Pub. 988-0143-832 www.eaglesonar.com
FishEasy 245DS, FishEasy 245DS Portable & SeaFinder 245DS
Fish-Finding & Depth-Sounding Sonars
Installation and Operation Instructions
Copyright 2007 LEI-Eagle All rights reserved. Eagle is a registered trademark of LEI FishEasy 245DS is a registered trademark of LEI
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.
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.
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

Introduction....1 Specifications: FishEasy 245DS & SeaFinder 245DS..1 How Sonar Works...3 Preparations....4 Installation...5 Recommended Tools and supplies...6 Selecting a Transducer Location...6 How low should you go?..8 Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting..9 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting..10 Trolling Motor Bracket Installation...15 Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches..16 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation...18 Testing Determines Best Location..19 Shoot-Thru-Hull Installation...21 Power Connections (permanent mount only).22 Mounting the Sonar Unit: In-Dash, Bracket or Portable.24 Bracket Installation...24 Portable Sonar Installation...28 Installing the Batteries...29 Mounting the Unit....30 Portable Transducer Assembly...31 Portable Transducer Storage..33 Operation...35 Keyboard Basics...35 Memory....36 Menus...36 Display...37 Full Chart...38 Depth Range....38 Zoom....39 Sensitivity...41 i
Grayline...43 Chart Speed...45 Frequency...46 Fish I.D...47 FishTrack...49 Alarms....49 Fish Alarm...49 Depth Alarms...50 Shallow Alarm...50 Deep Alarm....51 Battery Alarm...52 Noise Rejection and ASP...53 Depth Display...54 Temperature Display...55 Voltage...56 Backlight...56 Contrast....57 Simulator....57 Set Language...58 Software Information...58 Reset Options...58 Troubleshooting...61

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 245DS, FishEasy 245DS Portable & SeaFinder 245DS
General Case size:..5.8" H x 4.3" W x 2.5" D (14.7 cm H x 10.8 cm W x 6.6 cm D) sealed, waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. Display:..High-contrast Film SuperTwist LCD. Diagonal viewing area: 4" (10.16 cm). Resolution:..240 pixels (vert.) x 160 pixels (horiz.) resolution; 38,400 total pixels Backlighting:.incandescent backlit screen Input power:.10 to 17 volts DC. Current drain:.170 ma lights off; 240 ma lights on. 1

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.
Transducer centerline Transom
Hull bottom Align transducer centerline with hull bottom.
There, however, are times when you may need to adjust the transducer slightly higher or lower. (The slots in the mounting brackets allow you 8
to loosen the screws and slide the transducer up or down.) If you frequently lose bottom signal lock while running at high speed, the transducer may be coming out of the water as you cross waves or wakes. Move the transducer a little lower to help prevent this. If you cruise or fish around lots of structure and cover, your transducer may be frequently kicking up from object strikes. If you wish, you may move the transducer a little higher for more protection. There are two extremes you should avoid. Never let the edge of the mounting bracket extend below the bottom of the hull. Never let the bottom the face of the transducer rise above the bottom of the hull. Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting In a shoot-thru-hull installation, the transducer is bonded to the inside of the hull with epoxy. The sonar "ping" signal actually passes through the hull and into the water. This differs from a bolt-thru-hull installation (often called "thru-hull"). In that case, a hole is cut in the hull and a specially designed transducer is mounted through the hull with a threaded shaft and nut. This puts the transducer in direct contact with the water. Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of damage from floating objects. It can't be knocked off when docking or loading on the trailer. However, the shoot-thru-hull installation does have its drawbacks. First, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same hull. This is caused by differences in hull lay-up and construction. Second, the transducer angle cannot be adjusted for the best fish arches. This can be a problem on hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds. Third, a transducer CAN NOT shoot through wood and metal hulls. Those hulls require either a transom mount or a thru-hull installation. 9

Internal tooth washer Bolt Nut TMB-S bracket
Flat washer Attach motor mounting bracket to transducer.
2. Slide the adjustable strap supplied with the TMB-S through the slot in the transducer bracket and wrap it around the trolling motor. 15
Position the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the water. Tighten the strap securely. 3. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the trolling motor shaft. Make sure there is enough slack in the cable for the motor to turn freely. Route the cable to the sonar unit and the transducer is ready for use.
Transducer mounted on trolling motor, side view.
Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches If you do not get good fish arches on your display, it could be because the transducer is not parallel with the ground when the boat is at rest in the water or at slow trolling speeds.

