Explorer 657 Fishfinder and Chartplotter Installation and Operation Manual www.northstarnav.
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.
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.
Contents 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................7 1-1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1-2 Cleaning and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1-3 Plug-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8-4 Fish detection and display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 8-5 Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 8-6 Gain and threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 9 Sonar fishfinding: Displays ...........................
17-5 Setup > Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 17-6 Setup > Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 17-7 Setup > AIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 17-8 Setup > Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Introduction Quick reference to the built-in and optional features: Feature Type See General How to use the keys and displays 2 Troubleshooting Appendix B Simulate mode 2-6 Glossary of special names Appendix C Specifications Appendix A MOB Man overboard key 2-4 Navigation Overview of how to navigate 3-1 Finding the boat’s position on the chart 3-2 Chart data Alarms Boat data Fuel Sounder Other boats Navigate to any point or to a waypoint 3-1 Navigate along a route 3-1 Projec
1-1 Overview The Northstar 657 is a compact, rugged, highly integrated marine chartplotter and fishfinder. It is easy to use and has an easy to read color display. Complex functions can be performed with a few key presses, taking the hard work out of boating. DSC/Buddy track functions require a Northstar DSC VHF radio with Buddy track support to be installed. The 657 can send data to other instruments, such as an autopilot, and receive data from other instruments.
Changing the plug-in card Gold contacts under here 1 2 4 3 Card Holder CAUTION Handle plug-in cards carefully. Keep them in their protective cases when not plugged into the 657. Keep the holder in place in the 657 at all times to prevent moisture from entering the card compartment. Turn the 657 off (see section 2-2). Pull the card holder out of the 657 and pull any card out of holder. Put the card in its case. Push new card into holder.
2 Basic Operation Overview of the keys ESCAPE - Go back to an earlier menu or display. In chart mode, centres chart at boat’s position. DISPLAY - Show a menu of the main displays. To go to a display, select it from the menu (see section 2-7). CURSOR KEYS - to move the cursor or the selection highlight. MENU - Show a menu of the options for the current window. again to display the Setup menu (see section 17). Press ENTER - Start an action or accept a change.
Changing data c) To change a name or number: or to move the highlight to the First press data to change, then: 1 Press 2 or to select a letter or digit to Press change. Press or to change the letter or digit. a) To change a tick box means On or Yes Repeat this to change other letters or numbers. means Off or No. Press or to change the tick box. b) To select an option 1 Press to display the menu of options. to display the name or number: 3 Press to accept the new value.
2-3 Backlight and night mode To go to the Backlight display, press briefly. Night mode Night mode sets the palette for all displays. Backlight The display and keys are backlit. To change the backlight level, highlight select Backlight, then press to dim or to brighten. When you have finished, press Tip: Press twice to give the brightest screen, with maximum backlight and Night mode off. Normal palette, for daytime A palette optimised for night time. To change mode, highlight Night mode, then press or .
2-5 Alarms When the 657 detects an alarm condition, it displays a warning message on the display, the internal beeper sounds and any external beepers or lights operate. Press to clear the alarm. The alarm will sound again if the alarm condition occurs again. The 657 has user settable alarms (see section 17-9). 2-6 Simulate mode In Simulate mode, the 657 ignores data from the GPS antenna and other transducers and sensors and the 657 generates this data itself. Otherwise, the 657 functions normally.
2-7 The main windows The display menu allows quick access to the main windows. Full-screen Chart and Sonar are at the top of the menu. Other windows are available from the More… sub menu. Note 1 The windows available depend on the optional sensors and instruments that are installed (see section 1-1). 2 Set up commonly used windows as favorites and press to switch between windows (see section 2-7-2).
Note: The windows below the menu divider can only be shown full screen without a data header. (see section 2-7-3).
2-7-1 Multi window displays Changing window size The 657 can show two windows at once. 1 Press 2 Press or to change the height of the windows. Note: Some windows are fixed in size. 3 Press and select Split ratio. . Exchanging two windows on the display 1 Press window. 2 Press , select Replace and select the second window. twice to change the active The 657 exchanges the two windows. Replacing a window on the display 1 Press window.
