tains. It's important to us (and our power users), but, if you don't care how many watts of power the unit has, or how many waypoints it can store, skip ahead to important information on how sonar works, on page 5.
Capabilities and Specifications: Cuda 250 S/Map
General Display:.. High Contrast Film SuperTwist LCD with 16-level grayline. Diagonal viewing area: 3.5" (8.9cm). Resolution:.. 160 pixel x 240 pixel resolution. 38,400 total pixels. Backlighting:. LED backlit screen with multiple lighting levels; backlit keypad. Input power:. 10 to 17 volts DC. Current drain:.. 170 ma lights off; 250 ma lights on. Case size:.. 5.8" H x 4.3" W x 2.5" D (14.7 cm H x 10.8 cm W x 6.6 cm D) sealed, waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. Back-up memory:.. Built-in memory stores GPS data for decades. User settings are stored when unit is turned off. Languages:.. 10; menu languages selectable by user. Sonar Frequency:.. 200 kHz. Transducer:.. A Skimmer transducer comes packed with your sonar unit. Its 20 cone angle offers a wide fish detection area of up to 60 with high sensitivity settings. Operates at boat speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts). Transmitter:. 800 watts peak-to-peak; 100 watts RMS. 3
Sonar sounding depth capability:. 600 feet (180 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. 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. GPS Receiver/antenna:. Internal 12 parallel channel GPS/WAAS. Position updates:.. Every second. Position points:. 1,000 waypoints; 1,000 event marker icons. Man Overboard:. MOB feature precisely marks man overboard location with special icon, then automatically displays navigation data to that position. Audible alarms:. Arrival/off-course/destination passed/anchor. 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.
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.

Poor location Good location
Good location Poor angle Good and poor transducer locations.
How low should you go? For most situations, you should install your Skimmer transducer so that its centerline is level with the bottom of the boat hull. This will usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protection from bangs and bumps.
Transom Transducer centerline
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 "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. 17
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. 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 the transducer 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. 1. Assembling the 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. 18

tor and about 6 inches of cable through the opening under the sonar mount. Close the cover, plug the connector into the sonar unit and mount the unit on the built-in bracket.
PPP-12 Portable Power Pack with a sonar unit stowed for transport.
Turn the unit on. If it doesn't work, make sure the battery terminals are making good contact against the battery contacts. Also check the wiring connections on the battery adapter. The red wire on the power cable should be attached to the red wire on the battery adapter and the power cable's black wire should be connected to the black wire on the battery adapter. If it still doesn't work, check the battery voltage. Most of the complaints we receive about portable units result from stale batteries. Make sure the ones you buy are fresh. In cold weather the efficiency of dry cell batteries drops with the temperature. We find it a good idea to have the sonar unit good and warm along with the batteries before we leave home. 39
If the batteries do lose a charge, you can sometimes restore them by placing them in a warm room or car interior. A better way is to replace them with batteries that have been kept warm. WARNING: Never heat the batteries over an open flame or direct hot air onto them. A fire or explosion could result. Portable Transducer Assembly Recommended tools for installation include a slotted screw driver and two adjustable wrenches. Assemble the transducer and bracket as shown in the following figure. Attach the transducer to the bracket with the supplied hardware. Make sure there is one washer on each side of the transducer, inside the bracket. Slide the other washer over the end of the bolt and thread the nut onto it. Screw the suction cup onto the bracket using the supplied screw and flat washer. Tie the nylon cord through the hole in the top of the bracket. When using this transducer, tie the other end of the nylon cord to the boat. This will help prevent the loss of the transducer if it comes off the boat.
Tie nylon cord here Suction cup Nut Washer Transducer Portable transducer assembly: rear view (left) and side view (right.) Screw

Bolt Washer

Clean the chosen area of the hull before attaching the suction cup. Locate the transducer on the hull as shown in the following figure. Don't allow the bracket to extend below the hull, because water pressure against it can cause the suction cup to come off at speed. Moisten the cup, then press it onto the hull as firmly as possible. Tie the nylon cord to the boat and route the transducer cable to the sonar unit. Your portable sonar is now ready for use.
Suction cup Hull Transducer Bracket
Portable transducer installed on boat transom.