Partial fish arches

Transducer aimed too far back
Transducer aimed too far forward
Full fish arch Proper transducer angle Transducer angles and their effects on fish arches.
If the arch slopes up but not back down then the front of the transducer is too high and needs to be lowered. If only the back half of the arch is printed, then the nose of the transducer is angled too far down and needs to be raised. NOTE: Periodically wash the transducer's face with soap and water to remove any oil film. Oil and dirt on the face will reduce the sensitivity or may even prevent operation. 17
Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation
Hulls with Flotation Materials
The transducer installation inside a fiberglass hull must be in an area that does not have air bubbles in the resin or separated fiberglass layers. The sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. A successful transducer installation can be made on hulls with flotation materials (such as plywood, balsa wood or foam) between layers of fiberglass if the material is removed from the chosen area. See the figure below. WARNING: Do not remove any material from your inner hull unless you know the hull's composition. Careless grinding or cutting on your hull can result in damage that could sink your boat. Contact your boat dealer or manufacturer to confirm your hull specifications.
Fill with resin Flotation material Fill with resin Inner hull

Epoxy to hull first

Outer hull
Epoxy the transducer to a solid portion of the hull.
For example, some (but not all) manufacturers use a layer of fiberglass, then a core of balsa wood, finishing with an outer layer of fiberglass. Removing the inner layer of fiberglass and the balsa wood core exposes the outer layer of fiberglass. The transducer can then be epoxied directly to the outer layer of fiberglass. After the epoxy cures for 24 hours, fill the remaining space with polyester resin. When the job is finished, the hull is watertight and structurally sound. Remember, the 18

CAUTION: When using the unit in a saltwater environment, we strongly recommend that you shut off the power supply to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When the unit is turned off but still connected to a power supply, electrolysis can occur in the power cable plug. This may result in corrosion of the plug body along with the electrical contacts in the cable and the unit's power socket. In saltwater environments we recommend you connect the power cable to the auxiliary power switch included in most boat designs. If that results in electrical interference, or if such a switch is not available, we recommend connecting direct to the battery and installing an inline switch. This will let you shut off power to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When you are not using the unit, you should always shut off power to the power cable, especially when the power cable is disconnected from the unit.
To unit Red wire with 3 amp fuse
Black wire 12 volt battery
Power connections for the FishEasy 245 and SeaFinder 245DS sonar units (direct battery connection shown).
If possible, keep the power cable away from other boat wiring, especially the engine's wires. This will provide the best isolation from electrical noise. The power cable has two wires, red and black. Red is the 23
positive lead, black is negative or ground. Make sure to attach the inline fuse holder to the red lead as close to the power source as possible. For example, if you have to extend the power cable to the battery or power buss, attach one end of the fuse holder directly to the battery or power buss. This will protect both the unit and the power cable in the event of a short. It uses a 3-amp fuse. Caution: Do not use this product without a 3-amp fuse wired into the power cable! Failure to use a 3-amp fuse will void your warranty. This unit has reverse polarity protection. No damage will occur if the power wires are reversed. However, the unit will not work until the wires are attached correctly. Mounting the Sonar Unit: In-Dash, Bracket or Portable You can install the sonar unit on the top of a dash with the supplied bracket. This unit can be installed in a dash with the optional FM-6 indash adapter kit. The FM-6 kit includes an instruction sheet, part 9880147-631, which contains a template for cutting out the mounting hole. This document can be downloaded free from the www.eaglesonar.com web site. Bracket Installation Recommended tools for this job include: drill, 1" (25.4 mm) drill bit, screwdriver. Required supplies for this job include: high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline caulking compound, three #10 stainless steel screws. Screw length and type should be suitable for the material on which you intend to mount the bracket. Mount the unit in any convenient location, provided there is clearance when its tilted for the best viewing angle. You should also make sure there is enough room behind the unit to attach the power/transducer cable. (See the following drawings, which show the dimensions of a gimbal-mounted FishEasy 245DS and SeaFinder 245DS sonar unit.) 24

Holes in the brackets base allow wood screw or through-bolt mounting. You may need to place a piece of plywood on the back side of thin panels to reinforce the panel and secure the mounting hardware.

