Pub. 988-0143-711 www.eaglesonar.com
FishMark 480 and SeaFinder 480DF
Fish-finding & Depth Sounding Sonars
Installation and Operation Instructions
Copyright 2003 - Eagle Electronics All rights reserved. Eagle is a registered trademark of Eagle Electronics Marine-Tex is a trademark of Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Eagle 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: SeaFinder 480DF shown. Other models covered in the manual are similar.
For free owner's manuals and other information, visit our web site:

www.eaglesonar.com

Eagle Electronics P.O. Box 669 Catoosa, OK USA 74015 Printed in USA.

Table of Contents

Sec. 1: Read Me First!... 1 Capabilities and Specifications.. 2 How Sonar Works... 4 How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions. 4 Sec. 2: Installation & Accessories.. 7 Preparations.... 7 Transducer Installation... 7 Recommended Tools and Supplies.. 8 Selecting a Transducer Location.. 8 How Low Should You Go?.. 10 Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting. 10 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting.. 11 Trolling Motor Bracket Installation (Single-Frequency only). 17 Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches.. 18 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation and Installation.. 19 Speed/Temperature Sensors.. 21 Power Connections... 24 Mounting the Unit: Bracket, in-Dash or Portable.. 26 Face Cover... 30 Sec. 3: Basic Sonar Operation... 31 Keyboard... 31 Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off).. 32 Menus... 33 Main Menu... 33 Sonar Menu.... 35 Pages... 36 Basic Sonar Quick Reference.. 39 Sonar Operations.. 40 Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart.. 43 Other Free Training Aids.. 43 Sec. 4: Sonar Options & Other Features.. 45 ASP (Advanced Signal Processing)... 45 Alarms.... 46 i
Depth Alarms... 46 Zone Alarm... 47 Fish Alarm... 48 Brightness... 48 Calibrate Speed... 49 Chart Speed... 49 Contrast.... 50 Depth Cursor... 50 Depth Range - Automatic... 51 Depth Range - Manual... 51 FasTrack.... 52 Fish I.D. (Fish Symbols & Depths)... 52 FishTrack... 55 FishReveal... 55 Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency).. 57 Grayline... 58 HyperScroll... 60 Noise Rejection... 60 Overlay Data... 60 Ping Speed & HyperScroll.. 62 Pop-Up Help... 64 Reset Options... 64 Reset Water Distance... 65 Screen Contrast and Brightness.. 65 Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity.. 65 To Turn Auto Sensitivity Back on:... 67 Set Keel Offset... 67 Set Language... 69 Software Version Information.. 69 Sonar Color Mode.. 69 Sonar Chart Display Options... 70 Full Sonar Chart... 70 Split Zoom Sonar Chart... 71 Split Frequency Sonar Chart (Seafinder 480df only). 71 ii
Digital Data/Chart... 72 Customizing the Digital Data/Chart Screen.. 73 Sonar Simulator... 74 Stop Chart... 74 Surface Clarity... 75 Units of Measure... 76 Zoom & Zoom Bar... 76 Zoom Pan... 77 Sec. 5: Troubleshooting... 79 Sec. 6: Supplemental Material... 83
Section 1: Read Me First!
How this manual can get you out on the water, fast!
Welcome to the exciting world of digital sonar! We know you're anxious to begin finding fish, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab your 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, wide-screen, fish finder. First, we want to thank you for buying anEagle sonar. 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 sonar tasks. You won't find another 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 6 sections. This first section is an introduction to the sonar unit. It tells you the basics you need to know before you can make the unit look below the surface to find some fish. Section 2 will help you install your unit and the transducer. 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 sonar, right out of the box. This section features a one-page Sonar Quick Reference. (If you've already jumped ahead and figured out how to install the unit yourself, and you just can't wait any longer, turn to the Quick Reference on page 39 and head for the water with your sonar unit!) 1

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. This can be a problem on some hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds. Follow the procedure 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.
Align plastic ratchets in bracket.
B. Two-piece bracket: Locate the four plastic ratchets in the transducer's hardware package. Press two ratchets into the sides of the plastic bracket and two on either side of the transducer as shown in the following illustrations. Notice there are letters molded into each ratchet. Place the ratchets into the bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the alignment mark molded into the bracket. Place the ratchets onto the transducer with the letter "A" aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem. These positions set the transducer's coarse angle adjustment for a 14 transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a 14 angle.
Alignment letters Alignment positions Transducer bracket Insert and align ratchets. Transducer bracket Transducer Transducer

