HUMMINBIRD 203930994 Wide Paramount Fish Finder User Manual

203930994 Wide Paramount Fish Finder
User Manual

PARTS SUPPLIED

Before installing your new Humminbird fishfinder, please ensure the following parts are included in the box:

• Fishfinder
• Transducer with 20’ (6m) of cable and mounting hardware kit
• Mounting system and mounting hardware kit
• 6’ (2m) power cable
• Publications kit

It any of these items is missing, call our Customer Support Hotline.

ACCESSORIES

Humminbird offers a wide assortment of accessories that complement and expand the capability of your new fishfinder. These accessories are designed with the same high standards and are backed by the same one-year warranty.
The Humminbird Accessory catalog included with your unit contains descriptions of the many accessories available and ordering information. All Humminbird accessories are available through your full-service Humminbird dealer or factory direct through our number listed in the Customer Support section.

INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

Your Humminbird fishfinder consists of two primary components to install: the control head and the transducer.
The control head contains the sonar transmit and receive circuitry, as well as the user controls and display. It should be installed in a location that provides access to the controls and visibility while in use. The control head mounts on a quick disconnect mounting system that swivels and tilts providing flexibility for viewing from almost anywhere on the boat.
The transducer converts electrical energy from the transmitter into mechanical pulses or sound waves. The transducer also receives the reflected sound waves and converts them back into electrical signals for 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

Your Humminbird fishfinder includes a standard transducer. This transducer can be mounted on the transom of the boat or bonded to the inside of a fiberglass hull boat.
The transom installation, which is the most widely used, places the transducer on the outside of the boat hull. This technique produces the least signal loss and provides a way to adjust the transducer after installation. The mounting hardware included is designed to protect both the boat and the transducer should the boat strike debris in the water or when trailering.

As an alternative to transom mounting, it is possible on many fiberglass- hulled boats to glue the transducer on the inside of the boat hull. Since fiberglass has similar sonar characteristics as water, the sonar signal can pass through the boat hull with minimal loss. The hull of the boat must be single-layer construction (not double-hulled) Also, any air trapped in the lamination of the fiberglass would prevent the sonar signal from passing through.

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  (not included) is required to glue the transducer in place.

ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS

Your Humminbird fishfinder comes with everything necessary for installation and operation on most boats. However, there are several situations which may require a different type of transducer.  Inboard boats, wood or metal hulls, and sailboats create unique transducer mounting needs Alternate transducers and mounting methods are detailed below.

Portable Mounting
The standard transducer can be adapted for portable installations with a portable mounting kit available from Humminbird. This accessory adapts your transducer to a suction cup mount for temporary installation on the boat hull or other surface.

Trolling Motor Mounting
The standard transducer can also be adapted to mount on most trolling motors using a different accessory kit. This accessory includes a bracket and hose clamp that allows mounting the transducer to the body of most trolling motors.

Thru-Hull Mounting
Thru-hull transducers install through a hole drilled in the hull of the boat. Larger boats or boats with inboard motors create turbulence that makes transom mounting ineffective. Also, hulls that are very thick or are double-layered, or made from materials such as wood or metal, (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.
You may exchange your new and unassembled transducer for another type by returning it to the address listed in Customer Support. Some transducers may have additional costs. Refer to the Accessory catalog or call Customer Support for information.

BEGINNING INSTALLATION
Now that you have determined the transducer mounting method you can begin the installation of your new Humminbird fishfinder. The installation guide included in the next few pages provides detailed step-by-step instructions for the installation of the control head and transducer. For transom mount transducer installations you will need the mounting template included with your manual.

In addition to the parts included you need the following for installation and operation:

• A powered hand drill and various drill bits
• Philips and flat-head screwdrivers
• A ruler or measuring tape
• Pen or pencil
• A 12-volt power source (your boat’s battery)
• A 1-amp fuse
• A fuse holder (if you are wiring directly to the boat’s battery)
• Silicone sealant (for sealing drilled holes)
• 2-part, slow-cure epoxy (for inside the hull transducer installations)

Do not begin this transducer installation until you read the Installation Preparation in the Operation Guide. This chapter contains information critical to the correct installation of your transducer.
Due to the wide variety of boat hulls, only general instructions are presented in the installation guide. Each boat hull represents a unique set of requirements that should be evaluated prior to installation.

TRANSOM INSTALLATION

Step One – Determine Where to Mount the Transducer
Begin the transducer installation by determining where on the transom to install the transducer. Consider the following to find the best location:

• It is very important to locate the transducer in an area which is relatively free of turbulent water, As a boat moves through the water, turbulence is generated by the weight of the boat, and the thrust of the propeller(s). This turbulent water is normally confined to areas immediately aft of ribs, strakes or rows of rivets on the bottom of the boat, and in the immediate area of the propeller(s) (Figure 1). On outboard or inboard/outboard boats it is best to stay at least 15” (40cm) to the side of the propeller(s).
• If possible, viewing the transom of the boat while the boat is moving will provide the best means of locating turbulence-free water. If the maximum high-speed operation is a high priority, this is the recommended method. If this is not possible, select a location on the transom where the hull forward of this location is smooth, flat, and free of protrusions or ribs.
• The transducer when mounted should point straight down. The design of the transducer will accommodate a wide range of deadrises and remain ported straight down (Figure 2).
• On boats with stepped hulls, it may be possible to mount the transducer on the step. Never mount the transducer on the transom behind a step, as this area of the transom will not be in contact with the water at high speed (Figure 3).
• If the propeller(s) is (are) forward of the transom, it may be impossible to find an area clear from turbulence, and a different mounting technique or transducer type should be considered.

Step Two – Drill the Mounting Holes

1. Remove the mounting template from the front of the Operations Manual.
2. Hold the template on the transom of the boat in the location where the transducer will be installed (Figure 4). Align the template vertically, ensuring the lower edge of the transom meets with the bottom corner of the template.
3. Using a pencil or punch, mark the two mounting holes shown on the template onto the transom. Do not mark or drill any other holes at this time.
4. Using a 5/32” (4mm) bit drill the two holes to a depth of approximately 1″ (3cm). On fiberglass hulls, it is best to start with a smaller bit and use progressively larger drill bits to reduce the chance of chipping or flaking the outer coating.

Step Three – Assemble the Transducer

1. Attach the Pivot to the transducer body as shown in Figure 5, using the #8 – 3/8” (9mm) long Allen headed pivot screw, the headed pin, the two flat washers, and the two toothed lock washers.
   Note: The toothed lock washers must be positioned between the transducer and the pivot ears. The flat washers must be positioned to the outside at the pivot ears.

2. Using the Allen wrenches provided, loosely tighten the pivot screw (Figure 6). Do not completely tighten the assembly at this time, so the pivot angle can be adjusted later.

3. Insert the pivot/transducer assembly into the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 7. Do not snap the assembly closed.

