User manual EAGLE SEACHARTER 500CDF

Pub. 988-0156-041 www.eaglesonar.com FishElite 500C and SeaCharter 500CDF Fish-finding Sonars & Mapping GPS Installation and Operation Instructions Copyright © 2004 LEI-Eagle All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Eagle Electronics. Any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited. Eagle®, FishElite 500C and SeaCharter 500CDF are registered trademarks of LEI. MapCreate, FreedomMaps, IMS and NauticPaths are trademarks of LEI. Fishing Hot Spots is a registered trademark of Fishing Hot Spots Inc. Navionics is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc. eXitSource Database, copyright 2001-2003 Zenrin Co. Ltd. Exit Authority and eXitSource are trademarks of Zenrin Co. Ltd. Eagle Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to do so without notice. All features and specifications subject to change without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated. On the cover: SeaCharter 500CDF shown. Other models covered in the manual are similar. For free owner's manuals and the most current information on this product, its operation and accessories, visit our web site: www.eaglesonar.com Eagle Electronics P.O. Box 669 Catoosa, OK USA 74015 Printed in USA. Table of Contents Section 1: Read Me First! ......................................................... 1 Capabilities and Specifications: FishElite 500C and SeaCharter 500CDF ................................. 3 How Eagle Sonar Works............................................................... 5 How Eagle GPS Works ................................................................. 6 Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 8 How to use this manual: typographical conventions ................ 11 Section 2: Installation & Accessories.................................. 15 Preparations................................................................................ 15 Transducer Installation.............................................................. 15 Selecting a Transducer Location ............................................ 16 How Low Should You Go?....................................................... 17 Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting ............................... 18 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting ..................... 19 Trolling Motor Bracket Installation....................................... 24 Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches .............................. 25 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation and Installation ..................... 26 Speed/Temperature Sensors....................................................... 29 Power Connections...................................................................... 32 Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable .................... 33 GPS Antenna/Receiver Module Installation.............................. 37 NMEA Cable Connections .......................................................... 38 NMEA Wiring ......................................................................... 38 MMC or SD Card Memory Card Installation ............................ 38 Other Accessories........................................................................ 39 Section 3: Basic Sonar Operation ........................................ 41 Keyboard ..................................................................................... 41 Power/lights on and off ............................................................... 42 Main Menu .................................................................................. 42 Pages ........................................................................................... 44 Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 44 Navigation Page ...................................................................... 45 Map Page................................................................................. 45 Sonar Page .............................................................................. 46 Basic Sonar Quick Reference ............................................... 49 Sonar Operations ........................................................................ 50 Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart ........................................ 52 Section 4: Sonar Options & Other Features ...................... 53 ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) ..................................... 53 Alarms ......................................................................................... 54 Depth Alarms .......................................................................... 54 Zone Alarm .............................................................................. 55 i Fish Alarm............................................................................... 56 Calibrate Speed........................................................................... 57 Chart Speed................................................................................. 58 ColorLine.................................................................................. 59 Customize Page Displays ........................................................... 60 Depth Cursor............................................................................... 61 Depth Range - Automatic ........................................................... 62 Depth Range - Manual................................................................ 63 FasTrack .................................................................................. 63 Fish I.D. (Fish Symbols & Depths) ......................................... 64 FishTrack ................................................................................. 65 Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency) ............................. 66 HyperScroll .............................................................................. 67 Log Sonar Chart Data ................................................................ 67 Noise Rejection............................................................................ 68 Overlay Data ............................................................................... 68 Ping Speed & HyperScroll....................................................... 72 Reset Options .............................................................................. 73 Reset Water Distance ................................................................. 74 Set Keel Offset ............................................................................ 74 Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity.................................................... 75 To turn Auto Sensitivity back on: .......................................... 76 Sonar Chart Mode (change chart color scheme)........................ 77 Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options ............................. 77 Full Sonar Chart ..................................................................... 77 Split Zoom Sonar Chart .......................................................... 78 Digital Data............................................................................. 79 Map With Sonar Split Screen................................................. 81 Sonar Simulator.......................................................................... 81 Stop Chart ................................................................................... 83 Surface Clarity ............................................................................ 84 Zoom & Zoom Bar ....................................................................... 85 Zoom Pan..................................................................................... 86 Section 5: Sonar Troubleshooting ....................................... 87 Section 6: Basic GPS Operations ......................................... 91 Keyboard ..................................................................................... 91 Power/lights (Turn Unit On and Off)......................................... 92 Main Menu .................................................................................. 92 Pages ........................................................................................... 94 Sonar Page .............................................................................. 94 Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 94 Navigation Page ...................................................................... 96 Map Page................................................................................. 98 ii Background map vs. MapCreate map content ................ 100 Resize Window command ..................................................... 102 Basic GPS Quick Reference ................................................ 104 Find Your Current Position...................................................... 105 Moving Around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys ........... 105 Selecting Any Map Item With the Cursor ............................... 106 Searching................................................................................... 106 Set a Waypoint.......................................................................... 109 Create Waypoint at Current Position .............................. 109 Create Waypoint on Map .................................................. 110 Create Waypoint by Entering a Position ......................... 110 Navigate To a Waypoint ........................................................... 111 Set Man Overboard (MOB) Waypoint...................................... 112 Navigate Back to MOB Waypoint ............................................ 112 Navigate to Cursor Position on Map........................................ 113 Navigate to a Point of Interest................................................. 115 Creating and Saving a Trail..................................................... 115 Displaying a Saved Trail .......................................................... 