Pub. 988-0151-411
X86 DS & X86 TX
Fish-finding & Depth Sounding Sonars
Installation and Operation
Instructions
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction....................................................................1
Specifications: X86 DS and X86 TX ....................................................1
How Sonar Works.................................................................................2
Preparations .........................................................................................3
Section 2: Installation & Accessories..........................................5
Recommended Tools and Supplies..................................................5
Selecting a Transducer Location.....................................................5
How low should you go? ...................................................................6
Shoot-thru-hull vs. Transom Mounting..........................................7
Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting..............................8
Trolling Motor Bracket Installation..............................................11
Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches.....................................12
Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation........................................................13
Shoot-thru-hull Installation ..........................................................15
Power and Cable Connections.......................................................16
Mounting The Sonar Unit: In-Dash or Bracket ...........................18
Portable Installation ......................................................................21
Portable Transducer Assembly .....................................................22
Section 3: Operation.......................................................................25
Keyboard Basics .................................................................................25
Memory ...............................................................................................26
Menus..................................................................................................26
Display ................................................................................................26
FasTrack..........................................................................................27
Pages ...................................................................................................28
Full Chart ...........................................................................................28
Depth Range.......................................................................................29
Zoom....................................................................................................30
Sensitivity...........................................................................................31
Grayline ..............................................................................................33
Chart Speed........................................................................................34
Frequency ...........................................................................................34
Fish I.D. ...........................................................................................35
FishTrack™ ........................................................................................36
Alarms.................................................................................................37
Fish Alarm..........................................................................................37
Depth Alarms .....................................................................................38
Shallow Alarm....................................................................................38
Deep Alarm.........................................................................................39
Battery Alarm.....................................................................................39
Noise Rejection and ASP ................................................................40
i
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Depth Display.....................................................................................41
Temperature Display .........................................................................41
Voltage ................................................................................................42
Units....................................................................................................42
Backlight.............................................................................................43
Contrast ..............................................................................................43
Simulator ............................................................................................44
Set Language......................................................................................44
Software Information.........................................................................44
Reset Options......................................................................................44
Troubleshooting..............................................................................45
ii
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Section 1: Introduction
Thank you for buying a Lowrance sonar! Your unit is a high-quality
sonar designed for both professional and novice fishermen. All
Lowrance 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 Lowrance sonar, first read the installation sec-
tion. It contains instructions for mounting the sonar unit, the trans-
ducer and any optional accessories, such as a speed sensor.
Following recommended installation practices will pay off in optimum
performance of your Lowrance 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 ac-
cessories. Then, read the rest of the manual. The more you know about
your sonar, the better it will work for you.
Capabilities and Specifications: X86 DS and X86 TX
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; suit-
able 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: ..................Incandescent backlit screen and keypad for
night use.
Input power: ...................10 to 17 volts DC.
Current drain:................110 ma lights off; 250 ma lights on.
Back-up memory:...........Built-in memory stores sonar settings when
unit is turned off.
Languages: ......................11 International languages.
Sonar
Frequency: ......................83/200 kHz
Transducers:...................A compact Dual-Search Skimmer trans-
ducer with built-in temperature sensor is
packed with the unit.
Watts:................................1,500 watts peak-to-peak; 188 watts RMS.
1
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Depth capability:...........To 1,000 feet (305 meters) with 83 kHz. Ac-
tual capability depends on transducer con-
figuration and installation, bottom composi-
tion and water conditions. All sonar units
typically read deeper in fresh water than in
salt water.
Depth display: ................Continuous display.
Audible alarms:..............Deep/shallow/fish/battery.
Automatic ranging:.......Yes.
Auto bottom track:........Yes.
Zoom bottom track:.......Yes.
Surface water temp: .....Yes.
NOTICE!
The storage temperature for your unit is from -4 degrees to +167
degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees to +75 degrees Celsius). Extended
storage in temperatures higher or lower than specified will damage
the liquid crystal display in your unit. This type of damage is not
covered by the warranty. For more information, contact the fac-
tory's Customer Service Department; phone numbers are inside the
manual's back cover.
