Pub. 988-0151-421 www.eaglesonar.com
FishEasy 250 DS & SeaFinder 250 DF
Fish-Finding & Depth-Sounding Sonars
Installation and Operation Instructions
Copyright 2006 LEI-Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Eagle Electronics. Any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited. Eagle is a registered trademark of LEI 250 & Seafinder 250 are registered trademarks of LEI.

FishEasy

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.
For free owner's manuals and the most current information on this product, its operation and accessories, visit our web site:

www.eaglesonar.com

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

Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction...1 Specifications: FishEasy 250 DS & SeaFinder 250 DF..1 How Sonar Works...3 Preparations....4 Section 2: Installation & Accessories..7 Recommended Tools and Supplies..7 Selecting a Transducer Location...8 How low should you go?..9 Shoot-thru-hull vs. Transom Mounting..10 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting..11 Trolling Motor Bracket Installation...15 Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches..16 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation...18 Shoot-thru-hull Installation...21 Power and Cable Connections..22 Mounting The Sonar Unit: In-Dash or Bracket..24 Portable Installation...27 Portable Transducer Assembly...28 Section 2: Operation...31 Keyboard Basics...31 Memory....32 Menus...32 Display...33 Full Chart...34 FasTrack...35 Depth Range....36 Zoom....37 Sensitivity...38 Grayline....40 Chart Speed...42 Frequency...43 Fish I.D...44 i
FishTrack...46 Alarms....47 Fish Alarm...47 Depth Alarms...47 Shallow Alarm...48 Deep Alarm....49 Battery Alarm...49 Noise Rejection and ASP...50 Depth Display...52 Temperature Display...52 Voltage...54 Units....54 Backlight...54 Contrast....55 Simulator....55 Set Language...56 Software Information...56 Reset Options...57 Troubleshooting...59

Section 1: Introduction

Thank you for buying an Eagle sonar! Your unit is a high-quality sonar designed for both professional and novice fishermen. All Eagle sonars have an automatic mode that finds and displays the bottom, fish, underwater structure and more right out of the box. All you have to do is press the on (PWR) key. To get started with your Eagle sonar, first read the installation section. It contains instructions for mounting the sonar unit, the transducer and any optional accessories, such as a speed sensor. Following recommended installation practices will pay off in optimum performance of your Eagle sonar. Improper installation can cause problems down the road, especially if the transducer is badly mounted. After you've read the installation instructions, install the unit and accessories. Then, read the rest of the manual. The more you know about your sonar, the better it will work for you.
Capabilities and Specifications: FishEasy 250 DS & SeaFinder 250 DF
General Case size:.. 5.4" H x 6.9" W x 3.4" D (13.8 cm H x 17.6 cm W x 8.6 cm D). Sealed and waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. Display:..4.5" (11.4 cm) Film SuperTwist LCD display, 4-level gray scale definition with GRAYLINE. Resolution:..240V x 240H pixel resolution; 57,600 total pixels. Backlighting:.Backlit screen and keypad for night use. Input power:.10 to 17 volts DC. Current drain:.110 ma lights off; 250 ma lights on. 1

Dual Search & Dual Frequency
The FishEasy 250 DS is packed with a Dual Search Skimmer Transducer that can transmit at 83 kHz and 200 kHz. The SeaFinder 250 DF has a dual frequency transducer that transmits at 50kHz and 200kHz.
A new innovation, the 83 kHz frequency offers superior sonar performance at all depths from very shallow up to 1,000 ft and provides up to 120 of fishfinding coverage.

Preparations

You can install the sonar system in some other order if you prefer, but we recommend this installation sequence: Caution: You should read over this entire installation section before drilling any holes in your vessel! 1. Determine the approximate location for the sonar unit, so you can plan how and where to route the cables for the transducer and power. 4
This will help you make sure you have enough cable length for the desired configuration. 2. Determine the approximate location for the transducer and its cable route. 3. Determine the location of your battery or other power connection, along with the power cable route. 4. Install the transducer and route the transducer cable to the sonar unit. 5. Install the power cable and route it to the sonar unit. 6. Mount the sonar unit.
Section 2: Installation & Accessories
These instructions will help you install your Skimmer transducer on a transom, on a trolling motor or inside a hull. 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 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 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. The following installation types also call for these recommended tools and required supplies (supplies are not included):

Transom installation

Tools include: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, flathead screwdriver. Supplies: high quality, marine grade above- or belowwaterline sealant compound.
Trolling motor installations
Tools: two adjustable wrenches, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: plastic cable ties. 7
Shoot-through hull installations
Tools: these will vary depending on your hull's composition. Consult your boat dealer or manufacturer. Supplies: 100 grit sandpaper, good quality epoxy adhesive. Selecting a Transducer Location 1. The transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of water at all times. If the transducer is to be mounted inside the hull, then the chosen location must be in the 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 location on aluminum boats is between the ribs closest to the engine. 2. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. 3. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make sure it doesn't interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don't mount it closer than approximately one foot from the engine's lower unit. This will prevent cavitation (bubble) interference with propeller operation. 4. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from engine wiring, bilge pumps and aerators can be displayed on the sonar's screen. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires.