117 Navigating Trails...................................................................... 117 Visual Trailing ...................................................................... 118 Navigate a Trail (forward).................................................... 118 Navigate a Back Trail (backtrack, or reverse)..................... 120 Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ........................... 121 Cancel Navigation..................................................................... 123 Section 7: Advanced GPS Operations ............................... 125 Find Distance From Current Position To Another Location .. 125 Find Distance From Point to Point .......................................... 125 Icons........................................................................................... 126 Create Icon on Map............................................................... 126 Create Icon at Current Position ........................................... 126 Delete an Icon ....................................................................... 127 Navigate to an Icon ............................................................... 127 Routes........................................................................................ 128 Create and Save a Route ...................................................... 128 Delete a Route ....................................................................... 131 Edit a Route Name................................................................ 131 Edit Route Waypoints........................................................... 131 Navigate a Route................................................................... 132 Navigate a Route in Reverse ................................................ 133 Trails ......................................................................................... 134 Delete a Trail ........................................................................ 134 Edit a Trail Name ................................................................. 134 Edit a Trail Color .................................................................. 135 iii Edit a Trail Pattern .............................................................. 135 Utilities...................................................................................... 136 Alarm Clock........................................................................... 136 Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator.......................................... 136 Trip Calculator...................................................................... 136 Trip Down Timer................................................................... 136 Trip Up Timer ....................................................................... 136 Waypoints.................................................................................. 136 Delete a Waypoint................................................................. 136 Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol, Position) ......................... 137 Selecting a Waypoint ............................................................ 137 Set a Waypoint by Average Position .................................... 138 Set a Waypoint by Projecting a Position.............................. 138 Section 8: System & GPS Setup Options .......................... 139 Alarms ....................................................................................... 139 Check MMC Files and Storage Space ...................................... 140 Communications Port Configuration ....................................... 140 Configure NMEA ...................................................................... 141 Coordinate System Selection.................................................... 142 To setup Loran TD: ............................................................... 143 Map Fix ..................................................................................... 144 Customize Page Displays ......................................................... 145 GPS Simulator .......................................................................... 145 Simulating Trail or Route Navigation ................................. 146 Hide GPS Features ................................................................... 147 Initialize GPS............................................................................ 147 Map Auto Zoom ......................................................................... 147 Map Data................................................................................... 148 Show Map Data..................................................................... 148 Pop-up Map Information ...................................................... 148 Map Boundaries .................................................................... 149 Fill Water With White .......................................................... 149 Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ...................... 149 Map Datum Selection ............................................................... 150 Map Detail Category Selection................................................. 150 Map Orientation ....................................................................... 151 Navionics Charts..................................................................... 152 Display a Navionics chart:.................................................... 152 Port Information ................................................................... 153 Tidal Current Information ................................................... 154 Tide Information ................................................................... 156 Pop-up Help............................................................................... 158 Reset Options ............................................................................ 158 iv Require WAAS .......................................................................... 159 Screen Contrast and Brightness .............................................. 159 Set Language ............................................................................ 160 Set Local Time .......................................................................... 161 Show WAAS Alarm................................................................... 161 Software Version Information.................................................. 162 Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles.............................................. 162 Track Smoothing....................................................................... 163 Trail Options ............................................................................. 164 Delete All Trails .................................................................... 164 Update Trail Options ............................................................ 164 Delete Trail ........................................................................... 166 New Trail............................................................................... 166 Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................. 166 Transparency ............................................................................ 166 Units of Measure....................................................................... 167 Section 9: Searching ............................................................. 169 Find Addresses.......................................................................... 170 Find Any Item Selected by Map Cursor .................................. 173 Find Interstate Highway Exits ................................................ 173 Find Map Places or Points of Interest (POI) ........................... 176 Find Streets or Intersections.................................................... 178 Find Waypoints......................................................................... 182 Section 10: Supplemental Material ................................... 185 v WARNING! A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION. CAUTION When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), a GPS unit will show the shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to the waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not only take advantage of all available navigation tools when traveling to a waypoint, but will also visually check to make sure a clear, safe path to the waypoint is always available. WARNING! When a GPS unit is used in a vehicle, the vehicle operator is solely responsible for operating the vehicle in a safe manner. Vehicle operators must maintain full surveillance of all pertinent driving, boating or flying conditions at all times. An accident or collision resulting in damage to property, personal injury or death could occur if the operator of a GPS-equipped vehicle fails to pay full attention to travel conditions and vehicle operation while the vehicle is in motion. vi Section 1: Read Me First! How this manual can get you out on the road, fast! Welcome to the exciting world of digital sonar and GPS! We know you're anxious to begin navigating and finding fish, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab the unit and begin installing it, please give us a moment or two to explain how our manual can help you get the best performance from your compact, color display, combination fish finder and mapping GPS receiver. First, we want to thank you for buying a Eagle sonar/GPS unit. Whether you're a first time user or a professional fisherman, you'll discover that your unit is easy to use, yet capable of handling demanding navigation and sonar tasks. When you team your unit with our custom mapping software MapCreate 6, you have an incredible combination. You won't find another combination GPS and sonar unit with this much power and this many features for this price! Our goal for this book is to get you on the water fast, with a minimum of fuss. Like you, we'd rather spend more time boating