How Sonar Works
Sonar has been around since the 1940s, so if you already know how it
works, skip ahead to the next segment on the typographical conventions
used in this manual. But, if you've never owned a sonar fish finder, this
segment will tell you the underwater basics.
Sonar is an abbreviation for SOund NAvigation and Ranging, a technol-
ogy developed during World War II for tracking enemy submarines. A
sonar consists of a transmitter, transducer, receiver and display. In
simple terms, here's how it finds the bottom, or the fish:
The transmitter emits an electrical impulse, which the transducer con-
verts into a sound wave and sends into the water. (The sound frequency
can't be heard by humans or fish.) The sound wave strikes an object
(fish, structure, bottom) and bounces back to the transducer, which
converts the sound back into an electrical signal.
The receiver amplifies this return signal, or echo, and sends it to the
display, where an image of the object appears on the scrolling sonar
chart. The sonar's microprocessor calculates the time lapse between the
transmitted signal and echo return to determine the distance to the
object. The whole process repeats itself several times each second.
2
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Dual Search Transducer
Your unit is packed with a Dual Search Skimmer Transducer that can
transmit at 83 kHz and 200 kHz.
A new innovation, the 83 kHz frequency offers superior sonar perform-
ance at all depths from very shallow up to 1,000 ft and provides up to
120º of fish-finding 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 drill-
ing 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.
This will help you make sure you have enough cable length for the de-
sired 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.
3
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Notes
4
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 instruc-
tions 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 pre-
vent 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 in-
cluded):
Transom installation
Tools include: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, flat-
head screwdriver. Supplies: high quality, marine grade above- or below-
waterline sealant compound.
Trolling motor installations
Tools: two adjustable wrenches, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: plastic
cable ties.
Shoot-through hull installations
Tools: these will vary depending on your hull's composition. Consult
your boat dealer or manufacturer. 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.
5
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 alumi-
num 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 opera-
tion.
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 trans-
ducer 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 protec-
tion from bangs and bumps.
6
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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
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 installa-
tion (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 opera-
tion and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of
transducer damage from floating objects, as there is with a transom-
mounted 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.
7
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Lack of angle adjustment can be particularly troublesome on hulls that
sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds.
Third, a transducer CAN NOT shoot through wood and metal hulls.
Those hulls require either a transom mount or a thru-hull installation.
Fourth, if your Skimmer transducer has a built in temp sensor, it will
only show the temperature of the bilge, not the water surface temp.
Follow the testing procedures listed in the shoot-thru-hull installation
section at the end of this instruction booklet to determine if you can
satisfactorily shoot through the hull.
Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting
The best way to install the transducer is to loosely assemble all of the
parts first, place the transducer's bracket against the transom and see if
you can move the transducer so that it's parallel with the ground.
1. Assembling the bracket. Press the two small plastic ratchets into the
sides of the metal bracket as shown in the following illustration. Notice
there are letters molded into each ratchet. Place each ratchet into the
bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the dot stamped into the metal
bracket. This position sets the transducer's coarse angle adjustment for a
14° transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a 14° angle.
Dot
Align plastic ratchets in bracket.
2. Aligning the transducer on the transom. Slide the transducer
between the two ratchets. Temporarily slide the bolt though the
transducer assembly and hold it against the transom. Looking at the
transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face
is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the "A" position is correct for
your hull.
If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove the
transducer and ratchets from the bracket. Place the ratchets into the
holes in the bracket with the letter "B" aligned with the dot stamped
in the bracket.
Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place them against the
transom. Again, check to see if you can move the transducer so it's
parallel with the ground.
8
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
If you can, then go to step 3. If it doesn't, repeat step 2, but use a dif-
ferent alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the
transom correctly.
Ratchets
Insert bolt and check transducer position on transom.
3. Assembling the transducer. Once you determine the correct posi-
tion for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the following
figure. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time.
Metal
washer
Nut
Rubber
washers
Metal washer
Bolt
Assemble transducer and bracket.
4. Drilling mounting holes. Hold the transducer and bracket assembly
against the transom. The transducer should be roughly parallel to the
ground. The transducer's centerline should be in line with the bottom
of the hull. Don't let the bracket extend below the hull!
Mark the center of each slot for the mounting screw pilot holes. You
will drill one hole in the center of each slot.
