Pub. 988-0105-951 www.lowrance.com Fish-finding & Depth Sounding Sonars X51 and X58DF Installation and Operation Instructions Copyright © 2002 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Lowrance® is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Marine-Tex is a trademark of Illinois Tool Works Inc. Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without notice. All features and specifications subject to change without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated. For free owner's manuals and other information, visit our web site: www.lowrance.com Lowrance Electronics Inc. 12000 E. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK USA 74128-2486 Printed in USA. Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................. 1 Capabilities and Specifications: X51 and X58DF........................ 1 Installation.................................................................................. 2 Transducer Installation................................................................ 2 Recommended Tools and Supplies ........................................... 3 Selecting a Transducer Location .............................................. 3 Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting ................................. 5 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting ....................... 5 Trolling Motor Installation (Single-Frequency only) ............ 11 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation and Installation ..................... 12 Speed/Temperature Sensors....................................................... 15 Speed Sensor Installation....................................................... 17 Power Connections...................................................................... 18 Mounting the Sonar Unit: In-Dash, Bracket or Portable ......... 19 In-Dash Installation ............................................................... 19 Bracket Installation................................................................ 20 Portable Sonar Installation .................................................... 21 Operation and Features......................................................... 23 Keyboard Basics.......................................................................... 23 Turn On and Off...................................................................... 23 Menus .......................................................................................... 24 Display ­ Opening Screen .......................................................... 25 Chart Scroll (Stopping and Starting)......................................... 25 Screen Display Modes or Pages.................................................. 26 Full Chart................................................................................ 26 Split Chart............................................................................... 27 Dual-Frequency Split Chart (X58DF only) ............................ 28 Lrg Digital (Large Digital) ..................................................... 29 Flasher..................................................................................... 29 Range........................................................................................... 30 Range - Upper and Lower Limits............................................... 30 Zoom ............................................................................................ 31 Sensitivity ................................................................................... 33 Grayline .................................................................................... 35 Fish I.D. ................................................................................... 36 FishTrack ................................................................................. 37 FishReveal ............................................................................... 38 Chart Scroll Speed and HyperScroll....................................... 39 Noise Reject and ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) ............ 40 Alarms ......................................................................................... 41 Fish Alarm............................................................................... 41 Shallow and Deep Alarms ...................................................... 42 i System Setup ............................................................................ 44 Backlights................................................................................ 44 Display Contrast ..................................................................... 44 Depth Units of Measure.......................................................... 45 Temperature Units of Measure .............................................. 46 Speed and Distance Log Units of Measure ............................ 46 Reset Distance Log.................................................................. 47 Preset Unit (Reset All Options).............................................. 47 System Info.............................................................................. 48 Simulator................................................................................. 48 Chart Setup............................................................................... 49 Limit Search............................................................................ 49 Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency ­ X58DF only).. 50 Digital Data Size for Depth, Temperature, Speed, and Distance Log................................. 51 Scales ....................................................................................... 52 Chart Mode (see FishReveal) ..................................................... 38 Troubleshooting .......................................................................... 53 Warranty and Service Information............................................ 57 ii 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. However, if you want to fine-tune your unit, press the MENU UP key. The X51 and X58DF have several powerful features you can control by scrolling through easy-to-use menus with the arrow and menu keys. To get started with your Lowrance 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 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 accessories. Then, read the rest of the manual. The more you know about your sonar, the better it will work for you. Take advantage of the Simulator feature. It allows you to practice operating your sonar before you get it in the water. And when you finally head for your favorite fishing hole, take this manual along for reference. Capabilities and Specifications: X51 and X58DF General Case size:......................... 5.2" H x 5.4" W x 2.6" D (13.2 cm H x 13.6 cm W x 6.6 cm D) sealed, waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. Display:............................ High-contrast Film SuperTwist LCD; 4.0" (10.2 cm) diagonal viewing area. Resolution:...................... 240 pixels (vert.) x 160 pixel (horiz.) resolution; 38,400 total pixels Backlighting:.................. Backlit screen and keypad for night use. Input power:................... 10 to 17 volts DC. Current drain: ............... 300 ma lights off; 400 ma lights on. Back-up memory: .......... Built-in memory stores sonar settings when unit is turned off. 1 Sonar Frequency:...................... 200 kHz (or 50/200 kHz ­ X58DF only). Transducers: .................. A dual-frequency Skimmer transducer comes packed with the X58DF. It has 35°/12° cone angles. Single frequency models for X51 with a 20° cone angle are sold separately. Both models offer a wide fish detection area of up to 60º with high sensitivity settings. Transmitter: ................... 1500 watts peak-to-peak power (typical); 188 watts RMS power (typical). Sonar sounding depth capability: ........... 800 feet (244 meters) at 200 kHz; 1500 feet (450 meters) at 50 kHz (X58DF only). Actual capability depends on transducer configuration and installation, bottom composition and water conditions. All sonar units typically read deeper in fresh water than in salt water. Depth display:................ Continuous digital readout. Audible alarms: ............. Deep/shallow/fish. Automatic ranging:....... Yes, with instant screen updates. Zoom bottom track: ...... Yes. Split-screen zoom:......... Yes. Surface water temp: ..... Yes, with optional external temperature sensor, combo speed/temp sensor or transducer with built-in temp. Speed/distance log: ....... Yes, with optional speed sensor or combo speed/temp sensor. Key features: FishReveal; HyperScroll; Grayline; ASP; Fish I.D. symbols; FishTrack; full one-year warranty. 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 factory's Customer Service Department; phone numbers are inside the manual's back cover. These instructions will help you install your Skimmer transducer on a transom, on a trolling motor or inside a hull. These instructions cover 2 Transducer Installation both single- and dual-frequency Skimmer transducers. Please read all instructions before proceeding with any installation. The smaller single-frequency Skimmers typically use a one-piece, stainless steel mounting bracket. The larger dual-frequency Skimmers typically use a two-piece, plastic mounting bracket. The trolling motor mount uses a one-piece plastic bracket with an adjustable strap. These are all "kick-up" mounting brackets. They help prevent damage if the transducer strikes an object while the boat is moving. If the transducer does "kick-up," the bracket can easily be pushed back into place without tools. Read these instructions carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the mounting positions is right for your boat. Use extreme care if mounting the transducer inside the hull, because once it is epoxied into position, the transducer usually cannot be removed. 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 1" drill bit. A transom mount requires use of a high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline caulking compound. The following installation types also call for these recommended tools and required supplies (supplies are not included): Single-frequency transom installations Tools include: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, flathead screwdriver. Supplies: none. Dual-frequency transom installations Tools: two adjustable wrenches, drill, #20 (0.161") drill bit, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: four, 1" long, #12 stainless steel slotted wood screws. Single-frequency trolling motor installations Tools: two adjustable wrenches, flat-head screwdriver. Supplies: plastic cable ties. Shoot-through hull installations Tools: these will vary depending on your hull's composition. Consult your boat dealer or manufacturer. 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, 3 then the chosen location must be in the water at all times. If the transducer is not placed in a smooth flow of water, interference caused by bubbles and turbulence will show on the sonar's display in the form of random lines or dots whenever the boat is moving. NOTE: Some aluminum boats with strakes or ribs on the outside of the hull create large amounts of turbulence at high speed. These boats typically have large outboard motors capable of propelling the boat at speeds faster than 35 mph. Typically, a good location on aluminum boats is between the ribs closest to the engine. 2. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. 3. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make sure it doesn't interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don't mount it closer than approximatel ...