or fishing and less time reading the manual! So, we designed our book so that you don't have to read the whole thing from front to back for the information you want. At the start (or end) of each segment, we'll tell you what content is coming up next. If it's a concept you're already familiar with, we'll show you how and where to skip ahead for the next important topic. We've also made it easy to look up any tips you may need from time to time. Here's how: The manual is organized into 10 sections. This first section is an introduction to the FishElite 500C or SeaCharter 500CDF, sonar and GPS. It tells you the basics you need to know before you can make the unit look around and tell you where you are, or look below the surface to find some fish. Section 2 will help you install your unit, the transducer and the GPS antenna module. We'll show you how to get the MultiMedia Card (MMC) correctly installed inside the unit. We'll also tell you about some of the available accessories. Section 3 covers Basic Sonar Operation. It will show you how easy it is to run your unit, right out of the box. This section features a one-page Sonar Quick Reference. (If you've already jumped ahead and figured out how to install the unit yourself, and you just can't wait any longer, turn to the Quick Reference on page 49 and head 1 for the water with your unit!) After you've gained some experience with your sonar, you'll want to check out Section 4, which discusses more advanced Sonar Options and Other Features. When you come to a sonar menu command on the unit's screen, you can look it up in the manual by skimming over the table of contents, just flipping through Section 3 or scanning through the sonar options in Section 4. If you're having difficulty with your sonar, you can find an answer to the most common problems in Section 5, Sonar Troubleshooting. The manual switches from sonar to navigation in Section 6, which introduces you to Basic GPS Operations. This section features a onepage GPS Quick Reference on page 104. Section 6 contains short, easy-to-scan GPS lessons that follow one another in chronological order. They're all you'll need to know to find your way on the water quickly. After you've learned the basics (or if you already have some GPS experience), you may want to try out some of the unit's many advanced navigation features. That brings us to Section 7, Advanced GPS Operations. This section contains the rest of the unit's GPS command functions, organized in alphabetical order. When you come to a GPS menu command on the screen, you can look it up in the manual by skimming over the table of contents, just flipping through Section 6 or scanning through the command portion of Section 7. This unit is ready to use right out of the box, but you can fine tune and customize it's operation with dozens of options. Since sonar is the unit's key feature, we put the main sonar options in Section 4. Some options, such as screen brightness settings, affect both sonar and GPS operations. We describe how to use those common options along with GPS options in Section 8, System Setup and GPS Setup Options. Section 8 is organized in alphabetical order. In Section 9, we go into more detail on one of the unit's most remarkable GPS capabilities -- Searching. We'll introduce a search example in the Basic GPS Operation section, but there are so many map items you can search for, we had to give this function it's own section in the manual! For example, did you know this unit can look up business phone numbers, functioning as a virtual Yellow Pages? We'll show you how in Section 9. Finally, in Section 10, we offer Supplemental Material, including a list 2 of the GPS datums used, warranties and customer service information. Now, if you're into the fine details, glance over the next segment on specifications to see just how much sonar and GPS power your unit contains. It's important to us (and our power users), but, if you don't care how many watts of power the unit has, or how many waypoints it can store, skip ahead to important information on how the sonar works, on page 5. (Background on GPS begins on page 6.) Capabilities and Specifications: FishElite 500C and SeaCharter 500CDF General Display:............................ 5.0" (12.7 cm) diagonal color TFT LCD; programmable to viewing preference. Resolution:...................... 320 pixel x 240 pixel resolution; 76,800 total pixels. Backlighting:.................. Backlit screen and keypad with multiple lighting levels for night use. Input power:................... 10 to 15 volts DC. Case size:......................... 5.4" H x 6.9" W x 3.4" D (13.8 x 17.6 x 8.6 cm); sealed and waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. Back-up memory: .......... Built-in memory stores sonar records for decades. Languages:...................... 10; menu languages selectable by user. Sonar Frequency:...................... 50/200 kHz for SeaCharter 500CDF; 200 kHz for FishElite 500C. Transducers: .................. A dual-frequency Skimmer transducer with built-in temperature sensor is packed with the SeaCharter 500CDF. It has 35°/12° cone angles. A single-frequency Skimmer transducer with built-in temperature sensor is packed with the FishElite 500C. It has a 20° cone angle. Transducers operate at speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts) Watts: ............................... 1,500 watts peak-to-peak/188 watt RMS. Sonar sounding depth capability: ........... SeaCharter 500CDF: 1,500 feet (450 meters). FishElite 500C: 800 feet (244 meters). Actual capability depends on transducer con3 figuration and installation, bottom composition 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/zone. Automatic ranging:....... Yes, with instant screen updates. Auto bottom track:........ Yes. Zoom bottom track: ...... Yes. Split-screen zoom:......... Yes. Surface water temp: ..... Yes. Speed/distance log:...... Optional (requires optional speed sensor). GPS MMC slots: ...................... One with waterproof door (SD card compatible). Recording:........................ MMC & SD cards for recording GPS trip details and displaying charts or custom maps. GPS Receiver/antenna: ......... External; EGC-12w 12 parallel channel GPS/WAAS. Background map:.......... Built-in custom, detailed Eagle map. Contains: enhanced detail of continental U.S. and Hawaii. Includes more than 60,000 nav aids and 10,000 wrecks/obstructions in coastal and Great Lakes waters. Metro areas, selected major streets/highways and interstate exit services details included. Custom mapping: .......... MapCreate 6 software optional; optional plug and play LEI FreedomMaps offer the same high-detail without the computer work of MapCreate. Other plug and play mapping options include IMS Fishing Hot Spots, LEI NauticPaths charts and Navionics charts. Mapping memory: ......... Up to 1 gigabyte on one MMC (or SD) card. Position updates: .......... Every second. Position points: ............. 1,000 waypoints; 1,000 event marker icons. 4 Audible alarms: ............. Arrival/off-course/anchor. Graphic symbols for waypoints or event marker icons: ................. 42. Routes:............................. 100, up to 100 waypoints per route. Plot Trails: ...................... 10 savable; up to 10,000 points per trail. Zoom range:.................... 40 ranges; 0.02 to 4,000 miles. NOTE: The above memory capacities refer only to the unit's on-board memory. The amount of GPS data you can record and save for recall later is limited only by the number of MMC cards you have. NOTICE! The storage temperature range for your FishElite 500C and SeaCharter 500CDF 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 listed on the last page of this manual. How Eagle Sonar Works Sonar has been around since the 1940s, so if you already know how it works, skip down to read about the relatively new technology of GPS. But, if you've never owned a sonar fish finder, this segment will tell you the under water basics. Sonar is an abbreviation for SOund NAvigation and Ranging, a technology developed during World War II for tracking enemy submarines. Eagle developed the world's first transistorized sportfishing sonar in 1957.) 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 converts 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 5 object. The whole process repeats itself several times each second. Your unit can record a log of the sonar signals that scroll across the screen and save them to the MMC memory card. (These recordings are also called sonar charts or sonar graphs.) You can replay this sonar log in the unit using the Sonar Simulator function, or play it back on a personal computer using our free Sonar Viewer or product emulator. The viewer and emulator are available for download from the Eagle web site, www.eaglesonar.com. You can save several different sonar log files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over again. The size of your sonar recordings is only limited by the free space available on your MMC. How GPS Works You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how the unit scans the sky to tell you where you are on the earth ­ and, where you're going. (But if you already have a working understanding of GPS receivers and the GPS navigation system, skip on ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories on page 15. If you're new to GPS, read on. You can later impress your friends with your new-found knowledge.) First, think of your unit as a small but powerful computer. (But don't worry -- we made it easy to use, so you don't need to be a computer expert to find your way!) The unit includes a keypad and a screen with menus so you can tell it what to do. The screen also lets the unit show your location on a moving map, as well as point the way to your destination. This gimbal-mounted unit uses an external antenna/receiver module, which makes the whole system work something like your car radio. But instead of your favorite dance tunes, this receiver tunes in to a couple of dozen GPS satellites circling the