Do you have a question regarding Fish Finders or Sonar Units? Check out the answers here!!!

If you don't find an answer here to your question please E-mail: contact@bestoutdoorselectronics.com . We are happy to answer any question, heck we may even learn something ourselves!!!

What is the difference between Manual/Auto Gain?
How do I obtain service for my unit?
How do I know which fish finder unit to purchase?
How do I know if I need a dual-frequency or single-frequency model?
What's the difference between 'Peak-to-Peak' and 'RMS' when comparing the power of different units?
At shallow depths (fresh or salt) does it matter if I have a 600 watt or 3,000 watt unit?
What can a Depth Finder do for me?
What things should I consider when looking for a new echo sounder?
How does a Fish-Finder work?
How will my Depth Finder differentiate between echoes of different strengths?
What is a transducer?
Should I get an LCD or a CRT echo sounder?
Why are some fish finders dual frequency?
Can I interface my fish finder with other marine electronics equipment?
Why won't my device turn on?
Why am I getting erratic depth from my transducer?
When my trolling motor is running, vertical lines appear on the screen or the unit reads erratically.
Why is the temperature on my unit flashing 32 degrees?
Can I install two transducers (sounders) on one boat?
Can I test my transducer while my boat is out of the water?
How can I troubleshoot my sonar device for performance issues?
Where can I obtain a replacement owner's manual?
How does an ultrasonic wave work?
Can I run two depth finders at the same time?
What is a single beam, dual beam, tri beam, etc.?
When the gain/sensitivity on my depth finder is set at 100% the screen shows spikes or blacks out, what should I do?

What is the difference between Manual/Auto Gain?
The most important thing to understand is the use of the gain controls. These settings have a significant affect on the performance of the fishfinder. The manual gain setting is very much as it appears. The gain of the receiver circuit can be set to a fixed value and remains fixed at that value until the user changes it.

The Auto Gain setting is very different. In Auto Gain the software continually varies the gain of the receiver section to match the environment and the level of the return signal. In other words the software continues to alter the receiver gain to obtain the best possible return signal. The purpose of the Auto gain setting is to control the displayed width of the bottom. A low Auto gain setting results in the bottom contour appearing narrow or thin. A high Auto gain setting causes the bottom to appear wide or thick on the display.

It is worthwhile to experiment with different Manual gain settings. This single setting has the largest effect on the performance of the Fishfinder.

There is always a conflict between low and high manual gain settings. Lower Manual gain settings usually produce a better "fish" image. With the higher Manual gain settings the fish images may appear corrupted and look more like a 'blob' on the screen rather that the usual arches. This is particularly important when looking for fish near the bottom. With a higher Manual gain setting fish near the bottom will start to blend in with the bottom making them hard to recognize.
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How do I obtain service for my unit?
Go to the Manufacturer’s Warranty Page to review the warranty and contact information contained there.
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How do I know which fish finder unit to purchase?
The two main factors in selecting a sonar product are application and budget. Units come in all price ranges, and all are built to the same exacting quality standards. The difference will be features, screen size, screen resolution (number of pixels) and power.
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How do I know if I need a dual-frequency or single-frequency model?
Dual-frequency 50/200 kHz units are specifically designed for saltwater angling or tracking downriggers in the Great Lakes due to the capability of reading deeper and wider with the 50 kHz frequency. For superior inland and freshwater performance, single-frequency 200 kHz units are recommended due to the superior definition and target separation.
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What's the difference between 'Peak-to-Peak' and 'RMS' when comparing the power of different units?
'Peak-to-Peak' and 'RMS' are specifications used by manufacturers in the marine industry to state the power ratings of sonar units. These specifications are sometimes used to judge the effectiveness of a sonar's useful range.
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At shallow depths (fresh or salt) does it matter if I have a 600 watt or 3,000 watt unit?
For most fresh water fishing, in depths under 200 feet, a 600 watt unit will meet most fishermen's needs but higher power can help show small targets better and eliminate "noise" on the screen. Since saltwater is more dense, a higher output power is recommended for most applications.
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What can a Depth Finder do for me?
An echo sounder can help you with the following:

• Locating where schools of fish are hiding around a structure and their depths.
• Locating shipwrecks, reefs, pinnacles, sunken trees and other objects between the hull of the vessel and the bottom.
• Determining bottom contours and composition to recognize soft mud, gravel, sand and rock.
• Determining the water depth and locating hazards for navigation purposes.
• Determining the location of areas where the temperature of the water changes dramatically.
• Determining what species of fish are being shown on the echo sounder display. (An experienced operator can determine what species of fish are being displayed by their different shapes and the size of the air bladders in the fish, a trait that shows up well on high quality echo sounders. Other factors such as water temp, water depth and schooling characteristics will help determine fish species.)

