Operations Manual
THANK YOU Thank you for choosing Humminbird, America’s #1 name in fishfinders. Humminbird has built its reputation by designing and manufacturing top-quality, thoroughly reliable marine equipment. Your Humminbird is designed for trouble-free use in even the harshest marine environment. In the unlikely event that your Humminbird does require repairs, we offer an exclusive Service Guarantee - free of charge during the first year after purchase, and available at a reasonable rate after the one-year period.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INSTALLATION PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parts Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alternative Transducers and Mounting Methods. Transducer Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 2 2 4 5 USING THE 250DX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INSTALLATION PREPARATION PARTS SUPPLIED PARTS SUPPLIED Before installing your 250DX, please ensure the following parts are included in the box: • • • • • 250DX fishfinder Transducer with 6m (20') of cable and mounting hardware kit Mounting system and mounting hardware kit 6m (20') power cable Publications kit If any of these items is missing, contact your local distributor . ACCESSORIES Humminbird offers a wide assortment of accessories that complement and expand the capability of your new 250DX.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION INSTALLATION OVERVIEW display on the control head. It should be installed in contact with the surface of the water in an area that has smooth water flow - usually on the transom of the boat. There are several mounting options for the transducer. Review the following section to determine the method that works for you and your boat. Determining How to Mount the Transducer The 250DX includes a model XT-6-20 transducer.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS Inside the hull installations require no holes be drilled into the boat and through experimentation, high-speed operation comparable to transom mounting can be achieved. Two part, slow cure epoxy is required to glue the transducer in place. ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS The 250DX comes with everything necessary for installation and operation on most boats.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE (which do not conduct sonar signals) make inside the hull mounting inadvisable. Thru-hull mounting may require the use of a fairing block to level the transducer with the waterline. Also, since special tools and knowledge may be required to perform this type of installation it is best to refer to a qualified marine technician. TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE Other transducers are available as replacements for the standard transducer.
USING THE 250DX HOW SONAR WORKS HOW SONAR WORKS Your Humminbird unit uses sonar to locate and define underwater objects, define the bottom terrain, as well as determine distance. Sonar technology is based on sound waves. Your Humminbird unit sends out a sound wave signal. With this signal it determines distance by measuring the time between the transmission of the sound wave and when the sound wave is reflected off an object.
USING THE 250DX SIMULATOR OPERATION Actual depth capability depends on factors such as bottom hardness, water conditions, and transducer installation. Units will typically read to deeper depths in fresh water than in salt water. SIMULATOR OPERATION The 250DX contains a simulator that allows you to use the unit as if you are on the water. The simulator is invaluable for learning how to operate the 250DX. There are two ways to start the simulator.
USING THE 250DX WHAT YOU SEE ON-SCREEN If you are using the 250DX in Simulator when no transducer is connected, any selected options are lost when the unit is powered off. The 250DX will return to Factory Settings, or options selected when last used with a transducer, if no transducer is connected. IMPORTANT: A transducer must be connected to the 250DX in order to retain user settings selected when in simulator mode. If no transducer is detected, the unit defaults to pre-selected options when powered off.
USING THE 250DX WHAT YOU SEE ON-SCREEN depth of the water changes, the range changes as necessary in order to retain a bottom representation on-screen. Bottom Depiction Zero Line When in Auto mode, the horizontal line at the top of the screen is the “zero line,” representing the surface of the water. Occasionally there is a gap in this line. This gap indicates the unit is updating the display even if the bottom is not visible on-screen, or if the bottom information is not changing.
USING THE 250DX WHAT YOU SEE ON SCREEN distance measurement, so if the boat is moving up and down over flat bottom, the bottom depiction often appears in regular variations that match wave timing. Structure. Structure is defined as any object physically attached to the bottom. The sonar configuration of the 250DX is optimized to give the most accurate depiction of bottom structure possible.
