Explorer 657 Fishfinder and Chartplotter Installation and Operation Manual www.northstarnav.com IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Please read carefully before installation and use. DANGER ! ! This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards, Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death. WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury. CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in property damage. has been translated from, another language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between any Translation of the Documentation, the English language version of the Documentation will be the official version of the Documentation. This manual represents the Explorer 657 as at the time of printing. Brunswick New Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates reserve the right to make changes to specifications without notice. Copyright © 2006 Brunswick New Technologies Inc. NorthstarTM is a registered trademark of Brunswick New Technologies Inc WARNING CAUTION CAUTION DISCLAIMER: It is the owner's sole responsibility to install and use the instrument and transducers in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal injury or property damage. The user of this product is solely responsible for observing safe boating practices. BRUNSWICK NEW TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN A WAY THAT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY VIOLATE THE LAW. Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user guides and other information relating to the product (Documentation) may be translated to, or FCC Statement Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a normal installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced technician for help. A shielded cable must be used when connecting a peripheral to the serial ports. Important The choice, location, angle and installation of the instrument & transducers are critical to performance of the system as intended. Follow instructions in this manual carefully. If in doubt, consult your Northstar dealer. Ensure that any holes cut are in a safe position and will not weaken the boat's structure. If in doubt, consult a qualified boat builder. Do not install plastic through hull transducers in solid wooden hulls. Leaking through the hull may result. Do not install bronze transducers in metal hulls. This will cause electrolytic corrosion that may result in damage to the hull or transducer. Sonar Performance: The accuracy of the sonar depth display can be affected by many factors, including the type and location of the transducer and water conditions. Ensure that the transducer is located and used correctly. Global Positioning System: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the US Government which is solely responsible for its operation, accuracy and maintenance. The GPS system is subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment anywhere in the world including the 657. Whilst the Northstar 657 is a precision navigation instrument, it can be misused or misinterpreted, which can result in its use being unsafe. To reduce the risk of misusing or misinterpreting the 657, the user must read and understand all aspects of this Installation and Operation manual. We also suggest that the user practice all operations using the built in simulator before using the 657 at sea. Electronic Chart: The electronic chart used by the 657 is an aid to navigation and is designed to supplement the use of official government charts not replace them. Only official government charts supplemented by notices to mariners contain the information required for safe and prudent navigation. Always supplement the information provided by the 657 with other plotting sources such as observations, depth soundings, radar and hand compass bearings. Should the information not agree then the discrepancy must be resolved before proceeding any further. Sonar fishfinder: The accuracy of the sonar depth display can be limited by many factors, including the type of the transducers, the location of the transducers and water conditions. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the 657 transducers are installed and used correctly. AIS: The AIS features on this chart-plotter are designed as a safety aid only and do not guarantee safety at sea. AIS transmission is mandatory on some, but not all, vessels. You should check your local laws and regulations for requirements in your area. As a result of different legal requirements, different vessel sizes and uses, you should not assume that your AIS equipped chart-plotter will show the location of ALL vessels in your area. Careful prudence, judgement, and safe navigation practices should always be exercised. AIS should be used to complement radar, but AIS is not a substitute for radar. Fuel Computer: Fuel economy can alter drastically depending on the boat loading and sea conditions. The fuel computer should not be the sole source of information concerning available fuel onboard and the electronic information should be supplemented by visual or other checks of the fuel load. This is necessary due to possible operator induced errors such as forgetting to reset the fuel used when filling the tank, running the engine with the fuel computer not switched on or other operator controlled actions that may render the device inaccurate. Always ensure that adequate fuel is carried onboard for the intended trip plus a reserve to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Failure to adhere to these warnings may lead to death, serious injury or property damage. Northstar disclaims all liability for installation or use of this product that causes or contributes to death, injury or property damage or that violates any law. The 657 is set up with default units of feet, °F (Fahrenheit), US gallons and knots. To change the units, see section 17-10. Northstar Explorer 657 Installation and Operation Manual 3 Contents 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................7 1-1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1-2 Cleaning and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1-3 Plug-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1-4 Removing and replacing the display unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2 Basic Operation.................................................................................................................................... 10 2-1 Using the keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2-2 Turning on and off / auto power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2-3 Backlight and night mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2-4 Man overboard (MOB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2-5 Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 2-6 Simulate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 2-7 The main windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3 Navigation: Chart................................................................................................................................. 19 3-1 Introduction to navigating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3-2 Chart window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3-3 Distance and bearing calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 3-4 Projected course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 3-5 Tracks and tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 4 Navigation: Highway window .............................................................................................................. 24 5 Navigation: Waypoints......................................................................................................................... 25 5-1 Waypoints window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 5-2 Managing waypoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 6 Navigation: Routes .............................................................................................................................. 27 6-1 Routes window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 6-2 Managing routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 7 Satellites ............................................................................................................................................. 30 7-1 Satellite window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 8 Sonar fishfinding: Introduction ........................................................................................................... 31 8-1 Using the 657 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 8-2 Interpreting the display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 8-3 Single and Dual frequency fishfinding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 4 Northstar Explorer 657 Installation and Operation Manual 8-4 Fish detection and display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 8-5 Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 8-6 Gain and threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 9 Sonar fishfinding: Displays ..................................................................................................................40 9-1 Sonar history display - no split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 9-2 Sonar Zoom and Full Screen Zoom displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 9-3 Sonar Bottom display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...