earth. (It will also listen in to the WAAS satellites in orbit, but more about that in the upcoming segment introducing you to GPS and WAAS.) Your unit listens to signals from as many satellites as it can "see" above the horizon, eliminates the weakest signals, then computes its location in relation to those satellites. Once the unit figures its latitude and longitude, it plots that position on the moving map shown on the screen. The whole process takes place several times a second! The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of each unit is a basic background map of the entire world. We lock it in here at the factory -- you can't change or erase this map. The background map is suitable for many navigation chores, but for maximum accuracy and much more detail, you need our optional map6 making software, MapCreate 6. Some unit features -- such as searching for businesses and addresses -- won't work without a custom MapCreate map. There is so much detail in our background map (and even more in MapCreate) that we'll describe their contents and differences in Section 3, Basic GPS Operations, on page 100. Another portion of the SeaCharter 500CDF's onboard memory is devoted to recording GPS navigation information, which includes waypoints, event marker icons, trails and routes. This lets you look back the way you came. Think of this data storage like the hard drive memory in a computer or a tape in a cassette tape recorder. You can save several different GPS data files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over again. Like any computer file, these GPS Data Files (file format *.usr) can be shared between Eagle GPS or sonar/GPS units or even personal computers. This unit has one more thing in common with a personal computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and exchanging files, the unit has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD card (Secure Digital card) flash memory card. These solid-state memory devices are about the size of a postage stamp, but can hold data ranging from 8 MB to 1 GB in size. (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB capacity!) This unit uses all that MMC space for two key GPS purposes. First, you can backup your onboard GPS Data Files by copying them to the MMC. Since the MMC is removable (like a floppy disk or a cassette tape), you can store these GPS Data Files on a personal computer equipped with an MMC card reader. (Or store them on a pocketful of MMCs, if you don't have a computer.) Our MapCreate mapping software can save, edit or create its own GPS Data Files, which can be copied to the MMC and then loaded from the MMC into the unit's memory. (NOTE: No matter where they come from, GPS Data Files must be loaded from the MMC into memory before the unit can use them.) The other key GPS use for MMCs is storage of special high-detail, custom maps, which you can produce on your computer with our MapCreate software. These MapCreate custom maps contain much greater detail than the basic background map. These Custom Map Files (file format *.lcm) can also be shared between Eagle GPS or sonar/GPS units and personal computers. This unit automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the MMC or SD card. To use a custom map, all you need to do is slide an MMC containing a map into the unit. 7 Introduction to GPS and WAAS Well, now you know the basics of how the unit does its work. You might be ready to jump ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories, on page 15, so you can mount your unit and plug in the power. Or you might want to see how our text formatting makes the manual tutorials easy to skim. If that's the case, move on to "How to Use This Manual" on page 11. But, if you want to understand the current state of satellite navigation, look over this segment describing how GPS and its new companion WAAS work together to get you where you're going. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was launched July 17, 1995 by the United States Department of Defense. It was designed as a 24hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year, all weather global navigation system for the armed forces of the U.S. and its allies. Civilian use was also available at first, but it was less accurate because the military scrambled the signal somewhat, using a process called Selective Availability (SA). GPS proved so useful for civilian navigation that the federal government discontinued SA on May 2, 2000, after the military developed other methods to deny GPS service to enemy forces. Reliable accuracy for civilian users jumped from 100 meters (330 feet) under SA to the present level of 10 to 20 meters (about 30 to 60 feet.) Twenty-four satellites orbit 10,900 nautical miles above the Earth, passing overhead twice daily. a series of ground stations (with precisely surveyed locations) controls the satellites and monitors their exact locations in the sky. Each satellite broadcasts a low-power signal that identifies the satellite and its position above the earth. Three of these satellites are spares, unused until needed. The rest virtually guarantee that at least four satellites are in view nearly anywhere on Earth at all times. A minimum of three satellites are required to determine a 2D fix. 8 The system requires signal reception from three satellites in order to determine a position. This is called a 2D fix. It takes four satellites to determine both position and elevation (your height above sea level -- also called altitude). This is called a 3D fix. Remember, the unit must have a clear view of the satellites in order to receive their signals. Unlike radio or television signals, GPS works at very high frequencies. These signals can be easily blocked by trees, buildings, an automobile roof, even your body. Like most GPS receivers, this unit doesn't have a compass or any other navigation aid built inside. It relies solely on the signals from the satellites to calculate a position. Speed, direction of travel, and distance are all calculated from position information. Therefore, in order for unit to determine direction of travel, you must be moving and the faster, the better. This is not to say that it won't work at walking or trolling speeds -- it will. There will simply be more "wandering" of the data shown on the display. GPS is plenty accurate for route navigation, but the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has special needs for aircraft traffic control that go beyond basic GPS. The FAA has a plan under way to boost GPS performance even further with its Wide Area Augmentation System, or WAAS. This GPS add-on will include a time control element that will help airliners fly closer together while avoiding collisions. In addition to carefully spacing airplanes along travel corridors, WAAS will eventually make instrument landings and takeoffs more accurate as it replaces existing aviation navigation systems. Non-aviators can use WAAS signals to make their GPS navigation even more accurate. Your unit receives both GPS and WAAS signals. However, WAAS has some limits you should know about. First, the U.S. government has not completed construction of the WAAS system, so it is not yet fully operational. The ground stations are in place, but only a few of the needed WAAS satellites have been launched. WAAS can boost the accuracy of land GPS navigation, but the system is designed for aircraft. The satellites are in a fixed orbit around the Equator, so they appear very low in the sky to someone on the ground in North America. Aircraft and vessels on open water can get consistently good WAAS reception, but terrain, foliage or even large man-made structures frequently block the WAAS signal from ground receivers. You'll find that using your GPS receiver is both easy and amazingly accurate. It's easily the most accurate method of electronic navigation 9 available to the general public today. Remember, however, that this receiver is only a tool. Always have another method of navigation available, such as a map or chart and a compass. Also remember that this unit will always show navigation information in the shortest line from your present position to a waypoint, regardless of terrain! It only calculates position, it can't know what's between you and your destination, for example. It's up to you to safely navigate around obstacles, no matter how you're using this product. Free Training Aids Available Now that you know something about the technology that makes this unit possible, you're ready to start learning how to use that technology! This manual will guide you through the process of setting up and running your unit, but that's only one of many resources available. If you or a friend has Internet access, visit our web site! Find us at www.eaglesonar.com. The site is packed with additional information on using our products. For instance, you can learn more about interpreting what you see on your sonar screen with our free Sonar Tutorial. The tutorial includes animated illustrations and more pictures of actual sonar returns, all described in detail. There's even a "printer friendly" version of the tutorial available on our web ...it makes a great supplement to this operation manual. Sonar Viewer You can also download a free copy of our Sonar Viewer software. This PC-based software application plays back any sonar chart log recorded with a Eagle sonar product. Features include: · · · · · · · Adjustable range, zoom, sensitivity, ColorLine, noise rejection, surface clarity, etc. of the recorded file. Color interpretation of sonar signals can be user defined. Operates like a Windows Multimedia Player with forward, reverse, pause, fast forward, fast reverse, and scroll buttons. Adjustments update the entire record displayed. Can print in full color. Window can dynamically be sized on your monitor. Mouse cursor shows GPS position, depth and sounding number anywhere on the visible record. Emulator For the ultimate training aid, be sure to download the free emulator software for your unit. Aside from being just plain fun, this