How Your GPS Works

You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how this unit scans the sky to tell you where you are on the earth and, where you're going. (But if you already have a working understanding of GPS receivers and the GPS navigation system, skip on ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories on page 9. If you're new to GPS, read on, and you can later impress your friends with your newfound knowledge.) First, think of your unit as a small but powerful computer. (But don't worry we made the series easy to use, so you don't need to be a computer expert to find your way!) The unit includes a keypad and a screen with menus so you can tell it what to do. The screen also lets the unit show your location on a moving map, as well as point the way to your destination. This gimbal-mounted unit uses an external antenna/receiver module, which makes the whole system work something like your car radio. However, instead of your favorite dance tunes, this receiver tunes in to a dozen GPS satellites circling the earth. (It will also listen in to the WAAS satellites in orbit, but more about that in the upcoming segment introducing you to GPS and WAAS.) Your unit listens to signals from as many satellites as it can "see" above the horizon, eliminates the weakest signals, then computes its location in relation to those satellites. Once it figures its latitude and longitude, the unit plots that position on the moving map shown on the screen. The whole process takes place several times a second! The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of every unit is a basic background map of the entire world. We lock it in here at the factory you can't change or erase this map. The background map is suitable for many navigation chores, but for maximum accuracy and much more detail, you need our optional mapmaking software, MapCreate. Some unit features such as searching for businesses and addresses won't work without a custom MapCreate map. There is so much detail in our background map (and even more in MapCreate) that we'll describe their contents and differences in Section 6, Basic GPS Operations, on page 99. NOTE: The LCX-28CHD, LCX-38 CHD and LCX-113CHD have NauticPath charts, Fishing Hot Spots Elite charts and all high detail custom maps preloaded onto a 30-Gigabyte hard drive. Therefore, if you own either the LCX-28CHD or the LCX-113CHD, you do not need to load any of those charts/maps into the unit. The unit can also use Navionics charts, but they must be loaded into the unit via a Navionics card. MMC and SD cards still will be necessary to log sonar chart data and to store GPS data files. 4

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. 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 21. 1. Make sure the area is clean, dry and free of oil or grease, then sand both the inside surface of the hull and the face of the transducer with 100 grit sandpaper. The sanded hull area should be about 1-1/2 times the diameter of the transducer. The surface of the hull must be flat so the entire transducer face is in contact with the hull prior to bonding. After sanding, clean the hull and transducer with rubbing alcohol to remove any sanding debris.

Spread epoxy here

Sand this surface (unit's face) Orient the Skimmer with the nose facing the bow of the boat. To bow
Epoxy transducer to hull.
WARNING: Use only the epoxy available from LEI. It has been formulated to work with these installation procedures. Other epoxy types may be too thin or may not cure to the right consistency for optimum transducer performance. 2. The epoxy consists of the epoxy itself and a hardener. Remove the two compounds from the package and place them on the paper plate. Thoroughly stir the two compounds together until the mixture has a uniform color and consistency. Do not mix too fast or bubbles will form in the epoxy. After mixing, you have 20 minutes to complete the installation before the epoxy becomes unworkable. Spread a thin layer of epoxy (about 1/16" or 1.5 mm thick) on the face of the transducer as shown in the previous figure. Make sure there are no air pockets in the epoxy layer! Then, apply the remaining epoxy to the sanded area on the hull. 3. Press the transducer into the epoxy, twisting and turning it to force any air bubbles out from under the transducer face. Stop pressing when you bottom out on the hull. When you're finished, the face of the transducer should be parallel with the hull, with a minimum amount of epoxy between the hull and transducer. 4. Apply a weight, such as a brick, to hold the transducer in place while the epoxy cures. Be careful not to bump the transducer while the epoxy is wet. Leave the weight in place for a minimum of three hours. Allow the epoxy to cure for 24 hours before moving the boat. 5. After the epoxy has cured, route the cable to the sonar unit and it's ready to use. 24

For the ultimate training aid, be sure to download the free emulator software for your unit. Aside from being just plain fun, this program can help you learn both basic and advanced operations without burning boat fuel! Lowrance is the first sonar manufacturer to provide this type of training tool for customers. This PC application simulates the actual sonar/GPS unit on your computer. You can run it from your computer keyboard or use your mouse to press the virtual keys. Easy download and installation instructions are available on our web site.
A free training emulator is available for your unit on our web site.
The emulator works exactly like your real sonar/GPS unit. Using the Sonar Simulator and GPS Simulator features, it allows you to play back sonar logs, run GPS routes and trails, even create real waypoints you can use in the field! You can even take snapshots of the Sonar Chart and print them or e-mail them to friends.
Section 4: Sonar Options & Other Features
Material in this section is arranged in alphabetical order. ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) The ASP feature is a noise rejection system built into the sonar unit that constantly evaluates the effects of boat speed, water conditions and interference. This automatic feature gives you the best display possible under most conditions. The ASP feature is an effective tool in combating noise. In sonar terms, noise is any undesired signal. It is caused by electrical and mechanical sources such as bilge pumps, engine ignition systems and wiring, air bubbles passing over the face of the transducer, even vibration from the engine. In all cases, noise can produce unwanted marks on the display. The ASP feature has four settings Off, Low, Medium and High. If you have high noise levels, try using the "High" ASP setting. However, if you are having trouble with noise, we suggest that you take steps to find the interference source and fix it, rather than continually using the unit with the high ASP setting. There are times when you may want to turn the ASP feature off. This allows you to view all incoming echoes before the ASP feature processes those echoes.

System Setup menu with Reset Options command selected (left). The Reset Options dialog box (right).
NOTE: Reset Options does not erase any waypoints, routes, plot trails, or sonar logs.

Reset Water Distance

The sonar chart's Digital Data display option includes a window that shows distance traveled, called Water Distance ("W Distance"). This information is calculated from an optional water speed sensor, not the GPS. The Water Distance window can be reset to zero using the Reset Water Distance command. Press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to RESET WATER DISTANCE|ENT. The menus are cleared and water distance is reset to 0.00.

Set Keel Offset

This unit measures water depth from the face of the transducer. Since the transducer is installed below the water surface, the depth displayed by the digital depth, chart depth scale, chart cursor or fish symbols is not exact. If the transducer is 1 foot below the surface, and the screen shows the water depth as 30 feet, then the actual depth is 31 feet. On sailboats or other large vessels with deep drafts, the distance between the transducer installation and the keel or lower engine unit can be several feet. In those cases, an inexact depth reading could result in grounding or striking underwater structure. The Keel Offset feature eliminates the need for the navigator to mentally calculate how much water is under his keel. Keel Offset lets you calibrate the digital depth: chart depth scale, chart cursor depth and fish symbol depth displayed on the screen. To calibrate the depth indicators, first measure the distance from the face of the transducer to the lowest part of the boat. In this example, we will use 3.5 feet. This will enter as a negative 3.5 feet, which makes the depth indicators perform as if the transducer's lower in the water than it really is. 84
1. Press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT. 2. Use to scroll down to KEEL OFFSET, then press ENT. The Keel Offset dialog box appears. Press to change the plus (+) sign to a minus () sign. 3. Press to the first number, then press to change the number to 3. 4. Press to the second number, then press to change that number to 5, then press EXIT. The depth indicators now accurately show the water depth beneath the keel. NOTE: If knowing the exact depth of water beneath the keel is less important, you can calibrate the depth indicators so that they show the actual water depth from surface to bottom. To do this, first measure the distance from the face of the transducer to the surface (the water line on the boat). In this example, we will use 1.5 feet. This will be entered as a positive 1.5 feet, which makes the depth indicators perform as if the transducer's higher in the water than it really is. 1. Press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT. 2. Use to scroll down to KEEL OFFSET, then press ENT. The Keel Offset dialog box appears with a plus (+) sign at the front of the box. 3. Press to the first number, then press to change the number to 1. 4. Press to the second number, then press to change the number to 5 and press EXIT. The depth indicator now accurately shows the water depth from surface to bottom.

