User manual LOWRANCE LCX-18C

Pub. 988-0105-991 www.lowrance.com LCX-18C & LCX-19C Fish-finding Sonar & Mapping GPS Operation Instructions Copyright © 2002 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Lowrance® is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. MapCreate is a trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Marine-Tex is a trademark of Illinois Tool Works Inc. Navionics is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc. Points of Interest Data in this unit are by infoUSA, copyright 2001-2002, All Rights Reserved. infoUSA is a trademark of infoUSA, Inc. eXitSource Database, copyright 2001-2002 Zenrin Co. Ltd. Exit Authority and eXitSource are trademarks of Zenrin Co. Ltd. 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. On the cover: LCX-19C shown. Other models covered in the manual are similar. 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 Sec. 1: Read Me First! .............................................................. 1 Capabilities and Specifications: LCX-18C and LCX-19C ............. 3 How your Sonar Works................................................................. 5 How your GPS Works ................................................................... 6 Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 8 How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions.............. 10 Sec. 2: Installation & Accessories ........................................ 13 Preparations................................................................................ 13 Transducer Installation.............................................................. 13 Recommended Tools and Supplies ......................................... 14 Selecting a Transducer Location ............................................ 14 Shoot-Thru-Hull vs. Transom Mounting ............................... 16 Transom Transducer Assembly and Mounting ..................... 16 Trolling Motor Bracket Installation....................................... 22 Shoot-Thru-Hull Preparation & Installation......................... 23 Speed/Temperature Sensors....................................................... 26 Sensor Chart ............................................................................... 27 Optional Speed Sensor Installation ........................................... 28 GPS Antenna/Receiver Module .................................................. 29 Power Connections...................................................................... 30 NMEA/DGPS Cable Connections............................................... 31 NMEA/DGPS Wiring .............................................................. 32 Mounting the Unit: Bracket or in-Dash..................................... 33 MMC or SDC Memory Card Installation................................... 36 Other Accessories........................................................................ 37 MMC and Mapcreate .............................................................. 37 Switch Boxes ........................................................................... 38 External Speaker .................................................................... 38 Face Cover ............................................................................... 39 Sec. 3: Basic Sonar Operation.............................................. 41 Keyboard ..................................................................................... 41 Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 42 Main Menu .................................................................................. 42 Pages ........................................................................................... 44 Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 44 Navigation Page ...................................................................... 45 Map Page................................................................................. 45 Sonar Page .............................................................................. 46 Sonar Quick Reference .......................................................... 49 Sonar Operations ........................................................................ 50 Fish Symbols vs. Full Sonar Chart ........................................ 52 Other Free Training Aids ....................................................... 52 i Sec. 4: Sonar Options & Other Features ........................... 55 ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) ......................................... 55 Alarms ......................................................................................... 56 Depth Alarms .......................................................................... 56 Zone Alarm .............................................................................. 57 Fish Alarm............................................................................... 58 Calibrate Speed........................................................................... 58 Chart Speed................................................................................. 59 ColorLine.................................................................................. 60 Depth Cursor............................................................................... 62 Depth Range - Automatic ........................................................... 62 Depth Range - Manual................................................................ 63 Depth Range - Upper and Lower Limits ................................... 63 FasTrack .................................................................................. 65 Fish I.D. (Fish Symbols & Depths) ......................................... 65 FishTrack ................................................................................. 67 Frequency (Change Transducer Frequency) ............................. 67 HyperScroll .............................................................................. 68 Log Sonar Chart Data ................................................................ 68 Noise Rejection............................................................................ 