Condor Fish Finder 242dc Portable User Manual by Jarvis Walker

Operation and Installation manual

Introduction Thank you for choosing our Fish Finder and welcome to the innovations of Condor Marine! Your Fishfinder is a high-quality sonar designed for both professional and novice fisherman with trouble-free use in a variety of water areas. To familiarize yourself 7better with the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operation and maximize the utilization, we invite you to read the Userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manual carefully. Carefully read the installation steps and properly mounting the transducer and sonar unit which will pay off in optimum performance of your Fishfinder. An improper installation, especially the improper transducer installation may cause your sonar unit working abnormally or not working at all. For any possible problems you may encounter during the operation, please switch to the Trouble shooting section for reference. All right reserved! Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Condor Marine. Condor Marine may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations, and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to change or improve our products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization.

Note: Our company holds the right to update the products, and it is not obligated for our company to update the former products according the new standard. 2

INDEX Understand sonar .......................... … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … 4 No-skipping detection .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ....4 Dual Beam Sonar .… .… … … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..… ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..5 Installation … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … ...........................................… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..6 Tranducer transom location, suction cup version … … .. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .6 Portable Sonar Installation … … … … … … … … .. … … … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 7 Installing the batteries ...… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 8 Mounting the unit ... … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 8 Floating transducer version … … … .. ................... … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...… … … … … … … … 9 Operation … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … .10 Understanding the Fishfinder screen … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...… .… … … … 10 Real time sonar window … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . .10 Keyboard instruction … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..… … . ................................................ 11 Sonar … … … … … … ..........................… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...12 Sensitivity … … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . 12 Noise filter … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … . 13 White Line … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ....................................................................................................................... 13 Fish ID. Sens … .… … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … .… . 14 Frequency … … … … … … … ....................… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … 15 TCG Control … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … .… 16 Display … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..................… … ... ......................... 16 Chart Speed … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .. ..................... 16 Depth Range … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… .. 17 Zoom Range … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … … … .. 18 Backlight … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 19 Contrast … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 20 Overlap Data … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...................... 20 Alarm … … … … … … … … ....................... … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...................… … … … … 20 Depth Alarm … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... 20 Fish Alarm … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ... … … .21 Battery Alarm … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… .… … .. 21 System … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...................… … … … .. ......................... 22 Beeper … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… .… … ...22 Units … … ......................… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… 23 Language … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … ...23 System Reset … … … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .… … … 24 Simulator… … … … … ..… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ..… .24 Trouble shooting..… … … … … … … .… . … … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 26 Specifications and features… … … ...… … … … .… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … .....27

Understand sonar If you are familiar with how sonar works, skip ahead to the next segment. But, if you have never owned sonar Fishfinder before, this segment will tell you the basic working theory about sonar. Based on the sonar technology, the Fishfinder could detect the underwater condition, including fish, structure, or bottom. After you finished the installation of transducer and sonar unit, connect the sonar unit to the transducer. The transducer sends a sound wave signal into the water in a cone shape. At the source, the wave is narrow; however as it penetrates deeper, the sound wave spreads forming a cone (think flashlight). The sound wave bounce back to the transducer when it strikes any object, the object could be fish, structure, bottom or any other object with density being different from the water. The transducer amplifies the return signal and sends it back to the Fishfinder by measuring the time between the transmission of the sound wave and when the sound wave bounce back, the Fishfinder could calculate the distance by the inner microprocessor. Then the Fishfinder display the information on the screen for you to interpret.

No-skipping detection Adopted high detecting technique, your fishfinder has a high detecting precision, which enable a â&#x20AC;&#x153;No-skipping detectionâ&#x20AC;?. When sonar works, it continually samples the echo at same interval (for your fishfinder, it is 0.06ms). And the continuous signals form different sampling point. The shorter the distance between 2 sampling points is, the higher precision your fishfinder will be able to detect minimal object (thinking about the fishing net, the smaller the hole is, the smaller fish that not being able to leak).

