Installation and Operation Manual 1
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 better with the product’s operation and maximize the utilization, we invite you to read the User’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.
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Index Introduction .................................................,............................................2 Packing List .................................................,............................................4 Power Supply ................................................,..........................................4 Using the product .........................................,...........................................6 Introduction of Freecast sensor.....................,...........................................6 Using the Freecast sensor .....,..................................................................8 Operation .............,...................................................................................10 Understanding the screen........................................................................10 Keyboard instruction.................................................................................11 Menu Operation........................................................................................12 1. Sonar ...................................................................................................12 Sensitive...................................................................................................12 Noise Filter................................................................................................13 Magic Grayline..........................................................................................14 Fish ID. Sens............................................................................................14 2. Display..................................................................................................15 Depth Range ............................................................................................15 Zoom Range..............................................................................................16 Backlight ...................................................................................................17 Contrast ....................................................................................................17 Overlap Date ............................................................................................18 3. Alarm ....................................................................................................18 Depth Alarm..............................................................................................18 Fish Alarm.................................................................................................19 Main Battery..............................................................................................19 4. System .................................................................................................20 Beeper......................................................................................................20 Units..........................................................................................................21 Language..................................................................................................21 System Reset............................................................................................22 Simulator...................................................................................................22 Trouble Shooting.......................................................................................23 Specifications and features......................................................................27
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Packing list Before using the fishfinder, please check the packing list below, and make sure you are not missing any items: 1) A sonar unit with portable base 2) A wireless sensor 3) An antenna to use on the sonar unit 4) A power cable to use with 12v battery (optional) 5) 10pcs of rubber stopper A copy of manual is also included. Power Supply For Condor 250 Wi model, you can choose using 2 ways for power supplying: 1) Use 8xAA alkaline batteries Correctly install the batteries according to the instruction figure curved on the plastic housing, then connect the power cable to the sonar unit, and you are ready to use. Instruction figure of battery installation
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2) Use a 12~18v DC battery Condor 250 Wi can also be powered by a 12~18v DC battery. We provide a power cable (optional) for connecting the battery to the sonar unit. Power Cable
connect to a battery
Note: when using the battery for power supplying, we are not responsible for over-voltage or over-current failures. To present such possible failures happening, we suggest you using a 3Amp fuse.
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Using the product Condor 250 Wi is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Attach the sensor to the fishing thread’s extreme and throw them into water as you do with float and lure. After switching on the main unit’s power, you are ready to fish. With the sonar technologies employed, the Condor 250 Wi sensor transmits ultrasonic waves to water, and the microprocessor inside the principal machine applies wireless technologies, filtering the signals feedback. As the filtered signals have been analyzed and processed, they are illustrated on the display. Newly-detected information is displayed at the very right of the screen and disappears at the very left. Sea bottom contours are showed precisely, together with water depth, fish size, and location etc. Warning: Condor 250 Wi is designed to work durably in normal service. However, in water areas where there are significant water level fluctuations, the sensor may be subject to collision with rocks, which will result in damages to the device. Therefore, for water areas with depth less than 1 foot (0.3m), we recommend that you avoid using this sensor.
Instruction of Freecast sensor 1. Power supply The Condor 250 Wi sensor is provided with a separate, built-in, and irremovable lithium battery that has a continuous service time of 550 hours in normal operation. When the battery’s service life ends and becomes out of service, it should be handled in a way compliant with local provisions regarding discarding used batteries and relevant electronic products. 2. Electronic switch There are three pins on the bottom of cover, which are used to switch between power on / power off. From the moment the sensor is put in the water, the sonar transmitter/receiver automatically turns on and transmits ultrasonic signals.
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As the principal machine receives the signals, related informations about the sea bottom will be showed on the screen. After a few seconds elapse since the sensor is taken out of water, the built-in power will be switched off automatically and the transmission of sonar signals ends. 1) When the sensor is casted into water, with the three pins touching water, the sensor begins to work. 2) When the sensor is dropped out of water, after wiping off the remained water on pin surface, the sensor stops working automatically.
Three pins for electronic switch Warning: do not place your Freecast sensor in a wet area when not using, the dampness may cause the sensor to turn on the built-in power automatically, shortening its useful life. Likewise, avoid placing it on board or on a metal surface for the same reason. Note: store it in a dry, nonmetal container! A toolbox, for example, may be used for storage and placed in a separate room far away from any metal equipment. Note: Rinse its surface with fresh water after the sensor has worked in salt water for some time.