Drill the holes using the #29 bit (for the #10 screws).
9
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Transom
Transom
Position transducer mount on transom and mark mounting holes.
Side view (left) and shown from above (right).
5. Attaching transducer to transom. Remove the transducer from
the bracket and re-assemble it with the cable passing through the
bracket over the bolt as shown in the following figures.
Route cable over bolt and through bracket. Side view (left) and shown
from above (right).
Attach the transducer to the transom. Slide the transducer up or
down until it's aligned properly with the bottom of the hull as shown
in the preceding and following figures. Tighten the bracket's mount-
ing screws, sealing them with the sealant compound.
Adjust the transducer so that it's parallel to the ground and tighten
the nut until it touches the outer washer, then add 1/4 turn. Don't
over tighten the lock nut! If you do, the transducer won't "kick-up" if
it strikes an object in the water.
Bottom
of
hull
Flat-bottom hull
Deep-"vee" hull
Align transducer centerline with hull bottom and attach to transom.
10
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
6. Route the transducer cable through or over the transom to
the sonar unit. Make sure to leave some slack in the cable at the
transducer. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other
wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from the engine's wiring, bilge
pumps, VHF radio wires and cables, and aerators can be picked up by
the sonar. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these
wires.
WARNING:
Clamp the transducer cable to the transom close to the
transducer. This can prevent the transducer from enter-
ing the boat if it is knocked off at high speed.
If you need to drill a hole in the transom to pass the connector through,
the required hole size is 5/8".
Caution:
If you drill a hole in the transom for the cable, make sure it is
located above the waterline. After installation, be sure to seal the
hole with the same marine grade above- or below-waterline
sealant used for the mounting screws.
7. Make a test run to determine the results. If the bottom is lost at
high speed, or if noise appears on the display, try sliding the trans-
ducer bracket down. This puts the transducer deeper into the water,
hopefully below the turbulence causing the noise. Don't allow the
transducer bracket to go below the bottom of the hull.
Trolling Motor Bracket Installation
1. Attach the optional TMB-S bracket to the transducer as shown in the
following figure, using the hardware supplied with the transducer.
The internal tooth washer is supplied with the TMB-S.
TMB-S bracket
Internal tooth washer
Nut
Bolt
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. Po-
sition the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the
water. Tighten the strap securely.
11
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
3. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use
plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the troll-
ing 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 trans-
ducer 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 forward
Transducer aimed
too far back
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 trans-
ducer is too high and needs to be lowered.
12
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
If only the back half of the arch is printed, then the nose of the trans-
ducer is angled too far down and needs to be raised.
NOTE:
Periodically wash the transducer's face with soap and water to re-
move any oil film. Oil and dirt on the face will reduce the sensitiv-
ity or may even prevent operation.
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 lay-
ers. 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 manufac-
turer to confirm your hull specifications.
Fill with
Fill with resin
Inner hull
Flotation material
Epoxy to hull first
Outer hull
Epoxy the transducer to a solid portion of the hull.
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, the hull is watertight
and structurally sound. Remember, the sonar signal must pass through
solid fiberglass. Any air bubbles in the fiberglass or the epoxy will re-
duce or eliminate the sonar signals.
To choose the proper location for shoot-thru-hull mounting, follow these
testing procedures. You may need a helper to complete these steps.
13
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 de-
creases. The second bottom signal will probably disappear and the bot-
tom 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 sensi-
tivity 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 abso-
lutely sure that your selected location will work under all conditions,
make a test run with the boat on plane and observe the bottom signal.
14
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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
(trolling speed)
Transducer location
(high 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 trans-
ducer 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.
15
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
WARNING:
Use only the epoxy available from LEI. It has been for-
mulated to work with these installation procedures.
Other epoxy types may be too thin or may not cure to
the right consistency for optimum transducer perform-
ance.
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 in-
stallation 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, at-
tach 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 rec-
ommend 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 ca-
ble 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 ca-
16
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
ble 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 in-
stalling 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, es-
pecially when the power cable is disconnected from the unit.
Optional power off switch
for saltwater installations
To unit
Black wire
Red wire with
12 volt
3 amp fuse
battery
Power and transducer connections for sonar
units (direct battery connection shown).