1. Press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT. 2. Select SET KEEL OFFSET and press ENT. 3. The Keel Offset dialog box appears. Press so the displayed number shows a plus (+) sign instead of the minus () sign. 3. To change the next digit, press then use to enter 1. Move to the next digit and enter 5, then press EXIT. The depth indicators now accurately show the waterline as 1.5 feet above the transducer.

Sonar Color Mode

The default color scheme for the sonar chart is grayscale, but we offer other variations to suit your viewing preferences. You can select the chart to be displayed in reverse grayscale, bottom black or FishReveal mode. (For more information on FishReveal, see the entry on that topic elsewhere in this section.) To change the chart mode color scheme: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT. 2. Press to SONAR CHART MODE|ENT. 3. Press or to Mode Name|ENT. 4. Press EXIT|EXIT to return to the Sonar Page.
Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options
The Cuda 250 offers three Sonar chart display options. To choose one, press EXIT to clear any menus, then press PAGES and use the keys to select the desired mode. Full Sonar Chart This is the default mode used when the Sonar is turned on for the first time or when it is 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 depth of targets. The line at the top of the screen represents the surface. 76
The bottom depth and surface temperature (if the unit is 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 is zoomed when the zoom is in use. (See the Zoom section for more information.)
Full Sonar Chart. The Overlay Data (depth and water temperature) are set to a different text size.
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. First image (left) shows the left window zoomed to 2X. The second image (right) shows the left window zoomed to 4X. The depth overlay data is set to the default large text size. The water temperature is set to the medium text size.
Digital Data/Chart This mode shows nine digital boxes or windows containing (by default): Water Depth, Water Temp, Position Error, Bearing, Distance, Speed, Travel Time, Track and Off Course.

Digital Data/Chart

Sonar Simulator
This unit has a built-in simulator that will allow you to practice as though you were on the water. All sonar features and functions will be useable during a simulation. When in simulator mode, you will see [Simulator Mode] in the Sonar Page title bar. To use the simulator: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT. 2. Select SONAR SIMULATOR ON and press ENT. If you want to simulate your position, highlight SIMULATE POSITION and press ENT, which will turn on the GPS Simulator. 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 will play. 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, 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 the sonar on again, repeat the step above.
Sonar Menu with Stop Chart selected. The box is unchecked, indicating the chart is scrolling across the screen.

Surface Clarity

The onscreen marks scattered at the top of the sonar chart are known as surface clutter. They 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 four levels of surface clarity available: off, low, medium or high. The default level is off. To adjust the Surface Clarity level: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT|ENT. 2. Press to select clarity level, then press EXIT repeatedly to get back to the main page display.
Sonar Features menu with Surface Clarity selected.

Zoom & Zoom Bar

The Zoom in key is used to enlarge small detail, fish signals and the bottom with its associated structure. The 2X zoom doubles the size of all echoes on the screen. The 4X zoom quadruples the size of the echoes. You can also turn on a zoom bar on the far right side of the screen. This shows which echoes will be displayed on the screen when the Zoom commands are used. For example, turning on the 2X zoom will show all echoes that are between the top and bottom of the 2X zoom bar. The 4X zoom will show only the echoes between the top and bottom of the 4X zoom bar. To switch the zoom: 1. Press ZIN to increase the zoom display to 2X. Press ZIN again for a 4X zoom. 2. Press ZOUT to reduce the zoom and show more of the chart. To turn on the Zoom Bar: 1. Press MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT. 2. The Sonar Features menu appears. Press to ZOOM BAR|ENT|EXIT|EXIT. 3. To turn off the Zoom Bar, repeat steps 1 and 2. 81

The Satellite Page screen shows a graphical view of satellites the unit is tracking. A satellite is shown on the circular chart relative to your position. The point in the center of the chart is directly overhead. The small inner ring represents 45 above the horizon and the large ring represents the horizon. North is at the top of the screen. You can use this to see which satellites are obstructed by obstacles in your immediate area, if the unit is facing north. The GPS receiver is tracking satellites that are in gray. The receiver has not locked onto a satellite if the number is black, therefore it isn't being used to resolve the position. Beneath the circular graph are the bar graphs, one for each satellite in view. Since the unit has twelve channels, it can dedicate one channel per visible satellite. The taller the bar on the graph, the better the unit is receiving the signals from the satellite. The Estimated Position Error (horizontal position error) shown in the upper right corner of the screen is the expected error from a benchmark location. In other words, if the EPE shows 50 feet, then the position shown by the unit is estimated to be within 50 feet of the actual location. This also gives you an indicator of the fix quality the unit cur92
rently has. The smaller the position error number, the better (and more accurate) the fix is. If the position error flashes dashes, then the unit hasn't locked onto the satellites, and the number shown isn't valid. The Satellite Status Page has its own menu, which is used for setting various options. (Options and setup are discussed in Sec. 8.) To access the Satellite Status Page Menu, from the Status Page, press MENU. 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| to MAP| to NAVIGATION|EXIT. The navigation screen looks like the one below when you are not navigating to a waypoint or following a route or trail. Your position is shown by an arrow in the center of the screen. Your trail history path you've just taken is depicted by the line extending from the arrow. The arrow pointing down at the top of the compass rose shows your current track (direction of travel).