69 Overlay Data ............................................................................... 69 Ping Speed & HyperScroll....................................................... 71 Reset Options .............................................................................. 73 Reset Water Distance ................................................................. 73 Set Keel Offset ............................................................................ 74 Sensitivity & Auto Sensitivity.................................................... 75 Sonar Color Mode........................................................................ 76 Sonar Page & Sonar Chart Display Options ............................. 77 Full Sonar Chart ..................................................................... 77 Split Zoom Sonar Chart .......................................................... 78 Split Frequency Sonar Chart ................................................. 78 Digital Data/Chart .................................................................. 80 FlashGraf ............................................................................ 81 Map with Sonar Split Screen ................................................. 82 Sonar Simulator.......................................................................... 82 Stop Chart ................................................................................... 85 Surface Clarity ............................................................................ 85 Upper and Lower Limits ............................................................ 86 Zoom & Zoom Bar ....................................................................... 86 Zoom & Zoom Pan....................................................................... 87 Sec. 5: Sonar Troubleshooting.............................................. 89 Sec. 6: Basic GPS Operations................................................ 93 Keyboard ..................................................................................... 93 ii Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 94 Main Menu .................................................................................. 94 Pages ........................................................................................... 96 Sonar Page .............................................................................. 96 Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 96 Navigation Page ...................................................................... 98 Map Page............................................................................... 100 GPS Quick Reference ........................................................... 105 Find your Current Position ...................................................... 106 Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys............ 106 Selecting any Map Item with the Cursor ................................ 107 Searching................................................................................... 107 Set a Waypoint.......................................................................... 109 To Create and Save a Waypoint: .......................................... 109 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 Custom Maps:........................................................................ 121 GPS Data Files:..................................................................... 121 Cancel Navigation..................................................................... 123 Sec. 7: Advanced GPS Operations ..................................... 125 Find Distance from Current Position to Another Location .... 125 Find Distance from Point to Point ........................................... 125 Icons........................................................................................... 125 Create Icon on Map............................................................... 126 Create Icon at Current Position ........................................... 126 Delete an Icon ....................................................................... 126 Navigate to an Icon ............................................................... 127 Routes........................................................................................ 127 Create and Save a Route ...................................................... 128 Delete a Route ....................................................................... 130 Edit a Route .......................................................................... 130 Navigate a Route................................................................... 131 Navigate a Route in Reverse ................................................ 132 iii Trails ......................................................................................... 133 Delete a Trail ........................................................................ 133 Edit a Trail Name ................................................................. 133 Edit a Trail Color .................................................................. 133 Edit a Trail Pattern .............................................................. 133 Utilities...................................................................................... 134 Alarm Clock........................................................................... 134 Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator.......................................... 134 Trip Calculator...................................................................... 134 Trip Down Timer................................................................... 134 Trip Up Timer ....................................................................... 134 Waypoints.................................................................................. 134 Delete a Waypoint................................................................. 134 Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol or Position)...................... 135 Waypoint Name................................................................. 135 Waypoint Symbol .............................................................. 