2-7-2 Favorite displays The 657 has a list of commonly used displays, called favorite displays. There can be up to six favorite displays. Deleting a favorite display from the list 1 Press twice then select Favorites. Sonar, Gauges, Fuel, Data, and Tanks windows can be combined in a display. Each of these displays can have a data header (see section 2-7-3) and a compass (see section 2-7-4). 2 Highlight the display to delete, press and select Delete.
Favorites displays and data headers 2-7-3 Data header The displays can show data at the top, called the data header. To set a data header for a favorites display, follow the steps to add a favorite (see section 2-7-2 - Adding a favorite display to the list). In step 1, set the data header for the favorite as described above. 2-7-4 Compass When you select a window from the display menu (see section 2-7) the 657 displays an appropriate data header for the window.
3 Navigation: Chart The chart window shows the chart, the boat’s position course and navigation data. 3-1 Introduction to navigating The 657 has two ways of navigating, going straight to a point or following a route.
3-1-3 Following a route Preparing Skipping a waypoint A route is a list of waypoints that the boat can follow (see section 6). To skip a waypoint, go to a chart window, press and select Skip. The 657 starts navigating straight towards the next waypoint on the route. To create waypoints before creating the route, see section 5-2-1. To create a route, see section 6-2-1. Starting a route from the chart window: 1 Go to the chart window. 2 Press 3 or Press follow.
3-2 Chart window To go to the Chart window, press select Chart. then A typical chart window shows: A B C F H D I J E K G A Data header. To turn the data off or on or to change what data is displayed, see section 2-7-3 B Compass (see section 2-7-4) C Chart scale (see section 3-2-3) D Boat position (see section 3-2-1) E Boat track (see section 3-5) F Boat course and CDI lines (see Appendix C, CDI).
3-2-1 Chart modes ! The Chart has two modes: When reading the boat position, make sure the position is not the cursor position. Center on boat mode To switch to center on boat mode in the chart window, press . The boat is at the center of the chart. As the boat moves through the water, the chart automatically scrolls to keep the boat in the center of the chart. The cursor (see below) is turned off. Cursor mode The keys and are called cursor keys.
For Ports by name: to search for a different . change the name, port name, press then press . 3-2-5 Finding a chart symbol To find and display a chart symbol: 1 Press 2 Select the type of symbol: Waypoints, Routes, Ports by name, Ports & services, Tide stations or AIS Vessels. 3 For Ports & services: select the type of service to find. and select Find. For Ports by name: press , , or to enter a name or letters contained in the port name, then press . 4 A list of items is displayed.
3-5 Tracks and tracking Tracking records the boat’s position to memory at regular intervals, which can be: Time intervals. Or distance intervals. The track of where the boat has been can be displayed on the chart. The 657 can display one track while recording another. To work with tracks, see section 17-6. The 657 can store five tracks: Track 1 can hold up to 2000 points and is intended to record the normal progress of the boat.
5 Navigation: Waypoints A waypoint is a position that you can set on the 657 chart, for example a fishing spot or a point on a route. The 657 can have up to 3000 waypoints. A waypoint can be created, changed or deleted. A waypoint has: A name (up to eight characters). An icon showing what kind of waypoint it is. The available icons are: A type: Normal: A normal waypoint can be navigated to or included in a route. Danger: A danger waypoint is a point to avoid.
5-2 Managing waypoints ! WARNING Do not create a navigation waypoint on land or in dangerous water. 2 When the waypoint data is displayed, press . 3 Change the waypoint data (see section 5-2-7). 5-2-1 Creating a new waypoint Creating and editing a new waypoint from the chart window 1 To create a waypoint at the boat position, to switch the chart to center on press boat mode. Or, to create a waypoint at a different point, move the cursor to that point on the chart.
Deleting a waypoint from the chart window 1 In the chart window, move the cursor to the waypoint to delete. 2 Press 3 Select Yes to confirm. and select Delete. 2 If necessary, repeat the above step to change other data. 3 Select Save. 5-2-8 Sort Waypoints To change how the waypoints list is displayed: Deleting a waypoint from the waypoints window 1 2 In the waypoints window, press or to highlight the waypoint to delete. Press and select Delete.