USING THE 250DX CONTROL FUNCTIONS return meets certain additional criteria, a Fish in Wide Beam fish symbol will be assigned. There are three different size fish symbols used to indicate the intensity of the sonar return. While signal intensity is a good indicator of relative fish size, different species of fish have different sonar characteristics, so it is not always possible to distinguish fish size between varying species.
USING THE 250DX CONTROL FUNCTIONS powered off, press and hold POWER for several seconds until a continuous chirp is heard. Light. LIGHT controls the unit’s display backlight. With the unit powered on, press LIGHT once to turn the backlight on “high.” Press LIGHT a second time to turn the backlight on “low,” and a third time turns the backlight off. The backlight is very effective for low-light and nighttime operation. When the backlight is on, the 250DX will consume more power than with the backlight off.
USING THE 250DX CONTROL FUNCTIONS affect the menu adjustment. The ARROW buttons often can be used when no menu is on-screen. In these situations, pressing the ARROW button affects the function of the active (lastused) menu. This is a short-cut to menu operation. The menu appears on-screen while the adjustment is made and times out. A frequently used menu can be adjusted very quickly using this technique.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Menu Functions Sensitivity. The Sensitivity function controls the sensitivity of the sonar receiver. The 250DX automatically adjusts the level of receiver sensitivity based on a number of factors including the depth of the water and the level of noise present. Noise can be caused by other electronic devices, engines, trolling motors, propeller cavitation and hydrodynamic flow among others.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Depth Range. The Depth Range function controls the vertical distance displayed on the graphic area of the display. There are nine depth ranges available. The top of the range is always 0, or the surface of the water. Ranges of 0–15', 0–30', 0–60', 0–120', 0–180', 0–240', 0–360', 0–480', and 0–600' are available. In the metric version, ranges of 0–5, 0–10, 0–20, 0–40, 0–60, 0–80, 0–110, 0–150, and 0–185 metres are available.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS To return to automatic Depth Range control, press the MENU button until the Depth Range menu appears onscreen and use the UP ARROW to select AUTO. Zoom. Zoom is similar to Depth Range because it controls the range of information displayed on screen. Zoom, however, allows selection of ranges beneath the surface so any area of water between the surface and the bottom can be enlarged to provide more detailed information.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Automatic Zoom is especially helpful when looking for structure or bottom detail. The Automatic Zoom keeps the bottom in view even in quickly changing terrain, but is most useful in flatter areas without considerable depth variation. Manual Zoom provides detailed information of any area from the surface to the bottom. In manual Zoom, the Zoom range does not move as the terrain changes.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Fish Alarm. The Fish Alarm alerts you to the presence of fish, or other targets not connected to the bottom. The Fish Alarm has three different settings that correspond to the three different size fish symbols shown on-screen. The default setting is “OFF.” With the “Large fish only” setting, the 250DX alarms on only those targets that are represented by the large fish symbols. The 250DX can be set to alarm on only large and medium fish, or set to alarm on all fish.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS the 250DX is operated from a battery source, the voltage number can be used to determine battery life. The 250DX will operate at voltages from 10 to 20 VDC. Voltages in excess of 20 or less than 10 VDC cause the unit to power off. Options. The Options Menu is a series of linked menu functions used initially to set your preferences. Once your preferences are selected, it is unlikely these functions need to be accessed during the normal operation of the product.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Display Speed. Display Speed controls the rate at which the graphic information moves across the display. There are 5 possible speeds; the fastest rate (5) is the factory setting. Keep in mind that the closer the update rate matches your boat speed, the more accurate is the graphic depiction of the terrain beneath your boat. Use the UP and DOWN ARROWS to select the desired update rate. The Display Speed setting is remembered when the unit is powered off. Battery Alarm.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Fish ID. There are three selections available: OFF, ID+ ON, and ADJUST. The factory setting is ID+ ON. With Fish ID OFF, sonar returns are displayed as “raw” information. There is no interpretation made by the unit. Selecting ID OFF also disables the fish alarm. Bottom Black View ID+ ON enables the 250DX to interpret the raw sonar data and, using a variety of techniques, depict appropriate target returns as one of three different size fish symbols.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Numeral Size. Two options are available: BIG and SMALL. The factory setting is BIG. With this setting, the digital depth and speed and temp numerals are drawn large enough to be read from across the boat. The big numerals occupy space on the display that could be used for the graphics area. Hence, the small numerals option. With small numerals selected, a greater amount of the display area is available for the graphic view.