135 Waypoint Position ............................................................. 135 Selecting a Waypoint ............................................................ 135 Set a Waypoint by Average Position .................................... 135 Set a Waypoint by Projecting a Position.............................. 136 Sec. 8: System & GPS Setup Options................................. 137 Alarms ....................................................................................... 137 Auto Satellite Search................................................................ 138 Check MMC Files and Storage Space ...................................... 139 Communications Port Configuration ....................................... 139 Configure DGPS........................................................................ 140 Configure NMEA ...................................................................... 141 Coordinate System Selection.................................................... 141 To Setup Loran TD: .............................................................. 142 Map Fix ..................................................................................... 142 Customize Page Displays ......................................................... 144 DGPS Status ............................................................................. 144 GPS Simulator .......................................................................... 144 Hide GPS Features ................................................................... 146 Initialize GPS............................................................................ 146 Map Auto Zoom ......................................................................... 146 Map Data................................................................................... 147 Show Map Data..................................................................... 147 Pop-Up Map Info ................................................................... 147 Map Boundaries .................................................................... 148 Fill Water with White........................................................... 148 Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ...................... 148 Map Datum Selection ............................................................... 148 iv Map Detail Category Selection................................................. 149 Map Orientation ....................................................................... 150 Navionics Charts..................................................................... 151 To Display a Navionics Chart: ............................................. 151 Port Information ................................................................... 152 To View Port Services Information: ..................................... 152 Tidal Current Information ................................................... 153 To View Tidal Current Information: .................................... 153 Tide Information ................................................................... 154 To View Tide Information:.................................................... 155 Overlay Data ............................................................................... 69 Pop-Up Help .............................................................................. 156 Position Pinning........................................................................ 156 Reset Options ............................................................................ 157 Require DGPS ........................................................................... 157 Screen Contrast and Brightness .............................................. 158 Set Language ............................................................................ 159 Set Local Time .......................................................................... 159 Show WAAS Alarm................................................................... 160 Software Version Information.................................................. 160 Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles.............................................. 161 Track Smoothing....................................................................... 161 Trail Options ............................................................................. 162 Delete All Trails .................................................................... 162 Update Trail Option.............................................................. 162 Delete Trail ........................................................................... 163 New Trail............................................................................... 164 Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................. 164 Units of Measure....................................................................... 164 Sec. 9: Searching................................................................... 167 Find Addresses.......................................................................... 167 Find any Item Selected by Map Cursor ................................... 170 Find Interstate Highway Exits ................................................ 170 Find Map Places or Points of Interest (POI) ........................... 173 Find Streets or Intersections.................................................... 174 Find Waypoints......................................................................... 177 Sec. 10: Supplemental Material.......................................... 181 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 commercial-quality combination fish finder and mapping GPS receiver. First, we want to thank you for buying a Lowrance 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. With a full VGA color display, recording capability and remarkable resolution, you won't find another GPS/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 LCX-18C and LCX-19C, 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 sonar, 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 for the water with your unit!) 1 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 105. 