Ratchet

Add ratchets to bracket and transducer.
2. Aligning the transducer on the transom. A. One-piece bracket: Slide the transducer between the two ratchets. Temporarily slide the bolt though the transducer assembly and hold it against the transom. Looking at the transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the "A" position is correct for your hull. If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove the transducer and ratchets from the bracket. Place the ratchets into the holes in the bracket with the letter "B" aligned with the dot stamped in the bracket. Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place them against the transom. Again, check to see if you can move the transducer so it's parallel with the ground. If you can, then go to step 3A. If it doesn't, repeat step 2A, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly.

Power Connections

The unit works from a 12-volt battery system. For the best results, 24
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. 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. Make sure to attach the inline 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.

To unit Black wire

Optional power off switch for saltwater installations

12 volt battery

Red wire with 3 amp fuse
Power connections for the sonar unit.
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 Eagle.

Sonar unit rear view

Power/transducer socket Power cable Transducer cable

Accessory socket

Accessory cable
Sonar unit cable connections.
Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable
You can install the sonar 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. 26
If you use the supplied bracket, you may be interested in the optional R-A-M bracket mounting system. This converts the unit's gimbal bracket to a swivel mount, which can be used on the dash or overhead mounting positions. Installation instructions are supplied with the R-A-M mounting kits. 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 and transducer cables. (A drawing on the next page shows the dimensions of a gimbal-mounted sonar 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.
Drill a 1-inch (25.4 mm) hole in the dash for the power and transducer 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. 27
After drilling the hole, pass the transducer connector up through the hole from under the dash. 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.

Section 3: Basic Sonar Operation
This section addresses the unit's most basic sonar operations. The instructions presented here in Sec. 3 follow a chronological order. Sec. 4, Sonar Options & Other Features, will discuss options and other more advanced functions and utilities. The material in Sec. 4 is arranged in alphabetical order. Before you turn on the unit, it's a good idea to learn about the different keys, the Main Menu, the Sonar Menu, the four Page options 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 39.

Keyboard

Sonar unit, front view, with keyboard. SeaFinder 480DF shown.
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 options. (Full Sonar Chart, Split Zoom Sonar Chart, Split Frequency Sonar Chart and Digital Data.) 3. MENU Press this key to show the menus and submenus, which allow you to select a command or adjust a feature. 4. ARROW KEYS These keys are used to navigate through the menus, make menu selections, move the sonar chart cursor and enter data. 5. ENT (Enter) This key allows you to accept values or execute menu commands. 6. EXIT The Exit key lets you return to the previous screen, clear data or erase a menu. 7. ALARM The Alarm key is a quick shortcut to the sonar alarms menu. It allows you to choose which alarms to use and when. 8. ZOUT (Zoom Out) This key lets you zoom the screen out. This key returns you to a full sonar chart display, showing the entire water column from surface to bottom. 9. ZIN (Zoom In) This key lets you zoom the screen in. It enlarges fish signals, bottom detail and other sonar returns.

Power/lights on and off

To turn on the unit, press PWR. To change the backlight, press PWR again. This unit has two backlight levels to select from. Repeatedly pressing PWR will cycle through the backlight settings, turn off the backlight, then turn it back on again. Turn off the unit by pressing and holding the PWR key for about 3 seconds. 32
Your sonar unit will work fine right out of the box with the factory default settings. You only need to learn a few basic functions to enhance your viewing. We'll discuss them briefly here, then talk about them and all the other commands in more detail in the next section, which begins on page 45. Your unit has three primary menus that control its operation. They are the Main Menu, the Sonar Menu and the Pages Menu. Main Menu The Main Menu contains some basic function commands and some setup option commands. You access the Main Menu by pressing MENU|MENU. You run a command by using the or to highlight the command and then pressing ENT. To clear the Main Menu screen and return to the Page display, press 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 4, Instructions = Menu Sequences.)

Main Menu.