CAUTION: Clamp the transducer cable to transom near the transducer. This will help prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed. Good location
Poor location Good location Good location Poor angle Good and poor transducer locations.
How low should you go? For most situations, you should install your Skimmer transducer so that its centerline is level with the bottom of the boat hull. This will usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protection from bangs and bumps.

Transom

Transducer centerline
Hull bottom Align transducer centerline with hull bottom.
If you want to adjust the transducer slightly higher or lower, the slots in the mounting brackets allow you to loosen the screws and slide the 9
transducer up or down. If you frequently lose bottom signal lock while running at high speed, the transducer may be coming out of the water as you cross waves or wakes. Move the transducer a little lower to help prevent this. If you cruise or fish around lots of structure and cover, your transducer may be frequently kicking up from object strikes. If you want, you may move the transducer a little higher for more protection. There are two extremes you should avoid. Never let the edge of the mounting bracket extend below the bottom of the hull. Never let the bottom the face of the transducer rise above the bottom of the hull. Shoot-thru-hull vs. Transom Mounting In a shoot-thru-hull installation, the transducer is bonded to the inside of the hull with epoxy. The sonar "ping" signal actually passes through the hull and into the water. This differs from a bolt-thru-hull installation (often called "thru-hull"). In that case, a hole is cut in the hull and a specially designed transducer is mounted through the hull with a threaded shaft and nut. This puts the transducer in direct contact with the water. Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of transducer damage from floating objects, as there is with a transommounted transducer. A transducer mounted inside the hull can't be knocked off when docking or loading on a trailer. The shoot-thru-hull installation does have its drawbacks, though. First, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same hull. This is caused by differences in hull lay-up and construction. Second, the transducer angle cannot be adjusted for the best fish arches on your sonar display. Lack of angle adjustment can be particularly troublesome on hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds. 10

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 will need to turn off Auto Sensitivity, Auto Depth Range and ASP. Try a range setting that is two to three times the water depth. The harder (more rocky) the bottom, the easier it will be to get a second bottom signal. Do not touch the controls once they have 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 to 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. 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 not 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 will 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 are satisfied with a location, mark it and proceed with the installation.
Transducer location (high speed) Transducer location (trolling speed)
Shoot-thru-hull transducer locations for high speed or trolling speed operation.
Shoot-thru-hull Installation 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 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. 21
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 are 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. Power and Cable 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. 22
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.
To unit Optional power off switch for saltwater installations

Grayline scroll bar.

If you have two signals of equal size, one with gray and the other without, then the target with gray is the stronger signal. This helps distinguish weeds from trees and fish from structure.

Thin or no Grayline

Wider Grayline
A small amount of Grayline indicates a soft bottom (left), probably sand or mud. More Grayline indicates a harder, rocky bottom (right).
Grayline is adjustable. Since Grayline shows the difference between strong and weak signals, adjusting the sensitivity may also require a different Grayline level. 41
The default level of Grayline is usually adequate for most conditions. Experiment with the unit to find the Grayline setting best for you. To change the Grayline level, repeatedly press MENU until the GRAYLINE scroll bar appears. Press to increase Grayline, to decrease it. The effects of the Grayline adjustment will be shown by echoes on the screen. If you reach the maximum or minimum level, a tone will sound. Press PWR to clear the menu.

Chart Speed

The speed at which echoes scroll across the screen is called the chart speed. The default for this unit is "max" (100 percent). We recommend you leave the scroll speed setting there for most fishing conditions.

Chart Speed scroll bar.

You, however, might consider experimenting with chart speed when you are stationary or drifting very slowly. Sometimes, you may achieve better images as you decrease the chart speed to match the speed of your boat. If you are at anchor, ice fishing or fishing from a dock, experiment with a chart speed of 25 percent. If you are drifting slowly, try a chart speed of 50 percent. When you are stationary and a fish swims through the 42
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. To adjust Chart Speed, repeatedly press MENU until the CHART SPEED scroll bar appears. Press to increase the speed of the chart. Press to decrease it. Press PWR to clear the menu. To return to the original setting, repeat the steps above, but use to set the speed to 100% before clearing the menu.