USING THE 250DX MENU FUNCTIONS Speed Offset. The Speed Offset option allows the user to compensate for differences in hull design, and its effect on the accuracy of the speed measurement. If there is a discrepancy between the indicated speed and another speed measurement device on the boat, the speed measurement can be varied to improve accuracy. Remember, the speed paddle wheel measures speed through the water, not speed over ground. Speed offset is remembered after power is disconnected. Depth Offset.
ADVANCED FEATURES USING DIAGNOSTIC Reset. With the many User Options available to customize the 250DX, it is easy to configure the unit in such a way that it is detrimental to a particular use. By using the Reset function, all variable or usercontrolled features (except Filter) of the 250DX are returned to the factory settings. The Reset function is an important first step in troubleshooting problems to ensure that a user selected setting is not the cause for the perceived problem.
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE Boat Speed/Water Temperature Connection. Other connections tested include the boat speed and surface water temperature sensors. These accessory sensors can be purchased independently or together as a single sensor (see the Humminbird Accessories catalog). If the sensors are connected and working properly, a “connected” message appears. The speed input feature only works when the boat is in motion as the paddle wheel on the speed sensor must rotate to be detected. Voltage Input.
MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING mild cleaner. Do not wipe while dirt or grease is on the lens. Be careful to avoid scratching the lens. • If your boat remains in the water for long periods of time, algae and other marine growth can reduce the effectiveness of the transducer. Periodically clean the face of the transducer with liquid detergent. Pivoting the transducer up in the bracket may allow better access for inspection or cleaning.
MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING If the unit is wired through a fuse panel, ensure the panel is powered. Often accessory fuse panels are controlled by a separate switch or the ignition switch. Also, often a fuse can appear to be good when in fact is not. Check the fuse with a tester or replace it with a fuse known to be good. Check the power connection to the 250DX. It is possible to force the power cable connector into the cable holder incorrectly. If the connector is reversed, the unit will not work.
MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING If you are using a transducer switch to connect two transducers to the 250DX, ensure the switch is in the correct position to connect a transducer that is in water. (If a trolling motor transducer is selected and the trolling motor is out of water, no sonar information appears.) If none of the above solve the problem, inspect the transducer cable from end to end for breaks, kinks, or cuts in the outer casing of the cable.
MAINTENANCE TROUBLESHOOTING 7. My unit loses power at high speeds. Your 250DX has over-voltage protection that turns the unit off when input voltage exceeds 20 VDC. Some outboard motors do not effectively regulate the power output of the engine’s alternator and can produce voltage in excess of 20 volts when running at high RPMs. The 250DX displays input voltage in the Diagnostic screen. Use this readout to determine if the voltage exceeds 20 VDC. 8. The screen begins to fade out.
MAINTENANCE CUSTOMER SUPPORT CUSTOMER SUPPORT If you have any problems or questions with your Humminbird unit, contact your local distributor.
SPECIFICATIONS Operating Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 kHz and 83 kHz Power Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250 Watts (RMS) 2000 Watts (Peak to Peak) Area of Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Narrow: 20° at -10 db Wide: 53° at -10 db Power Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 VDC Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FSTN LCD LCD Matrix . . . . . . . .
Alumium Drill PLACE EITHER CORNER ON DEADRISE ANGLE Fiberglass Drill Drill a set of two holes for your type of boat hull. Use the upper set for fiberglass or the lower set for aluminum. Use ⁵⁄₃₂" (4.
P/N 530975-2