program 10 can help you learn both basic and advanced operations without burning boat fuel! Eagle is the first sonar manufacturer to provide this type of training tool for customers. This PC application simulates the actual sonar/GPS unit on your computer. You can run it from your computer keyboard or use your mouse to press the virtual keys. Easy download and installation instructions are available on our web site. Free training emulator is available for your unit on our web site. The emulator works exactly like your real sonar/GPS unit. Using the Sonar Simulator and GPS Simulator features, it allows you to play back sonar logs, run GPS routes and trails, even create real waypoints you can use in the field! You can even take snapshots of the Sonar Chart and print them or e-mail them to friends. And that's just some of the material available on our web site. To find out all we have available, go to www.eaglesonar.com and look around. For now, though, we'll get back to how to use this particular unit. And, first, how to use the manual. How to use this manual: typographical conventions Many instructions are listed as numbered steps. The keypad and arrow "keystrokes" appear as boldface type. So, if you're in a real hurry (or just need a reminder), you can skim the instructions and pick out what menu command to use by finding the boldface command text. The fol11 lowing paragraphs explain how to interpret the text formatting for those commands and other instructions: Arrow Keys The arrow keys control the movement of dotted cross-hair lines on your mapping screen called the cursor. The arrow keys also control a horizontal line depth cursor on the sonar screen. The arrow keys help you move around the menus so you can execute different commands. They are represented by symbols like these, which denote the down arrow key, the up arrow, the left arrow and the right arrow: . Keyboard The other keys perform a variety of functions. When the text refers to a key to press, the key is shown in bold, sans serif type. For example, the "Enter/Icons" key is shown as ENT and the "Menu" key is shown as MENU. Menu Commands A menu command or a menu option will appear in small capital letters, in a bold sans serif type like this: ROUTE PLANNING. These indicate that you are to select this command or option from a menu or take an action of some kind with the menu item. Text that you may need to enter or file names you need to select are show in italic type, such as trail name. Instructions = Menu Sequences Most functions you perform with the unit are described as a sequence of key strokes and selecting menu commands. We've written them in a condensed manner for quick and easy reading. For example, instructions for navigating a trail would look like this: 1. From the Map Page, press MENU|MENU| to MY TRAILS|ENT. 2. Press to Trail 1|ENT| to NAVIGATE|ENT. 3. You are asked to wait while it converts the trail into a route. 4. The wait message disappears and the unit begins showing navigation information along the trail. Now, begin moving and follow your unit's directions. Translated into complete English, step 1 above would mean: "Start on the Map Page. Press the Menu key twice. Next, repeatedly press (or press and hold) the down arrow key to scroll down the menu and select (highlight) the My Trails menu command. Finally, press the Enter key." 12 Step 2 would mean: "Press the down arrow key repeatedly to scroll to the trail named Trail 1, and press Enter. Next, press the right arrow key to highlight the Navigate command, then press Enter." 13 Notes 14 Section 2: Installation & Accessories Preparations You can install the sonar system in some other order if you prefer, but we recommend this installation sequence: Caution: You should read over this entire installation section before drilling any holes in your vessel! 1. Determine the approximate location for the sonar unit, so you can plan how and where to route the cables for the transducer and power. This will help you make sure you have enough cable length for the desired configuration. 2. Determine the approximate location for the transducer and its cable route. 3. Determine the location of your battery or other power connection, along with the power cable route. 4. Install the transducer and route the transducer cable to the sonar unit. 5. Route the power cable from the unit's location to an appropriate power source and connect it there. 6. Connect the transducer/power cable to the unit and mount the sonar unit on the bracket. Transducer Installation These instructions will help you install your Skimmer transducer on a transom, on a trolling motor or inside a hull. These instructions cover both single- and dual-frequency Skimmer transducers. Please read all instructions before proceeding with any installation. Your Skimmer transducer typically comes packaged with a one-piece stainless steel bracket for mounting it to the transom of your boat. The optional trolling motor mount uses a one-piece plastic bracket with an adjustable strap. These are "kick-up" mounting brackets. They help prevent damage if the transducer strikes an object while the boat is moving. If the transducer does "kick-up," the bracket can easily be pushed back into place without tools. Read these instructions carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the installation methods is right for your boat. 15 Remember, the transducer location and 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. (If you intend to install an additional speed or temp sensor and route its cable through the same hole in the transom, you will need a 1" (25.4 mm) drill bit to accommodate all the cables.) NOTE: The following installation types also call for these recommended tools and required supplies that you must provide (supplies listed here 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. Other tools are a wooden craft stick or similar tool for stirring and applying epoxy, and a paper plate or piece of cardboard to mix the epoxy on. Supplies: rubbing alcohol, 100 grit sandpaper, specially formulated epoxy adhesive available from LEI (see ordering information on the inside portion of the back cover). A sandwich hull also requires polyester resin. Selecting a Transducer Location 1. The location must be in the water at all times, at all operating speeds. 2. The transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of 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 16 typically have large outboard motors capable of propelling the boat at speeds faster than 35 mph. Typically, a good transom location on aluminum boats is between the ribs closest to the engine. 3. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. For shoot-thru applications: Many popular fishing boat hulls have a flat keel pad that offers a good mounting surface. On vee hulls, try to place the transducer where the deadrise is 10° or less. Deadrise less than 10° Strakes Pad Left, vee pad hull; right, vee hull. A pod style transducer is shown here, but the principle is the same for Skimmers inside a hull. 4. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make sure it doesn't interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don't mount it closer than approximately one foot from the engine's lower unit. This will prevent cavitation (bubble) interference with propeller operation. 5. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from engine wiring, bilge pumps and aerators can be displayed on the sonar's screen. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires. CAUTION: Clamp the transducer cable to transom near the transducer. This will help prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed. Good location Poor location Good location Good location Poor angle Good and poor transducer locations. How low should you go? For most situations, you should install your Skimmer transducer so that its centerline is level with the bottom of the boat hull. This will usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protection from bangs and bumps. 17 Transom Transom Transducer centerline Hull bottom Hull bottom Align transducer centerline with hull bottom. A dual frequency transducer is shown at left and a single frequency transducer at right. However, there are times when you may need 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 wish, you may move the transducer a little higher for more protection. There are two extremes you should avoid. Never let the edge of the mounting bracket extend below the bottom of the hull. Never let the bottom ­ the face ­ of the transducer rise above the bottom of the hull. Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting In a shoot-thru-hull installation, the transducer is bonded to the inside of the hull with epoxy. The sonar "ping" signal actually passes through the hull and into the water. This differs from a bolt-thru-hull installation (often called simply "thru-hull"). In that case, a hole is cut in the hull and a specially designed transducer is mounted through the hull with a threaded shaft and nut. This puts the transducer in direct contact with the water. Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of transducer damage from floating objects, as there is with a transommounted transducer. A transducer mounted inside the hull can't be knocked off when docking or loading on a trailer. However, the shoot-thru-hull installation does have its drawbacks. First, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same 18 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. (This is not an issue for flasher-style sonars.) 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 these transducers 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. The following instructions sometimes vary depending on the mounting bracket that came with your transducer. Single frequency Skimmers come with a one-piece stainless steel bracket, while dual frequency Skimmers come with a two-piece plastic mounting bracket. Use the set of instructions that fits your model. 