Digital Data/Chart.

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, you will see the chart file name in the Sonar Page title bar and a play symbol will flash on and off at the right end of the title bar. To use the simulator: 1. From the Sonar Page, press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to SIMULATORS| ENT. 2. A tabbed menu will appear on screen. Press to SONAR SIMULATOR |
SONAR SIMULATOR ON | ENT.
NOTE: With Simulate Position checked, the simulator will also automatically run the GPS simulator (if GPS data was recorded with the sonar log). 89
Main Menu with System Setup command selected (left). Sonar Simulator menu, with simulator turned on (right).
3. To use the default sonar chart log stored in the unit, press to CHART USED | DEMO SONAR CHART.BLG | ENT | EXIT| EXIT | EXIT. The recorded chart begins scrolling across the screen, just as if you were on the water. 4. Turn off the Sonar Simulator by pressing MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to SIMULATORS|ENT| to SIMULATORS| ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR|
SONAR SIMULATOR ON | ENT | EXIT | EXIT | EXIT.
"Play" symbol flashing
Title bar with chart file name
The Sonar Page playing a recorded sonar chart in Simulator mode.
The Sonar Simulator can use sonar charts recorded (logged) on a MMC card (To see how, read the entry in this section on Log Sonar Chart Data). To play back a sonar chart, make sure the MMC containing the chart is installed, then: 1. Press MENU|MENU| to SONAR SETUP|ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR|ENT. 2. Press to CHART USED|ENT. 3. Use or to select chart name|ENT| to SONAR SIMULATOR ON|ENT|EXIT. While you're in the Sonar Simulator menu, don't forget to check Simulate Position if you want to run the sonar and GPS simulators simultaneously. As you review sonar logs, you can create waypoints to mark sites you want revisit. While the simulator is running, you can switch from one chart log to another by opening the Sonar Simulator menu and using the instructions in step 2 to select a different chart. NOTE: If you turn on your unit before attaching a transducer, it may enter a demo mode. The words "demo mode" flash on the bottom of the screen and a sonar chart plays much like the simulator. Unlike the simulator, the demo mode is for demonstration only, and will automatically stop as soon as you turn on the unit with a transducer attached. The simulator will continue to function normally. 90

Stop Chart

If you are running multiple units on a boat or using this unit in a car, there are times when you may want to turn off the sonar. This command turns off the sonar and stops the chart from scrolling. Sonar restarts automatically each time you turn on your unit. Press MENU| to STOP CHART|ENT|EXIT. To turn on sonar and start the chart scrolling again, repeat the above step.

The Over Zoomed notice in the top left corner means you have reached the maps detail limits for the area. Zooming in closer will reveal no more detail because a custom map has not been loaded on the MMC.
If you're using only the factory-loaded background map, the maximum zoom range is 20 miles. You can continue to zoom in closer, but the map will enlarge without revealing more map content (except for a few major city streets.) Load your own high-detail custom map made with MapCreate and you can zoom in to 0.05 miles.
Map Pages with high-detail MapCreate map. Arterial streets appear at the 6-mile zoom range with a few Point of Interest icons visible (left). Numerous Points of Interest dots are visible at 3-mile range, along with minor streets (center). At 0.6-mile zoom, you can see a interstate highway with an exit, major and minor streets as well as Point of Interest icons (right).
Background map vs. MapCreate map content The background map includes: low-detail maps of the whole world, containing cities, major lakes, major rivers, political boundaries, and medium-detail maps of the United States. The medium-detail U.S. maps contain: all incorporated cities, shaded metropolitan areas, county boundaries, shaded public lands (such as national forests and parks) and some major city streets. Also included 106
are Interstate, U.S. and state highways, large- and medium-sized lakes and streams and more than 60,000 navigation aids with 10,000 wrecks and obstructions in U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters. New for 2007 are more than 3,000 enhanced lake maps that show better defined shorelines, depth contours and other underwater features. NOTE: The LCX HD models have NauticPath charts, Fishing Hot Spots maps and all high detail MapCreate custom maps preloaded on a 30 gigabyte hard drive. If you own an HD model you do not need to load any of those high detail charts/maps into the unit. The unit can also use Navionics charts, but they must be loaded via a Navionics card. MapCreate custom maps include massive amounts of information not found in the background map. MapCreate contains: the searchable Points of Interest database, all the minor roads and streets, all the landmark features (such as summits, schools, radio towers, etc.); more rivers, streams, smaller lakes and ponds and their names. What's more important is the large-scale map detail that allows your GPS unit to show a higher level of position accuracy. For example, the background map would show you the general outline and approximate shape of a coastline or water body, but the higher detail in MapCreate shows the shoreline completely and accurately. Many smaller islands would not be included in the background map, but are in MapCreate.
Interstate Minor Streets Major Street Cursor line POI Pop-up, with position, distance and bearing data

Navigate To a Waypoint

You can select any waypoint visible on the Map Page with the cursor, then use the Navigate to Cursor command, which will be covered later in this section. You can avoid scrolling the map to pick your waypoint if you use the Find Waypoint commands: 1. Press WPT| to SAVED|ENT. To look up the nearest waypoint, press to NEAREST|ENT or, to look by name and scroll through the entire waypoint list, press ENT. For this example, well look by name. 2. If your waypoint list is a long one, you can spell out the waypoint name in the FIND BY NAME box. Press or to change the first character, then press to move the cursor to the next character and repeat until the name is correct, then press ENT to jump to the list below. 3. If the list is short, you can jump directly to the FIND IN LIST box by pressing ENT. Use or to select the waypoint name, press ENT and the waypoint information screen appears with the GO TO WAYPOINT command selected. 4. To begin navigating to the waypoint, press ENT.

Course line

Trail line
Off course range, set at 0.20 mile

Waypoint name

Navigation Page, navigating toward waypoint 001.
Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint
One of boating's most terrifying events is having a friend or family member fall overboard. It's particularly dangerous at night or if you're out of sight of land. Of course, the first thing to do is remain calm and use all standard safety procedures to rescue the person. This unit has a man overboard feature that shows navigation data to the location where the feature was activated. To activate it, press the ZOUT and ZIN keys at the same time. Your position at the time these keys are pressed is used as the man overboard position. Caution: Saving a new "Man Overboard" waypoint will erase the previous "Man Overboard" waypoint.
Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint
Find your way back to the accident position with the Navigation Page or Map Page. When MOB is activated, the Navigation Page automatically shows the compass rose with its bearing arrow pointing toward the man overboard position, and the destination name says "Going To Man Overboard." The Map Page displays a Man Overboard waypoint, represented by a human figure, and the steering arrow points where to steer to reach that position.
The cursor is redirected toward the Man Overboard position on the Map Page. The victim is astern of the vessel. The GPS shows which direction to steer for the rescue.
The man overboard position is also stored in the waypoint list for future reference. It can be edited the same as any other waypoint. To cancel navigation to MOB, press MENU|MENU| to CANCEL NAVIGATION|ENT| to YES|ENT. The unit stops showing navigation information.
Navigate to Cursor Position on Map
The GO TO CURSOR command navigates to the current cursor position on the map. It's a quick and handy way to navigate to anything you can see on the map display. 1. Use the cursor (controlled by the arrow keys) with the zoom in and zoom out keys to maneuver around the map until you find a location you'd like to visit. 2. Center the cursor over the location to select it. See the example in the following figure. Many map items such as waypoints, Points of Interest, towns, etc. can be "selected," and appear "highlighted" with a pop-up box. Other features, such as a river or a street intersection will not appear "highlighted," but the cursor will take you to those locations just the same.

Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files
Custom Maps Custom maps work only from the MMC card or SD card unless you have a hard drive model. When a card containing a Custom Map File is loaded into the unit, it automatically loads the map into memory when the unit is turned on. Instructions for copying Custom Map Files to a MMC are contained in the instruction manual for your MMC card reader and MapCreate software. For instructions on inserting a MMC into the Unit, see Sec. 2, Installation/Accessories. NOTE: To load a Navionics chart, see Sec. 8 for the entry Navionics Charts. GPS Data files: GPS Data Files contain waypoints, routes, trails and event marker icons. Instructions for copying GPS Data Files between your computer and a MMC are contained in the instruction manual for your MMC card reader and MapCreate software. GPS data automatically recorded in the unit's internal memory must be saved to the MMC (as a GPS Data File) in order to store it on your personal computer (If you have an HD model, these can also be save to the hard drive.). GPS Data Files stored on a MMC must be copied from the card to the unit's internal memory before the unit can read them. Here's how: 1. Insert the MMC into your unit. Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT| to TRANSFER MY DATA|ENT and the screen below appears.
The Transfer My Data submenu asks if you want to save data to the MMC or load data from the MMC into the unit's memory.
2. The Transfer My Data menu includes a message that tells you if a MMC is present or not. If no MMC is present, you must insert a card into the unit to activate the Load or Save commands. To transfer data from the unit to the MMC: press ENT (for SAVE.) To transfer data from the MMC to the unit: press to LOAD|ENT. 3. Saving to MMC: To accept the default name "Data" for the GPS Data File, press to SAVE DATA|ENT. If you wish to rename the file (as shown in the following figures), press ENT to activate the Data File name selection box. Press or to change the first character, then press to the next character and repeat until the name is correct. Then, press ENT| to SAVE DATA|ENT. The unit will display a completion message when the data transfer is finished. To return to the Page view, repeatedly press EXIT.
From left to right, these figures show the sequence for naming and saving a GPS Data File from the unit's memory to an MMC. 4. Loading to unit memory: There may be more than one GPS Data File (*.USR) on the card. To select a file, press ENT to activate the MMC Card selection box, use or to highlight the file, then press ENT. Next, press to LOAD|ENT. The unit will display a completion message when the data transfer is finished. To return to the Page view, press EXIT|EXIT|EXIT. Figure 1. Figure 2.
These figures show the menu sequence for loading a GPS Data File from an MMC into the unit's memory.
Save GPS Data to Hard Drive If you do not have a MMC or SD card but a LCX HD model, you can save any GPS data (trails, routes, waypoints and icons) to the unit's hard drive. To do this from the Map Page: 1. Press MENU| MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP 2. Press to TRANSFER MY DATA|ENT| ENT. A dialog box will appear on screen. In this dialog box, you can choose whether to save the data to the unit's hard drive or to a MMC card. 3. Press to SAVE DATA| Press ENT The data is now stored on the unit's hard drive. NOTE: If you do no have a MMC or SD card already in the unit, the data information will automatically save to the unit's hard drive. To retrieve the saved data information from the hard drive: 1. MENU | MENU| to BROWSE FILE | ENT| ENT 2. Scroll through the list of files to find the one you want 3. Press ENT| to PLAY|ENT|EXIT

Cancel Navigation

You can turn off any of the navigation commands after you reach your destination or at any other time by using the Cancel Navigation command. Press MENU|MENU| to CANCEL NAVIGATION|ENT| to YES|ENT.
Section 7: Advanced GPS Operations
Find Distance From Current Position
1. While on the Map Page press: MENU| to FIND DISTANCE|ENT. 2. To find the distance to a specific location, center your cursor over the position. A rubber band line appears, connecting your current position to the cursor's location. The distance along that line will appear in a pop-up box. The box also shows the bearing to location. 3. Press EXIT to return to regular operation.
The distance from Dallas to Little Rock is 292.2 miles (left). The distance from the boat's current position to the boat ramp is 0.58 miles (right).
Find Distance from Point to Point
You can also measure distance between two other points on the map. 1. While on the Map Page press: MENU| to FIND DISTANCE|ENT. 2. Center your cursor over the first position. (A rubber band line appears, connecting your current position to the cursor's location.) Press ENT to set the first point, and the rubber band line disappears. 3. Move the cursor to the second position. The rubber band line reappears, connecting the first point you set to the cursor. The distance along that line will appear in a pop-up box. 4. Press EXIT to clear the command and return to the page screen.
Icons are graphic symbols used to mark some location, personal point of interest or event. They can be placed on the map screen, saved and recalled later for navigational purposes. These are sometimes referred to as event marker icons. The unit has 42 different symbols you can pick from when creating an icon. 129
Icons are similar to waypoints, but they do not store as much information. You can't use a menu to navigate to icons like you can with waypoints. But, you can use the map cursor and navigate to any icon on the map. You can create an icon at the cursor position on the map, or at your current position while you are navigating. Create Icon on Map 1. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the place you want to make an icon. 2. Press ENT and the screen shows a "Select Icon Symbol" menu. 3. Press or or or to select your icon symbol, then press ENT. The icon appears on the map.

MapCreate is the easiest method for preparing a route, simply because your PC's larger screen, keyboard and mouse are easier to manipulate than the gimbal-mounted unit. To load a MapCreate route into the unit, follow the instructions in MapCreate's manual for creating and saving a route as part of a GPS Data File (file format *.usr). Copy the GPS Data File to an MMC and insert the MMC in the unit. (See Sec. 2 for instructions on installing MMCs. To load the GPS Data File into the Unit memory, see the entry on Transfer Custom Maps & GPS Data Files in Sec. 6, Basic GPS Operations.
Routes Created in the Unit
You can create a route by selecting saved waypoints from the waypoint list or you can set a series of route waypoints on the map with cursor arrows and the ENT key. In this example, we'll create a route from the map. 1. From the NAVIGATION PAGE (WITH DIGITAL DATA), press MENU|ENT or from the MAP PAGE, press MENU|MENU| to ROUTE PLANNING|ENT.
Route Planning command on Main Menu (left) will open the Route List screen (right).
2. Press or to route name|ENT| to (END OF ROUTE)|ENT| to ADD FROM MAP|ENT. The Map Page appears with the cursor showing.
Edit Route menu (left). Edit Route Waypoints menu (right) with Add From Map command selected.
3. Use the Zoom keys and arrow keys to move the map and cursor until the cursor is centered on the spot where you want your route to begin. 4. To set the first route waypoint press ENT. In this example, we moved to the intersection of 11th Street and 145th E. Ave. to start our route.

1. 2. 3.

Route creation sequence, from left: (Fig. 1) Set route waypoint (1) at 11th St. & 145th Ave. (Fig. 2) Move cursor north to set point (2) at 145th & Admiral. (Fig. 3) With point (2) set, move cursor east to mark interstate on-ramp with waypoint (3). In figures 2 and 3, notice the rubber band line extending from the previously set waypoint to the cursor. This line will become the course for the route. 4. 5. 6.
Route creation sequence, continued: (Fig. 4) Point (3) set at on-ramp. (Fig. 5) Waypoint (4) set at highway exit to frontage road leading to river. Waypoint (5) ends the route at a tree stand in a hunting area. (Fig. 6) Press EXIT to save the route and you return to this screen.
5. Move the cursor to the next point in the route, a spot where you need to turn or change direction, and press ENT to set the next waypoint. 6. Repeat step five until the route reaches the destination. 7. To save your route, press EXIT. The unit reverts to the Edit Route screen, with the route automatically named "Route 1" and stored in the unit's internal memory. In our example, Route 1 already existed, so the unit automatically made "Route 2." You can edit the route and run other commands, but if you are finished with the route for now, return to the last page shown by repeatedly pressing EXIT. Delete a Route 1. From the NAVIGATION PAGE (WITH DIGITAL DATA), press MENU|ENT or from the MAP PAGE press MENU|MENU| to ROUTE PLANNING|ENT. 2. Press to Saved Routes, use to select route, then press|ENT. 3. Press to NAVIGATE, then to DELETE|ENT| to YES|ENT.