WARNING:
Do not use this product without a 3-amp fuse wired into
the power cable! Failure to use a 3-amp fuse will void
your warranty. This product must be independently
fused with the enclosed 3-amp fuse (or equivalent), even
if you connect to a fused accessory or power buss. If a
malfunction happens inside the unit, extensive damage
can occur if the enclosed fuse is not used. As with all elec-
trical devices this unit could be damaged to a point that
it is unrepairable and could even cause harm to the user
when not properly fused.
If possible, keep the power cable away from other boat wiring, espe-
cially the engine's wires. This will provide the best isolation from elec-
trical noise. If the cable is not long enough, splice #18 gauge wire onto
it.
The power cable has two wires, red and black. Red is the positive lead,
black is negative or ground. Make sure to attach the in-line fuse holder
to the red lead as close to the power source as possible.
If you have to extend the power cable to the battery or power buss, at-
tach 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. This unit has reverse polarity protection.
17
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 or Bracket
You can install the sonar unit on the top of a dash with the supplied
bracket. It can also be installed in the dash with an optional dash-
mounting kit. The FM-5 mount kit will work for both the X86 DS and
X86 TX.
In-Dash Installation
The following figure shows dimensions for in-dash mounting. The in-
dash adapter kit includes a template for cutting the mounting hole and
complete installation directions on instruction sheet 988-0147-43.
NOTE:
Your unit needs only one cable, but some of the other products cov-
ered by the FM-5 instruction sheet use more. When installing your
unit, use the instructions for the transducer cable and ignore refer-
ences to any others.
18
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
146.5
[5.76]
Top
R 7.9
[0.31]
In-Dash
Template
113.5
[4.46]
Millimeters
[Inches]
ALWAYS VERIFY DIMENSIONS
In-dash mounting template for X86 DS & X86 TX, showing dimensions.
The preceding figure is not printed to scale. A scaled template is avail-
Bracket Installation
Mount the unit in any convenient location, provided there is clearance
when it’s tilted for the best viewing angle. You should also make sure
there is enough room behind the unit to attach the power/transducer
cable.
Holes in the bracket’s base allow wood screw or through-bolt mounting.
You may need to place a piece of plywood on the back side of thin pan-
els to reinforce the panel and secure the mounting hardware.
19
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
72.9
[2.87]
173.9
[6.85]
23.4
[0.92]
137.9
[5.43]
157.9
[6.22]
56.9
[2.24]
Millimeter
[Inch]
Front view (left) and side view (right) showing dimensions of sonar
unit mounted on gimbal bracket.
Drill a 5/8" (15.9 mm) hole in the dash for the power/transducer cable.
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 cable 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 connector up through the hole from under the dash.
If you want, you can fill in the hole around the cable with a good ma-
rine sealant compound. Some marine dealers stock cable hole covers to
conceal the opening. No matter what type of installation you prefer, be
sure to leave enough slack in the cable to allow tilting or swiveling the unit.
If you choose to fill in the cable hole, be sure to position the cable
against the rear edge of the hole as you apply the fill material.
Before positioning the gimbal bracket, be sure to hold the cable against
the rear edge of the hole. Then, slide the bracket over the hole and butt
the rear of the bracket base firmly against the cable, thus pinning it in
place against the side of the hole. Finally, fasten the bracket to the
dash.
20
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Front
Install the gimbal bracket. Orient the bracket so the arms slope to-
ward the front of your unit.
Attach the unit to the gimbal bracket using the supplied gimbal knobs
and washers. Slide the rubber washers onto the gimbal knobs then
loosely screw the knobs into their sockets. Slide the unit into the
bracket with the rubber washers to the outside of the bracket arms.
Tilt the unit to the desired viewing angle and tighten the knobs finger
tight.
Portable Installation
Like many Lowrance products, this sonar unit is capable of portable
operation by using an optional portable power pack. The power pack
and an optional portable transducer expand the uses of your sonar
unit. The power pack makes it easy to use the unit on your boat or take
it to the dock, on a float tube, on an ice fishing trip or as a second sonar
in a friend's boat. The portable power pack can be used with eight "D"
cell alkaline batteries or an optional sealed, rechargeable battery. For
set-up directions, refer to the pack's instruction sheet.