6-1 Routes window The routes window is a list of the routes that have been entered, each with route name, start waypoint, end waypoint, number of legs and total distance. To go to the routes window, press More, then select Routes. , select If there are more routes than will fit on the display, press or to scroll up or down a page at a time. 6-2 Managing routes ! WARNING After creating or changing a route, display the route on the chart and check that it does not cross land or dangerous water.
iv Press 3 ii . To move a waypoint in the route: i Move the cursor to the waypoint to move. ii Press iv Press 4 5 . Press and select Remove. 6 7 Press ii Press and select Remove. The waypoint is removed from the route, but the waypoint is not deleted. 8 Display the route on the chart (see section 6-2-3) and check that the route does not cross land or dangerous water. Press and select Start To end creating the route Press To delete the route Press ii Select yes to confirm. .
6-2-4 Deleting a route 6-2-5 Deleting all routes 1 In the routes window, press or highlight the route to delete. Press and select Delete. 2 Select Yes to confirm. to 1 In the routes window, press select Delete all. 2 Select Yes to confirm. and 6-2-6 Navigating a route See section 3-1-3. 7 Satellites Differential beacon DGPS GPS worldwide navigation The US Government operates the GPS system. Twenty-four satellites orbit the earth and broadcast position and time signals.
7-1 Satellite window The satellite window has information about the GPS satellites and GPS position. To go to the satellite window, press select More, then select Satellite. A Status of GPS antenna, for example Acquiring, GPS fix, No GPS. If the unit is in Simulate mode it displays Simulate (see section 2-6). B Time and date from GPS satellites. Time is local time (UTC [GMT] plus local offset, see section 17-13) C HDOP: The error in the GPS position caused by satellite geometry.
The scroll speed depends upon the water depth and scroll speed setting. See sections 17-3 and section 8-2, for more information. The appearance of echoes displayed are affected by: • the 657 settings (see sections 17-3, 8-5 and 8-6) • echoes (different fish types, different bottom types, wrecks and seaweed; see section 8-2) • noise (water clarity and bubbles; see section 8-2). • Fishing mode: Use this when fishing.
A B A B C C D A Single fish A Kelp / Weed B Large school of fish B C Small school of fish Soft bottoms such as mud, weed and sand show as narrow bands C Hard bottoms such as rock or coral show as wide bands D Bottom Bottom types Mud, weed and sandy bottoms tend to weaken and scatter the sonar pulse, resulting in a weak echo. Hard, rocky or coral bottoms reflect the pulse, resulting in a strong echo.
Shadows Shadows are created around areas where the ultrasonic beam cannot ‘see’. These areas include hollows on the bottom or beside rocks and ledges, where the strong echoes returned off the rocks obscure the weak echoes of the fish and may also create a double bottom trace. See following for an example of the sonar display in such an environment. A double bottom trace is shown on the display. When looking for fish with the wide angled 50 kHz frequency, be aware of increased shadows.
This frequency is useful for getting a deep, wide overview of the area so that any areas of interest can be identified and then examined in detail with the 200 kHz frequency. When to use Mixed The Mixed frequency combines the 200 kHz and the 50 kHz echoes on one sonar display, filling in detailed echoes in the center of the sonar cone.
Comparison of the same fish scenario displayed at different frequencies: 1 minute ago 30 seconds ago 50 kHz display 200 kHz display 200/50 Khz display Mixed display 36 Northstar Explorer 657 Installation and Operation Manual Now
8-4 Fish detection and display Where to find fish Underwater features like reefs, wrecks and rocky outcrops attract fish. Use the 50 kHz or 50/200 kHz frequency display to find these features, then look for fish by passing over the feature slowly several times using the Zoom display (see section 9-2). If there is a current, the fish will often be found downstream of the feature. When fishing with the 657 with the Fish symbols Off, a weak fuzzy band may appear between the bottom trace and surface.