Main Menu Commands
There are four "basic" Main Menu commands that you'll really want to read more about. They are: Screen command: changes the contrast or brightness of the display screen. Use this command to adjust how the screen looks under various lighting conditions. Sounds command: enables or disables the sounds for key strokes and alarms, controls the volume and sets the alarm style. If you don't like to hear a beep each time you press a key, you can turn this off, or select tunes or sound effects instead. The sounds are especially useful when used with the Fish I.D. fish symbol feature and fish alarm feature. Sonar Alarms command: turns alarms on or off and changes alarm thresholds. The fish alarm, used with Fish I.D., is the most popular use. It tells you when the sonar sees a fish. You can also set deep or shallow depth alarms and zone alarms. Popup Help command: turns the pop-up help boxes on or off. When you select a menu command, these information boxes appear to tell you what the command does or how to use the command. The default setting is on, which is really handy while you're learning. The remaining Main Menu commands are for more advanced functions, mostly setting various sonar options. (They're all detailed in Sec. 4.) Units of Measure command: selects the units of measure used for showing speed/distance, depth and temperature. Set Keel Offset command: calibrates the unit to show depth under the keel or actual depth from the surface. Calibrate Water Speed command: adjusts how a speed sensor measures water speed. Reset Water Distance command: resets water distance log to zero. Sonar Simulator command: turns the simulator feature on and off. Useful for learning how to operate the unit and all its functions. 34
Reset Options command: returns all options and auto functions to their original factory settings. It's a great safety net while you're learning and experimenting with various settings. Set Language command: your unit has menus in 10 different languages. This command switches from one language to another. Software Information command: tells you which version of the operating software is loaded in your unit. Sonar Menu The Sonar Menu contains commands for the major sonar features and options. You access the Sonar Menu by pressing the MENU key one time. You run a command by using the or to highlight the command and then pressing ENT. To clear the menu screen and return to the Page display, press EXIT.

Digital data overlay (depth & temperature) Surface signal Surface clutter Depth scale In FasTrack, fish arches show as horizontal bars.

Fish arches

Structure

Zoom bar

Bottom signal Sonar Page, showing full sonar chart mode.

FasTrack bar graph

Sonar chart display options (from left) split zoom (all models) and split frequency (SeaFinder 320DF only).
Digital data sonar chart display option.
You can customize how the Sonar Page pictures and other data are displayed in many ways. We'll discuss all of those features and options in Section 4, but to show you how easy the sonar unit is to operate, see the following 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. 38
Basic Sonar Quick Reference
1. Mount the transducer and unit. Connect the unit to electric power and the transducer. 2. Launch your boat. 3. To turn on the unit, press and release PWR key. 4. Head for your fishing grounds. Your unit automatically displays digital depth and surface water temperature in the 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. 5. As you're watching the sonar returns, you can change the display by: Zoom in to enlarge the chart for more detail: press ZIN. Zoom out to return to full chart mode: press ZOUT. 6. If necessary, adjust sensitivity to improve chart readability. Press
MENU|ENT and the Sensitivity Menu will appear on the left of your
screen. Use and to change the setting. Boosting sensitivity will show more information on your screen, which may cause clutter. Reducing sensitivity will filter out some information, but could omit important images. We recommend adjusting sensitivity until the background is lightly "peppered" that is, scattered dots appear, but individual objects (like fish arches or bottom structure) can be easily picked out of the background. 7. Watch the display for the appearance of fish arches. When you see 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 arches with the depth scale on the right side of the screen, or get a more accurate measure with the Depth Cursor. Press MENU| to DEPTH 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. 39

To adjust and turn on the zone alarm: 1. Press ALARM.
2. Press to ZONE ALARM ENABLED| to ADJUST ZONE|ENT. 47
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.
LOWER, then press or to move the bottom of the bar to the desired
4. To set the lower boundary for the Zone Alarm, use or to select
depth. 5. Press EXIT| to ZONE ALARM ENABLED|ENT|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
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.
To turn the fish alarm on: 1. Press ALARM.
2. Press to FISH ALARM|ENT|EXIT. 3. To turn off the alarm, press ALARM| to FISH ALARM|ENT|EXIT.

Brightness

See the entry in this section for Screen Contrast and Brightness.

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. 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 MENU|MENU| to CALIBRATE WATER 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 EXIT.