107.5 [4.23] 82.7 [3.26]

156 [6.26]

12.09 [0.48]

76.9 [3.03]

Millimeter [Inch]

70.3 [2.77]
Front view (left) and side view (right) showing dimensions of the FishEasy 245DS and SeaFinder 245DS when mounted on quick release bracket.
Drill a 1" (25.4 mm) hole in the dash for the power/transducer and accessory cables. The best location for this hole is immediately under the gimbal bracket location. This way, the bracket can be installed so that it covers the hole, holds the cables in position and results in a neat installation. Some customers, however, prefer to mount the bracket to the side of the cable hole it's a matter of personal preference. After drilling the hole, pass the connectors up through the hole from under the dash. If you wish, you can fill in the hole around the cable with 25
a good marine caulking compound. (Some marine dealers stock cable hole covers to conceal the opening.)
Using the Quick Release Mounting Bracket
These units use a quick release mounting bracket. When you run the cables through the bracket's cable slots, make sure you allow enough slack for tilting the unit and attaching the connector. (The snug fit of the push-on waterproof connector requires some force to attach.) Align the bracket over the cable hole with the cable slots facing away from you and fit the cable through one of the slots. Fasten the bracket to the dash using the three screw holes.
Ratchet Rear (away from viewer) Screw hole

Power/transducer cable

Cable slot
FishEasy 245DS and SeaFinder 245DS quick release mounting bracket. Slots in the base allow routing the cable from beneath the mount.
Attach the unit to the bracket by first connecting the power/transducer and accessory cables. Then, hold the sonar unit vertically and slide it onto the bracket from above. (The back of the unit should be touching 26
the front of the bracket as you lower it into position.) As you push down, the unit will lock into place with a distinct click. To adjust the viewing angle, pinch the ratchets with one hand, then tilt the unit with your other hand. Release the ratchets and the unit locks into the new position. To dismount the unit for storage, press the ratchets and lift the unit off the bracket.

Bracket front

Mount the sonar: slide the unit onto the bracket from above.
Depress ratchets to release
Adjust viewing angle: use one hand to press and release the springloaded ratchets while you move the unit with the other hand.
Portable Sonar Installation
Like many Eagle products, the FishEasy 245DS and SeaFinder 245DS sonar units are capable of portable operation. They use the optional PPP-12 portable power pack. The power pack and portable transducers expand the uses for your sonar. You can use your unit on your boat or take it to the dock, on a float tube, on an ice fishing trip or use it as a second sonar in a friend's boat. The PPP-12 package includes the power pack, battery adapter and a portable transducer. The transducer can be stored inside the power pack. The PPP-12 requires eight AA alkaline batteries. Batteries are not included. To use a portable power pack, you install the batteries and then attach the sonar unit to the power pack's bracket. Plug in the power/transducer cable and you're ready to fish. The PPP-12 has a quick-release mounting bracket built into the case.
Installing the Batteries Open the case and lay it flat. (The latch is located below the handle.) Insert eight "AA" size batteries into the battery adapter and place it in the battery compartment. Slip the battery cover tabs into the slots in the case wall, then close the battery cover with the thumb screw.
Route this cable through opening
Cable slot in case wall Install batteries in battery compartment (left). Attach power cable, and route wires as shown (right).
Plug the cable's power (dog bone-shaped) connector into the socket on the battery compartment cover. Route the cable's unit connector and about 6 inches (15.2 cm) of cable through the opening under the sonar mount. Close the case bottom, using the slot in the case wall to avoid pinching the cable. Turn the unit over to mount the sonar. CAUTION: When using the sonar in a saltwater environment, we strongly recommend that you unplug the power connector from the battery socket 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.

Mounting the Unit

A quick-release mount is built into the top of the portable power pack. To attach the unit, first plug in the cable connector. Then, hold the sonar unit vertically and slide it onto the bracket from above. (The back of the unit should be touching the front of the bracket as you lower it into position.) As you push down, the unit will lock into place with a distinct click.

Portable transducer installed on boat transom.
Portable Transducer Storage There is room inside the power pack for the portable transducer. When you're finished fishing, tilt the sonar down to the storage position. Open the case and lay it flat. Unplug the power connector from the battery compartment socket. Wrap the transducer cable around the suction cup, then stow the transducer on top of the battery compartment cover. Close the case and your equipment is ready for transport.
Stow transducer on top of battery cover.

Operation

Keyboard Basics
The unit sounds a tone when you press any key. This tells you the unit has accepted a command. Numbers in the figure correspond to key explanations below:

Eagle FishEasy 245 DS.