Step Four – Mount the Transducer to the Transom

1. Apply silicone sealant to the mounting holes drilled into the transom.
2. Align the transducer assembly with the drilled holes in the transom (Figure 8).
3. Use either a flat head screwdriver, a 5/16″ (8mm) hex driver, or a 5/16″ (8mm) socket to mount the assembly. Using the two #10 – 1” (25mm) long slotted hex head screws, mount the transducer assembly to the transom as shown. Do not fully tighten the mounting screws in order to vertically adjust the transducer. Snap the pivot down into place.
   

Step Five – Adjust the Running Position of the Transducer
The bracket allows height and tilts adjustment, the pivot screws allow angular adjustment. Initially, adjust the transducer as described in the following paragraphs. Further adjustment may be necessary to refine the installation after high-speed testing.

1. First, adjust the pivot angle of the transducer body so its length is parallel with the length of the hull of the boat. Then pivot the transducer down so the rear is about 1/4 inch (6mm) lower than the front  (Figure 9).
2. Fully tighten the two pivot screws using the Allen wrenches. It may be necessary to retighten the pivot screws after the initial use as the plastics may still be seating to the lock washers.
3. Adjust the height of the assembly so the face of the transducer is 3/16″ (4.5mm) beneath the lower edge of the transom (Figure 10). Mark the position of the mounting bracket on the transom with a  pencil.
4. Force the pivot to the up position to gain access to the mounting screws. Assure the transducer location has not changed, then fully tighten the two mounting screws (Figure
   11). Snap the pivot back down.
   Confirm the pivot angle has not changed.
   Note: A third screw location is provided for the

mounting bracket. Drill this hole and install the screw after final testing and adjustments have been completed.

Step Six – Route the Cable
There are several ways to route the transducer cable to the area where the control head will be installed. The most common procedure routes the cable through the transom into the boat.
Inside the boat, there is often a channel or conduit used for another wiring that the cable can be routed along. Do not cut or shorten the transducer cable and try not to damage the cable insulation.
Route the cable as far as practical from the VHF radio antenna cables or tachometer cable to reduce the possibility of interference.

If the cable is too short, extension cables are available to extend the transducer cable up to a total of 50′ (15 m). Call Humminbird Customer Support for more information.
Follow these steps to route the cable through the transom:

1. Drill a 5/8” (16mm) hole above the waterline. Route the cable through the hole.
2. Fill the hole with silicone sealant.
3. Place the escutcheon plate over the hole and attach to the two #8 x 5/8” (16mm) screws.
4. Secure the cable by attaching the cable camp to the transom using a #8 x 5/8” (16mm) screw.

Note: The transducer will pivot up to 90 degrees in the bracket. Allow enough slack in the cable for this movement. It is best to route the cable to the side of the transducer so the cable will not be damaged by the transducer during movement.

INSIDE THE HULL INSTALLATION

Inside the hull, installation requires the mounting system and control head be installed and operational. See Installing the Control Head for instructions on installing the unit.
Inside the hull mounting generally produces good results in single thickness fiberglass-hulled boats. Humminbird cannot guarantee depth performance when transmitting and receiving through the hull of the boat since some signal loss occurs. The amount of loss depends on hull construction and thickness, and the installation.
This installation requires slow-cure two-part epoxy. Do not use silicone or any other soft adhesive to install the transducer, as this material reduces the sensitivity of the unit. Five-minute epoxy has a  tendency to cure before all the air bubbles can be purged.
Step One – Determine the Mounting Location
Begin the transducer installation by determining where inside the hull to install the transducer. Consider the following to find the best location:

• Observe the outside of the boat hull to find the areas that are mostly free from turbulent water. Avoid ribs, strakes, and other protrusions as these create turbulence (Figure 14).
• As a general rule, the faster the boat can travel the further aft and closer to the centerline of the hull the transducer has to be located to remain in contact with the water at high speeds.

Step Two – Test the Mounting Location

There is no opportunity for adjustment after the transducer is glued in place. Therefore, it is best to perform a trial installation inside the hull transducers first, and run the boat at high speeds to determine the best mounting area.

1. At the identified mounting location, lay the transducer body face down with the pointed end towards the bow.

2.  Fill the hull with enough water to submerge the transducer body. Use a sand-filled bag or another heavy object to hold the transducer in position.
   The transducer cannot transmit through air. The water purges any air from between the transducer and the hull and fills any voids in the coarse fiberglass surface.

3. Power up the Control Head.

4. Run the boat at various speeds and water depths while observing the screen on the Control Head. If the unit functions well at low speeds but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer needs to be moved. If depth performance is required, test the fishfinder in water at the desired depth. Test different locations in the hull until the optimum performance is achieved.

Step Three – Permanently Mount the Transducer

1. Once the mounting location is determined, mark the position of the transducer.

2. Remove the water from inside the hull and thoroughly dry the mounting surface. If the surface is excessively rough, it may be necessary to sand the area to provide a smooth mounting surface.
   Ensure the mounting area is clean and dry.

3. Mix an ample quantity of two-part slow-cure epoxy slowly and thoroughly. Avoid trapping air bubbles.

4. Coat the face of the transducer and the inside of the hull (Figure 16).

5. Press the transducer into place with a slight twisting motion to purge any trapped air from underneath, keeping the pointed end of the transducer body pointed forward (Figure 17).
   Note: Proper operation requires the pointed end of the transducer body to face towards the bow.

6. Weight the transducer so it does not move while the epoxy is curing.
   When the epoxy cures, no water is necessary inside the hull. Neither water spilled gasoline, nor oil will affect the performance of the transducer.

CONTROL HEAD INSTALLATION

Step One – Determine Where to Mount
Begin the installation by determining where to mount the control head. Consider the following to determine the best location:

• The cables for power, transducer, and temp/speed accessories (if applicable) should be installed first and must reach the mounting location. Extension cables are available.
• There are two ways to route the cables to the unit: through a hole in the mounting surface underneath the mounting bracket or from a hole outside the mounting bracket. Routing the cables down under the mount provides maximum weather protection; however, this is not always feasible if the area under the fishfinder is inaccessible. In this case, route the cables through a hole at another location and cover with the supplied hole cover.
• The mounting surface should be adequately supported to protect the fishfinder from excessive wave shock and vibration and provide visibility while in operation.
• The mounting area should allow sufficient room for the unit to pivot and swivel freely, and for easy removal and installation (Figures 18-19).
  

Step Two – Connect the Power Cable to the Boat
A 6’ (2m) long power cable is included to supply power to the fishfinder. You may shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge multi-stranded copper wire.