Dual Beam Sonar The Condor 242 dc fishfinder adopts a Dual Beam 200 / 83 kHz sonar system (or Double Cone), with which the sonar coverage has two different areas of 20째/60째, which enable you to get better performances in deep sounding and best bottom information. By the dual beam sonar setting, you can use the narrow 20째 beam to penetrate the deep bottom, while you are still able to use the wide 60째 beam for a wide detection With the dual beam sonar system, the sonar provides you an excellent detecting performance from shallow to very deep water in both fresh and salt water.

Installation Do not begin the installation unless you have read the manual instruction carefully, which contains information critical to the correct installation of your Fishfinder. And for any problems you meet during the installation, please contact your local dealer for help. Tranducer transom location (suction cup version) 1. Select the mounting location When you select a mounting location for the transducer, the flowing should be considered in advance. The sonar transmission / reception can be affected severely in turbulent water, so please do not mount transducer behind strakes, rows of rivet, water intake, discharge port, the immediate area of the propeller(s). These areas can create turbulence when the boat moves in a high speed. Do not mount the transducer in locations where it may be vibrate severely when the boatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine launches or stop. After the installation is finished, make sure the transducer is pointed down straightly to the water surface.

2. Portable Transducer Assembly Assemble the transducer and the suction cup as shown in the following illustrations. Make sure there is one washer on each side of the transducer, inside the bracket. Slide the other washer over the end of the bolt and screw on the nut. Screw the suction cup onto the bracket using the supplied screw and flat washer. Tie the nylon cord through the hole in the top of the bracket. When using the transducer, tie the other end of the nylon cord to the boat. This will help prevent losing the transducer if it comes off. 6

Clean the chosen area of the hull before attaching the suction cup. Locate the transducer on the hull as shown in the following figure. Don't let the bracket extend below the hull, because water pressure against it can cause the suction cup to come off at speed. For optimum operation, the portable transducer should be adjusted so that it is parallel to the ground. For more information on this, see the segment in the unit's operation manual on Transducer Orientation and Fish Arches. Moisten the suction cup, then press it onto the hull as firmly as possible. Tie the nylon cord to the boat and set the power pack and sonar unit in a location for easy viewing. Your portable sonar is now ready for use. 3. Test the initial installation To get a better installation of the transducer, we suggest you testing the initial installation and adjust the transducer according to the test outcome. Before the test, please make certain you have finished the installation of the sonar unit and properly connect the transducer cable to the sonar unit. Also make sure the distance between the transducer and bottom is not beyond the depth capability of your Fishfinder. a) Power up the sonar unit and see whether there is sonar information on display. If yes, it means the sonar unit is properly connected to the transducer. If not, please check the connection between the sonar unit and the transducer. b) First run your boat at a low speed. See the sonar information on the screen. If the sonar display comes out normal, then speed up your boat. Always observe the sonar display during the course. If signal losing or abnormal sonar display happens when the boat run at a certain speed, note the speed of your boat. c) Adjust the transducer in a small scope and run the boat at the noted speed (step 2). Then observe the sonar display. If the sonar display is normal, go to the next step. If not, please adjust the transducer until it comes out normal. If by any means a normal sonar display can not be obtained, then it is necessary for you to relocate the position of the transducer. Portable Sonar Installation You have the sonar Condor 242 DC portable version, that uses the portable power box. The power pack and the portable transducer expand the uses for your sonar. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter whether you have the portable version with the suction cup transducer or with the floating transducer, you can use your unit on your boat or take it to the dock, on a float tube, on an ice fishing trip or use it as a second sonar in a friend's boat. The portable power pack includes the battery box and a portable transducer. The instrument to be powered requires eight AA alkaline batteries (batteries are not included). To use a portable power pack, you have to install the batteries and then attach the sonar unit to the power pack's bracket. Plug in the power and the transducer cables and you're ready to fish. The portable box has a quick-release mounting bracket built into the case. 7

Installing the Batteries Open the battery case, that is on the rear top of the box, with a screw driver. Insert eight "AA" size batteries into the battery adapter, place it into the battery compartment and then close the battery cover with the screw driver. To correctly orient the batteries follow the small image that is shown near the battery slot.