1. PWR/CLEAR In this manual, the Power/Clear key is referred to as PWR. Press this key to turn the unit on and off. It also clears menus and menu selections from the screen. To clear a menu from the screen, press PWR. NOTE: Hold the PWR key down for five seconds to turn off the unit. 2. MENU UP & MENU DOWN These keys appear in the manual text as MENU UP or MENU DOWN. Most of the time, you can press either of the menu keys, so in those cases, the text uses the word MENU. Usually, when the instructions say MENU, you can press the MENU UP key for consistency. The MENU UP key cycles forward through the menus. The MENU DOWN key moves backward through the menus. To check out the menus, repeatedly press a MENU key to scroll through them. 3. UP & DOWN ARROWS ( ) These Up and Down arrow keys are referred to as (DOWN) or (UP) in this manual. You will use these keys to adjust most features and functions on your unit.

Memory

This unit has permanent memory that saves the following user settings when power is turned off: Units of Measure, Temp Size, Depth Size, Fish I.D. mode, Noise Reject mode, Range mode, Zoom, Sensitivity, Grayline, Chart Speed, Battery Alarm, Display Contrast, Backlight, Language, Fish Alarm, Battery Alarm and Shallow and Deep alarms. It does not require, nor does it use an internal backup battery, so you never have to worry about replacement batteries.
This unit's menus will guide you through its various functions and features. Menu names and settings appear in the manual as small capital letters like SENSITIVITY, which refers to the Sensitivity menu. 36

The MENU keys access these features, allowing you to customize unit settings. To switch menus, press MENU repeatedly. Press PWR to clear menus from the screen.
The Backlight menu with backlight turned on.

Display

The lights will flash for about 10 seconds when the unit is turned on. The backlight menu will appear on the screen. Use the ARROW keys to turn the backlight on or off. Press PWR to clear the menu from the screen. The unit will show the Full Chart Page or mode. The Fish I.D. fish symbol feature is on by default. The depth range is displayed as the upper and lower limit on the left side of the screen. In the following figure, the screen shows a depth range from 0 to 80 feet and the bottom depth is 36.9 feet, shown by the digital sonar. The water temperature is 34.5 F.
Digital depth Water Temp Bottom signal Depth range at bottom of depth scale
Surface signal Fish symbols Structure or cover Grayline
Opening screen, Full Chart page, or mode. The factory default setting has the Fish I.D. (fish symbols) turned on.

Full Chart

The unit's default page, Full Chart shows all echoes scrolling across the full screen. The bottom signal scrolls across the screen from right to left. The line at the top of the screen represents the surface. The bottom depth determined by the digital sonar shows in the upper left corner. If the transducer with a built-in temperature sensor is connected, a digital display for water temperature also will be shown. This temperature display can be turned on and off.

Depth Range

When turned on, the unit automatically adjusts the depth range according to water conditions. When in auto range mode, it always keeps the bottom displayed in the lower portion of the screen. You can override the automatic depth range control and manually select a depth range. To do this, repeatedly press MENU until the DEPTH RANGE menu appears. Press to select MANUAL, then press MENU UP to display the RANGE SIZE menu. Use the arrow keys to select a desired depth range. When you are finished, press PWR to clear the menu from the display. 38
Digital depth Water Temp Bait fish Bottom signal Depth range at bottom of depth scale Surface clutter Structure or cover Fish arches Grayline
Full Chart page, showing digital depth (above) and temp (below). The Fish I.D. feature is turned off.
This unit has the following depth ranges: 10, 20, 40, 80, 150, 300, 600, 1000 and 2000 feet.
Depth Range menu with Manual setting selected (left). Range Size menu with 0-80 ft highlighted (right).
The zoom feature enlarges all images on the screen by doubling the size of the echoes (a 2X zoom). For example, if the current auto depth range 39
is 0 to 60 feet, Zoom will show an enlarged view of the water column from 30 feet to 60 feet, always keeping the bottom in view. To zoom in the display, repeatedly press MENU until the ZOOM menu appears. Press to select ON, then press PWR to clear the menu.