CAUTION: Some boats have 24 or 36-volt electric systems. Be sure your unit is connected to a 12 VDC power supply.
The Power can be connected to the boat’s electrical system at two places: a fuse panel, usually located near the console, or directly to the battery.
If a fuse terminal is available, use crimp-on type electrical connectors (not included) that match the terminal on the fuse panel. Attach the black wire to the ground, and the red wire to 12 VDC power  (Figure 20). Be sure to use a one amp fuse in the connection. If you must wire the control head directly to a battery, be sure to install an inline fuse holder and one amp fuse (not included) for the protection of the unit (Figure 21).
Humminbird is not responsible for over voltage or over current failures.

In order to minimize the potential for interference with other marine electronics, a separate power source (such as a second battery) may be necessary.

Step Three – Drill the Mounting Holes

1. Set the mounting bracket in place on the mounting surface. Mark the four mounting screw locations with a pencil or punch.
2. Set the mounting bracket aside, and drill the four mounting screw holes using a 9/64” (3.6mm) bit.

Step Four – Run the Cables

1. If the cables must pass through a hole underneath the mounting surface, mark and drill a 1” (25mm) hole centered between the four mounting holes (Figure 22).
   Note: if the cables must pass through the mounting surface at a different location, drill the 1″ (25mm) hole at that location and pass the cables through from underneath. Also, you must break out the tabs on the rear of the mounting base using needle nose pliers (Figures 24-25).

2. Insert all cables through the 1” (25mm) hole from beneath the mounting surface.

3. Pass the cables through the grommet (if the cable hole is underneath the mounting bracket) then press the grommet in place around the cables and into the 1” (25mm) hole.

4. Pass the cables through the mounting base, and out the top of the mounting bracket.

5. Place the mounting bracket on the mounting surface aligned with the drilled holes. Insert the four flathead wood screws into the mounting holes and tighten fully (Figure 23).

Optional: If the cables pass outside the mounting bracket, install the hole cover over the hole and fasten in place using the two #8 x 7/8” (22mm) wood screws (Figure 24).

Step Five – Assembling the Connector Holder

1. Insert the cable connectors into the connector holder.
   The cable connectors are labeled, and there are corresponding labels on the connector holder (Figure 26). The slots for the connectors are keyed to prevent reverse installation, so do not force the connector into the holder.

2. Carefully pull the excess cable from beneath the mounting surface so the connector holder aligns with the mounting holes on the front of the mounting bracket (Figure 27).

3. Snap the support plate to the rear of the connector holder (Figure 28).

4. Insert the connector holder into place and use the two #6-32 x ¾” (9mm) screws to fasten it to the mounting bracket (Figure 28).

5. Install the control head by sliding it onto the mounting bracket until it is fully seated. To remove the unit simply depress the latch on the rear of the unit and lift (Figure 29).
   Your Humminbird is now ready for operation.

TEST THE INSTALLATION

Testing should be performed with the boat in the water, however, you can initially confirm basic operation with the boat trailered.
Press POWER once to turn the unit on. There will be an audible chirp when any button is pressed to confirm the button press. If the unit does not power up, ensure the unit is fully seated on the mount and that power is available.
The first screen provides four options: Start-up, Options, Simulator, and Diagnostic. A message at the bottom of the screen indicates the transducer connection. If no transducer is detected (or one is not connected), the message will indicate this and the unit will go into the simulator after the initial screen times out.

Note: the transducer must be submerged in water for reliable transducer detection.
If a transducer is detected, the unit will enter “Start-Up” or normal operation unless you choose another option. If you do not press any button before the timer reaches “0”, the normal operation screen is displayed. If the boat is in water, sonar data appears.
If the bottom is visible on-screen with a digital depth readout, the unit is working properly. Ensure the boat is in water greater than 2’ but less than the depth capability of the unit and the transducer is fully submerged. Remember the sonar signal cannot pass through air.
If the unit is working properly gradually increase the boat speed to test highspeed performance. If the unit functions well at low speeds but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer requires adjustment. Refer to the appropriate transducer installation section for more detail.
Note: it is often necessary to make several incremental transducer adjustments before optimum high-speed performance is achieved.
Important: For Transom Mount transducer installations, install the third mounting screw after the final transducer adjustments.

After installation is complete and all connections are made, you are ready to test the installation prior to actual use. Thorough testing should be performed with the boat in water, however, ‘you can initially confirm basic operation with the boat trailered.
Press POWER once to turn the unit on. There will be an audible chirp when any button is pressed that confirms the button press. If the unit does not power up, ensure that the unit is fully seated on the mount and that power is available.
Momentarily, information will begin to “march” across the screen from right to left. Remember, that as each column advances on the screen, it contains information gathered from several transmit and receive cycles. The column of information on the far right side of the screen is the most current information or the view directly under your boat. If your boat is moving, an accurate depiction of the terrain you have just covered is created on-screen.
If the bottom is visible on-screen with a digital depth readout, the unit is working properly. If the unit powers up but fails to display bottom information, the transducer is not properly connected.
Ensure that the boat is in water greater than 2′ but less than 600’ deep and that the transducer is fully submerged. Remember that the sonar signal cannot pass through air. Refer to the troubleshooting section of this manual. If the unit is working properly, gradually increase the boat speed to test high-speed performance. If the unit functions well at low speeds but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer installation requires adjustment. Refer to the appropriate transducer installation section for more detail.
NOTE: It is often necessary to make several incremental transducer adjustments before optimum high-speed performance is achieved.

SIMULATOR OPERATION
The Wide Paramount is completely automatic and easy to use. Simply press the POWER button and the unit will locate and track the bottom from 2′ to 1000′ changing ranges as necessary, display any structure or suspended fish, and work at speeds from 0 to over 70 mph.
If POWER is the only button you use, you will benefit from the advanced automatic bottom tracking of the Wide Paramount. However, if you choose to experiment with the many features and controls the Wide Paramount offers, you can customize the presentation of information to suit your particular needs.

The Wide Paramount 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 many features of the Wide Paramount. There are two ways to enable the Simulator: if the unit is powered off, press and hold the POWER  button for approximately 3 seconds until a continuous chirp is heard. The Simulator can also be enabled by selecting the screen after you normally power up the unit. When this screen is shown, simply press the DOWN ARROW until “Simulator” is highlighted.
When the screen times out, the unit will be in Simulator mode.
If the Wide Paramount is powered up with no transducer connected, the unit will automatically default to the Simulator mode.

Once the Simulator mode is selected, the next screen will allow you to select either the “down” simulator or the “side” simulator. The “down” selection simulates the normal operation of the unit with the Tri-beam transducer connected. “Down” simulator is the default setting, so if no adjustment is made, the down simulator will be selected. The “side” simulator simulates operation with a Wide Side transducer connected. This is an excellent way to see if you like the way the unit works using the optional Wide Side transducer.
When in Simulator operation, the Wide Paramount responds to control inputs as if it is in actual operation, so feel free to experiment with the many features and functions to customize the Wide  Paramount for your particular operation. The unit will also simulate the Temp/Speed accessory by showing water temperature and boat speed readings. To exit Simulator mode, power the unit off.