8-5 Range Range is the vertical depth displayed on the 657 sonar display. For example, if the range is 100 m, then the sonar display shows depths between 0 and 100 m. The range is displayed at the bottom, right corner of a sonar display. The 657 has two range modes: Auto: The 657 adjusts the range automatically so that the bottom of the water is always shown at the bottom of the display. Auto range is recommended for normal operation.
8-6 Gain and threshold Gain and threshold settings control the amount of detail displayed on a sonar display: Gain: The gain of the sonar receiver. The gain should be high to display good detail, but if the gain is too high then information from the strong bottom signal is lost and false echoes might be displayed. There is a separate gain setting for each sonar frequency, 50 kHz and 200 kHz. Threshold: Return echoes less than the threshold are ignored.
9 Sonar fishfinding: Displays To show the Sonar display, press select Sonar. Split A-Scope: Sonar history plus echo strength (see section 9-5). , then There are five kinds of sonar display. To use a display, press , select Sonar splits, then select the type of display to use: If the display is split, adjust the split ratio if required: 1 Press No split: Sonar history display at a single or mixed frequency (see section 9-1).
9-1-1 Extended history mode To review an old sonar echo, use or to move back and forward through the sonar history. The time since the echoes shown on the screen were recorded is displayed at the bottom to return to the most of the screen. Press recent echo. The digital depth shown is always the current depth, even in extended history mode. The History Position Bar indicates the age of the most resent echo on the screen, and the position of the current screen in the recorded history.
9-3 Sonar Bottom display The display shows the sonar history on the right and the bottom signal as a flat trace in the center of the zoom section on the left. The flat trace make it easy to compare the echo strengths shown in the bottom signals. This can help to identify the type of bottom and objects close to the bottom. The zoom bar on the far right shows the area of the history that is magnified in the zoom section: A • Use the range. • The 657 calculates the zoom depth automatically.
9-5 Sonar A-Scope display The display shows the sonar history on the left and the A-Scope display on the right. The A-Scope shows: A, B, C The strengths of echoes being received now from different depths - the longer the horizontal line the stronger the signal: A A E B D B C Unwanted noise echoes.
10 Gauges window The Gauges window shows boat data, such as water speed, as analog gauges. To select the , select More, then Gauges window, press select Gauges. Before using the Gauges window, set Speed range, Max RPM and Max fuel flow (see section 17-12). Selecting a Gauges layout To select a layout from the Gauges window, press , select Layout, then select a layout from the list. Changing a gauge layout You can change the data displayed on each gauge in a layout.
12 Fuel functions and display The Fuel functions require optional petrol/gasoline or SmartCraft™ fuel sensors to be installed and set up. 12-1 What the fuel computer does Each engine has a flow sensor installed to measure the engine’s fuel flow. The 657 uses these flows, together with boat speed and engine RPM if available to estimate the fuel remaining in the tank(s), fuel used, range and fuel economy. This data is displayed on the fuel window (see section 12-2).
Fuel window Fuel flow The fuel flow for the engine(s). On a multi engine boat, the data for the port engine is on the left of the display. Use the flows to check the load of each engine. Range The estimated boat range at the current fuel flow. The value can depend on the type of speed sensor (see section 12-5). Economy The distance travelled per unit of fuel used. The value can depend on the type of speed sensor (see section 12-5). The larger the value, the better the fuel economy.
C When you remove fuel 1 Before removing fuel, go to the Fuel window, press and select Set remaining. 2 On a multi-tank boat, select the tank that you are removing fuel from. 3 Write down the value of Remaining for the tank; this is the amount of fuel originally in the tank. 4 Remove fuel from the tank and write down how much fuel you remove. 5 Subtract the amount of fuel you removed from the amount of fuel originally in the tank to calculate the amount of fuel now in the tank.
12-5-2 Water speed and ground speed A paddlewheel sensor and a pitot sensor measure water speed, the boat speed through the water. A GPS measures ground speed, the boat speed over the bottom of the water. If there is a current, then these speeds will be different, and the log, trip log, economy and range will be different, as shown below. Water speed is better for measuring the boat’s potential performance, Ground speed is better for going to a destination because it takes currents into account.