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. 49

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.) 66
To adjust sensitivity in manual mode: 1. First, turn off Auto Sensitivity: from the Sonar Page, press MENU| to AUTO SENSITIVITY|ENT. 2. Press to SENSITIVITY|ENT and the Sensitivity Control Bar appears. Press or to pick a different sensitivity setting. When it's set at the desired level, press EXIT. To turn Auto Sensitivity back on: 1. 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.

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. 76
Pressing ZIN once doubles the size (2X) of all echoes on the screen. Pressing it again quadruples the size of the echoes (4X). The zoom bar on the far right side of the screen shows which echoes will be displayed on the screen when the ZIN key is pressed. For example, pressing the ZIN key once will enable a 2X zoom which 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. By "pointing" your zoom at different portions of the chart as it scrolls, you can get a good, close-up look at structure or cover below you. To use Zoom Pan, switch to a manual depth Range setting (see page 51) and turn on 2X or 4X Zoom. Then, simply press or to pan up and down the water column.
Section 5: Troubleshooting
If your unit is not working, or if you need technical help, please use the following troubleshooting section before contacting the factory customer service department. It may save you the trouble of returning your unit for repair. For contact information, refer to the last page, just inside the back cover of this manual. Unit won't turn on: 1. Check the power cable's connection at the unit. Also check the wiring. 2. Make certain the power cable is wired properly. The red wire connects to the positive battery terminal, black to negative or ground. 3. Check the fuse. 4. Measure the battery voltage at the unit's power connector. It should be at least 11 volts. If it isn't, the wiring to the unit is defective, the battery terminals or wiring on the terminals are corroded, or the battery needs charging. Unit operates only in demo mode: 1. The transducer has not yet been connected or has been disconnected. To leave demo mode, make sure the transducer is securely connected before turning the unit on. Unit freezes, locks up, or operates erratically: 1. Electrical noise from the boat's motor, trolling motor, or an accessory may be interfering with the sonar unit. Rerouting the power and transducer cables away from other electrical wiring on the boat may help. Route the sonar unit's power cable directly to the battery instead of through a fuse block or ignition switch 2. Inspect the transducer cable for breaks, cuts, or pinched wires. 3. Check both the transducer and power connectors. Make certain both are securely plugged in to the unit. 79

EAGLE ELECTRONICS FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
"We," "our," or "us" refers to EAGLE ELECTRONICS, a division of LEI, the manufacturer of this product. "You" or "your" refers to the first person who purchases this product as a consumer item for personal, family, or household use. We warrant this product against defects or malfunctions in materials and workmanship, and against failure to conform to this product's written specifications, all for one (1) year from the date of original purchase by you. WE MAKE NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER CONCERNING THIS PRODUCT. Your remedies under this warranty will be available so long as you can show in a reasonable manner that any defect or malfunction in materials or workmanship, or any non-conformity with the product's written specifications, occurred within one year from the date of your original purchase, which must be substantiated by a dated sales receipt or sales slip. Any such defect, malfunction, or non-conformity which occurs within one year from your original purchase date will either be repaired without charge or be replaced with a new product identical or reasonably equivalent to this product, at our option, within a reasonable time after our receipt of the product. If such defect, malfunction, or non-conformity remains after a reasonable number of attempts to repair by us, you may elect to obtain without charge a replacement of the product or a refund for the product. THIS REPAIR, OR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND (AS JUST DESCRIBED) IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AVAILABLE TO YOU AGAINST US FOR ANY DEFECT, MALFUNCTION, OR NON-CONFORMITY CONCERNING THE PRODUCT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY OTHER CAUSE WHATSOEVER. WE WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR OTHER INDIRECT DAMAGE OF ANY KIND. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty does NOT apply in the following circumstances: (1) when the product has been serviced or repaired by anyone other than us; (2) when the product has been connected, installed, combined, altered, adjusted, or handled in a manner other than according to the instructions furnished with the product; (3) when any serial number has been effaced, altered, or removed; or (4) when any defect, problem, loss, or damage has resulted from any accident, misuse, negligence, or carelessness, or from any failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance in accordance with the instructions of the owner's manual for the product. We reserve the right to make changes or improvements in our products from time to time without incurring the obligation to install such improvements or changes on equipment or items previously manufactured. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to state. REMINDER: You must retain the sales slip or sales receipt proving the date of your original purchase in case warranty service is ever required.