Current Time Line

Height Scale MLLW Line Tide Table

Tide Information screen.

The Tide Information screen displays daily tidal data for this station on this date at the present time. The graph at the top of the screen is an approximate view of the tidal range pattern for the day, from midnight (MN) to noon (NN) to midnight (MN). The dotted line across the graph is the Mean Lower Low Water line (MLLW). The height scale on the top right side of the graph changes, based upon the maximum range of the tide for that day. The MLLW line also adjusts its position as the height scale changes. You can look up tidal data for other dates by changing the month, day and year selection boxes. To select another date: 1. Use to highlight month, day or year, then press ENT. 2. Use to select the desired month, day or year and press ENT. To clear the information screen, press EXIT.

Navionics Charts

Your unit can also display Navionics electronic charts on MMCs. Like NauticPath, Navionics charts contain tide and port service information. NOTE: The primary operational difference between a NauticPath chart and a Navionics chart is the way the chart data is set up for display. NauticPath charts are ready for display as soon as they are 159
inserted into the unit. Navionics charts must be inserted into the unit, then selected as a Map Choice option in the Map Data menu. To display a Navionics chart: 1. Install the Navionics MMC in the memory card compartment and turn on the unit. (For full card install instructions, see Sec. 2.) 2. From the Map Page, press MENU| to MAP DATA|ENT| to MAP CHOICE|ENT. Select the Map Name, then press ENT|EXIT|EXIT.
Navionics Map Choice highlighted. Press Ent to select the desired Navionics map from the Map Choice drop down box.
WARNING: You should never format the MMC containing your Navionics chart. Formatting the MMC will permanently erase the chart from the card.
To overlay information on your screen: 1. Press MENU| to OVERLAY DATA|ENT. 2. If you have overlay data on your display, youll see a list of that data on the overlay data shown menu. To add data, select (ENT TO ADD) and press ENT. The data viewer shows information categories with "+" or "" symbols next to each category name. A category with a "+" next to it is expandable, meaning its contents are hidden. Selecting the category name and pressing ENT will show the category's contents, so you can choose items within it. An expanded category (one with a "" next to its name) collapse to hide its contents. Just select the category and press ENT. 3. Expand any categories that might contain data you want to display. Then press or to select a data option. 4. With the data option highlighted, press ENT to check it (turn it on) or uncheck it (turn it off). As you turn it on, the data will appear on top of the screen. Every Page display has a maximum number of items you can show using the Overlay Data command. 5. After the desired changes are made, press EXIT|EXIT to return to the page display. To remove overlaid data: 1. While on the Page display that shows the item or items you want to remove, press MENU| to OVERLAY DATA|ENT. 2. You'll see a list of the overlay data currently displayed. Select the item you want to remove from your display and press ENT|ENT to remove the data. To remove another item, select the item and press ENT|ENT. 3. When you have finished removing all the items you want from the screen, press EXIT to return to the page display. 161

General Trail Options

To access the Trails Menu: Press MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT.
My Trails command (left); Trails Menu (left); Trail Options (right).
Delete All Trails To remove all of the trails from memory, from the Trails Menu, press to DELETE ALL|ENT| to YES|ENT. Update Trail Option This menu lets you change the way the trail updates occur. WARNING: If you uncheck the Update Trail option, automatic trail creation and recording will be turned off. You must turn it back on to record trails. The default setting is on. From the Trails Menu, press to OPTIONS|ENT. With UPDATE ACTIVE TRAIL highlighted, press ENT to check it (turn on) or uncheck it (turn off).
Update Trail Criteria (Auto, Time, Distance)
The options are automatic, time or distance. When it's in the default automatic mode, the unit doesn't update the plot trail while you're traveling in a straight line. Once you deviate from a straight line, the unit "drops" a plot point (trail waypoint) onto the trail. This conserves plot trail points. If a plot trail uses all of the available points allotted to it, the beginning points are taken away and placed at the end of the trail. From the Trails Menu, press to TRAIL OPTIONS|ENT| to UPDATE CRITERIA. Press or to select criteria type|ENT. If you selected Time, the Update Rate data entry box appears on the menu. If you selected Distance, the Update Distance data entry box appears on the menu.
Trail Update Rate (Time, Distance)
You can update a trail by time, with a range from 1 second to 9999 seconds; the default is 3 seconds. You can update by distance, with a range from 0.01 mile/nm/km to 9.99 mile/nm/km; the default is 0.10 miles. With one of the Update Criteria selected, use the cursor arrows to highlight either the UPDATE RATE (TIME) or UPDATE DISTANCE data entry boxes and press ENT. Press or to change the first character, then press to the next character and repeat until the entry is correct. Press EXIT to return to the Trail Options Menu. 172
Update Time Rate (left) and Update Distance(right). Specific Trail Options
Delete Trail To delete a specific trail, from the Trails Menu, press to Saved Trails|ENT. Select a trail and press ENT. The Edit Trail menu appears as seen in the following figure. Press to DELETE TRAIL|ENT| to YES|ENT.

Edit Trail menu.

New Trail To manually start a new trail in the Trails Menu make sure NEW TRAIL is highlighted and press ENT|EXIT. Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options The name, maximum number of points in the trail, activity, and visibility all are changed on the Edit Trail menu screen. The Active setting determines whether or not the unit is recording new points for a particular trail. On the Edit Trail menu, press or to highlight the section you wish to change, then press ENT. Make your changes, then press EXIT to close this menu. 173

Units of Measure

This menu sets the speed and distance (statute or nautical miles, meters), depth (feet, fathoms, or meters), temperature (degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius) and heading (true or magnetic) units. To change the units: Press MENU|MENU| to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT|ENT.

LCX-15

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

WWW.LOWRANCE.COM

Copyright 2000, 2002 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. LCX-15CI and LCX-15CT are trademarks of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Lowrance is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. WARNING! USE THIS UNIT ONLY AS AN AID TO NAVIGATION. A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION. Never use this product while operating a vehicle. CAUTION When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), this unit will show the shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to the waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not only take advantage of all available navigation tools when travelling to a waypoint, but will also visually check to make certain a clear, safe path to the waypoint is always available. The operating and storage temperature for your unit is from -4 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to +75 degrees Celsius). Extended storage temperatures higher or lower than specified will cause the liquid crystal display to fail. Neither this type of failure nor its consequences are covered by the warranty. For more information, consult the factory customer service department. All features and specifications subject to change without notice. Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated. NOTICE! Free software upgrades will be available on our website at http:// www.lowrance.com/lcx as they are released. Please check our website periodically for these and other information as they become available. Thank you for choosing Lowrance!
This device complies with Part 15 of the 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.
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. SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions (on bracket). Input Voltage.. Transmitter Frequency.. Maximum Output Power Operating and Storage Temperature. Waypiont.. Routes.. Icons..
9.6 W x 7.3 H x 3.7 D 10 - 15 vDC, 12-volt Nominal 200 kHz and 50 kHz 200 kHz - 500 watts (RMS) 50 kHz - 1,000 watts (RMS) -4 to +167 degrees Fahrenheit -20 to +75 degrees Celsius 1000
NMEA 2.0 GPS Sentences.. GLL, GGA, APB, RMB, RMC, GSA, GSV NMEA 2.0 Sonar Sentences. DBT, DPT, MTW, VLW, VHW