more than 60,000 navigation aids and 10,000 wrecks and obstructions in U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters NOTE: If you have a Cuda 250i, your unit has medium-detail maps of the entire world. The Map Page has its own menu, which is used for several functions and for setting various options. To access the Map Page Menu, from the Map Page, press MENU. The Pages Menu has several display options under the Map Page category. Press PAGES| to MAP| to page display option|EXIT. Map with Sonar Page This page mode splits the screen in half, with a map on the left and the sonar chart on the right. This screen option can be found on the Pages Menu under the Map Page category.
Map with Sonar page (left). Resize Window command selected from sonar menu (center). Resizing the window (right).
When this screen is activated, you need to specify which side of the Menu is active. To toggle between the two windows, press PAGES|PAGES. To switch back, press PAGES|PAGES again. The following page contains a 12-step quick reference for the most basic GPS operations. 98

GPS Quick Reference

Start outdoors, with a clear view of the open sky. As you practice, try navigating to a location at least a few blocks away. While you're learning, navigation in too small an area will constantly trigger arrival alarms. 1. Install the unit. (See complete installation details beginning on page 9.) 2. To turn on the Cuda 250, press and release PWR key. 3. Opening screen displays the moving map at the 4,000-mile zoom range. Rotate through the five main GPS Page screens (Full Map, Digital Data, Navigation, Satellite Status and Map with Sonar) by pressing PAGES| to MAP| to select Page Name|EXIT. Switch Pages to display Satellite Status Page. 4. Wait while unit locates satellites and calculates current position. Process is visible on Satellite Page. This takes an average of 1 minute or less under clear sky conditions (unobstructed by terrain or structures). When the unit acquires position, a tone sounds and a position acquired message appears. 5. With position acquired, press PAGES key and select Full Map display, which shows your position in the center. Zoom in closer to see greater detail: press ZIN (zoom in key.) Zoom out to see more area, less detail: press ZOUT (zoom out key.) Scroll display north, south, east or west using arrow keys . To stop scrolling and return to current position, press EXIT key. 6. To a waypoint (Wpt 001) at your current position press WPT|WPT. Waypoint symbol and "001" appears. 7. If you have already made some waypoints or event marker icons, zoom/scroll to find a nearby location to go to. Otherwise, travel around some and place some waypoints at places of interest. When you have several in place, use arrow keys to center cursor crosshairs over one of your existing waypoints or locations. 8. To navigate to selected destination press MENU|ENT|EXIT. Follow dotted course line on Map or compass bearing arrow on Navigation Page. 99

Distance measured by cursor

Pop-up name box

Selected wreck
Cursor line Cursor line The selected wreck (the Empress) to the southeast is 12.55 miles away.
Selecting Any Map Item With the Cursor
1. Use the zoom keys and the arrow keys to move around the map and find the item you wish to select. 2. Use the arrow keys and center the cursor crosshairs on the desired object. On most items, a pop-up box will give the name of the selected item.