What things should I consider when looking for a new echo sounder?
Choosing which echo sounder is right for you can sometimes be confusing. Knowing some basic information about your vessel and what your needs are will help this process. First you need to determine how you plan on using your echo sounder. For example, do you plan on using it mostly for fishing, navigation or a combination of the two. It will also help if you know approximately the depth of water where you will be using the sounder. This will help you determine the power output level needed on your new sounder.

Once you determine how it will be used, you need to decide where the sounder will be installed. Where you mount the sounder plays an important role in the type of display you should get. Sunlight washing out the display may not be a concern if it is mounted in a covered area, but if it is mounted in direct sunlight you will probably want a high contrast LCD display that will not wash out. Also, if it is mounted in the open, you will want a sounder that has a waterproof case so that the internal circuitry will not get damaged from water spray.

Determine what type of power input will be use when the sounder is installed. Sounders are available in a variety of power inputs, including 12VDC, 24VDC, 32VDC, 110VAC and 220VAC. Finally, you should consider where you want to mount the transducer for optimum performance and minimal interference.
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How does a Fish-Finder work?
Echo sounders determine the distance between its transducer and underwater objects such as fish or seabed and show the results on the display. An ultrasonic wave transmitted through water travels at a nearly constant speed of 4800 feet (1500 meters) per second. When a sound wave strikes an underwater object such as fish or sea bottom, part of the sound is reflected back toward the source. The depth to the object can be determined by calculating the time difference between the transmission of a sound wave and the reception of the reflected sound. The sounder will then display this return as one of up to 16 different colors (color sounder) or a different level of gray scaling (monochrome sounder) depending on the strength of the returned signal.
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How will my Depth Finder differentiate between echoes of different strengths?
A color depth finder will use a different color for any one of up to 16 different signal strengths. This will make your strong returns show up as red and your weaker colors as green or blue. Monochrome sounders will use different levels of gray to show the different levels of signal strength. Strong returns such as a hard bottom will show up as a very dark color and items such as debris in the water or concentrations of plankton will appear as a cloudy gray.
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What is a transducer?
The major function of the transducer is to convert electrical energy from the transmitter into sound/mechanical energy. The transducer then picks up the sound after it reflects off of the object. The transducer is one of the most important parts of an echo sounder system, and it is sometimes the most neglected. The transducer can be compared to the speakers of a stereo system. A high quality speaker placed in the ideal location will deliver the best results. The same is true with transducers.
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Should I get an LCD or a CRT echo sounder?
There are two display types to choose from, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display.) Each type has different advantages that need to be considered when choosing an echo sounder.

A CRT is similar to a television screen. It has high contrast in normal to low light, allowing for bright and clear targets to be shown on the display. Bright sunlight will tend to make the CRT display fade. CRT echo sounders work best in an environment that is either covered or out of direct sunlight. With echo sounders, color units allow you to discriminate easier between small differences in signal returns. These units tend to be larger and are found on 40+ foot vessels.

A LCD unit is smaller and takes up less room on a boat. Direct sunlight will tend to cause the screen display to fade, but with the backlight on will help but not eliminate this problem. Color displays are easier to read than the Gray Scale units.
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Why are some fish finders dual frequency?
When acoustic energy travels through the water, the frequency of that energy determines how deep it will travel and also the level of definition you can expect to see after it has bounced off of an object below. The lower frequencies, (50 kHz) provide better ground discrimination and also detect fish better in deeper water. The higher frequencies, (200 kHz) will detect fish such as mackerel and squid with no swim bladders easier and usually provide better discrimination between schools of fish and individual large fish. Having a dual frequency echo sounder gives you the advantage of having a deep penetrating lower frequency and a high definition higher frequency.
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Can I interface my fish finder with other marine electronics equipment?
Depends. You will need to check with the manufacturer to find out if your fish finder will accept electronics navigation information from GPS or LORAN. In addition, your echo sounder will output depth, and in some cases, temperature to any device that will accept it. (Optional interconnect cables may be required.) This will allow you to display your depth information where your GPS/Plotter is, as well as displaying your LAT/LON at the location where your sounder is.
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Why won't my device turn on?
A wet, oxidized or corroded power cable can prevent a unit from powering up because this situation causes a weak contact and prevents full current getting to your unit. Even if your power cable tested out at 12 volts, there could be some oxidation in the wire casing that isn't visible.