12-6 Fuel consumption curves A fuel consumption curve shows fuel consumption (fuel used per unit of distance travelled) and boat speed as a function of engine RPM. Fuel consumption curves require engine RPM, which requires SmartCraft™ or diesel sensors to be installed. Fuel consumption curves are powerful tools for assessing boat performance in different conditions and for helping you to run at the most economical speed and trim for the conditions. Now, do not change the engine speed.
12-6-2 Managing fuel consumption curves Using a curve Renaming a curve 1 Press 2 Select Fuel consumption curve. Select Name and select the name of the curve to rename. 3 twice, then select Fuel. Select Rename and press the name. F E D B C . Change 12-6-3 Using fuel consumption curves A 1 Press 2 Select Fuel consumption curve. Select Name and select the name of the curve to delete. Compare your boat’s performance now, at the current RPMs, with the boat’s performance when you made the curve.
12-7 Calibration Calibrate petrol/gasoline fuel flow sensors during installation, or if the fuel readings seem inaccurate and the other troubleshooting suggestions do not help (see appendix B troubleshooting). Note SmartCraft™ fuel sensors are factory calibrated and should never need recalibrating. On a multi engine boat, calibrate each engine’s sensor. This can be done at the same time with a portable tank for each engine or at different times using one portable tank.
13 Tides window The tides window is available on C-MAP charts. The tides window shows tide information at a tide station for the selected date. 3 Note: The tides window requires the local time offset to be set to work correctly (see section 17-13) 4 Press 5 Select Tide height. To show the tides window for the tide station nearest to the boat, press , select More, then select Tides. From the chart window, press select Find. 2 Select Tide stations. and select Chart info.
14 User card window A C-MAP™ user card is an optional plug-in card that can store data files (see section 1-3). There are three types of files: waypoints, routes or a track. To go to the user card window, press select More, then select User card. , CAUTION 1 Before using a user card, remove any chart card and plug the user card in. When you have finished with the user card, remove the user card and replace the chart card (see section 1-3). 2 The older 5 volt cards are not supported.
To load a file to the 657: 1 Press 1 Select the file to load. 2 Select Format. 2 Press 3 Select Yes to confirm. and select Load. Deleting a file from the user card 1 Select the file to delete. 2 Press 3 Select Yes to confirm. Sorting the file names This sorts the displayed file names. and select Delete. 1 Press 2 Select sort by Name, Type or Time. 1 Press Select Read. and select Sort. ! Rereading the file information This reads the file names from the user card and displays them.
15-1 Viewing AIS Vessels C B A D A AIS Vessel B Dangerous Vessel C Press either information. or to clear the 15-2 Dangerous Vessels Projected Course D Data Box When the cursor is placed over an AIS vessel for at least two seconds, a data box appears at the bottom of the window with information about the AIS vessel. For complete AIS information on the AIS vessel place the cursor over an AIS vessel for at least two seconds and press .
15-3 AIS Windows Displaying Full AIS Details To go to the AIS windows, press , select More, then press or to select one of the two windows: Vessels or Safety msgs (rx). If there are more items than will fit on the window, press or to see the others. 1 Press 2 Press press or to select a vessel. and select More Info or . This window displays all information for the selected AIS vessel provided by the AIS receiver. Sorting Vessels Press , select Sort and select one of the options.
16 DSC/Buddy track windows Buddy track requires an optional Northstar DSC VHF radio to be installed. Buddy track tracks other boats which have DSC radios connected to their GPS receivers by NavBus and are in VHF range. For information on setting up and using the VHF radio for buddy track, see the radio’s operation manual. To go to the DSC/Buddy track windows, press , select More, then select DSC.
Boat positions The boat positions on the 657 can differ from the true boat positions: Polled boats: The position is where the boat was when you last polled the boat. Distress: The position is the distress waypoint, which is where the boat was when it sent the distress message. Buddy track: The position is where the boat was when your radio last polled the boat. 16-2 Using the displays Displaying a boat on the chart 1 Press 2 Press and select Display.