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 its 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 its own section in the manual! For example, did you know your 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 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 2 how many watts of power the unit has, or how many waypoints it can store, skip ahead to important information on how sonar works, on page 5. (Background on GPS begins on page 6.) Capabilities and Specifications: LCX-18C and LCX-19C General Display:............................ High-brightness LCD; programmable to viewing preference. LCX-19C: 7.0" (17.8 cm) diagonal. LCX-18C: 6.0" (15.2 cm) diagonal. Resolution:...................... LCX-19C: 640 pixel x 480 pixel resolution; 307,200 total pixels; 256-color, full VGA. LCX-18C: 320 pixel x 240 pixel resolution; 76,800 total pixels; 256-color, full VGA. Backlighting:.................. Fluorescent cold cathode backlit screen with multiple lighting levels; backlit keypad. Input power:................... 10 to 15 volts DC. Current drain: ............... Sonar only: 500 ma lights off; 600 ma lights on. With GPS and lights on: 700 ma. Case size:......................... 7.3" H x 9.6" W x 3.7" D (18.5 x 24.4 x 9.4 cm); sealed and waterproof; suitable for saltwater use. MMC slots: ...................... Two in waterproof compartment (SD card compatible). Back-up memory: .......... Built-in memory stores sonar records and GPS data for decades. User settings are stored when unit is turned off. Languages:...................... 10; menu languages selectable by user. Sonar Frequency:...................... Depending on transducer, either 50/200 kHz dual-frequency or 200 kHz single-frequency. Transducers: .................... Skimmer transducer with built-in temperature sensor available. Use either a dualfrequency transducer with 35°/12° cone angles or a single-frequency transducer with a 20° cone angle. Both transducers operate at speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts). Transmitter: ................... Dual-frequency: 8,000 watts peak-topeak/1 kW RMS. Single-frequency: 3,000 watts peak-topeak/375 watts RMS. 3 Sonar sounding depth capability: ........... Dual-frequency: 3,000 feet (915 meters). Single-frequency: 1,000 feet (305 meters). 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 display. Graph recording:........... Up to 256 MB on one MMC (or SD) card 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, built into transducer. Speed/distance log: ....... Yes, with optional speed sensor. GPS Receiver/antenna: ......... External; LGC-12w 12 parallel channel GPS/WAAS; DGPS beacon receiver optional. Recording:........................ MMC & SD memory cards for recording GPS trip details and displaying charts or custom maps. Background map:.......... Built-in custom, detailed Lowrance 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 version 6 software optional; Navionics charts (XL charts or HotMaps) on MMC cards optional. Mapping memory: ......... Up to 256 MB 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 9,999 points per trail. Zoom range:.................... 37 ranges; 0.05 to 4,000 miles. NOTE: The above memory capacities refer only to the unit's on-board memory. The amount of GPS or sonar data you can record and save for recall later is only limited by the number of MMC cards you have. NOTICE! The storage and operation temperature range for your unit is from -4 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees to +75 degrees Celsius). Extended storage or operation 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. How Your 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 underwater basics. Sonar is an abbreviation for SOund NAvigation and Ranging, a technology developed during World War II for tracking enemy submarines. (Lowrance 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 object. The whole process repeats itself several times each second. 5 Your sonar 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. The viewer is available for download from the Lowrance web site, www.lowrance.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 Your GPS Works You'll navigate faster and easier if you understand how this 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 13. If you're new to GPS, read on, and 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 the series 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 it figures its latitude and longitude, the unit 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 every 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 mapmaking software, MapCreate 6. Some unit features -- such as searching for businesses and addresses -- won't work without a custom 6 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 6, Basic GPS Operations, on page 93. Another portion of the unit'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 other Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units and even personal computers. Your unit has one more thing in common with a personal computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and exchanging files, this unit has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SDC (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 256 MB in size. (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB capacity!) The unit uses all that MMC space for two key GPS purposes. (The MMC is also used to record sonar logs...see page 6.) 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 other Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units and personal computers. (For example, the exact same MMC, custom map files and GPS data files can be used interchangeably between your gimbal-mounted LCX-19C or LCX-18C and the handheld iFINDER GPS receiver.) The unit automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the MMC or SDC. 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 13, 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 10. 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 the 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. 