FEATURE MEMORY
If your Wide Paramount is installed with a transducer connected, any changes you make to the user settings (see Control Functions) while in Simulator are retained in the unit’s memory. This allows you  to use the simulator to experiment with the various set-up options and retain your selected settings for normal operation.
If you are using the Wide Paramount in Simulator when no transducer is connected, any selected options are lost when the unit is powered off. The Wide Paramount 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 Wide Paramount 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.
WHAT YOU SEE ON-SCREEN
Your Wide Paramount uses a 240 x 320 matrix film Super-Twist LCD display. This type of display provides outstanding viewability in all light conditions over a wide range of temperatures.
The presentation of information on-screen may take one of several forms depending on the type of transducer being used, whether or not the Temp/Speed sensor is connected, and the current setting of various user options. See Advanced Operation for information on custom screen options.
NOTE: When in simulator mode, the word “simulator” occasionally appears on the display indicating that the information onscreen is not real sonar data.
The initial screen layout takes one of two basic forms depending on whether the Temp/Speed accessory is installed. Figure A shows the default view when the Temp/Speed accessory is not installed.  The digital depth number shows the depth of water directly beneath the transducer location.
The range of the graphic display is shown to the right of the graphic information. The upper number is “0” indicating the surface of the water, the lower number is one of the 10 ranges available that best matches the depth of the water. As the depth of the water changes, the range changes as necessary in order to retain a bottom representation on-screen.
When in Auto Mode, the horizontal line at the top of the graphics area is the 0 line which represents the surface of the water. Occasionally there will be a gap in this line. This gap is intentional and indicates that the unit is updating the display even if the bottom is not visible on-screen, or if the bottom information is not changing.

The graphic representation of the bottom may vary considerably depending on the composition and regularity of the bottom surface (see Interpreting the On- screen  Information). Any sonar return which is determined to be not a part of the bottom is shown between the surface and the bottom. If this return is determined to be a fish, one of several fish shapes is drawn which indicate size, depth, and location of the fish (see Interpreting the Onscreen Information).

Figure B shows the default view when the Temp/Speed sensor is connected. Water surface temperature and boat speed are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

If the Wide Paramount determines that a Wide Side transducer is connected, the default view is shown in Figure C. Sonar information from both the left and right beams is shown.

As you learn the many capabilities and user preference functions of the Wide Paramount, additional screen configurations are possible.

Figure D shows a view with “Small Digits” selected in the User Options menu. By selecting smaller digits for the depth, speed, and temp information, more of the screen is available for the graphic representation of the sonar information.

INTERPRETING THE ON-SCREEN INFORMATION

Figure E shows a typical view you can expect to see on water. New sonar information appears on the right side of the graphic area of the display and moves to the left as new information is displayed. The Wide Paramount automatically selects the appropriate depth range to show the depth of water beneath the transducer. This range is selected so that the bottom representation is typically shown about 2/3 down the display.
The graphic depiction of the bottom provides the user with an effective tool for understanding the composition of the bottom. The FSTN type display uses 4 discrete levels of gray to indicate the intensity of the returned sonar signal. The Wide Paramount can display even the smallest sonar returns with light gray pixels. Larger returns are displayed with darker shades of gray. If the bottom is hard and smooth, the bottom depiction is narrow and dense. If the bottom is soft mud or sand, the depiction will be thick and less dense. This indicates that much of the signal is absorbed by the soft bottom. If the bottom is rocky or rugged in composition, the depiction is of varying density and textured in appearance.
Wave action also affects the bottom depiction. Remember that the information drawn is a distance measurement, so if the boat is moving up and down over flat bottom, the bottom depiction often appears in regular variations which match wave timing.

The structure is defined as any object physically attached to the bottom. The sonar configuration of the Wide Paramount is optimized to give the most accurate depiction of the bottom structure possible. Grass, trees, stumps, wrecks or other debris are accurately displayed; however, the depiction of these objects varies with boat speed and direction. The best way to learn to interpret structure is to operate the Wide Paramount over a variety of known conditions and experiment with user functions to best represent those conditions on-screen.

Sonar targets that are not physically attached to the bottom may take one of many shapes. Surface clutter is the layer of water near the surface that is rich in algae and other growth and often is aerated by wind or wave action. This area of water interferes with sonar transmission and often appears on- screen as regular clusters of individual dots near the “0” line. Thermoclines are sharp differences in water temperature.
These are easily identified by the continuous nature of the return. When a sonar signal is reflected off the bottom back to the transducer, there is often enough energy left in the signal to be reflected off the surface of the water back to the bottom a second time. Second returns appear as a slightly weaker bottom representation exactly twice the depth of
the primary bottom return. The second return is most likely to occur in shallow water and in areas of relatively hard bottom.

The Wide Paramount uses advanced signal processing to further evaluate any sonar return between the surface and the bottom. For instance, a small school of bait fish usually appears as a dense cluster of individual dots.

If the return meets certain additional criteria, a 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.

The signal intensity is “normalized” for depth so that a small fish close to the boat does not appear as a large fish symbol. This Fish ID function can be turned off (see User  Options) so the unit will display only “raw” information. This allows experienced users to make their own interpretations.

A further method of differentiation of fish symbols indicates which of the three sonar beams the fish is detected in. This gives you a reliable indicator of side-to-side location relative to boat movement. Fish symbols, which are hollow, are detected in the outside two beams. Hollow fish symbols facing to the right are detected in the right beam and therefore are to the right side of the boat (as viewed from the driver seat facing forward). Hollow fish symbols facing to the left are detected in the left beam, and thus the fish is to the left side of the boat. Solid fish symbols represent fish that are detected in the single-center beam, and these fish are directly under the boat.

When the speed sensor is connected, ID++ adds additional information to help the user locate fish. On selected fish symbols, the digital depth of the designated fish is drawn to help locate the fish vertically. Some of these ID lines will be accompanied by a digital number at the 0 lines. This number is the approximate distance of the fish from the boat.  If the boat is moving, the number will increase over time to indicate the increasing distance from the boat. If the boat speed is increased or decreased, the distance number will be updated accordingly. This is especially helpful in setting bait depths or for clown trigger operations.

CONTROL FUNCTIONS

The Wide Paramount uses a simple 6-button keypad for all user input. When any button is pressed, an audible “chirp” confirms the control input. In the event that a particular button has no function or is inappropriate for the situation, an audible “error”, or multiple chirps, will be heard.

POWER powers the Wide Paramount up for normal operation. When the unit is on, POWER turns the unit off. POWER can also be used to go directly into Simulator mode.
With the unit powered off, press and hold POWER for several seconds until a continuous chirp is heard.

LIGHT controls the unit’s 4-position display backlight as well as the keypad backlight. With the unit powered on, pressing LIGHT once will turn the backlight on “low”.  dressing LIGHT a second time will increase the brightness of the backlight. The backlight is very effective for low-light and nighttime operations. When the backlight is on, the  Wide Paramount will consume more power than with the backlight off. This is important when using the Wide Paramount in a portable configuration powered by a separate battery, or when powering the unit from a trolling motor battery.