17 Setting up the 657 The 657 has a number of advanced features which are set up through the setup menu. We recommend that you become familiar with the operation of the unit using the default settings before making any changes in these menus. To go to a setup option menu, press twice, then select an option. Note: 1 The Setup menu options are explained in the following sections. 2 Section 2-1 describes how to set or change data in the setup menus.
Setup option menus Factory default settings are shown. The setup data available will depend on the optional sensors and instruments installed.
17-1 Setup > System Press twice, then select System: • The number of waypoints, routes and tracks you have stored. • Connector wiring information. In the unlikely event of having to contact a Northstar dealer for service, quote the software version number and date. Language Select the language for the displays. Tip: In case you can’t read the current language, the language setting is found at the top of the system menu.
17-2 Setup > Chart Press Course up: This option is only available if the boat is navigating to a destination. The chart is rotated so that the plotted course to the destination is vertical. twice, then select Chart: Palette Select the color scheme for the LCD display. The options are: Normal Sunlight: Brighter colors, more visible in sunlight. Night: Reversed colors for night, to preserve night vision. Map datum 657 GPS positions are based on a worldwide reference (datum) known as WGS 84.
NMEA datum offset If you select a map datum other than WGS 84, the map datum offset can be applied to latitude and longitude coordinates sent on the 657 NMEA output: Latitude and longitude coordinates displayed on any NMEA repeater do not match the coordinates on the 657. Latitude and longitude coordinates broadcast on any NMEA VHF transmitter will be the same as the coordinates on a WGS 84 chart. Latitude and longitude coordinates displayed on any NMEA repeaters match the coordinates on the 657.
Projected course The 657 can estimate the course after a given time, based on the current speed and heading (see section 3-4). The options are 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours or Off CDI scale See Appendix C. The options are 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 10.
17-3 Setup > Sonar Press twice, then select Sonar: Fish sensitivity Selects the minimum strength fish echo that will be displayed as a fish symbol. Higher values will display more fish symbols. Digit size Use this to remove or change the size of the depth window on the sonar displays. There is a choice of: Small, Medium and Large. Palette Use this to select a color palette. Each color within the palette represents a different echo strength, as shown on the sonar displays.
17-4 Setup > GPS Press twice, then select GPS: shows the status of the GPS receiver (see section 7). Restart the GPS if the receiver has not been used for some time and is taking a long time to get a GPS fix. Static Navigation When the boat stops or moves very slowly, the calculated GPS speed and course become erratic.
Source Setup tanks Select the fuel flow sensors to use if the boat has more than one set of fuel sensors. Normally select Auto. If the boat has more than one tank, select Tank and select each tank in turn. For the selected tank, you can enter: Num engines Set the number of engines, or select 0 to disable the fuel functions. If there are two engines they are called port and starboard. Num tanks Set the number of fuel tanks. If there are two tanks they are called port and starboard.
17-6 Setup > Track Press twice, then select Track: Plotting Interval Select the plotting and recording interval. The options are Distance or Time. Distance Select the distance plotting interval: 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 or 10.0 distance units. Time Select the time plotting interval: 1, 5, 10 or 30 seconds or 1 minute. Memory used Tracking records and displays the boat’s course on the chart (see section 3-5).
17-7 Setup > AIS Note: This feature requires an AIS receiver. Show Dangerous Only Show vessels that have a TCPA/CPA below the trigger values. This filter will override any other filter option. Dangerous Vessel Alarm When enabled an alarm will activate when both the TCPA and CPA is less than the trigger values. Even when this setting is disabled the dangerous vessels will still be indicated on the chart. There are multiple methods to filter AIS vessels that are displayed onto the charts.
17-9 Setup > Alarms Press twice, then select Alarms: All alarms except Loss of GPS fix can be turned on (enabled) or off (disabled). For all alarms select to turn the alarm on or select to turn the alarm off. For most alarms there is a trigger value. The alarm will sound each time the alarm value equals the trigger value.
17-10 Setup > Units Press twice, then select Units: Height ft (feet) or m (metres) Fuel Litres, USGal (US gallons) or ImpGal (Imperial Gallons) Compass °T (True north) or °M (Magnetic north) Temperature °F (Fahrenheit) or °C (Celsius) Wind (optional) The default units are shown above. Distance nm (nautical miles), mi (miles) or km (kilometres) Requires a wind instrument: True or App (Apparent) Note: that the units for wind speed are the speed units.