21
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
"D" cell battery
Install batteries in power case battery adapter.
Portable Transducer Assembly
Recommended tools for installation include a slotted screw driver and
two adjustable wrenches.
Assemble the transducer and bracket as shown in the following figure.
Attach the transducer to the bracket with the supplied hardware.
Make sure there is one washer on each side of the transducer, inside
the bracket. Slide the other washer over the end of the bolt and thread
the nut onto it.
Screw the suction cup onto the bracket using the supplied screw and
flat washer. Tie the nylon cord through the hole in the top of the
bracket. When using this transducer, tie the other end of the nylon cord
to the boat. This will help prevent the loss of the transducer if it comes
off the boat.
22
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Tie ny-
lon cord
here
Screw
Suction
cup
Nut
Bolt
Washer
Washer
Transducer
Portable transducer assembly: rear view (left) and side view (right.)
Clean the chosen area of the hull before attaching the suction cup. Lo-
cate the transducer on the hull as shown in the following figure. Don't
allow the bracket to extend below the hull, because water pressure
against it can cause the suction cup to come off at speed.
Moisten the cup, then press it onto the hull as firmly as possible. Tie
the nylon cord to the boat and route the transducer cable to the sonar
unit. Your portable sonar is now ready for use.
NOTE:
For optimum operation, the portable transducer should be adjusted
so that it is parallel to the ground. For more information on this,
see the earlier segment on Transducer Orientation and Fish
Arches.
Suction
Bracket
cup
Hull
Transducer
Portable transducer installed on boat transom.
23
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Notes
24
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Section 3: Operation
Keyboard Basics
The unit sounds a tone when you press any key. Numbers in the figure
correspond to key explanations below:
3
2
1
Lowrance X86 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 selec-
tions 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 scroll through the menus,
repeatedly press a MENU key.
25
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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.
Menus
This unit's menus will guide you through its various functions and fea-
tures. Menu names and settings appear in the manual as small capital let-
ters like SENSITIVITY, which refers to the Sensitivity menu.
The MENU keys access these features, allowing you to customize unit set-
tings. 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 ↑ ↓ 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 depth range is dis-
played as the upper and lower limit on the left side of the screen.
26
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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
Surface signal
Fish symbols
Bottom signal
Structure
or cover
Depth range
at bottom of
depth scale
Grayline
Full Chart page.
FasTrack
This feature automatically converts echoes to short horizontal lines on
the display's far right side. The rest of the screen continues to operate
normally. FasTrack gives you a rapid update of conditions directly un-
der the boat, making it useful for ice fishing or when fishing at anchor.
When the boat is not moving, fish signals are long, drawn out lines on a
normal display. FasTrack converts the graph to a vertical bar graph
that makes a useful addition to fishing at a stationary location.
Surface Clutter
Thermocline with
fish echo
Fish
echoes
Full sonar chart showing surface clutter,
a thermocline and some fish echoes.
27
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Pages
The Pages menu allows you to display a full sonar chart or a Flash-
Graf. The FlashGraf is a split screen that displays the sonar chart on
the left side of the screen with a flasher on the right.
Pages menu with Sonar Chart selected (left). FlashGraf (right).
The FlashGraf uses the grayline feature to show weaker targets in
light shades of gray. Stronger targets are displayed in dark shades of
gray. The bottom depth is shown as a black bar across the outer circle.
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 — can be displayed in the up-
per left corner of the screen.
If the transducer with a built-in temperature sensor is connected, a
digital display for water temperature also will be shown. This tempera-
ture display can be turned on and off.
28
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Digital depth
Surface clutter
Water Temp
Bait fish
Structure
or cover
Bottom signal
Fish arches
Grayline
Depth range
at bottom of
depth scale
Full Chart page showing digital depth (above) and
temp (below). The Fish I.D. feature is turned off.
Depth Range
The unit automatically adjusts the depth range according to water con-
ditions. When in auto range mode, it always keeps the bottom dis-
played in the lower portion of the screen. You can override 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 menu.
Use the arrow keys to select a desired depth range. When you are fin-
ished, press PWR to clear the menu from the display.