1. Assembling the bracket. A. One-piece 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. B. Two-piece bracket: Locate the four plastic ratchets in the transducer's hardware package. Press two ratchets into the sides of the plastic 19 bracket and two on either side of the transducer as shown in the following illustrations. Notice there are letters molded into each ratchet. Place the ratchets into the bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the alignment mark molded into the bracket. Place the ratchets onto the transducer with the letter "A" aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem. These positions set the transducer's coarse angle adjustment for a 14° transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a 14° angle. Alignment letters Alignment positions Transducer bracket Insert and align ratchets. Transducer Transducer bracket Transducer Ratchet Ratchet Add ratchets to bracket and transducer. 2. Aligning the transducer on the transom. A. One-piece bracket: 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 20 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. If you can, then go to step 3A. If it doesn't, repeat step 2A, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly. Ratchets Insert bolt and check transducer position on transom. B. Two-piece bracket: Assemble the transducer and bracket as shown in the following figure. Temporarily slide the bolt though the transducer assembly but don't tighten the nut at this time. Hold the assembled transducer and bracket 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" positions are correct for your hull. If the transducer's face isn't parallel with the ground, remove and disassemble the transducer and ratchets. Place the ratchets into the bracket holes with the letter "B" aligned with the bracket alignment mark. Place them on the transducer aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the transducer stem. 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. If you can, then go to step 3B. If it doesn't, repeat step 2B, but use a different alignment letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly. Lock washer Nut Flat washer Flat washer Bolt Assemble transducer and bracket. 21 3. Assembling the transducer. A. One-piece bracket: Once you determine the correct position for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the following figure. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time. Nut Metal washer Rubber washers Bolt Metal washer Assemble transducer and bracket. B. Two-piece bracket: Once you determine the correct position for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown in the figure in step 2B. Don't tighten the lock nut at this time. 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. For the one-piece bracket, use the #29 bit (for the #10 screws). For the two-piece bracket, use the #20 bit (for the #12 screws). Transom Transom Position transducer mount on transom and mark mounting holes. Side view shown at left and seen from above at right. 5. Attaching transducer to transom. 22 A. One-piece bracket: Remove the transducer from the bracket and reassemble it with the cable passing through the bracket over the bolt as shown in the following figures. For single-frequency Skimmer, route cable over bolt and through bracket. Side view shown at left and seen from above at right. Both bracket types: 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 mounting screws, sealing them with the caulking 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 transducer to transom. Rear view of dual-frequency Skimmer shown. 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 enter23 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 will be 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 transducer 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 (single-frequency only) 1. Attach the optional TMB-S bracket to the transducer as shown in the following figure, using the hardware supplied with the transducer. (Note: The internal tooth washer is supplied with the TMB-S.) Bolt Internal tooth washer Nut TMB-S bracket Flat washer Attach motor mounting bracket to transducer. 2. Slide the adjustable strap supplied with the TMB-S through the slot in the transducer bracket and wrap it around the trolling motor. Position the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the water. Tighten the strap securely. 3. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the trolling motor shaft. Make sure there is enough slack in the cable for the motor to turn freely. Route the cable to the sonar unit and the transducer is ready for use. 24 Transducer mounted on trolling motor, side view. Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches If you do not get good fish arches on your display, it could be because the transducer is not parallel with the ground when the boat is at rest in the water or at slow trolling speeds. Partial fish arches Transducer aimed too far back Transducer aimed too far forward Full fish arch Proper transducer angle Transducer angles and their effects on fish arches. If the arch slopes up ­ but not back down ­ then the front of the transducer is too high and needs to be lowered. If only the back half of the arch is printed, then the nose of the transducer is angled too far down and needs to be raised. NOTE: Periodically wash the transducer's face with soap and water to remove any oil film. Oil and dirt on the face will reduce the sensitivity or may even prevent operation. 25 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation Hulls With Flotation Materials The transducer installation inside a fiberglass hull must be in an area that does not have air bubbles in the resin or separated fiberglass layers. The sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. A successful transducer installation can be made on hulls with flotation materials (such as plywood, balsa wood or foam) between layers of fiberglass if the material is removed from the chosen area. See the figure below. WARNING: Do not remove any material from your inner hull unless you know the hull's composition. Careless grinding or cutting on your hull can result in damage that could sink your boat. Contact your boat dealer or manufacturer to confirm your hull specifications. Fill with resin Fill with resin Flotation material Inner hull Epoxy to hull first Outer hull Epoxy the transducer to a solid portion of the hull. For example, some (but not all) manufacturers use a layer of fiberglass, then a core of balsa wood, finishing with an outer layer of fiberglass. Removing the inner layer of fiberglass and the balsa wood core exposes the outer layer of fiberglass. The transducer can then be epoxied directly to the outer layer of fiberglass. After the epoxy cures for 24 hours, fill the remaining space with polyester resin. When the job is finished, the hull is watertight and structurally sound. Remember, the sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. Any air bubbles in the fiberglass or the epoxy will reduce or eliminate the sonar signals. Testing Determines Best Location Ideally, the shoot-thru transducer should be installed as close to the transom as possible, close to the centerline. This will give you the best performance during high speed maneuvers. 26 Transducer location (high speed) Transducer location (trolling speed) Shoot-thru-hull transducer locations for high speed or trolling speed operation. To choose the proper location for shoot-thru-hull mounting, follow these testing procedures: (You may need a helper to complete these steps.) 1. Anchor the boat in about 30 feet of water. Add a little water to the sump of the boat. Plug the transducer into the sonar unit, turn it on, then hold the transducer over the side of the boat in the water. Adjust the sensitivity and range controls until a second bottom echo is seen on the display. (You'll 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.) Don't touch the controls once they've been set. 2. Next, take the transducer out of the water and place it in the water in the sump of the boat, face down. (The transducer face is shown in the figure on the following page.) Notice how the signal strength decreases. The second bottom signal will probably disappear and the bottom signal intensity will likely decrease. 3. Now move the transducer around to find the best location with the strongest possible bottom signal. If you find a spot with an acceptable bottom signal, mark the location and move on to step 4. If you can't get an acceptable bottom signal, try turning up the sensitivity by three or five keystrokes and then move the transducer around once more. If you find a spot that works, mark it and move on to step 4. If you have to turn up sensitivity by more than five keystrokes to get a good signal, the transducer should be mounted on the outside of the hull. This is especially true if you have to turn sensitivity all the way up to get a decent bottom signal. 4. Most people can get good results by following steps 1 through 3, so this step is optional. If you want to make an extra effort to be absolutely sure that your selected location will work under all conditions, make a test run 27 with the boat on plane and observe the bottom signal. You'll need to figure some way to prop the transducer into position while you make your test run. (A brick or two might be sufficient to hold it in place.) 5. When you're satisfied with a location, mark it and proceed with the installation. Shoot-Thru-Hull Installation If you are installing the transducer on a hull with floatation material sandwiched within the hull, refer to the text "Hulls With Flotation Materials" beginning on page 26. 