17-12 Setup > Calibrate Press twice, then select Calibrate: Speed filter Waves and wind cause the boat speed from the paddlewheel transducer to fluctuate slightly. To give stable readings, the 657 calculates these values by taking several measurements and averaging them. Set the Speed filter to the lowest value which gives stable readings. The range is 1 to 30 seconds or Off (0). Temperature Speed This calibrates the speed from a paddlewheel sensor connected to the 657.
Keel Offset A depth transducer measures depths below where the transducer is mounted on the boat, usually the bottom of the boat. The 657 calculates the depths to display by adding the keel offset to all measured depths. A Transducer; A depths measured below here Have a zero keel offset to display depths below the transducer. B Enter a positive keel offset to increase the displayed depth. For example to display the total depths below the surface, enter the depth of the transducer below the surface.
17-15 Setup > Simulate Simulate mode is a way of becoming familiar with the 657 (see section 2-6). Press twice, then select Simulate: 1 Normal Simulates the boat moving from the selected start point at the given speed and heading. The options required for Normal are: Speed: The simulated boat speed to use. Course: The simulated course over ground. Note: To select the start point, go to the chart window before starting the simulation.
18-1 Installation: What comes with the 657 657 display unit, with a holder for plug-in cards and blanking cap for fuel connector.
Connections Power (18-4) External alarms (18-4) Display unit (18-3) NavBus instruments (18-9) and VHF radio (18-8) NMEA out to instruments (18-10) Black GPS antenna (18-5), Petrol/gasoline sensors (18-7), NMEA in (18-10) Yellow Sonar transducer (18-6) Blue Power/data cable Pin Wire Function 1 Black Ground: - power in, NMEA ground.
18-3 Installation: The display unit Select a position for the display unit: At least 4” (100 mm) away from the compass, at least 12” (300 mm) away from any radio transmitter and at least 4 ft (1.2 m) away from any antenna. • • Not exposed to the direct sun or water and protected from physical damage during rough sea passages. • Easy to access the power source and convenient to route the transducer cables. Easy to read and operate.
18-4 Installation: Power/data cable The power/data cable has a black locking collar and flying leads. 1 Wire the 657 for auto power to have the 657 turn on with the boat’s ignition switch or to to record engine hours or if the 657 must add up the total fuel used (for example if Northstar petrol/gasoline fuel sensors are installed or if SmartCraft™ is installed without fuel tank level sensors). Otherwise wire for basic power (for more information, see section 2-2).
18-5 Installation: GPS antenna Restart GPS: Selecting an antenna Fit one of these GPS antennas: • Normally use the GPS antenna supplied. • An optional differential beacon DGPS antenna to give enhanced accuracy within range of land based differential beacons in areas where WAAS or EGNOS are not available. Such a DGPS antenna has both a GPS receiver and a beacon receiver, and it automatically applies the beacon correction to the GPS position.
18-6 Installation: Sonar transducer ! WARNING Either: • Fit the transom mount sonar transducer supplied, following the instructions in the Transom Mount Transducer Installation Manual supplied with the 657. • For enhanced performance, fit an optional through hull dual frequency sonar transducer and through hull speed/temperature transducer. Contact the nearest Northstar dealer for more information. Do not install plastic through hull transducers in solid wooden hulls.
18-8 Installation: SmartCraft™ If the boat has one or two SmartCraft™ capable Mercury petrol/gasoline engines, connect the 657 to the SmartCraft™ engines with an optional SmartCraft™ gateway. The display unit can display engine data and trim and can control troll speed. GPS antenna (optional) Yellow Yellow GPS/fuel AIS cable Note: White Fit a single gateway for single engines and a dual gateway for dual engines.
During setup for NavBus instruments, set NavBus to and assign the instrument a NavBus group number (see section 17-11) Black 18-9-1 Installation: Northstar VHF radio Fit and set up the optional Northstar VHF radio (with NavBus functionality) following the instructions supplied with the radio.