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION.. 1 ACCESSORIES.. 1 TRANSDUCERS.. 1 INSTALLATION... 2 Mounting.. 2 Power Connections... 3 NMEA/DGPS Wiring.. 4 Accessory Connections.. 5 Speed/Temperature Sensor.. 5 MMC.. 7 KEYBOARD... 8 SONAR OPERATION... 9 Pages.. 9 Full Sonar Chart.. 9 Split Zoom Chart.. 10 Split Frequency Sorna Chart. 10 Digital/Chart.. 10 Customizing the Digital/Chart Screen. 11 Menus... 11 Sonar Options.. 12 Sensitivity.. 12 Automatic Sensitivity. 12 ColorLine.. 13 Range - Automatic.. 13 Manual.. 14 Range - Upper/Lower Limits. 14 Zoom.. 15 Chart Stop.. 15 Chart Speed.. 15 Depth Cursor.. 15 Chart Data.. 16 Sonar Features.. 16 Transducer Frequency.. 17 Surface Clarity.. 17 Noise Rejection.. 17 Fish Symbols/Fish Depths. 18 Log Sonar Chart Data.. 19 Display Settings.. 19 Contrast/Backlight/Display Mode. 19 Audio.. 20 Alarms... 20 Depth Alarms.. 21 Zone Alarm.. 21 Fish Alarm... 22 Sonar Setup.. 22 Transducer Type.. 22 Keel Offset... 23 Calibrate Speed.. 23 Reset Water Distance. 23 Sonar Simulator.. 24 System Setup.. 24 Units of Measure. 24 Set Local Time.. 25 Communication Ports. 25 Configure DGPS.. 26 Configure NMEA. 26 Reset Options. 26 Popup Help.. 27 Hide GPS Features.. 27 Software Information.. 27 Sun/Moon Calculator.. 27 GPS OPERATION.. 28 Introduction to GPS.. 28 Finding Your Position.. 30 Auto Search.. 30 Manual Initialization.. 30 Position Acquisition.. 31 Require DGPS.. 32 PAGES.. 32 Status Screen. 32 Customizing the Status Screen. 33 Navigation Screen.. 33 Customizing the Navigation Screen. 34 Map.. 34 Full Map.. 35 Digital Data.. 35 Two Position Formats. 36 Two Maps.. 36 Map with Sonar.. 36 Cursor.. 36 Cursor Distance.. 37 Map Orientation.. 37 Auto Zoom.. 39 Range Rings/Grid Lines. 39 Map Data.. 39 Map Categories Drawn.. 40 Icons.. 40 Plot Trail... 41 Edit Trail.. 42 Navigate a Trail.. 42 Trail Options.. 44 New Trail.. 44 Delete All Trails.. 44 Waypoints.. 45 Saving Present Position.. 45 Saving Cursor Position.. 45 Saving a New Position.. 46 Edit Waypoint.. 46 Average Position.. 47 Waypoint Information.. 47 Waypoint Navigation. 48 Navigate to Cursor.. 48 Navigate to Waypoint using Map. 48 Man Overboard.. 49 Cancel Navigation.. 50 Routes... 50 Create a Route.. 51 Follow a Route.. 53 GPS Simulator.. 53 GPS Setup... 54 Coordinate System.. 54 Map Fix... 55 Datum.. 56 Position Pinning.. 57 GPS Alarms.. 58 Trip Calculator... 59 Timers/Alarm Clock.. 59 Sonar Troubleshooting.. 60 Warranty Information.. 63 Datum List.. 64 Database License Agreement. 67 Database Limited Warranty.. 68 Saving and Replaying a Sonar Record. 69 Transferring GPS Data to/from a MMC. 70

TO POWER CONNECTOR

POWER CABLE YELLOW SHIELD ORANGE BLUE BLACK WIRE RED WIRE 6-AMP FUSE

12-VOLT BATTERY

IMPORTANT! Do not use this product without a 6-amp fuse connected to the power cable! Failure to use a fuse will void your warranty.
To prevent electrical interference, route the power, transducer, and GPS cables away from other wiring, especially the engines wiring harness. VHF radio antenna cables radiate noise when transmitting, so be certain to keep the units wires away from it, also. NMEA/DGPS NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic equipment. For example, an autopilot can connect to the NMEA interface on the LCX-15CI/15CT and receive positioning information. DGPS is an acronym for Differential Global Positioning System. The most popular DGPS system relies on a grid of ground-based transmitters that send correction signals to DGPS receivers. These in turn, connect to the GPS receiver (such as the LCX-15CI/15CT with the LGC-12S GPS module). This gives more accurate positions than is otherwise possible. NMEA/DGPS Wiring The LCX-15CI/15CT has two NMEA 0183 version 2.0 ports. Com port one can be used for either NMEA or DGPS, Com port two is for NMEA output only. Comunications port one uses the yellow wire wire for transmit, the orange wire for receive. Comunications port two uses the blue wire for transmit. Both ports use the shield wire for signal ground. See the diagrams below for general wiring connections. Read your other products owners manual for more wiring information.

YELLOW (TRANSMIT)

RECEIVE TRANSMIT GROUND

COM-1 LCX-15CI/ 15CT

ORANGE (RECEIVE) SHIELD (GROUND)

TO BEACON RECEIVER

BLUE(TRANSMIT)

RECEIVE

COM-2 LCX-15CI/ 15CT

SHIELD (GROUND)

GROUND

TO OTHER DEVICE

ORANGE (RECEIVE)

NMEA TRANSMIT GROUND

FROM GPS RECEIVER
The LCX-15CI/15CT can accept position information from any GPS receiver that transmits NMEA 0183 data. Use the wiring diagram shown above for NMEA input to the LCX-15CI/15CT. See page 25 and 26 for NMEA and DGPS com port setup instructions. Accessory Connections The rear of this unit has three connectors: Power/Data, GPS, and Transducer. The power cable connects to the Power/Data connector, the cable from the GPS module goes to the GPS connector, and the transducer plugs into the Transducer connector.

PWR/DATA

LOWRANCE GPS MODULE

TRANSDUCER

Speed/Temperature Connections This unit can use a speed sensor in addition to up to three temperature sensors. All transom-mount Skimmer transducers have a temperature sensor built into them. To add another temperature sensor besides the one in the transducer requires a MY-4X Y adapter cable and a TS-2X temperature sensor. The transducer plugs into one end of the MY-4X, the TS-2X temperature sensor plugs into another, and the last end plugs into the SONAR port. The TS-2X temperature sensor has an extra connector for a TS-3X temperature sensor. This lets you have three temperature sensors, if desired. Note: Do not combine the temperature sensors in any order other than shown on the next page. For example, do not use two TS-3X temperature sensors in place of one TS-2X and one TS-3X sensors. Each sensor is programmed to work only on the channel its designed for.
Temperature and Speed/Temperature Installation Examples
X-15CI/15CT Sonar Connector
Y Adapter Cable (Packed with Speed/Temp Sensor)
To Transducer Temperature Sensor