This unit has the following depth ranges: 0-10, 0-15, 0-20, 0-30, 0-40, 0-
60, 0-80, 0-100, 0-150, 0-200, 0-300, 0-400, 0-600, 0-800, 0-1000, 0-1500,
0-2000 and 0-3000 feet.
Depth Range menu with Manual setting selected (left). Range Size
menu with 0-60 ft highlighted (right).
29
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Zoom
The zoom feature enlarges all images on the screen by doubling (2X) or
quadrupling (4X) the size of the echoes. When you activate the zoom
command, the screen will be split in half with the zoomed area dis-
played on the left. The normal view will be shown on the right side of
the screen.
To zoom in the display, repeatedly press MENU until the ZOOM menu
appears. Press ↓ to select 2X or 4X, then press PWR to clear the menu.
Zoom feature turned off (left). Zoom set to 2X zoom. (right).
You can tell when the display is in Zoom mode by the zoom range indica-
tor at the bottom of the screen. In the example (above right), 2X is dis-
played at the bottom of the zoomed in display window.
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.
When you choose to use the zoom feature while the unit is in manual
Depth Range mode, you can select one of 18 pre-set Zoom Ranges. This
lets you enlarge a desired segment of the water column.
To do this, make sure Depth Range is set to manual mode. Next, re-
peatedly press MENU until the ZOOM menu appears. Press ↓ to select 2X or
4X, then press MENU UP to display the ZOOM RANGE menu.
Use ↑ ↓ to select a desired zoom range. When you are finished, press PWR
to clear the menu from the display.
30
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Enlarged
fish
arches
Zoom Range menu with the 40-80 foot zoom selected. Notice the win-
dow on the left zoomed 2X. The zoom range, 40-80 feet, covers a 40-foot
water segment. When zoomed in 2X, the zoom window will show 20 feet
of the water column with echoes magnified to twice their normal size.
You can select from these zoom ranges: 0-10, 7-14, 10-20, 15-30, 20-40,
30-60, 40-80, 50-100, 75-150, 100-200, 150-300, 200-400, 300-600, 400-
800, 500-1000, 750-1500, 1000-2000 and 1500-3000.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity adjusts the way echoes are displayed on the screen. If you
want to see more detail, try increasing the sensitivity, a little at a time.
When too much clutter appears on the screen, decrease sensitivity to
reduce 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.
Sensitivity set to manual mode (left). Sensitivity scroll bar (right).
31
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 provides slightly different results.
To adjust sensitivity in Auto Mode:
Repeatedly press MENU until the SENSITIVITY menu appears. Make sure sen-
sitivity 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 maxi-
mum or minimum sensitivity level, a tone will sound.
To adjust sensitivity in Manual Mode:
If you want to change the sensitivity in Manual Mode, 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 sen-
sitivity, ↓ 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 85 percent, determined by Auto Sensitiv-
ity. Typical of full auto mode. Fig. 2: Sensitivity set at 71 percent. Fig.
3: Sensitivity set at 47 percent. Fig. 4: Sensitivity set at 90 percent.
32
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Grayline®
Grayline lets you distinguish between strong and weak echoes. It al-
lows you to tell the difference between a hard and soft bottom. For ex-
ample, 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.
Grayline scroll bar.
If you have two signals of equal size, one with gray and the other with-
out, then the target with gray is the stronger signal. This helps distin-
guish weeds from trees and fish from structure.
Wider
Thin or no Grayline
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. 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.
33
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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.
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. 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
sonar signal cone, the image appears on the screen as a long line in-
stead 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 the
arrow keys to set the speed to 100% before clearing the menu.
Frequency
Your sonar unit can transmit signals at 83 kHz and 200 kHz. The de-
fault frequency is 200 kHz, best used in shallow water (about 300 feet
34
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 frequency will work best.
The 200 kHz transducer will give you better detail and definition, but
less depth penetration. You will not get as much detail or definition with
the 83 kHz frequency, but it has greater depth penetration and up to
120° of wide fish-finding coverage. Remember, all sonar units typically
read deeper in fresh water than in salt water.
Frequency menu with 200 kHz selected.