At power-up, the display and keypad backlight will be on so the user can locate the controls in darkness. After a period of about 5 seconds, the light will power off unless the LIGHT button is pressed. NOTE: When powering the unit from a battery such as in portable applications, avoiding use of the backlight prolongs battery life.

The VIEW button selects one of several screen configurations or “views” possible depending on the transducer in use. When using the standard (Tribeam) transducer, the  VIEW button toggles the display between the full-screen 2D View, Contour View, and “Monster Digits” View.

The 2D View is the default view and the view which is first seen at power-up. Pressing the VIEW button will select the Contour View. This view graphically depicts the width of coverage of the bottom terrain. The boat icon represents the location of the user’s boat relative to the on-screen information. The information on the far right side of the screen is the most current or the terrain directly beneath the boat.

The width of the bottom depiction represents the width of sonar coverage of the bottom terrain. Remember that only the 20-degree center beam is used to draw bottom information. The side beams cover a much greater area of the water. As the depth of the water increases, the width of bottom coverage increases also. The Contour View is also useful for clearly separating structure from the bottom. The information shown above the bottom depiction on the far side of the display represents structure or any return deemed not to be a part of the bottom. Information on the near side of the bottom depiction represents the texture and composition of the bottom.

Fish ID attaches fish returns to the bottom at a point that represents the left-right location of the return.
Fish targets identified in the left beam are attached to the left side of the bottom depiction, fish targets seen in the right beam are attached to the right side of the bottom depiction. The boat icon represents the location of the user’s boat relative to the on-screen information.

Pressing VIEW again will select the Monster Digits View, which increases the size of key digital information so that it can be viewed from a great distance. Normal 2D  information is displayed on the right side of the display. Pressing VIEW again will toggle the display back to the 2D view.

If a Wide Side transducer is being used (see Using Alternative Transducers), the VIEW button is used to select one of four views available: Both, Left, Right, and Down. You can select the “side” simulator to view this presentation even if a Wide Side transducer is not connected.

The three lower buttons, MENU, UP ARROW, and DOWN ARROW work together to control the Wide Paramount menu controlled user functions. Initially, there will be 8 user menus available. If you find that there are menus that are seldom used, these can be “hidden” from the normal menu sequence to simplify operation.

MENU brings a menu on-screen for adjustment. In normal operation, pressing MENU repeatedly will cycle through all available menus. A menu remains on- screen for several seconds allowing user adjustment by means of the ARROW keys. If no adjustment is made in the allotted time, the menu disappears. If you need the menu to remain onscreen longer to study the adjustment options, press and hold MENU to keep the menu on-screen indefinitely. Once you release the MENU button, the menu will time out.

Once a menu times out, it is still considered the active menu. The Active menu icon is displayed at the top left corner of the display in most modes. Pressing MENU will bring up the active menu. The UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW make adjustments to menu functions. On the left side of every menu, there are UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW  symbols. The symbols indicate which ARROW button has a function in a particular situation. Either one or both ARROW buttons can be used to adjust the menu function. A  light gray ARROW symbol means that the corresponding ARROW button has no function. Pressing that button will result in no adjustment and the “error” audible will be heard. A black ARROW symbol means that the corresponding ARROW button can be used to 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 (last-used) menu. This is a shortcut to menu operation. An abbreviated menu appears on-screen while the adjustment is made and “times out”. A frequently used menu can be adjusted very quickly using this technique.

After an adjustment is made to a menu function, the menu “times out” after several seconds and the unit returns to normal operation. The sequence in which the menus appear is adjusted by the order that which the menus are used. The last menu used will always appear first. The second most recently used menu will appear second, etc. This “automatic sequencing” ensures that the most recently used menus will always appear first, and menus that have not recently been adjusted will appear later in the sequence. All menus use the same basic layout as shown in Figure F. The heading at the top describes the menu function (see Control Functions for more details on individual functions).

The UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW symbols to the left of the menu indicate which buttons are available for adjustment. In menus which have numerous possible settings such as depth range, a range of adjustment indicator shows the total range available and the current setting. Within the menu are the options available. The selected option or current setting is highlighted in the black box. If no adjustment is made, this will be the selected setting. Pressing one of the ARROW buttons while the menu is on-screen selects another option. After the adjustment is made, the menu will time out and go off-screen. A Bird note will normally appear briefly to confirm the adjustment.

Several of the menus are multi-step. In some situations, if an adjustment is made, additional options become available for further adjustment. Examples of these multi-step menus are Depth Range, Depth Alarm, and Zoom. See the detailed description of each function for further explanation.

The one menu option which functions differently than previously described is the Options menu. User Options is a group of functions that are used initially to select user preferences. The Options are not normally needed during the operation of the unit. Options differ from the other menu functions in that once selected for viewing, the menu will not “time out”- all the user options must be sequenced through before returning to normal operation. See User Options for a detailed description.

MENU FUNCTIONS

Sensitivity

The Sensitivity function controls the sensitivity of the sonar receiver. The Wide Paramount 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.

The user has the option of biasing this Sensitivity adjustment either higher or lower based on personal preference. You can select one of 11 sensitivity bias settings from -5 to  +5. A bias setting of 0 (Factory Setting) has no effect on the automatic sensitivity control. Increasing the bias (+1 through +5) causes the unit to display the information from progressively smaller sonar returns. By decreasing the sensitivity bias (-1 through -5), the unit effectively filters small sonar returns. In murky or muddy water, it is often advantageous to reduce the sensitivity bias. This prevents the display from being cluttered with sonar returns from debris or suspended particles. In very clear or very deep water, it may be desirable to increase the sensitivity bias since even the smallest sonar return may be of interest to the user.

To adjust Sensitivity, press MENU repeatedly until the Sensitivity menu appears, use the UP ARROW to increase the sensitivity bias, or the DOWN ARROW to reduce sensitivity bias. By holding either the ARROW button depressed, the unit will sequence through the available settings until you release the button or the end of the adjustment range is reached. If additional time is needed to study a menu, press and hold the MENU button and the menu will remain onscreen indefinitely.

If a set limit is reached, the ARROW symbol attached to the menu appears to be light gray which indicates that the related button has no further function. Also, the audible “error” consisting of multiple chirps will be heard.

After an adjustment is made, the menu disappears, and a Bird
Note TM confirms the adjustment and the new sensitivity setting begins to affect new sonar information as it flows on-screen. If additional adjustment is needed, the UP  ARROW or DOWN ARROW can be pressed without having to first press MENU.
The Sensitivity setting is remembered in memory after the unit is powered off.