Mounting the Unit A quick-release mount is built into the top of the portable power pack. To attach the unit, first plug in the cable connector. Then, hold the sonar unit vertically and slide it onto the bracket from above. (The back of the unit should be touching the front of the bracket as you lower it into position). Finally you should lock the display unit to the bracket tightening the rear nut.s To adjust the viewing angle, release the nut with one hand, then tilt the unit with your other hand. Tight again the nut, and the unit locks into the new position. To remove the unit from the power box, release the nut completely and pull the unit to you.

Turn the sonar unit on. If it works, turn it off and finish assembling the portable transducer. If it doesn't work, make sure the batteries are making good contact against the battery contacts. Also make sure the batteries are oriented correctly in the battery case.

If it still doesn't work, check the battery voltage. Most complaints we hear about portable units result from stale batteries. Make sure you buy fresh ones. Always remove batteries from the compartment when storing the unit because dead batteries can leak and corrode the contacts. In cold weather the efficiency of dry cell batteries drops with the temperature. We find it a good idea to have the batteries and the sonar unit good and warm before we leave home. If the batteries do lose a charge, you can sometimes restore them by placing them in a warm room or car interior. A better way is to replace them with batteries that have been kept warm.

WARNING: Never heat batteries over an open flame or direct hot air onto them. A fire or explosion could result. Floating transducer version If you have the floating transducer portable version the installation and the working operation are more simple than ever. You have only to insert the plug of the transducer into the rear side of the unit and put the round transducer into the water. This special and easy-to-use transducer has a floating element (see the image below) that floats on the water surface, allowing the round sensor to go automatically into the right position to read the bottom and fish!

Operation Understanding the Fishfinder screen

This chart shows all the information that your Fishfinder display during the operation. The upcoming sonar information will firstly appears in the Real-time sonar window, and then scrolls across the screen from right to left. So, what you see on the screen (Fish symbols, Fish arches, bottom shape, etc.) is formed by the sonar history. The black line at the top of the screen represents the water surface, and the water depth and Temp will appear at the upper left corner as soon as you turn on the sonar unit and the transducer was properly connected. By moving the transducer slowly at a steady speed, you could see the bottom shape shown at the bottom of the screen. Real Time Sonar Window The plot on the screen demonstrates the sonar history, which varies at different time segment. So, considering the boat and targets may continually move when the sonar works, the information displayed on the screen only shows the time segment when the targets were detected. To understand the display correctly, you could imagine dividing the screen into many parallel “bands” at vertical direction. Each “band”represents the signals received by the sonar unit at a particular time. The closer the position of “brand” to the right side is, the latest signal it represents. With the Real Time Sonar window, you could observe the fastest updating which will show you the instant time segment when the targets are detected u the instant underwater information, including depth, bottom, structure, and fish being detected. 10

Keyboard instruction

The Fishfinder sound a tone when you press the key which means the unit has accepted a command. Your Fishfinder user interface is designed with 5 easy-to-use keys. Just by simple operation you could have various on-screen views and menus.

PWR / CLEAR Key The PWR / CLEAR key is used to turn the Fishfinder on or off and to go out from the menu pages. Pressing the POWER key for 6s without releasing, you will enter into simulation mode. ENT Key The ENT key is used to select an item on the various menu pages. MENU Key The MENU key is used to enter into the menu and switch among the 4 pages of the menu. It is also used to exit an item. DOWN Key The UP key is used to select an item on a menu. In some menu option, the DOWN key is mostly used to decrease the value. UP Key The UP key is used to select an item on a menu. In some menu option, the UP key is mostly used to increase the value.

SONAR Sensitivity Sensitivity determines how echoes will be displayed on the screen. Increasing the sensitivity will make you see more details on the screen. In such situations when you see too much clutter on the screen, decreasing the sensitivity will play an effect. The larger the sensitivity is, the more relatively strong sonar returns the screen will display. If the sensitivity is decreased too low, most sonar returns (which maybe fish) will not be displayed.

In situation where water is clear or very deep, try increasing the sensitivity, which will let you see even the very weak returns. However in situation while water is turbid, try decreasing the sensitivity, which will make only the useful echo be showed on the screen and the noise will be omitted. To set the Sensitivity: a) Press MENU to enter into menu setting. b) Repeatedly press MENU to switch to Sonar menu. c) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Sensitivity option. d) Press ENT to enter into setting. e) Use the Up / Down Arrow to increase / decrease the value. f)