Frequency

The FishEasy 250 DS has a Dual Search transducer that can transmit signals at 83 kHz and 200 kHz. The SeaFinder 250 DF is packed with a Dual Frequency transducer that transmits at 50 kHz and 200 kHz. The 200 kHz signal is best used in shallow water (about 300 feet or less). This frequency is the best choice for about 80 percent of the fresh and salt water sport fishing applications. When you get into very deep salt water, up to 1,000 feet, the 83 kHz or 50kHz frequencies will work best. The 200 kHz transducer offers better detail and definition, but less depth penetration. With the 83 kHz or 50 kHz frequencies, you will not get as much detail or definition, but will benefit from greater depth penetration. The 83 kHz also has up to 120 of wide fish-finding coverage. Remember, all sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than in salt water.

FishEasy 250 dual search frequency menu (left). SeaFinder 250 dual frequency menu (right).
To switch the Frequency, repeatedly press MENU until the Frequency menu appears. Press or to select the desired frequency. Press PWR to clear the frequency menu from the screen.

Fish I.D.

The Fish I.D. feature displays as fish targets that meet certain conditions. The microcomputer analyzes all echoes and eliminates surface clutter, thermoclines and other undesirable signals. The Fish I.D. feature displays symbols on the screen in place of the actual fish echoes. There are three symbol sizes: small, medium and large. These show the relative size between targets. In other words, it displays a small fish symbol when it thinks a target is a small fish, a medium fish symbol on a larger target and so forth. Fish I.D., the default setting for your unit, is an easier way for a sonar novice to recognize a fish signal return when he sees it. But, locating fish by symbol only does have some limitations.
Your sonar unit's microcomputer is sophisticated, but it can be fooled. It can not distinguish between fish and other suspended objects such as trotlines, turtles, submerged floats, air bubbles, etc. Individual tree limbs extending outward from a group of limbs are the hardest objects for the Fish I.D. feature to distinguish from fish.

Fish arches

Fish I.D. symbols
Underwater scene in normal fish arch mode (left). Fish I.D. menu with the feature turned on (right).
To see what is under your boat in maximum detail, we recommend you turn off Fish I.D. and begin learning to interpret fish arches. You may see Fish I.D. symbols on the screen when actually, there are no fish. The reverse is also true Fish I.D. can actually miss fish that are present. 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 "see" beneath the boat under varied water and fishing conditions. Practice with the unit with the Fish I.D. mode on and off to become more skilled at interpreting sonar returns. Fish I.D. is most handy when you are in another part of the boat or performing some task that prevents you from watching the sonar screen. 45
Then, you can turn on Fish I.D. and the audible fish alarm. When that lunker swims under your boat, you will hear it! Fish I.D. can also be useful when you want to screen out some of the sonar detail gathered by your unit. For example, it can help cut through the clutter of suspended bubbles caused by wave action or boat wakes. To turn Fish I.D. on or off, repeatedly press MENU until the FISH ID menu appears. Press to select ON or OFF, then press PWR to clear the menu from the screen.

FishTrack

The FishTrack feature shows the depth of a fish symbol when it appears on the display. To turn it on, repeatedly press MENU until the FISH ID menu appears. Press to select TRACK ON, then press PWR. To turn it off, repeat those steps, then press to select OFF. If you want to turn off FishTrack, but leave Fish I.D. on, press to select ON, then press PWR. Remember, Fish I.D. must be on to use the FishTrack feature.
Fish I.D. symbols showing FishTrack depth indicator
Fish ID menu and symbol with FishTrack on. The fish is 44 feet deep.

Alarms

Your sonar unit has four alarms: fish, shallow, deep and battery. NOTE: If one of the alarms goes off, press PWR to silence the alarm. It will remain silent until it is triggered again.

Fish Alarm

The Fish Alarm sounds a tone when a fish symbol appears on the screen. The Fish I.D. feature must be turned on for fish alarms to work. To turn on Fish I.D., repeatedly press MENU until the FISH ID menu appears. Press to select ON, then press MENU UP and the FISH ALARM menu will appear. Press to select ON and press PWR. To turn off the fish alarm, repeatedly press MENU until the FISH ALARM menu appears. Press to select OFF, then press PWR to clear the menu.

Fish Alarm menu.

Depth Alarms
The depth alarms are triggered only by the bottom signal. No other echoes will activate these alarms. The depth alarms consist of a shallow and a deep alarm. The shallow alarm sounds an alarm when your 47
vessel enters water that is more shallow than the alarm's setting. The deep alarm sounds a tone your vessel enters water that is deeper than the alarm's setting.