Depth Range

The Depth Range function controls the vertical distance displayed on the graphic area of the display.
There are 10 different 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′, 0120′, 0-180′, 0-240′, 0-360′, 0-480′, 0- 600′, and 0-1000′ are available. The range which positions the bottom depiction closest to the bottom of the graphic area of the display will best utilize the available display resolution.

The Wide Paramount automatically adjusts the depth range depending on the depth of the water. The unit tries to maintain the bottom depiction about 2/3 down the total range (for example, in 20′ of water, the 0-30′ range would be selected). This provides the best display resolution and therefore the best target separation possible.

The Depth Range can be adjusted manually. Press MENU repeatedly until the Depth Range menu is visible. The two options available are “Auto” (Factory Setting) and  “Manual”. Pressing the DOWN ARROW enables “Manual” depth range control and an additional menu will appear which allows the user to adjust the current depth range setting. If no further button is pressed, the current depth range is selected as the desired range and the unit returns to normal operation.

Using “Manual” Depth Range control, the user can view sonar information from the area near the surface in great detail. If a depth range other than the current range is desired,  pressing the DOWN ARROW to highlight “Adjust” will allow the selection of one of the 10 available ranges. Simply press and hold the UP or DOWN ARROW button to scan through the available options. If a set limit is reached, the audible “error” or multiple chirps will be heard and no further adjustment is allowed. When “Manual” range is used, the unit no longer adjusts the Depth Range to the most appropriate range for bottom display. Often, the bottom may not be visible onscreen and a Bird Note TM will appear to indicate this condition. The digital depth readout always determines the depth of the bottom, even if it is not visible onscreen.

When a Depth Range is selected manually and the Depth Range menu is still active (most recently used), further adjustment of the depth range can be achieved by simply pressing the appropriate UP or DOWN ARROW button. The button press will bring an abbreviated Depth Range menu on-screen located next to the lower range number, and allows immediate adjustment of the range. After any adjustment is made, a Bird Note will appear briefly to confirm the adjustment.

To return to “Automatic” Depth Range control, press the MENU button until the Depth Range menu appears on-screen and use the UP ARROW to select AUTO. The Wide  Paramount returns to Automatic operation.

Note: Depth Range is not remembered when n the unit is powered off. At power- up, the unit is always in automatic depth range.

Zoom

The Wide Paramount uses a greatly enhanced Zoom capability called “TruZoom” which offers expanded information on a select area of sonar information. Zoom is similar to  Depth Range in that it controls the range of information displayed in the graphics area of the display. Zoom, however, allows the 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. By using the full display to show a small area of coverage, the effective display resolution is increased both vertically (depth information) and horizontally, and the unit’s ability to separate targets that are very close together is enhanced.

The Zoom ranges available are dependent on the current depth range. In the 15′ depth range, TruZoom displays a range equal to one-half the current depth range.
In the 30′, 60′, 120′, 180′ , 240′ , 360′ , 480′ ,600′, and 1000′ depth ranges, TruZoom displays a range equal to one fourth  the current depth range. The box at the right side of the screen outlines the area to be zoomed.
It is not possible to use Zoom in conjunction with the Monster Digits or Contour views. While the Monster Digits and Contour views are always available, Zoom information is only displayed on the 2D view. The Zoom menu is not available when using a view other than the 2D view.
The Wide Paramount shows Zoom range in conjunction with the full depth range. The Zoom range is shown on the left side of the screen and full range information is shown on the right side of the display. The area which is being enlarged by Zoom is indicated by the square box. Zoom can either operate automatically, in which the Zoom range is constantly adjusted to show the bottom, or manually, in which the user controls the location of the Zoom range.

“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.  “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. To operate Zoom, press MENU repeatedly until the Zoom menu is on-screen. Three options are available: “Off” (Factory Setting), “Auto” (Automatic bottom tracking Zoom), and “Manual” (User controlled Zoom range). Press the DOWN ARROW once to highlight Auto.  When the menu disappears, the full range of information is displayed on the right as always. The square box indicates the Zoom range. In Auto Zoom, the box will move vertically to remain in the general area of the bottom return. The left side of the screen is a magnified view of the information seen inside the Zoom range box. The upper and lower depth limits of the Zoom range are shown on the right side of the Zoom view. These range numbers will change as the depth changes.

If “Manual” is selected, the Zoom display will appear and the Zoom box will be positioned in the general area of the bottom return. In Manual Zoom, the Zoom box will not move as the bottom depth changes. By pressing the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons after the Zoom menu is off-screen, the position of the Zoom box will change, and the upper and lower limits of the Zoom range will be displayed.

To disable Zoom, press the MENU button until the Zoom menu is on-screen. Use the UP ARROW to highlight Off, and let the menu time out. The digital depth information is not affected by Zoom.

When the unit is powered off, the Zoom menu returns to Zoom Off.

Depth Alarm

The Wide Paramount contains an audible alarm to warn you of shallow water depths. The alarm is adjustable from 2′ to 99′ of depth. When the alarm is enabled, an audible alarm is sounded if the water beneath the boat is equal to or less than the selected alarm depth. Upon activation, the alarm sounds continuously for about 5 seconds, and then intermittently to remind you that you are still in shallow water.
A Bird Note TM will appear onscreen to visually indicate the Depth Alarm has been activated. Additionally, the Wide Paramount can anticipate quickly changing terrain and sound the Depth Alarm before the bottom depth actually reaches the preset alarm depth.

To enable Depth Alarm, press MENU repeatedly until the Depth Alarm menu is onscreen. The Factory Setting is “Oft”. Use the DOWN ARROW to highlight On. The menu will expand to show the current Depth Alarm setting. Use the UP or DOWN ARROW to set the desired depth for alarm activation.

Once the menu times out, the Depth Alarm is enabled and an arrow will remain on-screen which indicates the depth for which the alarm is adjusted. To further adjust the setting, simply press the UP or DOWN ARROW.

TripLog

To enable Triplog, press MENU repeatedly until the Triplog menu is on-screen. The Factory Setting is “Hide” which is selected. Use the DOWN ARROW to select “Show” and the Triplog box will appear at the upper left corner of the screen.

Triplog provides four pieces of information: the distance traveled since the Wide Paramount was powered up (or reset), the average speed, the total time elapsed since power-up  (or reset), and the input voltage from your boat’s electrical system.

The time, speed, and distance calculations are useful for tracking your progress on a trip. The input voltage is useful for determining the condition of the charging system of the boat. When used in a portable application or whenever the Wide Paramount is operated from a battery source, the voltage number can be used to determine battery life. The  Wide Paramount will operate at voltages from 10 to 16 VDC. Voltages in excess of 16 or less than 10 VDC will cause the unit to power off.

Once Triplog is enabled, pressing MENU to bring the Triplog menu on-screen now shows an additional option, “Reset”. By selecting Reset, the timer and distance log resets to  0 and the Triplog will begin to calculate elapsed time, distance traveled, and average speed from the time of reset.
Triplog can be used with any view, except Wide Side.