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Using the freecast sensor The two holes in the front end of Freecast sensor is for tying fishing thread. If you desire to use it in the Stationary float Mode, bind the fishing hook with light threads to the second hole. However, be informed that if the sensor encounters barriers when being dragged, the fishing thread can easily break. Hence, for this practice, we advise you not to pull the thread if unnecessary, for fear that you may be unable to regain your sensor due to the broken thread. Alternatively, in case wish to drag the sensor as you see fit, you may tie the first hole with another light thread, therefore preventing the failure of retrieving your sensor. See the following instruction: Handle the sensor by the antenna post when trying to draw it out from the water
Use a thread tied to the first hole, tackled to be rotatable (like a swivel)
Use the second hole in the Stationary float Mode; bind the fishing hook with light threads to the second hole. Be caution of not overweight the hook line, thus will be likely to submerge the sensor, causing the signal terminate.
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Caution: Using light threads to tie the sensor and the fishing hook can increase likelihood of break-up. The sensor in water is supported by natural buoyancy force (which equals its own weight plus 5.8g lure plus the weight of lead). All accessories attached to the sensor, including the hook, fishing thread, and lure etc., can be total up to 5.4~5.9g. With the sensor’s weight of 34g joining, the breakdown becomes very likely.
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Operation Understanding the screen
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. 10
Keyboard instruction
The Fishfinder sounds a tone when you press the key which means the unit has accepted a command. 1. POWER & Exit Key The POWER & Exit key is used to turn the Fishfinder on or off. It also can be used to exit a menu setting. 2. Menu Key The MENU key is used to enter into a menu setting, and switch betweens the menus. 3. Ent Key The Ent key is used to confirm a setting. 4. Up arrow Key The Up key is used to select a certain option on a menu. In some menu option, the Up arrow key is mostly used to increase the value, such as: sensitivity value, noise reject value, depth alarm value, etc. 5. Down arrow Key The Down arrow key is used to select a certain option on a menu. In some menu option, the Down arrow key is mostly used to decrease the value, such as: sensitivity value, noise reject value, depth alarm value, etc.
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Menu Operation 1. Sonar Sensitive Sensitive determines how echoes will be displayed on the screen. Increasing the sensitivity will make you see more details on the screen. In deep water, increase the sensitivity whereas in shallow decrease the sensitivity. In most situations, just setting sensitivity to “Auto� will help the fishfinder to work well.
To set the Sensitive: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to SONAR menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Sensitive option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Note: the menu display will change from figure A to B as soon as entering menu setting.
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Noise Filter Noise Filter is used to filter the noise from the air or water environment to get a clear sonar image on the screen. In many situations, your Fishfinder display will be effected by undesired signal which maybe caused by your boat engine, turbulence, wiring, or other electrical and mechanical sources. Such undesired signal will produce unwanted mark on the screen, which may cause a misunderstanding of the under- water condition. In such situations when you see too much clutter on the screen, increasing the Noise Filter will play an effect. The larger the value is, the more unexpected sonar returns will not be displayed. If the Noise Filter is increased too huge, most sonar returns (which maybe fish) will not be displayed. In situation while water is clear, try decreasing the Noise Filter, however in situation while water is turbid, try increasing the Noise Filter will be helpful. When the water is deep enough, the high value setting may greatly affect or even hinder your Fishfinder’s performance to find the bottom. So, in deep water, decreasing the Noise Filter value will be helpful. Note: in some situations while you have big trouble with noise, try finding and fixing the interference source, rather than operating your Fishfinder with a very high Noise Filter value. To set the Noise Filter: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to SONAR menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Noise Filter option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting.
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Magic Grayline Magic Grayline is used to let you see both strong and weak signals on the display If Magic Grayline is “inversed”, weak returns will be shown with dark pixels and strong returns with lighter pixels. This is very helpful of ensuring that weak signals will be clearly visible on the display; If Magic Grayline is “on”, strong returns will be shown with dark pixels and weak returns with lighter pixels. This is very helpful of ensuring that strong signals will be clearly visible on the display; To set the Magic Grayline: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menuto switch to SONAR menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Magic Grayline option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting. Fish ID Sens. Fish ID Sens. is used to adjust the threshold of fish size detection. If you select a higher setting, then some weaker returns can be detected and displayed as small fish on screen, which will be very helpful when you are intending to identify small fish species. If you select a lower setting, then only strong returns can be detected and displayed as big fish on screen, which will be very helpful when you are intending to catch larger fish species.