Shallow Alarm

To set the shallow alarm depth, repeatedly press MENU until SHALLOW ALARM appears.
Shallow Alarm menu (left). Shallow Alarm Value Dialog box (right).
Press to SET VALUE. The Shallow Alarm Value dialog box will appear. Use to enter the first number in the dialog box, then press MENU DOWN to move to the next digit. Repeat those steps until the desired depth has been entered in the dialog box. To move the cursor back to any of the previously entered numbers, press MENU UP. Press PWR to return to the Shallow Alarm menu. Use to select ON, which will turn on the alarm, then press PWR to clear the menu. When your vessel enters water more shallow than the alarms setting, an alarm will sound and a message will appear on the screen. If the alarm goes off, press PWR to shut it off. It will remain silent until it is triggered again. 48
To turn off the alarm, repeatedly press MENU until the SHALLOW ALARM menu appears. Press to OFF, then press PWR to clear the menu.

Deep Alarm

To set the deep alarm depth, repeatedly press MENU until DEEP ALARM appears.
Deep Alarm menu (left). Deep Alarm dialog box (right).

Press the to SET VALUE. The Deep Alarm Value dialog box will appear. Use to enter the first number in the dialog box, then press MENU DOWN to move to the next digit. Repeat those steps until the desired depth has been entered in the dialog box. To move the cursor back to any of the previously entered numbers, press MENU UP. Press PWR to return to the Deep Alarm menu. Press to select ON, which will turn on the alarm, then press PWR to clear the menu. When your vessel enters water deeper than the alarms setting, an alarm will sound and a message will appear on the screen. Press PWR to silence the alarm.

Battery Alarm

To set the battery alarm depth, repeatedly press MENU until BATTERY ALARM appears. 49
Battery Alarm menu (left). Low Battery Alarm Value (right).
Press the to SET VALUE. The Low Battery Alarm Value dialog box will appear. Input a voltage value between 7 and 18 volts. Use the keys to enter the first number in the dialog box, then press MENU DOWN to move to the next digit. Repeat those steps until the desired value has been entered in the dialog box. To move the cursor back to any of the previously entered numbers, press MENU UP. Press PWR to return to the Battery Alarm menu. Use to select ON, which will turn on the alarm, then press PWR to clear the menu. If the voltage value falls below the alarms setting, the alarm will sound and a message will appear on the screen. Press PWR to silence the alarm.

Noise Rejection and ASP

The ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) feature is a noise rejection system built into the sonar unit. It constantly evaluates the effects of boat speed, water conditions and electrical interference and automatically gives you the best display possible under most conditions. ASP 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, wiring, air bubbles passing 50
over the face of the transducer and even vibration from the engine. In all cases, noise can produce unwanted marks on the display.

Noise Rejection menu.

The ASP noise rejection feature is especially useful because, typically, it lets you operate the boat at all speeds without adjusting the sensitivity or other controls. The ASP feature has three settings Off, Low and High. When first turned on, noise rejection is set on low. If you have high noise levels, try using the high ASP setting. If, however, you are having trouble with noise, we suggest 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 off ASP. This allows you to view all incoming echoes before they are processed by the ASP feature. To change the ASP setting, repeatedly press MENU until the NOISE REJECTION menu appears. Use to select the desired setting, then press PWR to clear the menu.

Depth Display

Depth may be displayed on the screen in a small, medium or large size or can be turned off completely. To display Depth: Repeatedly press MENU until the DEPTH menu appears. Use to select the size of the depth display. Press PWR to clear the menu.
Depth menu with Depth display turned off (left). Depth display set to Medium (right).

Temperature Display

Temperature may be displayed on the screen in a small or medium size or can be turned off completely.
Temperature menu (left). Temperature display set to small size (right).
To display Temperature: Repeatedly press MENU until the TEMPERATURE menu appears. Use to select the size of the temperature display. Press PWR to clear the menu.
Voltage menu with the voltage display turned off (left) and with voltage set to a small display size (right).

Voltage

The Voltage menu allows you to display battery voltage on the screen in a small or medium size or can be turned off completely. To display voltage: Repeatedly press MENU until the VOLTAGE menu appears. Use to select the size of the voltage display. Press PWR to clear the menu.
The Units menu allows you to switch units of measure between Feet and Fahrenheit and Meters and Celsius. To switch units of measure, repeatedly press MENU until the Units menu appears on the screen. Use to select the desired unit of measure FEET or METERS. Press PWR to clear the menu from the screen.
Units set to Feet, which displays temperature in Fahrenheit (left). Units set to Meters, which shows the temperature in Celsius. (right)

Backlight

The display's backlight allows the unit to be used at night. To turn the backlight on or off, repeatedly press MENU until the BACKLIGHT menu 54
appears. Press to turn on the backlight or to turn it off. Press PWR to clear the backlight menu from the display.
Backlight turned on (left). Contrast scroll bar (right).