• Thoroughly clean the power cable including the female pins in the connector as well as the in-line fuse and fuse holder.
• Check very carefully for corrosion or oxidation and clean all exposed areas with an anti-corrosion cleaner or WD-40. Trace down all splices in the line and make sure the connections are clean and tight.
• Try connecting your unit up to another power cable if available on another boat.

Why am I getting erratic depth from my transducer?
Transom Mount Skimmers:

• Check your transducer to make sure it is still intact, parallel to the bottom, and not scratched up or dirty.
• Check the plug for oxidation and check the cable to make sure it is not pinched or crimped.
• Make sure no other electronics are turned on and run the sonar unit by itself. Shut the main engine and trolling motor off so there is nothing that can interfere with the sonar.
• Run the sonar in still water. Stained water and water turbulence caused from boat movement, windy conditions or currents can also cause erratic results.
• Try connecting the head unit to another Lowrance transducer to determine the cause of your problem. If the transducer appears to be working correctly the unit may require service.

Shoot-Thru Hull Transducers:
Your unit may read erratic depth with a Shoot-Thru Hull Transducer if the transducer is not intact with the boat or if you are using the wrong kind of epoxy. The main reason for poor depth can be traced back to the way the transducer is installed.

• Ideal spot is 2 inches up from the drain hole and 2 inches off set from the keel of the boat.
• Make sure the transducer is on the pad of the boat. Having the transducer too far forward will decrease the performance at high speed.
• Make sure the transducer is clear from the bilge pump board, typically found near the pad area of the boat.
• This installation must be made in an area of the hull that is made from solid fiberglass, with no air bubbles or separated layers. If the hull is of multi-layer or "sandwich" construction, you will have to remove the inner layer of fiberglass and the wood or foam core to expose the outer layer of the hull. Sand the hull down with 80 or 100 grit sandpaper. Make sure that you sand all the way to the fiberglass. Most boats have a gel coat lining that is sprayed in the hull.
• Use a 2-part hard setting epoxy, Non-Metallic, Non-Porous, preferably ours or True-Bond from True Value hardware stores. Make sure when mixing the epoxy you don’t whip it, this will only create more air bubbles.
• Apply the epoxy to the fiberglass and to the face of the transducer, then lay the transducer in at an angle and slowly bring it down till it is flat. This will squeeze any air out between the transducer and the hull of the boat. Move the transducer in a circular motion while applying pressure; this will work any air bubbles out.
• Set something heavy (5 or 10 pounds) on the top of the transducer and allow 24 hours to cure.

Trolling Motor Transducers:
If the unit reads erratically or you get lines on the screen when the trolling motor is running, this could indicate trolling motor interference.

• Trolling motor should run off of a separate power source than the electronics. Use 2 different power sources if possible.
• Make sure cables are on different sides of the boat.
• When using skimmer transducer on motor, use a piece of rubber under the transducer.
• Use ferrite blocks, one on the transducer cable, and one on power cable, Make sure to get the ferrite blocks as close as possible to the unit.
• Ground the foot-control pin on the trolling motor to the negative terminal of the trolling motor battery.

When my trolling motor is running, vertical lines appear on the screen or the unit reads erratically.
If you get lines on the screen or the unit reads erratically when the trolling motor is running, this could indicate trolling motor interference.

• The trolling motor should run off of a separate power source than the unit. Use 2 different power sources if possible.
• Make sure cables are on different sides of the boat.
• When using skimmer transducer on motor, use a piece of rubber under the transducer.
• Use ferrite blocks, one on the transducer cable, and one on power cable. Make sure to get the ferrite blocks as close as possible to the unit.
• Ground the foot-control pin on the trolling motor to the negative terminal of the trolling motor battery.

