Techsonic Industries opinion,
are incompatible with the Techsonic Industries product.
THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES,
OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON THE PART OF Techsonic Industries AND
WILL BE THE CUSTOMER’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY EXCEPT FOR ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED WARRANTIES UNDER STATE LAW WHICH ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN DURATION TO ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE.
IN NO EVENT WILL Techsonic Industries BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY RELATING TO THE PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow limitations on an implied warranty,or the exclusion
of incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusions may not
apply to you.You may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Techsonic Industries’ products returned under this warranty must be tagged
with the customer’s name,street address,and phone number to ensure proper handling,and returned freight prepaid to the selling dealer or to the appropriate Techsonic Industries manufacturing facility.
International Models
A separate warranty is provided by international distributors for the international models. This warranty is included by your local distributor and this
distributor maintains local service for your unit. Warranties are only valid in
the area of intended distribution.
SERVICE POLICY
This Service Policy is valid in the United States only. This applies to
Humminbird units returned to our factory in Eufaula, Alabama, and is subject to change without notice.
All repair work is performed by factory-trained technicians to meet exacting
factory specifications. Factory serviced units go through the same rigorous
testing and quality control inspection as new production units.
Even though you’ll probably never need to take advantage of our incredible
service guarantee, it’s good to know that we back our units this well.We do
it because you deserve the best.We will make every effort to repair your unit
within three working days from the receipt of your unit.This does not include
shipping time to and from our factory. Units received on Friday are usually
shipped by Wednesday, units received Monday are usually shipped by
Thursday,etc.
We reserve the right to deem any product unserviceable when replacement
parts are no longer reasonably available or impossible to obtain.
After the original warranty period,a standard flat rate service charge will be
assessed for each repair (physical damage and missing parts are not included). Please call our Customer Resource Center to verify the service charge
for your unit.
If charges are not prepaid, the unit will be returned C.O.D. If you are experiencing problems related to bottom or depth readings, please send your
RSS (Remote Sonar Sensor) along with your unit when sending for repair.
Customer Resource Center
If you have any questions or would like to order replacement RSS
units, visit Product Support on the Web at:
www.humminbird.com
or call our Humminbird
Customer Resource Center Hotline:
1-334-687-0503
Throughout the U.S. and Canada, hours are Monday-Friday,
8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.
Humminbird
Service Department
108 Maple Lane
Eufaula,AL 36027
SPECIFICATIONS
Remote Sonar Sensor
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88oz. (25grams)
RF10 Smartcast Base Station
Portable Case . . . . . . . . . . . .
9³⁄₄" H x 6¹⁄₄" W x 5" D
248mm H x 159mm W x 127mm D
Power Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . .Eight AA 1.5 volt
alkaline batteries (Not included)
Display Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3¹⁄₁₆" x 2¹⁄₂"
Display Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 X 64 Pixels
Display Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STN
Depth Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100ft
Sonar Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90°@-10dB**
Sonar Operating Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . 115kHz
Operational Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100ft
**Area of bottom coverage equals twice the current depth.
Battery Compartment
Power Cable Clip
Enlarged view of battery layout.
Polarity shows top of battery as
viewed with the battery installed.
RF10
(Control Head)
Washers
Gimbal Knob
Pivot Knuckle
Thumb knob bolt
Nonskid base
To scan an area, cast and then reel in at a steady
rate with your rod tip up. Jerks may break water
contact, causing gapped signal input. A low rod tip
or heavy line may cause signal loss if the RSS
submerges.
Use a heavier test line for the RSS and your
standard knots and tackle such as a swivel.
Handle the RSS by the antenna tower
when it has been in water.
*The second leader hole is for using the RSS as a
float. Connect a lighter weigh hook line to this hole.
Do not over-weight the hook line as this will
submerge the RSS, causing signal loss.
Screen
Left Arrow Button
Power/Menu Button
Right Arrow Button
Water Surface Line
Depth – Measured at the RSS
Fish ID+
Fish Icon
Possible bait fish
Structure
Depth Contour
Depth Range, (maximum 100ft.)
Menu Title
Setting
Button Changes
A button has no function
when the corresponding
menu arrow is not displayed.
Bottom Black Mode
Current Depth Range
Water Surface
Current Depth
Fish ID with Depth
Graphed sonar history at a
different range setting.
Depth Change or temporary signal loss
Depth Scale changes or signal loss will
cause lines with missing detail and/or
abrupt changes in the graphed bottom.
When the Depth range is set to “Auto”,the
depth is set to keep the bottom in the lower
third of the screen.The screen image jump
shown here is due to an automatic change
in depth. New returns graphed at a different scale will not match up with the historic
data already graphed at a higher or lower
scale. Vertical lines can also occur as the
radio signal from the RSS is lost and then
regained in rough water conditions.
Fish ID
Raw Sonar
pn531204-1 r81024F
If you are not able to get an RF signal from the RSS,the
display will stop updating.To get better reception from a
RSS move the Smartcast base up in altitude (i.e. on top
of a tackle box) for better reception. Check the buoyant
balance between the RSS and your tackle; over
¹⁄₃
oz will
submerge the RSS, causing signal loss.
WARNING: Disassembly and repair of this electronic un it shoul d onl y be performed by authorized service personnel.Any modification of the ser ial numbe r
or attempt to repair the original equipment or accessories by unauthorized
individuals will void the warr anty.Handling and/or open i ng th is un it may result
in exposure to lead, in the form of solder.Contact with active sonar transmitters may cause discomfort and/or mild tissue distress.
WARNING: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm.
Smartcast Operation Guide
FCC ID: ICLSMC1
Techsonic Industries
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation in subject to the following two conditions:
(1)This device may not cause harmful interference and
(2)This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved
by Techsonic Industries could void the users authority to operate the device.
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