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To set the Fish ID. Sens.: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to SONAR menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Fish ID. Sens. option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting. 2. Display Depth Range Depth Range determines in which portion the bottom will display in the screen. (For example, if the actual depth is 10m, and the current Depth Range is 20m, then the bottom will display on 50% portion of the screen). There are total 10 levels for the depth range setting: a) With feet unit: 10, 15, 25, 35, 50, 70, 85, 100, 131, Auto b) With meter unit: 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, Auto The default setting is Auto, which will keep the bottom always display in a proper portion on the screen. However in some certain situation, you could also manually select a depth range:
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To set the Depth Range: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press MENU to switch to DISPLAY menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Depth Range option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Note: after you enter into the setting by press Ent key, the operation figure will change from A to B, then just press Down Arrow key to change the levels. Zoom Range Zoom Range is used to enlarge some certain depth segment, which is helpful for you to see small details, fish signals and bottom structure. Your fishfinder has a wonderful performance to see any depth segment with any scale. For example, if the current Depth Range is 0~40m, by setting Zoom Range to 20~25m, you can see the sonar image of the 20~25m depth segment with a 8x scale. And by setting it to 20~30m, you can see the sonar image of the 20~30m depth segment with a 4x scale. To set the Zoom Range: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to DISPLAY menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Zoom Range Option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting.
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Note: after select “on”option: 1) press Ent to switch to the “Up”or “Low”Range. 2) Press Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 3) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 4) Press Exit to exit the setting. Backlight Backlight allows the unit to be used at night. There are 10 levels for you to adjust the brightness of backlight. To set the Backlight: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to DISPLAY menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Backlight option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Contrast Contrast can let you get a suitable display. To set the Contrast: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to DISPLAY menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Contrast option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting.
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Overlap Data On the upper left corner display, there are 3 readouts: Water depth, Temperature, Voltage. Overlap Data determine which readout will be displayed. To set the Overlap Data: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to DISPLAY menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Overlap Data option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the option being displayed or not. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting. 3. Alarm Depth Alarm The Fishfinder sound an alarm tone when the bottom goes shallower or equal than the alarm’s setting. Note: once triggered, an alarm message will appear on the screen. You can press Menu key to exit the depth alarm mode, however the alarm will trigger again until your boat move to an area where the water depth is beyond the depth alarm range. You also can choose exiting alarm mode by enter into Depth Alarm menu and artificially increase the current depth alarm value to a safe grade. 18
To set the Depth Alarm: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly Press Menu to switch to ALARM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Depth Alarm option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Fish Alarm The Fishfinder sound an alarm tone when it detects what it determines to be a fish. To set the System Reset: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to ALARM menu 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Fish Alarm option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Main Battery When using a 12~18v battery for powering, the Fishfinder sound an alarm tone when the battery strength of the sonar unit is lower then the setting. To set the Main Battery: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to ALARM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Main Battery option.
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4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to change the value. 6) Press Ent to confirm and exit the setting. Note: once triggered, an alarm message will appear on the screen. The alarm will repeatedly appear unless the voltage of the battery is higher than the Battery Alarm setting. You can manually choose exiting the alarm mode by entering into Main Battery Alarm menu setting, and just changing the setting to a safe value will be ok. 4. System Beeper Beeper is used to determine whether the fishfinder will sound a tone when a key is pressed. To set the Beeper: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to SYSTEM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Boat Battery option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting.
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Units Units is used to choose the depth unit and temp. unit. To set the Units: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly press Menu to switch to Units menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Units option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting. Language Language is used to choose the language of menu operation. To set the Language: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly Press Menu to switch to SYSTEM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Language option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting.
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System Reset System Reset is used to restore original factory setting. To set the System Reset: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly Press Menu to switch to SYSTEM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select System Reset option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting. Simulator Simulator is used to let you practicing using the Fishfinder as if you were on the water. Under the simulating mode, the simulated bottom signal with fish signals will display and move across the screen, and under the simulating mode, you still could change settings to view different sonar image to have a complete understanding of your Fishfinder. To set the Simulator: 1) Press Menu to enter into menu setting. 2) Repeatedly Press Menu to switch to SYSTEM menu. 3) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select Simulator option. 4) Press Ent to enter into setting. 5) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select the option. 6) Press Ent to confirm the setting. 7) Press Exit to exit the setting.