To Transducer

Speed/Temp Sensor To Additional Temp. or Speed Sensors (if needed) To Additional Temp. Sensors (if needed)
MMC This unit can use up to two MMC (MultiMediaCard) cartridges. They store the maps, waypoint and route information, sonar data, and more.
To install a MMC cartridge, twist the drawer retainer counter-clockwise and pull. The drawer will come out of the unit. Place the MMC cartridge FACE DOWN. (see above) Slide the drawer back into the unit and twist the retainer clockwise. The MMC is now ready for use. For more information on saving and recalling sonar data to the MMC, see page 68. Map storage requires the MapCreate software and a MMC Interface. If your unit did not come with these, they are available for purchase separately. You can also store plot trails, icons, waypoints, and routes on a MMC. See page 69 for more information.
KEYBOARD The keyboard has keys arranged in two vertical columns beneath the arrow keys. The menu key near the bottom left corner of the keyboard activates the first menu page. The other keys are used to zoom the display, change modes, and other functions. ZOUT/ZIN - These keys zoom the map or the sonar screen in and out. PAGES - This key switches the unit between different sonar or GPS modes. WPT - Saves and recalls waypoints. MENU - Press this key to show the menus and gain access to most functions. EXIT - Clears menus and entries. ENT/ICONS - Used to select entries and accept menu selections. When a menu is not showing, pressing this key activates the ICON menu. PWR/LIGHT - Turns the unit on and off. When the unit is on, pressing this key turns the backlights on or off. Note: Pressing the PWR/LIGHT key repeatedly changes the backlight level. There are three levels available.

SONAR OPERATION

PAGES Turn the unit on by pressing the PWR/LIGHT key. If the sonar screen is not showing, press the PAGES key. A menu similar to the one at right appears. Press the left or right arrow key to highlight the Sonar label. This gives you four selections: Full Sonar Chart, Split Zoom Sonar Chart, Split (Dual) Frequency Sonar Chart, or Digital Data only. Once the desired menu is selected, press the EXIT key to erase the menus.
Full Sonar Chart This is the default mode used when the unit is turned on for the first time or when its reset to the factory defaults. The bottom signal scrolls across the screen from right to left. Depth scales on the right side of the screen aid in determining the depth of targets. The line at the top of the screen represents the surface.The bottom depth and surface temperature (if equipped with a temperature sensor) show at the top left corner of the screen. The FasTrak 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 thats zoomed when the zoom is in use. (See the Zoom section for more information.) The frequency of the transducer in use shows at the bottom of the screen.
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. In this example, the zoom range is 2X, or two times the right sides view.
Split Frequency Sonar Chart This chart shows sonar data from the 50 kHz transducer element (if equipped) on the left side of the screen, and data from the 200 kHz transducer element on the right. All features are the same as the Full Sonar Chart.
Digital/Chart This mode shows the chart on the right side of the screen. The left side has seven large digital boxes containing the Water Depth at the top of the screen, (with the shallow and deep alarm settings immediately beneath the depth) Water Speed (from an optional speed sensor), Water Distance (distance travelled or log) also requires a speed sensor. Surface Water Temperature, Temperature #2, Temperature #3, and input voltage. (Note: Temperature #2 and #3 require additional temperature sensors.)
Customizing the Digital/Chart Screen The Digital/Chart screen can be customized to show different digital data than the defaults shown on the screen at the bottom of page 8. To customize this screen, press the MENU key while the Digital/Chart screen is showing. Scroll down to the bottom of this menu to the Customize label and select it. The Water Speed bar flashes, signifying that the window can be changed. Press the ENT key to show a menu of available options. Choose the data that you want shown at this location, then press the ENT key to select it. To change another, simply press the down arrow key. The ID bar will flash on the selected box. Repeat the above steps until youre finished customizing. Press the EXIT key to stop the bar from flashing. MENUS This unit uses menus extensively to guide you through its functions and features. To use the menus, press the MENU key. (Note: There are two layers of menus. Pressing the MENU key once brings up the first set of menus, pressing the menu key again brings up the second set.) Use the arrow keys to navigate through the menus. Generally, to make a selection from a menu, highlight the desired item with the arrow keys, then press the ENT (enter) key. The EXIT key erases the menus. Note: There is a mode that splits the screen in half, with the map on the left and the sonar on the right. This screen can be found in the Map/Map With Sonar page. When this screen is activated, you will have to specify which side the menu key corresponds to. To do this, press the PAGES key twice while the Map With Sonar screen is showing. The black bar at the top of the screen will begin flashing above either the map or the sonar. Use the arrow key to select the side that you wish to assign the MENU key to. Press the EXIT key when youre finished. To reassign the menu key, repeat the above steps.

SONAR OPTIONS Sensitivity The sensitivity controls the ability of the unit to pick up echoes. A low sensitivity level excludes much of the bottom information, fish signals, and other target information. High sensitivity levels let you see this detail, but it can also clutter the screen with many undesired signals. Typically, the best sensitivity level shows a good solid bottom signal with Grayline and some surface clutter. The sensitivity is adjusted to keep a solid bottom signal displayed, plus a little more when the unit is in the automatic mode. This gives it the capability to show fish and other detail. However, situations occur where 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. The procedure to adjust it is the same whether the unit is in the automatic or manual mode. To adjust the sensitivity, press the MENU key, then select Sensitivity. The screen at right appears. The sensitivity control has a vertical adjustment bar. The number at the bottom of the bar shows the percentage of sensitivity in use. To increase the sensitivity level, press the up arrow key. As you press the key, the control knob will move upward and the percentage will increase in value. You can also see the difference on the chart record as it scrolls. When the sensitivity is at the desired level, release the key. To decrease the sensitivity level, press the down arrow key. The control knob will move downward and the percentage will decrease. When the sensitivity is at the desired level, release the key. When you reach either the maximum or minimum limit, a tone sounds. To erase the menu, press the EXIT key. Automatic Sensitivity The unit can adjust the sensitivity for you. It bases the sensitivity level on water depth and conditions. To turn this on, press the MENU key, then
select Auto Sensitivity and press the ENT key. To turn it off, repeat the above steps. Press the EXIT key to erase the menu. COLORLINE Colorline lets you distinguish between strong and weak echoes. It paints gray on targets that are stronger than a preset value. This allows you to tell the difference between a hard and soft bottom. For example, a soft, muddy or weedy bottom returns a weaker signal which is shown with a narrow, lighter colored colorline. A hard bottom returns a strong signal which causes a wide gray line. If you have two signals of equal size, one with color and the other without, then the target with color is the stronger signal. This helps distinguish weeds from trees on the bottom, or fish from structure.

STRONG SIGNAL

WEAKER SIGNAL

COLORLINE

Colorline is adjustable. Since Colorline shows the difference between strong and weak signals, adjusting the sensitivity may require a different Colorline level, also. The level chosen by the unit at power on is usually adequate for most conditions. Experiment with your unit to find the Colorline setting thats best for you. To adjust the Colorline level, press the MENU key, then select Colorline. The screen above appears. Use the up or down arrow keys to adjust the color level. You can see the change on the chart record as you press the keys. After youve finished, press the EXIT key to erase the menu. RANGE - Automatic When turned on for the first time, the bottom signal is automatically placed in the lower half of the screen. This is called Auto Ranging and is part of the automatic function. However, depending upon the bottom depth and the current range, you can change the range to a different depth. To do this, press the MENU key, then select Depth Range. The screen at right appears. Press the up or down arrow keys to select a different
range thats highlighted. The range numbers that are gray cannot be selected. When youre finished, press the EXIT key to erase the menu. RANGE - Manual You have complete control over the range when the unit is in the manual mode. To change the range, first turn the automatic depth range off by pressing the MENU key, then selecting Auto Depth Range, then press the ENT key to turn it off. Next, select Depth Range. Press the up or down arrow keys to select a different range. The available ranges are 0-10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 feet. After selecting the range, press the EXIT key to erase the range menu. NOTE: The sonars depth capability depends on the transducer installation, water and bottom conditions, and other factors. RANGE - Upper and Lower Limits Virtually any segment of the water can be displayed by using the upper and lower limit feature. This lets you pick the shallow and deep range limits that are shown on the screen, provided there is at least ten feet between the upper and lower limit. For example, a range from 12 feet to 34 feet. To change the upper and lower limits, press the MENU key, then select Upper and Lower Limits. A screen similar to the one at right appears. Upper Limit is highlighted. To select it, press the ENT key. To select the lower limit, press the down arrow key to highlight it, then press the ENT key. Once a limit window is selected, the range inside the window changes to zeros. Use the arrow keys to both select and change the numbers in the window. Press the ENT key to accept the change. Press the EXIT key when youre finished. The Upper and Lower Limit menu erases and the unit begins scrolling echoes across the screen using the new range values. Changing the upper and lower limits gives you far greater control over the range. This feature lets you zoom the display in virtually unlimited combinations. Virtually any segment of the water, from the surface to the bot14