Set a Waypoint

A waypoint is an electronic address, based on the latitude and longitude of a position on the earth. A waypoint represents a location, spot or destination that can be stored in memory, then recalled later for navigation purposes. You can create a waypoint at the cursor position on the map or at your current position while you are navigating. You can create a waypoint at any location by manually entering the position's latitude and longitude. To create and save a Waypoint: These first two techniques use the Quick Save method, the fastest and easiest way to create a waypoint.
Create Waypoint at Current Position While you are traveling, press WPT|WPT. The waypoint is saved and
automatically given a name with a sequential number, such as "waypoint 003." The waypoint symbol and number appear on the map.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Step 4.
Sequence for setting a waypoint. Step 1: while traveling, quickly press WPT twice to call up Find Waypoint screen (seen in Step 2) and set a point. Step 3: a message says the waypoint has been saved. Step 4: vehicle continues on its way; number waypoint symbol is visible on map.
NOTE: The Quick Save method uses the default waypoint symbol until you edit an existing waypoint and change its symbol. (Edit Waypoint Symbol is described in Sec. 7.) After you have changed a waypoint symbol, the unit will remember the one you chose and use it the next time you quick save a waypoint. To revert to the default symbol, edit the waypoint or use the Reset Options. 103

Create Waypoint on Map

1. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the place where you want to make a waypoint. 2. Press WPT|WPT. The waypoint is saved and automatically given a name with a sequential number, such as "waypoint 001." The waypoint symbol and number appear on the map.
Create Waypoint by Entering a Position

a trail by placing a trail point on the screen every time you change directions. (The methods used for creating a trail and the trail update rate can be adjusted or even turned off. See Sec. 8 for Trail Options.) To preserve a trail from point A to point B, you must turn off the trail by making it inactive before heading to point C or even back to point A. When the current trail is set inactive, the unit automatically begins recording a new trail. To Save a Trail 1. Press MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT.
Visible Active symbol symbol
Sequence for saving a trail and beginning a new one. My Trails command (left). The Trails Menu (center). The arrow to the right of Trail 3 indicates the trail is active and the check to the left indicates the trail is visible on the map display. The Edit Trail menu (right) with the Name command selected.
2. Press to the Active Trail Name|ENT. 3. Press to ACTIVE|ENT. This unchecks the Active option. 4. To return to the previous page, press EXIT repeatedly. As you left the Edit Trail menu, you will notice that a new trail was started with a new sequential number. In the example figure below, the new trail is number 15, showing zero points. Note that Trail 14 is inactive, but is still visible on the map. 109
New trail, named Trail 3, is created when Trail 2 is made inactive. Any new travel will be recorded in this trail, which is active and visible. Trails do not need to be visible in order to be active.
You can save and recall up to 10 different plot trails.
Another quick way to stop recording one trail and begin a new one is to use the New Trail command. Press MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT. Use to select NEW TRAIL and press ENT. Caution: You also have the option of completely turning off trail recording, under the trail Options command. If, however, the Update Active Trail option is left turned off, it will cancel the automatic trail creation feature.

Displaying a Saved Trail

The active trail is automatically displayed on the with the default settings. You can selectively turn trail display on and off for any saved or active trail. In the Saved Trails List, visible trails have a check mark in front of the trail name.
To turn trail display on or off: 1. Press MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT. 2. Press to enter the Saved Trail list, then use to select the desired Trail Name|ENT. 3. Press to VISIBLE|ENT. To return to the main page display, press EXIT repeatedly.

Navigating Trails

There are three methods for following a trail: visual trailing, navigating a trail (forward) and backtracking a trail (backward). Try each method to see which you prefer. Visual trailing is the simplest method. It uses only the Map Page and requires no menu commands at all. The technique works the same if you are running a trail forward (from start to end) or backward (from end to start.) Visual trailing, however, provides no navigation information during the trip, such as the time to your destination. The other two methods provide a full range of navigation data and work with both the Map Page and Navigation Page. The only difference between them is navigating a trail follows a trail forward (from start to end) while backtracking follows a trail in reverse (from end to start.) When hiking at walking speed with a hand-held GPS, we often just use visual back trailing because it is a bit better at following each little turn on a foot path. At faster speeds, such as the highway or on the water, the Navigate Trail and Backtrack Trail commands are handy. Visual Trailing 1. On the Map Page, zoom (ZIN or ZOUT) so your flashing trail is visible. 2. Begin moving and watch the Map Page. Walk or steer so that your current position arrow traces along the trail you have just made. 111