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 following 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 this 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: 10 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." 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 and then the down arrow key to highlight the Navigate command, then press Enter." 11 Notes 12 Section 2: Installation & Accessories Preparations You can install the sonar and GPS systems 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 vehicle or vessel! 1. Determine the approximate location for the sonar/GPS unit, so you can plan how and where to route the cables for the antenna, 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 approximate location for the GPS antenna module and its cable route. 4. Determine the location of your battery or other power connection, along with the power cable route. 5. Install the transducer and route the transducer cable to the sonar/GPS unit. 6. Install the GPS antenna and route the antenna cable to the sonar/GPS unit. 7. Install the power cable and route it to the sonar/GPS unit. 8. Mount the sonar/GPS unit. 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. 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. 13 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, 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. 14 2. The transducer should be installed with its face pointing straight down, if possible. 3. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make sure it doesn't interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don't mount it closer than approximately one foot from the engine's lower unit. This will prevent cavitation (bubble) interference with propeller operation. 4. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from engine wiring, bilge pumps and aerators can be displayed on the sonar's screen. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires. CAUTION: Clamp the transducer cable to transom near the transducer. This will help prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed. Good location Poor location Good location Good location Poor angle Good and poor transducer locations. How low should you go? For most situations, you should install your Skimmer transducer so that its centerline is level with the bottom of the boat hull. This will usually give you the best combination of smooth water flow and protection from bangs and bumps. Transom Transducer centerline Hull bottom Align transducer centerline with hull bottom. 15 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 Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of damage from floating objects. It can't be knocked off when docking or loading on the trailer. However, the shoot-thru-hull installation does have its drawbacks. First, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same hull. This is caused by differences in hull lay-up and construction. Second, the transducer angle cannot be adjusted for the best fish arches. This can be a problem on some hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds. Follow the procedure listed in the shoot-thru-hull installation section at the end of this lesson 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 16 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 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 Transducer bracket Insert and align ratchets. 17 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 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. 18 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. Bolt Flat washer Lock washer Nut Flat washer Assemble transducer and bracket. 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 Metal washer Bolt Assemble transducer and bracket. 19 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. A. One-piece bracket: Remove the transducer from the bracket and re-assemble it with the cable passing through the bracket over the bolt as shown in the following figures. For single-frequency Skimmer, route cable over bolt and through bracket. Side view shown at left and seen from above at right. 20 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 entering 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 be 1". 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. 21 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.) Internal tooth washer Bolt Nut TMB-S bracket Flat washer Attach motor mounting bracket to transducer. 2. Slide the adjustable strap supplied with the TMB-S through the slot in the transducer bracket and wrap it around the trolling motor. Position the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the water. Tighten the strap securely. 3. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the trolling motor shaft. Make sure there is enough slack in the cable for the motor to turn freely. Route the cable to the sonar unit and the transducer is ready for use. Transducer mounted on trolling motor, side view. 22 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. SHOOT-THRU-HULL PREPARATION 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 23 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. Fill with epoxy 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, 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. 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. To choose the proper location for thru-hull mounting, anchor the boat in 60 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. Adjust the sensitivity and range controls until a second bottom echo is seen on the display. (You will need to turn off both automatic and ASP.) Don't touch the controls once they've been set. Next, take the transducer out of the water and place it in the water in the sump of the boat. Observe the sonar signal to see if there is a noticeable decrease in sensitivity. The second bottom signal may disappear and the bottom signal may decrease in intensity. Move the transducer around to find the best location. If the sensitivity control must be increased greatly to compensate, then the transducer should be mounted on the outside of the hull. If not, then mark the lo24 cation that shot through the hull the best and follow the instructions on the following pages for a