EAGLE ELECTRONICS PO BOX 669, CATOOSA, OK 74015 (800) 324-1354

How to Obtain Service

in the USA:
We back your investment in quality products with quick, expert service and genuine Eagle replacement parts. If you're in the United States and you have technical, return or repair questions, please contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Before any product can be returned, you must call customer service to determine if a return is necessary. Many times, customer service can resolve your problem over the phone without sending your product to the factory. To call us, use the following toll-free number:

800-324-1354

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, M-F
Eagle Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our shipping policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without notice.

in Canada:

If you're in Canada and you have technical, return or repair questions, please contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Before any product can be returned, you must call customer service to determine if a return is necessary. Many times, customer service can resolve your problem over the phone without sending your product to the factory. To call us, use the following toll-free number:

800-661-3983

905-629-1614 (not toll-free)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, M-F
outside Canada and the USA:
If you have technical, return or repair questions, contact the dealer in the country where you purchased your unit. To locate a dealer near you, visit our web site, www.eaglesonar.com and look for the Dealer Locator. 88
Accessory Ordering Information for all countries
To order Eagle accessories such as power cables or transducers, please contact: 1) Your local marine dealer or consumer electronics store. Most quality dealers that handle marine electronic equipment or other consumer electronics should be able to assist you with these items. To locate an Eagle dealer near you, visit our web site, www.eaglesonar.com and look for the Dealer Locator. Or, you can consult your telephone directory for listings. 2) U.S. customers: LEI Extras Inc., PO Box 129, Catoosa, OK 74015-0129 Call 1-800-324-0045 or visit our web site www.lei-extras.com. 3) Canadian customers can write: Lowrance/Eagle Canada, 919 Matheson Blvd. E. Mississauga, Ontario L4W2R7 or fax 905-629-3118.

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. Always use the original shipping container and filler material the product was packed in. 2. Always insure the parcel against damage or loss during shipment. Eagle does not assume responsibility for goods lost or damaged in transit. 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.

Transducer Installation

These instructions will help you install your Skimmer transducer on a 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. Your Skimmer transducer typically comes packaged with a one-piece stainless steel bracket for mounting it to the transom of your boat. The optional trolling motor mount uses a one-piece plastic bracket with an 7
adjustable strap. These are "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. Read these instructions carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the installation methods is right for your boat. Remember, the transducer location and installation is the most critical part of a sonar installation. Recommended Tools and Supplies If you prefer the option of routing the cable through the transom, you will need a 5/8" drill bit. If you intend to install an additional speed or temp sensor and route its cable through the same hole in the transom, you will need a 1" (25.4 mm) drill bit to accommodate all the cables. 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: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: none.
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.
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 8
grit sandpaper, specially formulated epoxy adhesive available from LEI (see ordering information on the inside portion of the back cover). A sandwich hull also requires polyester resin. Selecting a Transducer Location 1. The location must be in the water at all times, at all operating speeds. 2. The transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of water at all times. If the transducer is not placed in a smooth flow of water, interference caused by bubbles and turbulence will show on the sonar's display in the form of random lines or dots whenever the boat is moving. NOTE: Some aluminum boats with strakes or ribs on the outside of the hull create large amounts of turbulence at high speed. These boats typically have large outboard motors capable of propelling the boat at speeds faster than 35 mph. Typically, a good transom location on aluminum boats is between the ribs closest to the engine. 3. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. For shoot-thru applications: Many popular fishing boat hulls have a flat keel pad that offers a good mounting surface. On vee hulls, try to place the transducer where the deadrise is 10 or less.

Ratchets

Insert bolt and check transducer position on transom.
B. Two-piece bracket: Assemble the transducer and bracket as shown in the following figure. Temporarily slide the bolt though the transducer assembly but don't tighten the nut at this time. Hold the assembled transducer and bracket against the transom. Looking at the transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the "A" positions are correct for your hull. If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove and disassemble the transducer and ratchets. Place the ratchets into the bracket holes with the letter "B" aligned with the bracket alignment mark. Place them on the transducer aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem. Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place them against the transom. Again, check to see if you can move the transducer so it's parallel with the ground. If you can, then go to step 3B. If it doesn't, repeat step 2B, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly.