1. Make sure the area is clean, dry and free of oil or grease, then sand both the inside surface of the hull and the face of the transducer with 100 grit sandpaper. The sanded hull area should be about 1-1/2 times the diameter of the transducer. The surface of the hull must be flat so the entire transducer face is in contact with the hull prior to bonding. After sanding, clean the hull and transducer with rubbing alcohol to remove any sanding debris. Spread epoxy here Sand this surface (unit's face) Orient the Skimmer with the nose facing the bow of the boat. To bow Epoxy transducer to hull. WARNING: Use only the epoxy available from LEI. It has been formulated to work with these installation procedures. Other epoxy types may be too thin or may not cure to the right consistency for optimum transducer performance. 2. The epoxy consists of the epoxy itself and a hardener. Remove the two compounds from the package and place them on the paper plate. 28 Thoroughly stir the two compounds together until the mixture has a uniform color and consistency. Do not mix too fast or bubbles will form in the epoxy. After mixing, you have 20 minutes to complete the installation before the epoxy becomes unworkable. Spread a thin layer of epoxy (about 1/16" or 1.5 mm thick) on the face of the transducer as shown in the previous figure. Make sure there are no air pockets in the epoxy layer! Then, apply the remaining epoxy to the sanded area on the hull. 3. Press the transducer into the epoxy, twisting and turning it to force any air bubbles out from under the transducer face. Stop pressing when you bottom out on the hull. When you're finished, the face of the transducer should be parallel with the hull, with a minimum amount of epoxy between the hull and transducer. 4. Apply a weight, such as a brick, to hold the transducer in place while the epoxy cures. Be careful not to bump the transducer while the epoxy is wet. Leave the weight in place for a minimum of three hours. Allow the epoxy to cure for 24 hours before moving the boat. 5. After the epoxy has cured, route the cable to the sonar unit and it's ready to use. Speed/Temperature Sensors This unit can accept as many as two temperature sensors, which can be used to monitor the temperature of surface water, a live well or some other location. These units can also accept an optional speed sensor for showing speed and distance traveled. However, you can only use one accessory at a time. If you would like to use a speed sensor and a second temperature sensor at the same time, you will need a combination device. NOTE: This unit is packed with a transducer containing a built-in temp sensor. The SeaCharter package also includes a speed sensor. If you have a FishElite 500C and want a speed sensor or additional temp sensor, see the Accessory Ordering Information in the back of this manual. If a second temp sensor is used, it must be the model TS-2U. This model has a fixed electronic "address" which designates it as the second of two temp sensors. Dual temperatures are only displayed on the Full Chart page. The Large Digital page will only display the primary temperature sensor. See the following wiring diagram for temperature and speed sensor combinations. 29 Sonar unit rear view Accessory socket Power/transducer socket GPS antenna socket Temp sensor Power/transducer cable 3-amp fuse GPS module Speed or combo speed/temp sensor. Temp sensor built into transducer. 12-volt battery Sonar unit with external temp sensor, external speed sensor, or combo speed/temp sensor. The primary temperature sensor is built into the transducer. Optional Speed Sensor Installation All the units in this series can display speed and distance traveled, but only the SeaCharter 500CDF comes packed with a speed sensor. If you wish to purchase an optional additional sensor for your unit, refer to the accessory ordering information inside the back cover of this manual. The following instructions describe how to install the speed sensor. Recommended tools for this job include: drill, 5/8" drill bit, 1/8" drill bit for pilot holes, screwdriver. Required supplies for this job include: four #8 stainless steel wood screws (3/4" long), high quality, marine grade aboveor below-waterline caulking compound. First find a location on the boat's transom where the water flow is smoothest. Don't mount the sensor behind strakes or ribs. These will disturb the water flow to the speed sensor. Make sure the sensor will remain in the water when the boat is on plane. Also make sure the location doesn't inter30 fere with the boat's trailer. Typically, the sensor is mounted about one foot to the side of the transom's centerline. Once you've determined the proper location for the unit, place the sensor on the transom. The bottom of the bracket should be flush with the hull's bottom. Using the sensor as a template, mark the hull for the screws' pilot holes. Drill four 1/8" holes, one in each end of the slots. Mount the sensor to the hull using #8 stainless steel wood screws (not included). Use a high quality, marine grade above- or below-waterline caulking compound to seal the screws. Make sure the sensor is flush with the bottom of the hull and tighten the screws. Good location Stern view showing good location for mounting sensor on transom. If the base of the transom has a radius, fill the gap between the transom and the sensor with the caulking compound. This will help ensure a smooth water flow. Transom Bottom of hull Bottom of hull Speed sensor mounting configuration: side view (left) and rear view (right.) Route the sensor's cable through or over the transom to the sonar unit. 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 screws. The sensor is now ready for use. Connect the sensor to the accessory socket on the back of your unit. If you have any questions concerning the installation of the sensor, please contact your local boat dealer. 31 Power Connections The unit works from a 12-volt battery system. For the best results, attach the power cable directly to the battery. You can attach the power cable to an accessory or power buss, however you may have problems with electrical interference. Therefore, it's safer to go ahead and attach the power cable directly to the battery. Caution: When using the unit in a saltwater environment, we strongly recommend that you shut off the power supply to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When the unit is turned off but still connected to a power supply, electrolysis can occur in the power cable plug. This may result in corrosion of the plug body along with the electrical contacts in the cable and the unit's power socket. In saltwater environments we recommend you connect the power cable to the auxiliary power switch included in most boat designs. If that results in electrical interference, or if such a switch is not available, we recommend connecting direct to the battery and installing an inline switch. This will let you shut off power to the power cable when the unit is not in use. When you are not using the unit, you should always shut off power to the power cable, especially when the power cable is disconnected from the unit. If possible, keep the power cable away from other boat wiring, especially the engine's wires. This will provide the best isolation from electrical noise. 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. For example, if you have to extend the power cable to the battery or power buss, attach one end of the fuse holder directly to the battery or power buss. This will protect both the unit and the power cable in the event of a short. It uses a 3-amp fuse. 32 To unit Optional power off switch for saltwater installations Black wire 12 volt battery Red wire with 3 amp fuse Power connections for the sonar unit. CAUTION: Do not use this product without a 3-amp fuse wired into the power cable! Failure to use a 3-amp fuse will void your warranty. This unit has reverse polarity protection. No damage will occur if the power wires are reversed. However, the unit will not work until the wires are attached correctly. An optional 8-foot, CA-4 external power cable with a cigarette lighter adapter is available from Eagle. Mounting the Unit: Bracket, In-Dash or Portable You can install the sonar unit on the top of a dash with the supplied gimbal bracket. It can also be installed in the dash or mounted on a portable power supply. If you use the supplied bracket, you may be interested in the optional R-A-M bracket mounting system. This converts the unit's gimbal bracket to a swivel mount, which can be used on the dash or overhead mounting positions. Installation instructions are supplied with the R-A-M mounting kits. Bracket Installation Mount the unit in any convenient location, provided there is clearance behind the unit 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 and transducer cables. (A drawing on the next page shows the dimensions of a gimbal-mounted sonar unit.) 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 fiberglass panels to reinforce the panel and secure the mounting hardware. 33 Front Install the gimbal bracket. Orient the bracket so the arms slope toward the front of your unit. Drill a 1-inch (25.4 mm) hole in the dash for the power and transducer cables. The best location for this hole is immediately under the gimbal bracket location. This way, the bracket can be installed so that it covers the hole, holds the cables in position and results in a neat installation. Some customers, however, prefer to mount the bracket to the side of the cable hole -- it's a matter of personal preference. After drilling the hole, pass the transducer connector up through the hole from under the dash. Pass the power cable's bare-wire end down though the hole from the top. If you wish, you can fill in the hole around the cables with a good marine caulking 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 cables to allow tilting or swiveling the unit. If you choose to fill in the hole, be sure to position the cables against the rear edge of the hole as you apply the fill material. 