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Trouble shooting You are not supposed to fix the sonar unit or the sensor. The product contains no customizable parts. On the other hand, the waterproof performance is enabled by unique techniques, functions of which may be disabled by unauthorized disassembly. On this account, only professional maintenance personnel properly authorized by the Company are entitled to any repair necessary. We have been contacted frequently by our customers requesting repair service. We inspect their products and find many of them are not in need of repair: the problems occur because some customers are not very acquainted with product usage. And we are forced to label these products as “inapplicable for maintenance�and return them to the customers. Therefore, in the event of problems during product use, we invite you to read the following troubleshooting part carefully before you send the product for maintenance. 1. No signal on screen If the fishfinder fails to receive signals from the sensor, it will stop updating the screen (which will then remain unchanged). Under any circumstances, if the sonar unit can not receive signals transm- itted by the RTS sensor the screen will seem the same until signals are restored. 1) Condor 250 Wi is a product depending upon line of sight. Obstacles between the handheld and the sensor can contribute to signal loss. 2) Condor 250 Wi has a detection depth ranging from 0.6 to 30 meters. Incorrect readings may appear in water areas with depth less than 0.6m. Additionally, considering the sonar physical characters, we suggest you avoid using the product in shallow or small sized enclosed water areas.
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3) The maximum remote-control distance for the sensor reaches 50m. with significant fluctuations on water surface, the distance may be reduced slightly. If the sensor with the bait boat moves out of the range, inconsistent signals will happen or even no signals will be transmitted to the sonar unit. 4) Dragging the sensor too fast can lead to signal lost, thus causing the display not to be updated accordingly. 5) Check the weight of accessories attached to the sensor. A overweight can submerge the sensor and cause signal loss in consequence. 2. Nothing is displayed after the fish finder is powered. Be sure the battery's positive and negative poles are correctly oriented in the holder. Also, check if the battery has enough capacity. 3. When using the device in shallow water areas, the screen does not display things normally and depths are not indicated with consistency. The Condor 250 Wi has a depth capability from 0.6 to 30m, however due to the sonar character, the sensor only can acheive the best performance in deeper water. So we suggest you using the product in water not lower then 1.0m. 4. The picture displayed on the screen vibrates The picture vibrates because the sea bottom depth being scanned is changing. Since the depth range used by the current test signal and by the previous test signal differs, plus the varying height of water bottom, pictures displayed on the screen will occupy different heights, causing the vibrating phenomenon. 5. Nothing appears on the display even you can see fish under the sensor. a) Oil, dirt and fuel might cause a film to form on the sensor and reduce its effectiveness. Cleaning the surface of the transducer might help.
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6. The display become so cluttered that you even could not achieve a clear bottom Such cluttered display maybe caused because: a) The water is too low b) The water is too turbid c) There are so much debris in the water, .
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Specifications and features • Large, high contrast, 4.3”triple supertwist LCD screen, provides perfect visibility even with polarized sunglasses • High resolution 240 x 128 pixel with 4 levels of gray • High intensity, fully dimmable LED backlighting for night use • Rugged portable case for a full protection of the fishfinder during storage or transport • Digital depth reading above each fish symbol • Zoom function to magnify the sonar image • Transducer with built-in temp sensor • Memory that keeps all the settings even when the unit is switched off • Controls: Sensitivity, Depth Range, Noise Filter, Zoom • Multilingual menu system, with 16 memorized languages • Full one-year warranty • Sonar unit size: 6”x 4.3”x 1.73”(153 x 110 x 44 mm) • Portable case size: 10.3”x 5.9”x 3.85”(262 x 150 x 98 mm) • Operational Temperature: 14°F ~ 122°F (-10°C ~ 50°C) • IPX7 level waterproof case design • Perfectly sealed waterproof battery pack (uses 8 AA alkaline batteries not included) Wireless Fishfinder • Special “Freecast” sealed, battery-operated, wireless 115 kHz transducer • Depth capability: 2 ~ 100 ft (0.6 ~ 30m) • Wireless operating range: max 200 ft (60m) • Sonar beam angle: 80deg @-10db • Automatic transducer power-on, by simply dipping it in water • Water temperature sensor included in the transducer • Radio frequency: 433.9 MHz • Alarms: shallow water, fish, low battery
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Notes
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1501 Minnesota Avenue Winter Park, FL 32790 U.S.A. info@condorsonar.com www.condorsonar.com
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