Bolt Flat washer

Lock washer Nut Flat washer
Assemble transducer and bracket.
3. Assembling the transducer. A. One-piece bracket: Once you determine the correct position for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the following figure. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time.

Nut Metal washer

Rubber washers Bolt

Metal washer

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! 16
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).
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 reassemble 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 caulking compound. Adjust the transducer so that it's parallel to the ground and tighten the nut until it touches the outer washer, then add 1/4 turn. Don't over 17
tighten the lock nut! If you do, the transducer won't "kick-up" if it strikes an object in the water.

Bottom of hull

Flat-bottom hull Deep-"vee" hull Align transducer centerline with hull bottom and attach transducer to transom. Rear view of dual-frequency Skimmer shown.
6. Route the transducer cable through or over the transom to the sonar unit. Make sure to leave some slack in the cable at the transducer. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from the engine's wiring, bilge pumps, VHF radio wires and cables, and 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 will be 5/8".
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 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! Trolling Motor Bracket Installation (single-frequency only) 1. Attach the optional TMB-S bracket to the transducer as shown in the following figure, using the hardware supplied with the transducer. (Note: The internal tooth washer is supplied with the TMB-S.)

Transducer location (high speed) Transducer location (trolling speed)
Shoot-thru-hull transducer locations for high speed or trolling speed operation.
To choose the proper location for shoot-thru-hull mounting, follow these 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 22
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.

True bottom

Second bottom

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 page 25.) 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. 23
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 22. 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.

Temp sensor

Power/transducer cable

3-amp fuse
Speed sensor or combo speed/ temp sensor. Temp sensor built into transducer. Sonar unit with external temp sensor, external speed sensor, or combo speed/temp sensor. The primary temperature sensor is built into the transducer.
Optional Speed Sensor Installation
All the units in this series can display speed and distance traveled, but only the SeaFinder 640c DF comes packed with a speed sensor. If you wish 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. 27
Recommended tools for this job include: drill, 5/8" 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 aboveor below-waterline caulking compound. 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 (not included). Use a high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline caulking compound 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.
If the base of the transom has a radius, fill the gap between the transom and the sensor with the caulking compound. This will help ensure a smooth water flow.

Transom

Bottom of hull Speed sensor mounting configuration: side view (left) and rear view (right.)
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 5/8". 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 accessory socket on the back of your unit. If you have any questions concerning the installation of the sensor, please contact your local boat dealer.

Power Connections

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. 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. 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.

To unit

Optional power off switch for saltwater installations
Black wire 12 volt battery

Red wire with 3 amp fuse

Power connections for the sonar unit.
WARNING: 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 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. 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. Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable You can install the sonar 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 mounting system. This converts the unit's gimbal bracket to a swivel mount, which can be used on the dash or overhead mounting positions. Installation instructions are supplied with the R-A-M mounting kits. 31

MENU|ENT and the Sensitivity Menu will appear on the left of your
screen. Use and to change the setting. Boosting sensitivity will show more information on your screen, which may cause clutter. Reducing sensitivity will filter out some information, but could omit important images. We recommend adjusting sensitivity until the background is lightly "peppered" that is, scattered dots appear, but individual objects (like fish arches or bottom structure) can be easily picked out of the background. 7. Watch the display for the appearance of fish arches. When you see 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 arches with the depth scale on the right side of the screen, or get a more accurate measure with the Depth Cursor. Press MENU| to DEPTH CURSOR|ENT. Press (or ) to align the cursor line with the fish arch. The exact 45
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 moving 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. 10. To turn off the unit, press and hold PWR key for three seconds.

Sonar Operations

As you can see from the quick reference, basic operation of this fish finder 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 are 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: Sensitivity set at 50 percent. Fig. 4: Sensitivity set at 100 percent.
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. 47
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.