18-11 Installation: Setup and test Setup and test 1 Put a blanking cap on any unused connector on the back of the display unit. Ensure all connectors are plugged in and the display unit is in place. 2 If the display unit is bracket mounted, adjust tilt and rotation for best viewing and hand tighten the knob. 3 Insert any required C-MAP chart card (see section 1-3). 4 Turn the instrument on (see section 2-2).
Appendix A - Specifications GENERAL Size: 5.9” H x 6.5” W x 2.6” D (150mm H x 164mm W x 65mm D) Display: 127 mm (5”) diagonal, TFT color, 480 x 640 pixels. Backlight: Display and keys Supply voltage 10.5 V DC to 30.5 V DC. Supply current: at 13.8 V 350 mA min - no backlighting. 1A max - full backlighting. ] External beeper or light output: Switched to ground to sound alarm, 30 V DC, 200 mA maximum.
33.1 mm ( 1.3 ") 164.0 mm ( 6.5 ") ") (5 12 7m m 150.0 mm ( 5.9") 166.0 mm ( 6.5") 32.0 mm ( 1.3 ") 88.5 mm ( 3.5 ") List of datums Adindan American Samoa 1962 ARC 1950 Astro Beacon ‘E’ 1945 Astro Tern Island (Frig) 1961 Ayabelle Lighthouse Bissau Camp Area Astro Cape Chatham Island Astro 1971 Corrego Alegre Djakarta (Batavia) European 1950 Gan 1970 Guam 1963 Herat North Hong Kong 1963 Indian 1954 Indonesian 1974 ISTS 073 Astro 1969 Kerguelen Island 1949 L. C.
Appendix B - Troubleshooting This troubleshooting guide is written with the assumption that the user has read and understood the relevant sections in this manual. It is possible in many cases to solve difficulties without having to send the display unit back to the manufacturer for repair. Please follow this troubleshooting section before contacting the nearest Northstar dealer. Repairs to the product may only be carried out by a service center approved by Northstar.
B-2 GPS navigation problems 2-1 No GPS fix or long time to get fix at startup: 2-5 The time or date on satellite window is wrong or off: a May occur occasionally if the antenna does not have a clear view of the sky. The satellite positions are constantly changing. a No GPS fix. b In simulate mode. Turn simulate mode off (see section 17-15). Antenna cable not connected to display unit. c Local time offset is wrong (see section 17-13).
c A fuel transducer may be clogged. If so, remove the transducer from the fuel line and gently blow through it in the opposite direction to the fuel flow. A fuel filter between the fuel transducer and the fuel tank must be installed as per the fuel installation guide. Failure to do so will void the warranty. d Inspect the fuel cable from end to end for damage such as cuts, breaks, trapped or squashed sections. e Check that the fuel filter is clean.
4-2 Bottom is not displayed: 4-5 There is a double bottom trace displayed: a a The boat may be in an area that generates shadows (see section 8-2). b In shallow water, the echoes may bounce. Reduce the gain setting (see section 8-6) and/or reduce the sonar pulse power (see section 17-3). c Decrease the Range. b The 657 may have Manual Range selected and the depth may be outside the range value selected. Either change the 657 to Auto Range or select another depth range (see section 8-5).
Appendix C - Glossary and navigation data Glossary Attention Area - An important area on a chart, such as a restricted anchorage or a shallow area (see section 17-2). MMSI - Maritime Mobile Service Identity. Unique identification number for a vessel, for use in Digital Selective Calling. AIS - Automatic Identification System. A System where vessel information (location, course, speed, etc.) is broadcast by VHF radio, for use by other vessels in navigation and collision avoidance. MOB - Man overboard.
Navigation data The boat is sailing from the start to the destination and has moved off the plotted course from the start to the destination. BRG Bearing to Destination: Bearing to the destination from the boat. BRG CDI Bearing to cursor: Bearing to cursor from boat (cursor mode, see section 3-2-1 [note the -1 added there]) Course Deviation Indicator: When the boat is navigating to a point, the chart and highway windows show a parallel line on either side of the plotted course.
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