Zoom feature turned off (left). Zoom turned on (right).
You can tell when the display is in Zoom mode when the top of the depth scale on the left of the screen no longer shows zero. For example, if the current range is 0 to 80 feet with zoom off, switching to zoom would enlarge the water column from 40 feet to 80 feet. The number 40 would appear at the top of the depth range scale. To turn off the zoom feature, repeatedly press MENU until the ZOOM menu appears. Press to select OFF, then press PWR to clear the menu. The top of the depth range scale returns to zero. NOTE: Using the Zoom command while in auto Zoom mode will always enlarge the echoes near the bottom, because auto Range always keeps the bottom displayed in the lower portion of the screen. When you choose to use the zoom feature while the unit is in man40
ual Depth Range mode, you can select one of 17 pre-set Zoom Ranges. This lets you enlarge a segment of the water column. To do this, make sure Depth Range is set to manual mode. Next, repeatedly press MENU until the ZOOM menu appears. Press to select ON, then press MENU UP to display the ZOOM RANGE menu. Use the arrow keys to select a desired zoom size. When you are finished, press PWR to clear the menu from the display.

Enlarged fish arches

Zoom Range menu with the 40-80 foot zoom selected.
You can select from these zoom size ranges: 0-10, 5-15, 10-20, 15-30, 2040, 30-60, 40-80, 50-100, 75-150, 100-200, 150-300, 200-400, 300-600, 400-800, 500-1000, 750-1500 and 1000-2000.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity adjusts the way echoes will be displayed on the screen. If you want to see more detail, try increasing the sensitivity, a little at a time. There are situations when too much clutter appears on the screen. Decreasing the sensitivity can reduce the clutter and show the strongest fish echoes, if fish are present. As you change the sensitivity setting, you can see the difference on the chart as it scrolls. 41
Sensitivity set to manual mode (left). Sensitivity scroll bar (right).
You can change the sensitivity level whether you are in Auto Sensitivity mode or Manual Sensitivity mode. The adjustment method works the same in both modes, but gives you slightly different results. To adjust sensitivity in Auto Mode: Repeatedly press MENU until the SENSITIVITY menu appears. Make sure sensitivity is set to Auto, then press MENU UP to access the sensitivity scroll bar. Press to increase the sensitivity, to decrease it. When it is set at the desired level, press PWR to clear the menu. If you reach the maximum or minimum sensitivity level, a tone sounds alerting you to the limits. To adjust sensitivity in Manual Mode: If you want to change the sensitivity in Manual Mode, turn off Auto Sensitivity. Repeatedly press MENU until the SENSITIVITY menu appears. Press to select MANUAL, then press MENU UP to access the sensitivity scroll bar. Press to increase sensitivity, to decrease it. When it is set at the desired level, press PWR to clear the menu.

Bait school

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fish arches Fig. 3 Fig. 4
These figures show results of different sensitivity levels on the same location. Fig. 1: Sensitivity at 98 percent, determined by Auto Sensitivity. Typical of full auto mode. Fig. 2: Sensitivity set at 71 percent. Fig. 3: Sensitivity set at 47 percent. Fig. 4: Sensitivity set at 100 percent.

Grayline

Grayline lets you distinguish between strong and weak echoes. It 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 line or no gray line at all. A hard bottom returns a strong signal, which will be displayed as a wide gray line. 43

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 on the bottom or fish from structure. Grayline is adjustable. Since Grayline shows the difference between strong and weak signals, adjusting the sensitivity may also require a different Grayline level. The level chosen by the sonar unit at power on is usually adequate for most conditions. Experiment with your unit to find the Grayline setting that's best for you. To change the Grayline level, repeatedly press MENU until the GRAYLINE scroll bar appears. Press to increase Grayline, to decrease it. Echoes scrolling on the screen will show the effects of the Grayline adjustment. If you reach the maximum or minimum level, a tone sounds alerting you to the limits. Press PWR to clear the menu.

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).

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 all fishing conditions.

Chart Speed scroll bar.

You, however, might consider experimenting with chart speed when you are stationary or drifting very slowly. 45

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. 54
Depth menu with Depth display turned off (left). Depth display set to Large (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 battery voltage: Repeatedly press MENU until the VOLTAGE menu appears. Use to select the size of the voltage display. Press PWR to clear the menu.

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 appears. Press to turn on the light 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 units display contrast is adjustable 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 press to increase the contrast. 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 a simulated bottom signal with fish signals. This lets you practice with the unit as if you were on the water; all features and functions of the unit are usable. A message appears occasionally to remind you that the simulator is on. To use the simulator, repeatedly press MENU until the SIMULATOR menu appears. Press to turn it on and press PWR to clear the menu. Repeat the steps above to turn it off. The simulator automatically will be turned off when you power off the unit. 57

Simulator menu (left). Languages menu (right).