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 off the digital bottom depth signals. No other targets will trip these alarms. These alarms can be used at the same time or individually.
Main Menu (left) with Sonar Alarms highlighted. The Sonar Alarms menu is shown at right. To adjust and turn on the Shallow Alarm: 1. Press ALARM| to Shallow Alarm DEPTH|ENT.
2. 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. 55
3. Press to Shallow Alarm ENABLED|ENT|EXIT. 4. To turn the alarm off press ALARM|ENT|EXIT. 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 ALARM| to Deep Alarm ENABLED| |DEPTH|ENT.
2. 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. 3. Press to ENABLED|ENT|EXIT. 4. To turn the alarm off press

ALARM|

ENABLED|ENT|EXIT.
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 ALARM| to Zone Alarm ENABLED| to ADJUST ZONE|ENT. UPPER LIMIT, then press or to move the top of the bar to the desired
2. To set the upper boundary for the Zone Alarm, use or to select
depth. 3. To set the lower boundary for the Zone Alarm, use or to select LOWER LIMIT, then press or to move the bottom of the bar to the desired depth. 56
Sonar Alarms menu (left) with Adjust Zone command selected. Adjust Zone Alarm selection box (right) with Upper Limit selected.
4. Press EXIT| to Zone Alarm ENABLED|ENT|EXIT. Now, any echo fish, bottom, structure within the zone alarm's depth range will trigger the zone alarm. 5. To turn the alarm off press

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. 62

Cursor line Depth box

Sonar Page menu (left) with Depth Cursor command selected. Sonar chart (right) with the depth cursor active. 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.

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 units 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.
Sonar Page menu (left) with Depth Range command selected. The Depth Range control scale is shown at right.
2. The Depth Range control scale appears. Press or to select a different depth range. A blue bar highlights the selected range. The lighter numbers 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 black bar highlights the selected range. 4. When the new range is selected, press EXIT to clear the menu.
To turn Auto Depth Range on again: From the Sonar Page, press MENU| to AUTO DEPTH RANGE|ENT|EXIT.
NOTE: The sonar's depth capability depends on the transducer installation, water and bottom conditions and other factors.

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.
Fish arches Structure In FasTrack, fish arches show as horizontal bars. Bottom signal ColorLine Sonar Page showing FasTrack. FasTrack bar graph

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. 65
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 be turned on. Does that mean Fish I.D. is broken? No, the feature is 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 various 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, dualfrequency menu; at right, single-frequency menu). When the check box to the right is checked the feature is on.
To turn the Fish I.D. feature on: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT. 2. Press to FISH SYMBOLS|ENT|EXIT|EXIT. To turn off Fish I.D., repeat the instructions in step 2.

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 MENU| to SONAR FEATURES|ENT. 2. Press to FISH DEPTHS|ENT|EXIT|EXIT. To turn off FishTrack, repeat the instructions in step 1. Turning off FishTrack in this manner will not turn off Fish I.D. symbols.

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. When in simulator mode, the unit periodically will display Simulated at the bottom of the Sonar Page. To use the simulator: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SIMULATOR|ENT.
Main Menu with Sonar Simulator command selected. The Simulator is turned off when the box is unchecked.
NOTE: If you turn the unit on 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 the unit on with a transducer attached. The simulator will continue to function normally.

Stop Chart

There may be a time when you 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 the unit back on. Press MENU| to STOP CHART|ENT|EXIT. To turn on sonar and start the chart scrolling again, repeat the previous step.
Sonar Menu with Stop Chart command selected. The box is unchecked, indicating that the chart is scrolling across the screen.

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.
Sonar Features menu with Surface Clarity selected (at left, dualfrequency menu; at right, single-frequency menu).
2. Press to select Surface Clarity|ENT.
In the illustration at left, Surface Clarity is turned off. The right view shows Surface Clarity set at High.

Transparency

Use the transparency menu to adjust the transparency of menu windows. A high transparency allows you to continue monitoring the sonar chart while adjusting feature settings, though the text of the menus may fade until it is unreadable. A low transparency will usually make menu text easier to read, at the cost of watching your sonar returns. 88