Why is the temperature on my unit flashing 32 degrees?
The flashing of 32 degrees is an indication that the unit does not recognize the presence of a temp sensor. This either means the temp sensor is not working, the signal is blocked, or a temp sensor is not present, either in the transducer or otherwise.

If you are using a speed wheel, this sensor may be defective and causing issues with the temp sensor. First unplug the speed wheel form the Y cable. If the temperature comes back, the speed wheel is the source of the problem. If not, try removing the Y cable & plug the transducer directly into the unit. If the temperature displays properly, the Y cable is the source of the problem. If the transducer is plugged directly in the unit and you still have no temperature, then the transducer is the source of the problem. If possible, swap the head unit with a friend that has the same Lowrance unit or the same connectors, or take your head unit to your local dealer, to pinpoint the location of the problem.
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Can I install two transducers (sounders) on one boat?
Yes, however, anytime you use multiple transducers (sounders) of the same frequency, it is possible for them to interfere with each other. This is despite any specified distance between them as coverage areas and depth of water generally allow each to crosstalk. This appears as two specific fault indications. Dark vertical bars will appear on one sounder displaying the transmit burst of the other sounder. This cannot be changed but it is more livable than the other fault. If one unit picks up the echo return of the other unit, it can rapidly change from reading 20-30 feet to suddenly indicating 300- then 500- then 800 feet etc.

This effect can be reduced or eliminated using the ping speed controls of our latest models of sonar devices. When a unit jumps depth ranges, adjust the ping speed 1 setting slower, this will change the rep rate, and cycle time so that the sonar devices cannot sink up together. This will reduce or completely eliminate this problem.
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Can I test my transducer while my boat is out of the water?
No, your transducer will not show an accurate depth reading when your boat is out of the water. Sound does not travel through air at the same rate of speed that it travels through water. Unfortunately, the only way to truly test your transducer is to have your boat in the water.
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How can I troubleshoot my sonar device for performance issues?
When troubleshooting a sonar performance problem, you will always want to reset your unit. For the most part manufacturer’s produces quality sonar devices, and they expect every model to locate and track bottom and provide a generally good sonar chart at the prescribed depths, directly out of the box using factory default settings. Over time your sounder may lose performance due to adjustments different from the factory settings. When this occurs we recommend resetting the unit to factory defaults. In default, and automatic, the unit should work well for most water conditions, boats, and types of fishing.

To perform a factory reset, locate the RESET OPTIONS selection in the SYSTEM SETUP options menu.

If the unit still exhibits poor performance then it may require more detailed information and trouble shooting. In that case please contact a customer service representative for additional trouble shooting or to arrange service for your unit.
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Where can I obtain a replacement owner's manual?
Many of the manufacturer’s provide copies of there manual (in PDF format) on their sites. You can go there and download it. All of the manufacturers that we represent are included on our Manufacturer’s Warranty Page, there you will be able to access their web site and/or contact information.
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How does an ultrasonic wave work?
An ultrasonic wave can be transmitted through water at approximately 4800 ft (1500 meters) per second. When the sound wave strikes an underwater object, fish or bottom part of the sound wave is reflected back towards the source (the transducer). The depth of the object determined by calculating the time difference between the initial giving off of a sound wave and receiving the reflected sound. The result of the reflected sound is then displayed on the screen of the locator.
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Can I run two depth finders at the same time?
Yes, but the depth locators must be at different operating frequencies (kHz) to reduce or eliminate cross talk issues. If you have two depth locators at different frequencies and experience interference issues, you can shut one off to eliminate interference.
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What is a single beam, dual beam, tri beam, etc.?
Transducers with more than a single beam provide multiple angles and/or multiple views. Multiple beam transducers have one ceramic element for each beam. Transducers of this type typically have multiple transducers housed within a single housing. Consult your depth finder owner’s manual for more information on this topic.
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When the gain/sensitivity on my depth finder is set at 100% the screen shows spikes or blacks out, what should I do?
Consult your depth finder owner’s manual for proper settings. Note: Lower the gain/sensitivity on the depth finder as needed.
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