To disable Triplog, press the MENU button until the Triplog menu is on-screen. Use the UP ARROW to select Hide and let the menu time out. The Triplog continues to operate and log time and distance even when it is not visible on- screen. The Triplog resets at power oft.

Perspective

The Perspective menu is only available when in Contour View. Two options are available: forward and reverse perspective. Perspective controls the viewpoint of the user when using Contour View. Press  MENU until the Perspective menu is on-screen. Use the UP and DOWN ARROWS to select the perspective option you desire. In the forward perspective, the information is viewed from a point forward of and to the right of the boat. In reverse perspective, the information is viewed from a pointed rear of and to the right of the boat.

The information displayed is the same for either selection; however, the terrain may dictate which offers a more helpful view of sonar information.

The Perspective menu will not be available when a view other than the Contour View is in use.

Options

The Options Menu is actually a series of linked menu functions that are used initially to select user preferences. Once user preferences are selected, it is unlikely that these functions need to be accessed during the normal operation of the product. The Options menu works differently than other menu functions in that all of the options must be cycled through in order to return to normal operation. There are twelve Option menus: Contrast, Units, Fish ID, Numeral Size, Transducer, Display Speed, Menu Timing,  Depth Offset, Speed Offset, Width of Beam, Edit Menus, and Reset.

Press MENU until the Options menu is onscreen. There are two choices, Hide (Factory Setting) and Show. Use the DOWN ARROW to highlight Show and the first Options menu appears.

Contrast

The Contrast function allows the user to control the level of contrast of the LCD display. The Wide Paramount will automatically adjust the display contrast to compensate for changing ambient temperatures; however, some situations may occur where the manual adjustment will provide a higher level of contrast.

Eleven contrast settings, +5 to -5, are possible. The display contrast will change as the adjustment is made so the optimum level of contrast can easily be adjusted. Use the  ARROW buttons to highlight the desired selection. The Wide Paramount will reset to the factory setting when the unit is powered off.

Units

Units of Speed allow the selection of MPH (statute miles per hour), or KTS (nautical miles per hour). Use the Arrow buttons to highlight the desired selection. The Wide  Paramount will remember this setting even when the unit is powered off. Press MENU to go to the next selection.

Fish ID

The next Option menu is Fish ID. There are four selections available; Off, ID ON, ID+ ON, and ID++ ON.
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, will also disable the fish alarm.

ID On enables the Wide Paramount to interpret the raw sonar data and, using a variety of techniques, depict appropriate target returns as one of three different size fish symbols. Further identification shows whether the fish is in the left, center, or right beam.

ID+ On adds an additional piece of information to the location of the fish. The depth beneath the surface for selected fish symbols is attached to the fish symbol. ID++ adds the distance measurement from the boat to selected fish symbols. This measurement requires the speed input to be connected in order to determine the distance the boat has traveled.

Use the ARROW buttons to highlight the desired setting, and press MENU to advance to the next menu.
The unit remembers the Fish ID setting when powered off.

Numeral Size

Numeral Size is the next Option menu. 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 readable from across the boat. The big numerals occupy space on the display which 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.

Use the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons to highlight the desired selection, then press MENU to advance to the next menu.

Numeral Size settings are remembered when the unit is powered off.

Transducer

The Transducer option allows manual selection or identification of a non- standard transducer. The Wide Paramount is designed to work with the Tri-Beam transducer supplied with the unit. There are several instances in which an alternative transducer may be used (i.e. a Wide Side or a trolling motor mount transducer). Often two transducers are used in conjunction with a transducer switch to provide increased utility.

The Wide Paramount has the ability to positively identify a Tri-beam transducer. If this identification is
made, the unit operates normally with no further input from the user. If a transducer other than the Tribeam transducer is connected, the Wide Paramount will assume this transducer is a Wide Side transducer (available as an accessory) and the screen layout will change automatically to show the Wide Side display.

In the event that a non-standard transducer other than the Wide Side is connected (Dual Beam), the user must manually identify this transducer so that the Wide Paramount can interpret the information received. Once this identification is made, the unit defaults to this setting whenever a non- standard transducer is detected.

The Transducer Option menu provides four options: Auto, Tri-beam, Side and Dual. Note: if two nonstandard transducers are connected to the Wide Paramount through a transducer switch, the Transducer Options menu must be used to manually identify which transducer is in use, as the Wide Paramount cannot identify non-standard transducers. Once the transducer selection is made, use the MENU button to advance to the next Option.

The transducer setting is remembered when the unit is powered off.

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. If your boat is stationary or moving very slowly for extended periods, it may be desirable to update the display at a slower rate. The closer the update rate matches 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. (1) is the slowest, (5) is the fastest. Use the MENU button to advance to the next menu.

The Display Speed setting is remembered when the unit is powered off.

Menu Timing

The amount of time a menu remains on-screen after the last button is pressed is variable. The default is 3 seconds. Users new to the menu system may select a longer time, (up  to 5 seconds) and experienced users may select a shorter time.

Menu timing is remembered after power is disconnected. Press MENU to advance to the next option.

Depth Offset

Depth offset allows the user to select the point on the boat from which the depth measurement is made.
Selecting a positive value adds distance to the measurement. If the transducer is mounted 3 feet beneath the waterline, a positive 3 will show the correct depth from the surface of the water.

Another frequent use of depth offset is to show the depth beneath the deepest point of the hull. A negative value equal to the distance from the transducer location and the deepest point of the hull will have the same effect as mounting the transducer at the deepest point.

Depth offset is remembered after power is disconnected. Press MENU to advance to the next option.

Speed Offset

Speed Offset 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 paddlewheel measures speed through the water, not speed over the ground.

Speed offset is remembered after power is disconnected. Press MENU to advance to the next option.

Width of Beam

Width of beam is the area of coverage of the sonars ignal on the bottom. It is the measurement of the 20° 200kHz center beam. This number varies with the depth of the water.  The numeric display of this width of coverage can be displayed or removed from the normal screen.

Width of beam is remembered after power is disconnected. Press MENU to advance to the next option.

Edit Menus

Edit Menus allow the user to remove menus from the menu list which are not frequently used. After using your Wide Paramount, if one or more of the menu functions has no  value to you, you can remove it from the menu system. To edit a menu, select YES and press MENU to sequence through all the menus. Each menu will offer the option of SHOW, which will retain it in the normal menu list, or HIDE, which will remove the menu from the list. Once you have sequenced through all the menus, you will return to the  Edit Menus option.

Any changes made under this option are remembered after power is disconnected. Press MENU to advance to the next option.

Reset

The final Option is Reset. With so many User Options available to customize the Wide Paramount, 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 user-controlled features of the Wide Paramount 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 of the perceived problem.

Use the ARROW buttons to highlight “Yes” and the unit will return to factory settings. After making the selection, press MENU to end Options and return to normal operation.