34 72.9 [2.87] 23.4 [0.92] 173.9 [6.85] 137.9 [5.43] 157.9 [6.22] Millimeter [Inch] 56.9 [2.24] Front view (left) and side view (right) showing dimensions of the sonar unit when mounted on gimbal bracket. Before positioning the bracket, be sure to hold the cables 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 cables, thus pinning them in place against the side of the hole. Finally, fasten the bracket to the dash. Attach the unit to the gimbal bracket using the supplied gimbal knobs and washers. In-Dash Installation You can mount the unit in the dash with an optional FM-5 In-Dash Adapter Kit. The kit includes mounting hardware, a template for cutting the hole and an instruction sheet, part 988-0147-43. 35 146.5 [5.76] Top R 7.9 [0.31] In-Dash Template Millimeters [Inches] ALWAYS VERIFY DIMENSIONS 113.5 [4.46] In-dash mounting template for the sonar unit, showing dimensions. NOTE: The figure above is not printed to scale. A scaled template (FM-5 In-Dash Adapter Kit instructions) is available for free download from our web site, www.eaglesonar.com. Portable Installation Like many Eagle products, this sonar unit is capable of portable operation by using the optional PPP-13 portable power pack. The power pack and an optional portable transducer expand the uses for your sonar unit. The PPP-13 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 use it as a second sonar in a friend's boat. The PPP-13 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, part 988-0147-601. 36 "D" cell battery Install batteries in power pack battery adapter. GPS Antenna/Receiver Module Installation This unit's package includes the EGC-12w GPS module. This device contains the unit's external antenna and receiver for GPS and WAAS signals. The antenna/receiver module comes with a 25-foot extension cable. This module can be mounted on a flat surface or pole, or a magnet is included for temporary mounting on any ferrous surface. EGC-12w Module, bottom view (left) and top view (right). You need to select an antenna installation location that has a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. After the module is installed, route the cable to the unit, plug it in the center socket on the back and your system is ready to use. See the module's instruction sheet, publication part number 988-0148-371, for complete installation directions. In an automobile, you may achieve good results by simply placing the external antenna on the top of the dash, at the base of the windshield. a piece of the rubber non-skid shelf liner material available in recreational vehicle supply stores will help hold the antenna in place. This may not work well if you have a cab-over design pickup truck camper or motor 37 home. If dashboard reception is poor, simply relocate the antenna module elsewhere on the vehicle for a clearer view of the sky. NMEA Cable Connections NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic equipment. For example, an autopilot can connect to the NMEA interface on the SeaCharter 500CDF and receive positioning information. The SeaCharter 500CDF is capable of exchanging information with any device that transmits or receives NMEA 0183 data. This feature requires an optional accessory cable. NMEA Wiring To exchange NMEA data, the unit has one NMEA 0183 version 2.0 communication port. Com port one (Com-1) can be used to receive NMEA format GPS data. The com port can also transmit NMEA format GPS data to another device. The optional data cable will contain three wires. Com-1 uses the yellow wire to transmit, the orange wire to receive and the shield wire for signal ground. Orange (Receive) Com-1 to SeaCharter 500CDF Shield (Ground) NMEA Transmit Ground To Other GPS Receiver Com-1 wiring to receive NMEA position information from some other GPS receiver. Yellow (Transmit) Com-1 to SeaCharter 500CDF Shield (Ground) NMEA Receive Ground To Other Device Com-1 wiring to transmit NMEA position information to another NMEA-compatible device. Read your other product's owner's manual for more wiring information. MMC or SD Card Memory Card Installation Your unit uses a MultiMedia Card to store information, such as sonar logs, custom maps, waypoints, trails and other GPS data. The unit can also use Secure Digital Cards (SD card) to store data. NOTE: Throughout this manual, we will use the term MMC, but just remember that your unit can use an MMC or SD card to store data. 38 Both of these solid-state flash memory devices are about the size of a postage stamp. An SD card is slightly thicker than an MMC. As this manual went to press, MMCs were available in storage capacities of 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB and 128 MB. SD cards were available in capacities of 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB and 1 GB. Additional MMC cards are available from LEI Extras; see ordering information inside the back cover of this manual. MMCs and SD cards are also available at many camera and consumer electronics stores. The MMC slot is located in a compartment on the front of the case. The compartment door is located at the lower right corner. The following figure shows a close-up with the door opened. Thumb screw Insert card face up, this way Memory card compartment with a 16 MB MMC card installed. To remove an MMC 1. Open the card compartment door by unscrewing the thumb screw. The screw should only be finger tight. If it was over-tightened, use a thumbnail, a coin or a screwdriver to open the door. 2. Just press a finger against the label of the MMC and drag it from the slot. 3. Close the compartment door and fasten the thumb screw finger tight. To add an MMC or SD Card 1. Open the card compartment door. 2. Grasp the bottom of the MMC and push the top of the card into the slot. Once the card is started, use your fingernails to slide it the rest of the way to the left, until it is firmly seated in the slot. 3. Close the compartment door and fasten the thumb screw finger tight. Other Accessories Other accessories include MMC cards, MMC card readers and MapCreateTM 6 custom mapping software for your computer. MMC card readers are available in USB and parallel port versions. 39 MapCreateTM 6 CD-ROM, left; MMC card reader for USB ports, right. Switch Boxes Two switch boxes are available for this unit. The SB-9BL transducer switch box switches two transducers to one sonar unit. The SB-10BL transducer switch box switches two sonar units to one transducer. If any of these accessories are not available from your dealer, see the accessory ordering information on the inside back cover of this manual. Visit our web site for a complete listing of all the available accessories for your unit. Now that you have your unit installed, move on to Section 3, Basic Sonar Operations. There, we'll present a series of step-by-step tutorials to teach you the basics of sonar operation. NOTE: When you first turn the unit on, the Map Page appears. If you'd rather start learning about GPS operation first, turn over to Sec. 6, Basic GPS Operations. (Remember, you don't need to read this manual from cover-to-cover to get going. We designed it so you can skip around to the section you want to read.) 40 Section 3: Basic Sonar Operation This section addresses the unit's most basic sonar operations. The instructions presented in Sec. 3 follow a chronological order. Sec. 4, Sonar Options & Other Features, will discuss other more advanced functions and utilities. Material in Sec. 4 is arranged in alphabetical order. Before you turn on the sonar unit, it's a good idea to learn about the different keys, the Main Menu, the four Page screens and how they all work together. BUT, if you just can't wait to get on the water, turn to the one-page Quick Reference on page 49. Keyboard 4 8 2 3 5 9 7 6 1 MMC slot access door SeaCharter 500CDF sonar/GPS unit, front view, showing map with sonar chart screen display, keyboard and access door for the MMC slot. 1. PWR/LIGHT (Power & Light) ­ The PWR key turns the unit on and off and activates the backlight. 2. PAGES ­ Pressing this and the arrow keys switches the unit between the four different page screens. (Satellite Status Page, Navigation Page, Map Page and Sonar Page.) Each page represents one of the unit's major operation modes. 3. MENU ­ Press this key to show the menus and submenus, which 41 allow you to select a command or adjust a feature. This also accesses search functions for streets, intersections, addresses and highway exits. 4. ARROW KEYS ­ These keys are used to navigate through the menus, make menu selections, move the map and sonar chart cursors and enter data. 5. ENT/ICONS (Enter & Icons) ­ This key allows you to save data, accept values or execute menu commands. It is also used to create event marker icons. 6. EXIT ­ The Exit key lets you return to the previous screen, clear data or erase a menu. 7. WPT ­ (Waypoint) The Waypoint key is used to save and recall waypoints, search for waypoints and access the waypoint list. It also launches the Point-of-Interest (POI) search menus and is involved in some navigation functions. 8. ZOUT ­ (Zoom Out) ­ This key lets you zoom the screen out. On the Sonar Page, this key returns you to a full sonar chart display, showing the entire water column from surface to bottom. On the Map Page, this lets you see a larger geographic area on the map. Less detail is seen as you zoom out. 9. ZIN ­ (Zoom In) ­ This key lets you zoom the screen in. On the Sonar Page, this key enlarges fish signals and bottom detail. On the Map Page, zooming in lets you see greater detail in a smaller geographic area on the map. Power/lights on and off To turn on the unit, press PWR. As the unit powers up, the Map Page is displayed first. To switch to the Sonar Page, press PAGES||EXIT. To turn on the backlight, press PWR again. The unit has three backlight levels to select from. Repeatedly pressing PWR will cycle through the backlight settings and turn off the backlight. Turn off the unit by pressing and holding the PWR key for 3 seconds. Main Menu The unit has a Main Menu, which contains some function commands and some setup option commands. The instructions in this section will deal only with sonar functions, the basic commands that make the unit show sonar signals on your screen. This sonar unit will work fine right out of the box with the factory default settings. But, if you want to learn about the various sonar options, see Sec. 4, Sonar Options & 42