shoot-thru-hull mounting. Transducer location (high speed) Transducer location (trolling speed) Shoot-thru-hull transducer locations for high speed or trolling speed operation. Shoot-thru-hull Installation 1. Make sure the area is clean, dry and free of oil or grease, then sand both the inside surface of the hull and the face of the transducer with 100 grit sandpaper. The surface of the hull must be flat so the entire transducer face is in contact with the hull prior to bonding. Spread epoxy here Sand this surface Epoxy transducer to hull. 2. Follow the instructions on the epoxy package and mix it thoroughly. Do not mix it too fast, because it will cause bubbles to form in the epoxy. Apply a small amount on the face of the transducer as shown above, then spread a small amount onto the sanded area on the hull. 25 Place the transducer into the epoxy, twisting and turning it to force any air bubbles out from under the transducer face. The face of the transducer should be parallel with the hull, with a minimum amount of epoxy between the hull and transducer. After the epoxy dries, route the cable to the sonar unit. Speed/Temperature Sensors This unit accepts up to three temperature sensors which can monitor surface water, live well, air and virtually any other temperature. If you want to use more than one temperature sensor or a speed sensor, you must purchase the optional MY-4X adapter cable. You also need to be careful when purchasing the temperature sensors, because each temperature sensor has its own fixed electronic "address." The sensors are labeled "Water," "T-2" (or Temp-2) and "T-3" (or Temp-3). The first "Water" temperature sensor is built into the transducer. This is the sensor that measures surface water temperature. If you want two (or more) temperature readings from other locations, you'll need to use the proper sensors. For example, you can't use two additional T-3 sensors. The sensors that fit this unit are: · TS-1X This sensor will over-ride the temperature sensor built into the transducer and over-ride the temperature sensor in a ST-TGY combination sensor. (This sensor is not recommended.) One sensor for "T-2" temperature display. One sensor for "T-3" temperature display. One speed sensor for "Speed" display. This combination sensor will provide speed and temperature readings, but the temperature reading will be displayed as the "Water" temperature because it will over-ride the temperature sensor in the transducer. (This sensor is not recommended.) · · · · TS-2X TS-3X SP-X ST-TGY See the wiring diagram on the following page for temperature and speed sensor combinations. 26 Sensor Chart Sonar unit rear view Two-temperature sensor installation Temperature sensor built into transducer MY-4X Cable TS-2X temperature sensor Three-temperature sensor installation TS-3X temperature sensor Three-temperature sensor installation with speed SP-X speed sensor 27 Optional Speed Sensor Installation All the units in this series can display speed and distance traveled, these features require a speed sensor which may or may not come packaged with your unit. 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, 7/8" 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 above- or 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 interfere 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. 28 Transom Bottom of hull Speed sensor mounting configuration: side view (left) and rear view (right.) Bottom of hull 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. 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 7/8". 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 in-line connector on the MY-4X adapter cable. If you have any questions concerning the installation of the sensor, please contact your local boat dealer. GPS Antenna/Receiver Module This series' package includes the LGC-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. (The LGC-12s GPS module sold with earlier Lowrance equipment will work with your unit, but it will not receive WAAS signals.) LGC-12 Module, bottom view (left) and top view (right). 29 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 988-0147-39, 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 home. If dashboard reception is poor, simply relocate the antenna module elsewhere on the vehicle for a clearer view of the sky. 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. 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 6-amp fuse. 30 To unit Black wire 12 volt battery Red wire with 6 amp fuse Data wires Power connections for this series sonar/GPS unit. CAUTION: Do not use this product without a 6-amp fuse wired into the power cable! Failure to use a 6-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 Lowrance. NMEA/DGPS Cable Connections NMEA is a standard communications format for marine electronic equipment. For example, an autopilot can connect to the NMEA interface on this unit and receive positioning information. The unit can exchange information with any device that transmits or receives NMEA 0183 data. DGPS is an acronym for the Differential Global Positioning System. DGPS supplements and boosts the accuracy of basic GPS. DGPS was developed by the U.S. Coast Guard, which is responsible for the system's operation in the United States. Since its creation, DGPS has become the international maritime standard for marine navigation. The most popular DGPS system relies on a grid of ground-based transmitters that send correction signals to DGPS receivers. These in turn, connect to the GPS receiver (such as the LCX-19C or LCX-18C). Lowrance offers an optional DGPS receiver for your unit. 31 See the following diagrams for general wiring connections. Read your other product's owner's manual for more wiring information. NMEA/DGPS Wiring To exchange NMEA or DGPS data, the unit has two NMEA 0183 version 2.0 communication port. Com port one (Com-1) can be used to receive NMEA format GPS data or DGPS data. Com-1 can also transmit NMEA format GPS data to another device. Com-2 is for NMEA output only. The three wires for the com port are combined with the two power wires to form the power/data cable (see the drawing on page 33). Com-1 uses the yellow wire to transmit, the orange wire to receive and the shield wire for signal ground. Com-2 uses the blue wire for transmit. Yellow (Transmit) Com-1 To unit Orange (Receive) Shield (Ground) Receive Transmit Ground To DGPS Receiver Com-1 wiring to receive DGPS position information from a DGPS receiver. Orange (Receive) Com-1 To unit 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 unit Shield (Ground) NMEA Receive Ground To Other Device Com-1 wiring to transmit NMEA position information to another NMEA-compatible device. Blue (Transmit) Com-2 To unit Shield (Ground) NMEA Receive Ground To Other Device Com-2 wiring to transmit NMEA position information to another NMEA-compatible device. 