DISPLAY SETTINGS Contrast/Backlight/Display Mode To adjust these settings, press the MENU key twice. This shows the second menu page. Highlight Screen at the top of the page and press the ENT key. The screen at right appears. Contrast is highlighted on this menu by default. To adjust it, press the ENT key and use the left or right arrow keys to change it. Press the ENT key when finished. To adjust the backlightings brightness, first turn it on by pressing the PWR key. Next, highlight the Backlight label, then use the arrow keys to adjust it. Press the ENT key when youre finished. Display Mode optimzes the LCD (liquid crystal display) for specific viewing conditions. Normally, it should stay in the default mode. However, the High Contrast mode may be useful for shaded light conditions and the Night Viewing mode for use at night. Select the Display Mode menu, press the ENT key, then select the desired setting from the drop-down menu. Press the ENT key when youre finished.
AUDIO The various sounds that the unit makes can be customized to your own taste. Press the MENU key twice, then select Sounds from the main menu. The screen at right appears. The volume control on the right side of the menu adjusts the audio level for all sounds. To change it, select Volume, press the ENT key, then adjust it using the arrow keys. Press the ENT key when youre finished. The unit sounds a tone when a key is pressed. To turn this off, select Key Press Sounds and press the ENT key. The same with Alarm Sounds. This silences the tone thats sounded when an alarm is triggered. Alarm Style lets you select the type of sound thats played when an alarm is triggered. Select Alarm Style, then press the ENT key. Choose the desired setting, then press the ENT key again. The setting is saved and will be played the next time an alarm sounds. ALARMS This unit has three different types of sonar alarms. The first is the Fish Alarm. It sounds when the Fish I.D. feature determines an echo or group of echoes is a fish. Another alarm is the Zone Alarm which consists of a bar. Any echo on the chart that appears inside this bar triggers this alarm. The last alarm is called the Depth Alarm. Only the bottom signal will trigger this alarm. This is useful as an anchor watch, a shallow water alert, or for navigation. To adjust an alarm, first press the MENU key twice, then select Alarms. Now select Sonar Alarms. The screen shown at right appears. Follow the instructions below for setting each alarm.

DEPTH ALARMS The depth alarms sound a tone when the bottom signal goes shallower than the shallow alarms setting or deeper than the deep alarms setting. For example, if you set the shallow alarm to ten feet, the alarm will sound a tone if the bottom signal is less than ten 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 alarms setting. Both depth alarms work only off the digital bottom depth signals. No other targets will trip these alarms. If you turn the digital sonar off, the depth alarms will be inoperative. These alarms can be used at the same time or individually. To adjust the shallow alarm, highlight the Depth label in the Shallow Alarm box. To adjust the deep alarm, highlight the Depth label in the Deep Alarm box. Both alarms adjust identically. Well use the shallow alarm as an example. Highlight the Depth label, then press the ENT` key. The screen shown at right appears. Use the up or down arrow keys to select the number, the right and left keys to move from number to number in the depth. For example, to set the shallow alarm depth to 10 feet, press the right arrow key until the next to last number is highlighted, then press the up arrow key once. The changes the second 0 to a 1. Next, press the right arrow key again and press the down arrow key once. This changes the 1 at the end of the number to a 0. The depth now shows 10 feet. Press the ENT key to accept this setting. The unit returns to the alarms menu, showing a shallow depth of 10 feet. Now you can activate the alarm by highlighting the Enabled label and pressing the ENT key. With the shallow alarm set at ten feet, anytime the digital depth display goes below ten feet, the shallow alarm sounds. Set the deep alarm in the same manner. If the digital depth reading goes below the deep alarm setting, the deep alarm will sound. 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 turn the zone alarm on,
highlight the Enabled box in the Zone Alarm box, then press the ENT key. To adjust the zone alarm, highlight the Adjust Zone label, then press the ENT key. A screen similar to the one at right appears. The zone alarm bar shows on the screen to the right of the zoom bar. Any echo - fish, bottom, structure, etc will trigger the zone alarm. To adjust the top of the zone bar higher or lower, highlight Upper Limit and press the ENT key. To adjust the bottom of the bar, highlight Lower Limit and press the ENT key. When the zone alarm is set, press the EXIT key to erase the menus. 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. A different tone sounds for each fish symbol size shown on the display. To turn the fish alarm on, select Fish Alarm from the sonar alarms menu and press the ENT key. Repeat the above steps to turn the fish alarm off. SONAR SETUP The Sonar Setup menu lets you select the transducer type, set the keel offset, calibrate the water speed sensor, reset the trip distance, and turn on the sonar simulator. To access this menu, press the MENU key twice, then select Sonar Setup. The screen at right appears. Transducer Type This unit can use three different types of transducers: 200 kHz only, 50 kHz only, or 50 kHz and 200 kHz (dual-frequency). The default is 50 kHz and 200 kHz. To change it, select Transducer Type from the Sonar Setup menu. Highlight the type of transducer installed, then press the ENT key to select it. Press the EXIT key to erase the menu.

Keel Offset Normally, this unit measures water depth from the face of the transducer. Since the transducer is below the surface of the water, this distance is not the exact water depth. If the transducer is one foot below the surface, and the screen shows the water depth as 30 feet, then the depth is actually 31 feet. You can calibrate the depth reading using the keel offset feature. First, highlight Set Keel Offset on the Sonar Setup menu, then press the ENT key. The screen shown at right appears. The current bottom depth shows in the upper left corner of the screen. The keel offset shows in the center of the screen. In this example, we need to change the keel offset so that the unit will add one foot to the depth, since the transducer is one foot below the surface. Press the right arrow key, then the up or down arrow keys until +1.0 appears in the box, then press the ENT key. This immediately adds one foot to the digital depth display at the top of the screen. The adjustment menu automatically erases when the ENT key is pressed. Note: Another way to use the keel offset feature is if you want to know the depth of the water below the lowest part of the boat, instead of the surface. To do this, measure the lowest part of the boat below the transducer. In this example, well use 3 feet. Now, using the keel offset feature, adjust the offset for a negative 3 feet. Please note that adjusting the keel offset only affects the digital depth display and all features that use the digital depth, such as the depth alarms and FishTrack. This doesnt affect the chart at all. Calibrate Speed The speed sensor can be calibrated to compensate for inaccuracies. To do this, select Calibrate Speed from the Sonar Setup menu. Now calculate the percentage that the speed is off and enter it into the Calibrate Speed window in the center of the screen. When finished, press the EXIT key to erase the window. Reset Water Distance The Digital Data page shows distance travelled which is calculated from a
speed sensor input - not the GPS. This distance (called Water Distance) can be reset to zero using the Reset Water Distance label on the Sonar Setup menu. Simply highlight Reset Water Distance and press the ENT key. The menus automatically erase and the water distance display is reset to 0.00. Sonar Simulator This unit has a built-in simulator that lets you use it as if you are on the water. All features and functions of the unit are useable. A message appears occasionally that alerts you to the fact that the simulator is on. To use this, select Sonar Simulator from the Sonar Setup menu. The screen at right appears. Turn the simulator on by highlighting Simulator On and pressing the ENT key. The simulator immediately begins operation. If you have a MMC installed, you can select previously saved charts to show instead of the standard one. Select the chart from the Charts Used menu. The unit will use the selected chart. When you are finished with the settings on this screen, press the EXIT key to erase the menus. SYSTEM SETUP Many of the units basic features can be changed from this menu. Press the MENU key twice, then select System Setup. The screen at right appears. Units of Measure This menu (shown at the top of the next page) sets the speed and distance (statute or nautical miles, meters), depth (feet, fathoms, or meters), temperature (degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius), and heading (true or magnetic) units.