Map Datum Selection

Maps and charts are based on a survey of the area covered by the map or chart. These surveys are called Datums. Maps created using different datums will show the same latitude/longitude in slightly different locations. The GPS system is based on the WGS-84 datum, which covers the entire world. Other datums also may cover the entire world or just a small portion of it. 142
By default, your position is shown using the WGS-84 datum. It, however, can show your position using any of 191 different datums. To change the datum: 1. Press MENU|MENU| to GPS SETUP|ENT| to DATUM SELECTION|ENT. 2. Use to select the desired datum, then press ENT. 3. To return to the main page display, press EXIT repeatedly. A list of the datums used by this unit is in the back of this manual.
GPS Setup Menu (left) with Map Datum Menu (right).
Map Detail Category Selection
This menu determines which mapping features are shown on the screen. This includes waypoints, trails, icons, cities, highways, etc. You can selectively turn on or off any of these items, customizing the map to your preferences. To get to Map Categories: 1. From the Map Page, press MENU| to MAP CATEGORIES|ENT. 2. Use to select a category, then press to cycle through available subcategories. Press ENT to turn the selected category or subcategory on (check) or off (unchecked). 3. To return to the main page display, press EXIT|EXIT. 143
Map Menu (left). Map Categories Drawn Menu (right).

Map Orientation

By default, this receiver shows the map with north always at the top of the screen. This is the way most maps and charts are printed on paper.
In Track Up mode, map shows "N" and arrow to indicate north.
Map orientation is shown in north up (left) and in track up (right).
This is fine if you are always traveling north. What you see to your left corresponds with the left side of the map and what is on your right is shown on the right side of the map and so on. If, however, you travel any other direction, the map does not line up with your view of the world. 144

Depth Water temp Distance to destination
Sonar Page with Overlay Data turned on. This example shows Depth, Water Temperature and Distance to the next waypoint.

Pop-up Help

Help is available for most all menu items in this unit. By leaving a menu item highlighted for a few seconds, a pop-up message appears that describes its function. This feature is on by default. To set up Popup Help: Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to POPUP HELP. With the option highlighted, press ENT to turn it on (check) and turn it off (uncheck). After the option is set, press EXIT|EXIT to return to the main page display.
System Setup Menu (left) with Pop-up Help highlighted. The Pop-up Help message for the Sensitivity command (right).
To reset all features to factory defaults: Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to RESET OPTIONS|ENT| to YES|ENT. NOTE: Reset Options does not erase any waypoints, routes, icons, plot trails or sonar logs.
System Menu with Reset Options selected (left). Reset Options confirmation message (right).
Screen Contrast and Brightness
To access the Screen menu, press MENU|MENU|ENT. To adjust the display's contrast: The CONTRAST slider bar is already selected. Press to move the bar. The left end of the scale is minimum contrast. The right end is maximum contrast.
Screen command highlighted (left). Screen Menu with Contrast bar selected (right).
To adjust the display's brightness: From the screen menu, press to BRIGHTNESS. Press to move the bar. The left end of the scale is minimum contrast. The right end is maximum contrast. To adjust the screen's display mode: From the screen menu, press to DISPLAY MODE|ENT|press or to select mode|EXIT.

Display Mode menu.

Set Language
This unit's menus are available in 10 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Dutch and Finnish. To select a different language: 1. Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT. 2. Press to SET LANGUAGE|ENT. 3. Use to select the desired language and press ENT. All menus now appear in the language you selected.

Set Local Time

Using the local time setting is handy when estimating arrival time. The time and date are saved when a waypoint is created. 150
To access the Set Local Time menu, acquire your position, then press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to SET LOCAL TIME|ENT. To set Local Time: Press ENT. Press to change the first character, then press to move the cursor to the next character. Repeat until the time is correct and press ENT. To set the Day: Press to DAY|ENT. Use to select the day and press ENT. To set the Month: Press and to MONTH|ENT. Use to select the month and press ENT. To set the Year: Press to YEAR|ENT. Press to select the year and press ENT. To set Time Format: Press to TIME FORMAT|ENT. Use to select the desired Time Format and press ENT. To set Date Format: Press to DATE FORMAT|ENT. Use to select the desired Date Format and press ENT. In the center of the local time menu is CONFIG DST. It allows your unit to automatically make the adjustment for Daylight Savings. You may select which set of rules matches DST in your region or accept the default. Once you are satisfied with the time settings, press EXIT repeatedly to get back to the main page display.