To switch the Frequency, repeatedly press MENU until the Frequency
menu appears. Press ↑ to select 200 KHZ or ↓ to choose 83 KHZ. 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 sur-
face clutter, thermoclines and other undesirable signals.
The Fish I.D. feature displays symbols on the screen in place of the ac-
tual 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. 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.
35
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 so-
nar 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 informa-
tion. This and other features can help you "see" beneath the boat under
varied water and fishing conditions. Practice 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 per-
forming some task that prevents you from watching the sonar screen.
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 so-
nar 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 on Fish I.D., repeatedly press MENU until the FISH ID menu ap-
pears. Press ↓ to select ON, then press PWR. To turn it off, repeat those
steps, but press ↑ to select OFF.
FishTrack™
The FishTrack feature shows the depth of a fish symbol when it ap-
pears 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, but press ↓ to select OFF.
36
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
If you want to turn off FishTrack depths, but leave Fish I.D. on, press ↓
to select ON, then press PWR. Remember, Fish I.D. must be on in order
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:
When one of the alarms is triggered, press the PWR key 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 ap-
pears. Press ↓ to select ON, then press MENU 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.
37
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 shal-
low and a deep alarm. The shallow alarm sounds an alarm when your
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 en-
ters water more shallow than the alarm’s setting, an alarm will sound
and a message will appear on the screen.
Press PWR to silence the alarm. It will remain silent until it is trig-
gered again.
To turn off the alarm, repeatedly press MENU until the SHALLOW ALARM
menu appears. Press ↓ to OFF, then press PWR to clear the menu.
38
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Deep Alarm menu (left). Deep Alarm dialog box (right).
Deep Alarm
To set the deep alarm depth, repeatedly press MENU until DEEP ALARM
appears.
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 en-
ters water deeper than the alarm’s 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.
Battery Alarm menu (left). Low Battery Alarm Value (right).
39
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 be-
low the alarm’s setting, the alarm will sound and a message will ap-
pear 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 automati-
cally 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
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 sensi-
tivity 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
40
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
setting. There are times when you may want to turn off ASP. This al-
lows 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.
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.
41
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Temperature menu (left). Temperature display set to small 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 se-
lect the size of the voltage display. Press PWR to clear the menu.
Voltage menu with the voltage display turned off (left) and with volt-
age set to a small display size (right).
Units
The Units menu allows you to switch the 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 meas-
ure — FEET or METERS. Press PWR to clear the menu from the screen.
42
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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
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 con-
trast level, a tone will sound. Press the PWR key to clear the menu.
43
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 in simulator mode.
To use the simulator, repeatedly press MENU until the SIMULATOR menu
appears. Press ↑ to turn on the simulator or press ↓ to turn it off. 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 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
original factory defaults. This is useful when several settings have been
changed 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.
44
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Troubleshooting
If your unit is not working, or if you need technical help, please use the
following troubleshooting section before contacting the factory cus-
tomer 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 wir-
ing.
2. Make certain the power cable is wired properly. The red wire con-
nects 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 bat-
tery 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 trans-
ducer 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.
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 in-
side 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.
45
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
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 exam-
ple, 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 read-
ing 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 sig-
nals such as fish or even structure from the display.
Try using resistor spark plugs or routing the sonar unit's power and
transducer cables away from other electrical wiring on the boat.
No fish arches when the Fish I.D. feature is off:
1. Make certain the transducer is pointing straight down. This is the
most common problem if a partial arch is displayed.
2. The sensitivity may not be high enough. In order for the unit to dis-
play a fish arch, it has to be able to receive the fish's echo from the time
it enters the cone until it leaves. If the sensitivity is not high enough,
the unit shows the fish only when it is in the center of the cone.
3. Use the Zoom feature. It is much easier to display fish arches when
zoomed in on a small range of water than a large one. For example, you
will have much better luck seeing fish arches with a 30 to 60 foot range
than a 0 to 60 foot range. This enlarges the targets, allowing the dis-
play to show much more detail.
4. The boat must be moving at a slow trolling speed to see fish arches.
If the boat is motionless, fish stay in the cone, showing on the screen as
straight horizontal lines.
NOISE
A major cause of sonar problems is electrical noise. This usually ap-
pears on the sonar's display as random patterns of dots or lines.