USING DIAGNOSTIC

The Wide Paramount contains a powerful diagnostic tool that can aid in determining the cause of a problem. To enable Diagnostic, power the unit on and use the DOWN  ARROW button to highlight the Diagnostic option on the initial screen. The diagnostic can only be accessed at power-up.

Upon enabling diagnostic, the Wide Paramount will perform a self-test. This test confirms the operation of all internal circuitry. At the conclusion of the test, one of two messages will appear on the left side of the screen; “passed” indicates that the internal test discovered no failures. “Failed” indicates that a significant internal problem was discovered and the unit will require factory service. In conjunction with the failure, indication will be a code that indicates to the repair personnel where the problem is.

Even if the self-test is passed, other messages may be present to indicate an abnormal situation. Examples of these are high voltage and low voltage shut down indications. The Wide Paramount will shut down to protect the inner circuitry if the input voltage exceeds 16 VDC or is less than 10 VDC. If either of these conditions causes the unit to shut down, a message will indicate this.

NOTE: Powering the unit off will reset these messages.

The right side of the Diagnostic screen evaluates external connections to the unit. The first category is Transducer input. If a Tri-beam transducer is detected, the message will  indicate “Tri-beam”. (If a transducer other than Tri-beam is detected, the message will indicate “Connected”). This is an excellent way to confirm transducer connection. If a  transducer is connected directly to the unit, the connection will be indicated here. If a switch is used, use Diagnostic to confirm the connections from each transducer. If a series  of dashed lines is shown, then no transducer is connected or there is a problem with the transducer or cable.

The next categories indicate the connection of boat speed sensor and surface water temperature sensor. These accessory sensors can be purchased independently or together as  a single sensor (see Available Accessories). If the sensors are connected and working properly, a “connected” message will appear.
Note: The speed sensor can only be detected when the boat is in motion as the paddle wheel on the speed sensor must rotate to produce speed input.

The voltage input category is especially helpful in diagnosing input voltage problems. The current input voltage will be displayed. If voltage fluctuates or power supply in excess  of 16 VDC or less than 10 VDC is suspected, use the diagnostic screen to confirm input voltage. Often, small outboard motors do not effectively regulate voltage when  operated at high engine speeds. Use Diagnostic while running the boat at high speeds to show the voltage gain. Also, if you are using the Wide Paramount in portable configuration or from the trolling motor battery, Diagnostic can be used to evaluate the health of the battery by showing the current voltage.

The total time category indicates the total time the unit has been in use since shipped from the factory.
Note: It is normal for some hours to be indicated in the total time when the unit is new due to factory testing.

While this is often of interest to the user, it is primarily a diagnostic tool for the repair technician should service be required.

Press VIEW to access additional Diagnostic information.

The second Diagnostic screen provides valuable information about the sonar function of the Wide Paramount. The three columns of information show the raw sonar signal as  it is seen by the unit.

This information is useful in both troubleshooting a potential fault, as well as aiding in the transducer installation (for through the hull installations only).

The sonar diagrams indicate the returned signal of each sonar pulse transmission. By analyzing these diagrams, the user can gain additional insight into the performance of the unit.

The diagrams show time delay (distance) on the vertical axis, and amplitude or strength of return on the horizontal axis. An “amplitude” number shows the relative strength of each return signal. The depth number shows the depth of water beneath the boat as measured by each of the three beams.

With the boat stationary over a flat, consistent bottom, the sonar returns from the left and right beams should be identical. Any discrepancy between these signals may indicate a  problem with the location of the transducer. (Often voids or irregularities in the laminated hull of a fiberglass boat will block or degrade one or more of the sonar signals.)

By referring to this screen prior to permanently mounting a through-the-hull transducer, the location can be adjusted until no visible loss is observed.

The diagram of the center beam cannot be compared to the left and right beams as this beam is a different frequency and beamwidth. The diagram is useful in ensuring that the center beam is present and of sufficient strength.

The depth of the water beneath the boat is shown for each of the three beams. In operation, only the center beam is used to display this depth, however, the depth number is another means of comparison.
When in diagnostic, two menus are available to the user: Depth Range, and Diagnostic. The Depth Range menu can be used normally to control the range of information displayed in the Diagnostic diagrams. The Diagnostic menu is used to exit the Diagnostic function and return to the Start-Up screen.

USING ALTERNATIVE TRANSDUCERS

The Wide Paramount is designed to operate with the Tri-Beam transducer included standard with the product. The standard transducer can be mounted on the transom of the boat, or bonded to the inside of most fiberglass hulls. Tri-beam transducers are also available in trolling motor mounts, portable mounts, and bronze thru-hull type mounts.

The Wide Paramount also has the ability to work with the Wide Side transducer. See Available Accessories for selection of the transducer.

Wide Side Operation

The Wide Side transducer is a specialized “side-looking” transducer that is extremely useful for bank fishing or looking for baitfish in open water. The Wide Side transducer uses three different sonar elements which transmit signals to the left, right, and straight down from your boat. The downward beam is 200 kHz with a 24-degree area of coverage. This beam maintains a continuous digital depth readout from the bottom directly beneath your boat. The side beams are 455 kHz with a 16-degree area of coverage.  The side- looking elements can be used independently or together to locate targets near the surface of the water on either side of your boat.

The Wide Side transducer is available as a trolling motor mount, a transom mount, or a portable mount.
Note: The Wide Side transducer can be connected directly to the Wide Paramount or used in conjunction with the standard transducer through a transducer switch. When used with a switch in conjunction with the Tri-Beam transducer, the Wide Paramount recognizes which transducer is connected whenever the switch position is changed.

When a Wide Side transducer is connected, the screen display changes to display the information from the side-looking elements. There are four basic views available when the  Wide Side transducer is in use: both, left, right, and down. These views are controlled by the  VIEW button. The default view is both, in which information from both the
left and right elements are displayed on-screen. The digital depth of the water beneath your boat is always present.  Viewing both left and right sides simultaneously gives you an excellent tool when searching for baitfish in open water, or when following a creek bed; however, greater display resolution can be achieved by viewing only one side.

To change the view, simply press the VIEW button repeatedly until the desired view is on-screen. The Down view is similar to the traditional view when using the standard transducer; however, there is no Tribeam information available such as fish location.

When operating in Wide Side mode, the range must be adjusted manually, since the bottom is often not visible on-screen. Ranges of 15, 30, 60, and 120 feet are available. Also,  Zoom is not possible in Wide Side mode, arid the Zoom menu is not available.

Experiment with the Wide Side transducer while operating it in a familiar area to learn how to maximize the use of the information displayed. Remember that if you are using a
trolling motor mount, the information displayed is controlled by the direction the trolling motor is pointing, not necessarily the direction the boat is traveling.

To return to normal “down” operation using the Tri-beam transducer, simply change the switch setting if you are using a transducer switch, or reconnect the Tri-beam transducer. The Wide Paramount will reconfigure the screen automatically.

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