Shipping Information

If it becomes necessary to send a product for repair or replacement, you must first receive a return authorization number from Customer Service. Products shipped without a return authorization will not be accepted. When shipping, we recommend you do the following: 1. Please do not ship the knobs or mounting bracket with your unit. 2. If you are sending a check for repair, please place your check in an envelope and tape it to the unit. 3. For proper testing, include a brief note with the product describing the problem. Be sure to include your name, return shipping address and a daytime telephone number. An e-mail address is optional but useful. 4. Pack the unit in a suitable size box with packing material to prevent any damage during shipping. 5. Write the Return Authorization (RA) number on the outside of the box underneath your return address. 6. For your security, you may want to insure the package through your shipping courier. Eagle does not assume responsibility for goods lost or damaged in transit.

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Addendum I
Additional Instructions for
Cuda 250 & Cuda 250i S/Map
The Cuda 250 contains a communications port for NMEA 0183 output. The instructions for connecting data cables and setting up the communications port appear in this addendum.
NMEA 0183 Data Cable Connections
NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic equipment. The Cuda 250 can send information to any device that receives NMEA 0183 data. 1
This allows the unit to work with VHF marine radios equipped with the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress call feature. To send NMEA 0183 data, the Cuda 250 has one NMEA 0183 version 2.0 communication port. The com port can be used to send NMEA formatted data such as your current position. The provided Cuda 250 data cable plugs into the accessory socket on the right side of the back of your unit's case. The data cable ends in two wires that connect to your VHF radio or other NMEA device. The Cuda 250 uses the yellow wire to transmit and the black shield wire for signal ground. NOTE: Some VHF radios, such as the popular Uniden brand, have input levels which require use of an additional diode and resistor built into the Cuda 250 data cable. This is Wiring Diagram A, which is described on page 2. The majority of the DSC radios will work with the resistor and diode as provided by Eagle. A few other radio brands (and other electronic devices) that meet the NMEA 0183 standard won't need these adapters and you will have to remove the resistor and diode to make those work. This is Wiring Diagram B, which is described on page 4. Consult your other device's owners manual, then read through all of the following instructions before you begin. Use the installation diagram most suited to your brand of radio or other device. If your device manual indicates an RS-232 connection (i.e., a computer), remove the resistor and diode and connect using Wiring Diagram B. Most other connection types (TTL; NMEA + and NMEA ; differential) will require Wiring Diagram A.
Recommended Tools and supplies
Recommended tools for this job include: wire pliers or wire stripper and a wire cutter. Required supplies for this job include: two gray (18 gauge) or blue (16 gauge) wire nuts and electrical tape. Supplies are not included.
Wiring Diagram "A"
Begin by stripping the wire ends of the device you're connecting to the Cuda 250. (You'll notice the Cuda 250 data cable comes pre-stripped, with wire ends exposed.) Use a pair of wire pliers to strip about 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) of insulation from each of the radio's or other device's data wires.
Strip the ends of the VHF radio's data wires. Connect them to the prestripped wires of the Cuda 250 data cable (shown right).
Twist the exposed wires together as shown in the following figures. If you're using a Uniden or similar radio, connect the radio's NMEA Wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's yellow wire, and the radio's Ground/Shield wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's black shield wire. If you're using another radio brand or NMEA device, see Wiring Diagram B instructions on page 4.
Yellow (Transmit) Com port to Cuda 250 Shield (Ground) NMEA Wire (Receive) or NMEA + Ground/Shield or NMEA To Uniden radio or other device
Com port wiring to transmit NMEA information to a Uniden or similar VHF radio or other device.

Twist the appropriate wires together, making sure that the exposed ends make good contact. Secure the wire ends with wire nuts, then wrap each wire nut securely with electrical tape to protect against moisture, as shown in the figure on the right.
After taping the wire ends individually, wrap the entire connection with electrical tape as shown. This will help protect from moisture and prevent the wires from breaking contact. Wiring Diagram "B"
If your VHF radio or other device requires true RS-232, you will need to remove the diode and resistor built into the end of the Cuda 250 data cable. You will notice near the end of the cable a segment protected with black heat-shrink. To connect the Cuda 250 to a true RS-232 radio, first remove the Uniden adapter segment of the cable as shown in the following figures. 4
For Wiring Diagram B installations, remove the Uniden adapter segment at the end of your data cable as shown at left. Snip off the end of the cable protected by the black heat-shrink. At right, we have used clear heat-shrink for clarity, so you can see the diode and resistor protected within. Remove this portion of the cable.
After you have removed the adapter segment, use wire pliers to expose the ends of the five remaining wires in the cable. Cut off the black, blue and white wires, then seal their ends with electrical tape.
Black Blue White Cut black, blue and white.