46
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
In severe cases, it can completely cover the screen with black dots, or
cause the unit operate erratically, or not at all.
To eliminate or minimize the effects of electrical noise, first try to de-
termine the cause. With the boat at rest in the water, the first thing
you should do is turn all electrical equipment on the boat off. Make
sure the engine is also off. Turn your sonar on, then turn off Noise Re-
ject [also known as the ASP feature (Advanced Signal Processing)].
Sensitivity should be set at 90-95 percent. There should be a steady
bottom signal on the display. Now turn on each piece of electrical
equipment on the boat and view the effect on the sonar's display. For
example, turn on the bilge pump and view the sonar display for noise.
If no noise is present, turn the pump off, then turn on the VHF radio
and transmit. Keep doing this until all electrical equipment has been
turned on, their effect on the sonar display noted, then turned off.
If you find noise interference from an electrical instrument, trolling motor,
pump, or radio, try to isolate the problem. You can usually reroute the
sonar unit's power cable and transducer cable away from the wiring that
is causing the interference. VHF radio antenna cables radiate noise when
transmitting, so be certain to keep the sonar's wires away from it. You
may need to route the sonar unit's power cable directly to the battery to
isolate it from other wiring on the boat.
If no noise displays on the sonar unit from electrical equipment, then
make certain everything except the sonar unit is turned off, then start
the engine. Increase the RPM with the gearshift in neutral. If noise
appears on the display, the problem could be one of three things; spark
plugs, alternator, or tachometer wiring. Try using resistor spark plugs,
alternator filters, or routing the sonar unit's power cable away from
engine wiring. Again, routing the power cable directly to the battery
helps eliminate noise problems. Make certain to use the in-line fuse
supplied with the unit when wiring the power cable to the battery.
When no noise appears on the sonar unit after all of the above tests,
then the noise source is probably cavitation. Many novices or persons
with limited experience make hasty sonar installations which function
perfectly in shallow water, or when the boat is at rest. In nearly all
cases, the cause of the malfunction will be the location and/or angle of
the transducer. The face of the transducer must be placed in a location
that has a smooth flow of water at all boat speeds. Read your trans-
ducer owner's manual for the best mounting position.
47
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Notes
48
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS
FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
"We," "our," or "us" refers to LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, a division of LEI, the manu-
facturer 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 workman-
ship, 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, mal-
function, 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 dam-
ages, 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 con-
nected, installed, combined, altered, adjusted, or handled in a manner other than ac-
cording 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.
LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS
PO BOX 669, CATOOSA, OK 74015
(800) 324-1354
49
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
How to Obtain Service…
…in the USA:
We back your investment in quality products with quick, expert service
and genuine Lowrance replacement parts. If you're in the United
States and you have technical, return or repair questions, please con-
tact the Factory Customer Service Department. Before any product can
be returned, you must call customer service to determine if a return is
necessary. Many times, customer service can resolve your problem over
the phone without sending your product to the factory. To call us, use
the following toll-free number:
800-324-1354
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, M-F
Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our ship-
ping 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,
50
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Accessory Ordering Information
for all countries
To order Lowrance GPS accessories such as computer cables or MMC
cards, 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
a
Lowrance dealer near you, visit our web site,
your telephone directory for listings.
2) U.S. customers: LEI Extras Inc., PO Box 129, Catoosa, OK 74015-0129
3) Canadian customers can write:
Lowrance/Eagle Canada, 919 Matheson Blvd. E. Mississauga, Ontario
L4W2R7 or fax 905-629-3118.
Shipping Information
If it becomes necessary to send a product for repair or replacement, you
must first receive a return authorization number from Customer
Service. Products shipped without a return authorization will not be
accepted. When shipping, we recommend you do the following:
1. Always use the original shipping container and filler material the
product was packed in.
2. Always insure the parcel against damage or loss during shipment.
Lowrance does not assume responsibility for goods lost or damaged in
transit.
3. For proper testing, include a brief note with the product describing
the problem. Be sure to include your name, return shipping address
and a daytime telephone number.
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.
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Visit our web site:
Lowrance Pub. 988-0151-411
Printed in USA 042006
© Copyright 2006
All Rights Reserved
Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
|