Weak bottom echo, digital readings erratic, or no fish signals: 1. Make sure the transducer is pointing straight down. Clean the face of the transducer. Oil, dirt and fuel can cause a film to form on the transducer, reducing its effectiveness. If the transducer is mounted inside the hull, be sure it is shooting through only one layer of fiberglass and that it is securely bonded to the hull. When attaching a transducer to the inside of a hull, ONLY use the epoxy available from LEI (order information is inside the back cover). Do NOT use RTV silicone rubber adhesive or any other type of epoxy. The LEI epoxy is specially formulated so that it will cure properly for shoot-through applications. 2. Electrical noise from the boat's motor can interfere with the sonar. This causes the sonar to automatically increase its Discrimination or noise rejection feature. This can cause the unit to eliminate weaker signals such as fish or even structure from the display. 3. The water may be deeper than the sonar's ability to find the bottom. If the sonar can't find the bottom signal while it's in the automatic mode, the digital sonar display will flash continuously. It may change the range to limits far greater than the water you are in. If this happens, place the unit in the manual mode, then change the range to a realistic one, (for example, 0-100 feet) and increase the sensitivity. As you move into shallower water, a bottom signal should appear. 4. Check the battery voltage. If the voltage drops, the unit's transmitter power also drops, reducing its ability to find the bottom or targets. Bottom echo disappears at high speeds or erratic digital reading or weak bottom echo while boat is moving 1. The transducer may be in turbulent water. It must be mounted in a smooth flow of water in order for the sonar to work at all boat speeds. Air bubbles in the water disrupt the sonar signals, interfering with its ability to find the bottom or other targets. The technical term for this is cavitation.
2. Electrical noise from the boat's motor can interfere with the sonar. This causes the sonar to automatically increase its Discrimination or noise rejection feature. This can cause the unit to eliminate weaker signals such as fish or even structure from the display. Try using resistor spark plugs or routing the sonar unit's power and transducer cables away from other electrical wiring on the boat. No fish arches when the Fish I.D. feature is off: 1. Make sure the transducer is pointing straight down. This is the most common problem if a partial arch is displayed. 2. The sensitivity may not be high enough. In order for the unit to display a fish arch, it has to be able to receive the fish's echo from the time it enters the cone until it leaves. If the sensitivity is not high enough, the unit shows the fish only when it is in the center of the cone. 3. Use the Zoom feature. It is much easier to display fish arches when zoomed in on a small range of water than a large one. For example, you will have much better luck seeing fish arches with a 30 to 60 foot range than a 0 to 60 foot range. This enlarges the targets, allowing the display to show much more detail. 4. The boat must be moving at a slow trolling speed to see fish arches. If the boat is motionless, fish stay in the cone, showing on the screen as straight horizontal lines. Noise A major cause of sonar problems is electrical noise. This usually appears on the sonar's display as random patterns of dots or lines. In severe cases, it can completely cover the screen with black dots, or cause the unit to operate erratically, or not at all. To eliminate or minimize the effects of electrical noise, first try to determine the cause. With the boat at rest in the water, the first thing you should do is turn all electrical equipment on the boat off. Make sure the engine is also off. Turn your sonar on, then turn off Noise Reject [also known as the ASP feature (Advanced Signal Processing)]. Sensitivity should be set at 90-95 percent. There should be a steady bottom 95

signal on the display. Now turn on each piece of electrical equipment on the boat and view the effect on the sonar's display. For example, turn on the bilge pump and view the sonar display for noise. If no noise is present, turn the pump off, then turn on the VHF radio and transmit. Keep doing this until all electrical equipment has been turned on, their effect on the sonar display noted, then turned off. If you find noise interference from an electrical instrument, trolling motor, pump, or radio, try to isolate the problem. You can usually reroute the sonar unit's power cable and transducer cable away from the wiring that is causing the interference. VHF radio antenna cables radiate noise when transmitting, so be certain to keep the sonar's wires away from it. You may need to route the sonar unit's power cable directly to the battery to isolate it from other wiring on the boat. If no noise displays on the sonar unit from electrical equipment, then make certain everything except the sonar unit is turned off, then start the engine. Increase the RPM with the gearshift in neutral. If noise appears on the display, the problem could be one of three things; spark plugs, alternator, or tachometer wiring. Try using resistor spark plugs, alternator filters, or routing the sonar unit's power cable away from engine wiring. Again, routing the power cable directly to the battery helps eliminate noise problems. Make certain to use the in-line fuse supplied with the unit when wiring the power cable to the battery. When no noise appears on the sonar unit after all of the above tests, then the noise source is probably cavitation. Many novices or persons with limited experience make hasty sonar installations which function perfectly in shallow water, or when the boat is at rest. In nearly all cases, the cause of the malfunction will be the location and/or angle of the transducer. The face of the transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of water at all boat speeds. Read your transducer owner's manual for the best mounting position.
Section 6: Supplemental Material FCC Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. Operation is 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.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the factory customer service department for help.