Set Language

This unit supports 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 software 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. 58

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. 61
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. 62

How to Obtain Service

in the USA:
We back your investment in quality products with quick, expert service and genuine Eagle replacement parts. If you're in the United States and you have technical, return or repair questions, please contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Before any product can be returned, you must call customer service to determine if a return is necessary. Many times, customer service can resolve your problem over the phone without sending your product to the factory. To call us, use the following toll-free number:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, M-F

800-324-1354

Eagle Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our shipping policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without notice.

in Canada:

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

800-661-3983

905-629-1614 (not toll-free)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, M-F
outside Canada and the USA:
If you have technical, return or repair questions, contact the dealer in the country where you purchased your unit. To locate a dealer near you, visit our web site, www.eaglesonar.com and look for the Dealer Locator. 66
Accessory Ordering Information for all countries
To order Eagle accessories such as power cables or transducers, please contact: 1) Your local marine dealer or consumer electronics store. Most quality dealers that handle marine electronic equipment or other consumer electronics should be able to assist you with these items. To locate an Eagle dealer near you, visit our web site, and look for the Dealer Locator (www.eaglesonar.com/Products/HowToBuy/dealers.asp). Or, you can consult your telephone directory for listings. 2) U.S. customers: LEI Extras Inc., PO Box 129, Catoosa, OK 74015-0129 Call 1-800-324-0045 or visit our web site www.lei-extras.com. 3) Canadian customers can write: Lowrance/Eagle Canada, 919 Matheson Blvd. E. Mississauga, Ontario L4W2R7 or fax 905-629-3118.

Shipping Information

If it becomes necessary to send a product for repair or replacement, you must first receive a return authorization number from Customer Service. Products shipped without a return authorization will not be accepted. When shipping, we recommend you do the following: 1. 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.

Sales Bulletin

No. SB1052-3 / January 2011
X-Series Fishfinders Now Shipping
Lowrance announces the new X-series line of fishfinders is now shipping. About X-Series Each model features a four-inch diagonal display with four-level grayscale definition, along with easy-to-use operation, excellent performance and resolution all at an affordable price.
The Lowrance X-4 features depth capabilities of 600 feet with 800 watts of peak-to-peak power and high-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer transducer with built-in water temperature sensor. The X-4 delivers proven Lowrance sonar performance with effective fish- and structure-detection coverage of up to 60 degrees and operates at boat speeds up to 70 mph. The Lowrance X-4 Pro features greater depth capability of 1,000 feet and 1,500 watts of peak-to-peak power. With dual-frequency 83/200 kHz capability, the X-4 Pro also provides the added benefit of up to 120 degrees of wider fish- and structure-finding coverage. The Lowrance X-4 Portable features the same sonar and display specifications at the Lowrance X-4 but is packed with a soft-sided portable kit, a D-cell battery holder (batteries not included) and a Skimmer transducer with suction cup mount. Please visit http://www.lowrance.com/ for more information about the X-series products. You can also download images and marketing materials using the search word X-4, X-4 Pro or X-4 Portable from the Lowrance media bank at http://www.lowrance.com/About/Media/. Login is lowusa, and the password is chi789. Order Book Navico Order Management personnel are accepting orders from resellers. Stocking orders will be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact information
If you have further queries, please contact your Regional Sales Manager, or you may contact Navico Order Management, 800-324-0044 or please email the address listed below according to your channel classification: OEM/Boatbuilder oem-bb@navico.com International/Latin America international@navico.com National Retail retail@navico.com DDI (Dealers/Distributors/Indirect) orders@navico.com
Model 000-10227-001 X-4 Fishfinder with 200 kHz Skimmer Transducer 000-10228-001 X-4 Portable Fishfinder including Skimmer Transducer with suction cup mount 000-10229-001 X-4 Pro Fishfinder with 83/200 kHz Skimmer Transducer

Retail Price

53572 2

$79.95

53573 9

$129.95

53574 6

$99.95

New Lowrance X-4
Replaces 000-10227-001 Eagle Cuda 300 000-0110-92

Lowrance X-4 Pro

000-10229-001 Lowrance X-50 DS Eagle FISHEASY 245DS

000-0110-68 000-0110-691

Lowrance X-4 Portable 000-10228-001 Eagle Cuda 300 Portable

000-0110-93

Eagle FISHEASY 245DS PORT 000-0110-811