Contrast

The contrast of the unit's display may be adjusted to suit different lighting conditions. It will help you see the screen from different angles or at various times of the day. To adjust the contrast, repeatedly press MENU until the CONTRAST scroll bar appears. To decrease screen contrast, press or to increase the level of contrast, press. If you reach the maximum or minimum contrast level, a tone will sound. Press the PWR key to clear the menu.

Simulator

This unit has a built-in simulator that shows simulated sonar returns with fish signals. This lets you practice with the unit as if you were on the water. All the unit's functions and features are usable when operating in simulator mode. A message appears occasionally to remind you the simulator is on. To use the simulator, repeatedly press MENU until the SIMULATOR menu appears. Press to turn on the simulator or press to turn it off. 55

Press PWR to clear the menu. The simulator will be automatically turned off when you power off the unit.
Simulator menu (left). Languages menu (right).

Set Language

This unit's menus are available in 11 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Czech, Dutch and Finnish. To select a language: 1. Repeatedly press MENU until the Languages menu appears. 2. Use to select the desired language. All menus now appear in the language you selected. Press PWR to clear the menu from the screen.

Software Information

To show the unit's software system information, repeatedly press MENU until the SOFTWARE INFORMATION screen appears. Press PWR to clear the screen.

Reset Options

This command is used to reset all features, options and settings to their original factory defaults. This is useful when you have changed several settings and want to reset the unit to basic automatic operation. First, turn off the unit. Next, press and hold and the MENU DOWN key at the same time, then press the PWR key. Release the keys as the unit powers up. The unit will turn on with the factory settings restored.

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 turns on only in simulator mode: There is a problem with the transducer or the transducer cable. Check the cable for damage. 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. 59
Weak bottom echo, digital readings erratic, or no fish signals: 1. Make certain 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. Do NOT use RTV silicone rubber adhesive or Marine-Tex epoxy. 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. 60

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.

Shipping Information

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

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Eagle Pub. 988-0151-421 Printed in USA 042006
Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved LEI-Eagle

news release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Wegrzyn Mgr. PR & Advertising 800.324.4871 / 918.438.8622 stevew@lowrance.com
New Eagle 83/200 kHz Dual-Search (DS) Sonar Delivers Wider and Deeper Fishfinding Affordably
Catoosa, Okla. Eagle Electronics, Americas top-selling brand of sportfishing sonar, has unveiled new sonar models producing wider and deeper fish finding coverage with the introduction of the fullsize FishEasy 250 DS, and the compact FishEasy 245 DS. Sounding at user-selectable frequencies of 200 kHz or 83 kHz, the new Eagle Dual-Search (DS) models deliver excellent target detail and separation in both shallow water, and to depths of 800 feet. With such depth versatility, both models offer optimum fish-finding performance from inland fresh water, to deeper Great Lakes, to coastal salt water applications. All new DS models employ a compact, dual-beam Skimmer 83/200 kHz transom-mount transducer producing coverage of up to 120 with 83 kHz, and up to 60 with 200 kHz. Easy to install, the patented, hydrodynamic Skimmer transducer design delivers sounding performance at higher speeds, and travels smoothly through the water at boat speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts). The new FishEasy 250 DS touts a 4.5 diagonal Film SuperTwist display with 240 x 240 pixel resolution, while the FishEasy 245 DS offers a 4 diagonal Film SuperTwist display with 240 x 160 pixels in a convenient, space-saving case design. Both are rated 1,500 watts peak-to-peak power (188 watts RMS), and a packed with impressive sonar features including Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) for hands-free operation, patented GRAYLINE, Advanced Fish I.D. and FishTrack, split screen zoom, back up memory, and more. In addition, all models are surprisingly affordable. The fullsize FishEasy 250 DS features a suggested retail price of $129.99. The compact FishEasy 245 DS is $99.99, and is also offered in a complete, just-add-AA batteries Portable package that includes the Skimmer transducer with suction cup mount for $129.99. The FishEasy 250 DS and 245 DS are completely sealed and waterproof for harsh saltwater environments, and feature a full one-year warranty. For more information on the complete line of Eagle Electronics performance products and where to buy, visit www.eaglesonar.com or call 1-800-324-1354. ###

E AGLE E LECTRONICS

P.O. B OX 669

C ATOOSA OK 74015-0669

918.437.6881

www.eaglesonar.com