32 GPS socket Sonar unit, rear view Power/Data socket Sonar socket Com port data wires (three) Power wires (two) GPS antenna module Transducer Cable connections. Note: External speaker wires in power/data cable not shown. Mounting the Unit: Bracket or In-Dash You can install the 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. 33 Optional R-A-M mounting system. 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, transducer and GPS antenna/receiver module cables. (A drawing on the next page shows the dimensions of a gimbal-mounted 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. Front Install the gimbal bracket. Orient the bracket so the arms slope toward the front of your unit. 34 Drill a 1-inch (25.4 mm) hole in the dash for the power, transducer and antenna 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. 244 [9.58] 94 [3.61] 173.9 [6.85] 185 [7.34] 56.9 [2.24] Front view (left) and side view (right) showing dimensions of the sonar/GPS unit when mounted on gimbal bracket. Millimeter [Inch] After drilling the hole, pass the transducer connector up through the hole from under the dash, followed by antenna connector. 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. 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-3 In-Dash Adapter Kit. The kit includes mounting hardware and a template for cutting the hole. 35 In-dash mounting template for this unit, showing dimensions. NOTE: The figure above is not printed to scale. A scaled template (FM3 In-Dash Adapter Kit instructions) is available for free download from our web site, www.lowrance.com. MMC or SDC Memory Card Installation Your unit uses MultiMedia Cards to store information, such as custom maps, waypoints, trails and other GPS data. The unit can also use Secure Digital Cards (SD card or SDC) to store data. The unit can use up to two cards; an MMC and an SDC can be used at the same time. NOTE: Throughout this manual, we will use the term MMC, but just remember that your unit can use an MMC or SDC to store data. 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 and 64 MB. SD cards were available in capacities of 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB and 256 MB. 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. 36 The MMC drawer is located on the front of the case. To install an MMC, twist the drawer retainer counter-clockwise and pull. The drawer will come out of the unit. Place the MMC in the drawer face down (see following figures.) Insert cards face down Drawer retainer Memory card drawer on the LCX-19C and LCX-18C. Slide the drawer back into the unit and twist the retainer clockwise. The MMC is now ready for use. Other Accessories MMC and MapCreate Other available 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. MapCreateTM 6 CD-ROM, left; MMC card reader for USB ports, right. Switch Boxes Two switch boxes are available for this unit. The SB-7X transducer switch box switches two transducers to one sonar unit. The SB-8X transducer switch box switches two sonar units to one transducer. 37 If 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. External Speaker Your unit can play sounds to an external speaker. This feature can be convenient any time you are away from the unit--especially in a larger boat--but still want to hear its alarms. You might install a small speaker at the stern of your boat so you won't miss a dangerous Shallow Alarm while fishing, or put one in your galley so you can hear the GPS Arrival Alarm. You can purchase an external speaker at your nearest audio electronic store. The unit is designed to work with most speakers, but make sure to buy one that meets these minimum requirements: · Minimum 8-ohm resistance · Minimum 5-watt power In your vessel or vehicle, mount the speaker wherever you want to hear your unit's sounds. (Follow the speaker's installation instructions). Next, connect the speaker to your unit. The external audio wires are the labeled red and black wires in the power/data cable. The speaker's input cable should have two exposed wires: a positive and a negative (ground). Connect the speaker's positive wire to the unit's red speaker wire, and the speaker's negative (ground) wire to the unit's black speaker wire. The unit should automatically begin to play any active sounds through the attached speaker. 38 Face Cover Your unit comes with a white protective cover that snaps on and off the front of the unit. This cover is intended for use when your unit and the vehicle it's mounted in are idle. WARNING: When the unit is mounted in an unprotected area, such as an open boat cockpit, the protective face cover must be removed when the vehicle is moving at high speed. This includes towing a boat on a trailer at highway speeds. Otherwise, wind blast can pop off the cover. Now that you have your unit installed, move on to Sec. 3, Basic Sonar Operations. There, we'll present a series of step-by-step tutorials to teach you the basics of your 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.) 39 Notes 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 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 onepage Quick Reference on page 49. Keyboard 4 8 2 3 5 MMC drawer 9 7 6 1 LCX-19C sonar/GPS unit, front view, showing sonar screen, keyboard and access door for the MMC compartment. 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, Naviga41 tion 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 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 42