Note: Reset Options does not erase any waypoints, routes, or plot trails. Popup Help Help is available for virtually all of the menu labels on this unit. By highlighting a menu item and leaving it highlighted for a few seconds, a popup message appears that describes the function of the the menu item. This feature is on by default. To turn it off, highlight Popup Help from the System Setup menu, then press the ENT key. To turn it on again, repeat the above steps. Hide GPS features If there is no GPS receiver attached to this unit, then the GPS menus and features can be hidden from view by selecting Hide GPS Features on the System Setup menu. The default is on. To turn them on again, select Show GPS Features from the System Setup menu. Software Information To view the version number of the operating system, select Software Information from the System Setup menu. A screen appears with the system information. Press the EXIT key to erase this screen. SUN/MOON CALCULATOR This unit has a sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset calculator that shows this information anywhere and anytime in the world. To use it, press the MENU key twice, then select Sun/Moon Calculator. The screen shown at right appears. The calculations for both are done at the same time. The sun and moon data for todays date appear above their respective symbols. The moon symbol shows the approximate phase of the moon. Todays date shows at the top of the screen. If you want to know the sunrise/sunset for a different date, change it by selecting the month, day, or year by pressing the ENT key, then enter the new date with the arrow keys. The unit recalculates the sun and moon data for the date you entered. The sun and moon data show for your present position. To choose a dif
ferent location, select Choose Position and enter the new position. The unit recalculates the sun and moon data for the location that you entered. Press the EXIT key to erase this screen.

GPS OPERATION

NOTE: A LGC-12S GPS module or an external GPS receiver with NMEA output must be attached to this unit in order to use the position and navigation features. WARNING! Use this product only as an aid to navigation. A careful navigator never relies on only one method to obtain position information. CAUTION This GPS receiver (like all GPS navigation equipment) will show the shortest, most direct path to a waypoint. It provides navigation data to the waypoint, regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not only take advantage of all available navigation tools when travelling to a waypoint, but will also visually check to make certain a clear, safe path to the waypoint is always available. INTRODUCTION TO GPS The Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the United States Department of Defense as a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year global navigation system for the military. Civilian availability was added (but with less accuracy) using the same satellites. Twenty-four satellites orbit the Earth. Three of these satellites are spares, unused until needed. The rest virtually guarantee that at least four satellites are in view nearly anywhere on Earth at all times.

FINDING YOUR POSITION Auto Search To lock onto the satellites, the GPS receiver needs to know its current position, UTC time, and date. (Elevation (altitude) is also used in the equation, but its rarely required to determine a position.) It needs this data so that it can calculate which satellites should be in view. It then searches for only those satellites. When your GPS receiver is turned on for the first time, it doesnt know what your position or elevation (altitude) is. It does know the current UTC time and date since these were programmed into it at the factory and an internal clock keeps the time while the unit is turned off. (If the time and/or date are incorrect, you can set it using the Set Local Time menu. See page 23 for more information.) It begins searching for the satellites using the above data that it acquired the last time it was turned on. This probably was at the factory. Since its almost certain that youre not at our factory, its probably looking for the wrong satellites. If it doesnt find the satellites its looking for after five minutes, it switches to Auto Search. The receiver looks for any satellite in the sky. Due to advanced technology, the auto search time has shrunk to about five minutes, so the longest time you should ever have to wait is ten minutes from the time you turn the unit on until it locks onto the satellites and shows a position. Once the unit locks onto the satellites, it should take less than a minute to find your position the next time its turned on, provided you havent moved more than approximately 100 miles from the last location it was used. The Auto Search function can be started at any time. Press the MENU key twice, then select GPS Auto Search. A new menu appears, Perform GPS AutoSearch. Highlight Yes and press the ENT key. The menus disappear and the unit will begin the auto search. Manual Initialization If you dont want to wait for the Auto Search, then you may be able to speed up the initialization process by using the manual initialization feature. Using this feature tells the unit its approximate position. Once it knows its location, it determines exactly which satellites should be in view and starts looking only for those satellites. To manually initialize the unit, press the PAGES key. Using the arrow keys, select Status. Press the EXIT key to erase the menu. The screen at
right appears. Now press the MENU key. Select INITIALIZE GPS. A screen similar to the one below right appears. Use the arrow keys to move the crosshairs to your approximate location on the map. You can use the ZIN and ZOUT keys to enlarge the map which makes it easier and faster to find your location. The box at the bottom of the screen shows the latitude and longitude of the cursor position. A box pops up on the screen, showing the name of the nearest highway (if a MMC with a map is installed) along with the distance and bearing from the last known position. Once you have the crosshairs on your location, press the ENT key. The unit returns to the satellite status screen. Using this manual initialization method loads a position thats close to yours into the GPS receiver. It should now have position, time, and date, thereby giving it the data it needs to determine which satellites are in view. Once the satellites are known, the receiver searches for only those satellites, making a lock faster than an auto search method. All position and navigation data flashes until the unit acquires a position. Do not rely on any data that is flashing! When the numbers are flashing, they represent the last known values when the unit lost its lock on the satellites. Position Aquisition When the receiver locks onto the satellites and calculates a position, it shows the message Position Acquired on the screen. Once the unit has acquired the satellites and the position acquired message appears, its ready for use. (Note: The altitude data may still flash even if the unit shows a Position Acquired message and all other data is not flashing. The unit must be locked onto at least four satellites to determine altitude. It only takes three satellites to determine position. You can navigate with this unit if the alti

DATABASES LIMITED WARRANTY
We, our, or us refers to Lowrance Electronics, Inc., the manufacturer of this product. You or your refers to the first person who purchases the product as a consumer item for personal, family, or household use. The Databases Limited Warranty applies to the one or more databases that your product may contain. We refer to each of these as a Database or together as the Databases. Your product may thus include the WBS Database which contains worldwide background surface mapping data, the SmartMap Database which contains inland mapping data, or other Databases. We warrant to you that we have accurately compiled, processed, and reproduced the portions of the source material on which the Databases are based. However, we are under no obligation to provide updates to the Databases, and the data contained in the Databases may be incomplete when compared to the source material. WE MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE SOURCE MATERIAL ITSELF, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. If there is a defect in any Database, your exclusive remedy shall be, at our option, either a refund of the price you paid for the product containing the defective Database or a replacement of such product. 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 owners 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. Your remedies under this warranty will be available so long as you can show in a reasonable manner that the defect occurred within one (1) year from the date of your original purchase, and we must receive your warranty claim no later than 30 days after such 1-year period expires. Your claim must be substantiated by a dated sales receipt or sales slip.