Bare wire (shield)

Yellow (transmit)
After removing the adapter segment, prepare to connect by removing and taping off unneeded wires. Strip the end of the yellow wire.
Strip about 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) of insulation from the yellow wire, then follow the preceding wire nut and taping instructions to connect the wires from the radio or other device. 5
If you are using a true RS-232 radio or other device, connect its (+) Receive wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's yellow wire and its ground or () Receive wire to the Cuda 250 data cable's bare shield wire.
Yellow (Transmit) Com port to Cuda 250 Shield (Ground) (+) Receive or Receive To another () Receive or ground NMEA device
Com port wiring to transmit NMEA information to another standard NMEA-compatible device.
When the data cable is connected to your VHF radio, all you have to do is plug it into the sonar/GPS unit. Attach the data cable's plug to the accessory socket on the right side of the back of your unit's case.
Communications Port Activation
Now that you have your devices connected, here's how to make them communicate. This unit can connect to either an accessory such as a speed or temperature sensor or a NMEA 0183 data cable. In order to use the Communications Port for NMEA data, you first need to activate NMEA 0183 Output. Press MENU|MENU| to ENABLE NMEA 183 OUTPUT|ENT| to YES|ENT.

Enable NMEA command on the unit's Main Menu
Communications Port Configuration
Once NMEA 0183 Output has been enabled from the Main Menu, the Com Port command appears in the System Setup Menu. It allows you to configure the communications port.
Menus for changing Com Port settings.
If you need additional assistance in configuring the unit to communicate with another device, consult the factory. Customer service phone numbers are in the back of the unit's manual. To set Com Port Configuration: 1. Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT. 2. Press to COM PORT|ENT. A menu appears with a drop-down Baud Rate selection box highlighted. The menu also contains an on/off checkbox to activate NMEA Input, NMEA Output, NMEA GPS Input and a button that allows you to Configure NMEA.

To set Baud Rate:

With the Baud Rate box selected (the title bar should be highlighted in black, as in the middle figure above), press ENT. A drop-down list appears, showing available baud rates. Select the one that matches the baud rate on your VHF radio and press ENT. 7

To activate NMEA Output:

From the Communication Ports menu, press to highlight NMEA Input. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA Input checkbox.
From the Communication Ports menu, press to highlight NMEA Output. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA Output checkbox.
To activate NMEA GPS Input:
From the Communication Ports menu, press to highlight NMEA GPS Input. Press ENT to turn on (check) or turn off (uncheck) the NMEA GPS Input checkbox. To return to the main page display, press EXIT repeatedly.

Configure NMEA

You can configure the unit to use specific NMEA sentences. (The default setting has all NMEA sentences turned on.) From the Communication Ports menu, press to CONFIGURE NMEA|ENT.
NMEA Sentences selection menu.
A menu appears showing the prefixes of the available NMEA sentences. A "X" in the checkbox next to a prefix means the prefix is turned on. 8
Use to highlight a prefix, then press ENT to turn it on (check) or turn it off (uncheck). NOTE: The names of the NMEA sentences are abbreviated in this menu. These are the functions of the various selectable prefixes: GLL transmits latitude and longitude of present position, time of position fix, and status. GGA transmits time, position and fix related data. APB transmits autopilot information. RMC and RMB transmits navigation information messages. GSA and GSV transmits fix mode, DOP values and satellites in view information. DBT transmits the depth below the transducer. DPT transmits the depth MTW transmits the water temperature.

4. When the desired prefixes are checked or unchecked, press EXIT repeatedly to return to the main page display.
Compatibility with Various VHF Radios
The Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature in marine radios is relatively new technology. The U.S. Coast Guard implemented its first DSC-capable systems in Atlantic City, N.J. and Chincoteague, VA in September, 2003. The entire U.S. DSC rescue system will not be operational until Sept. 30, 2006. As more marine electronics manufacturers enter this growing market, other connectivity issues with your unit may appear. You can check for known compatibility issues by visiting our web site, www.eaglesonar.com. Look in the Manuals section for updated documents for your sonar/GPS unit.
This addendum is for the Cuda 250 S/Map manual, part 988-0152-0101.
Pub. 988-0152-082 Printed in USA 113005
Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved LEI-Eagle, Inc.