Humminbird APEX™/SOLIX® Quick Start Guide
Power On/Off
Power On/Off: Press and hold the POWER key [power button].
Power Off: During operation, tap the top, right corner of the status bar and select Power Off.
Illustration showing a hand pressing a power button.
First Time Setup
When you power on the control head for the first time, use the Setup Guide to configure the unit. These settings can be adjusted from the Home screen later.
- Tap to select Begin Manual Setup.
Illustration showing a hand tapping the 'Begin Manual Setup' option on a screen. - Select Angler mode (basic settings and menu functions for easy operation) or Custom mode (all settings and menu functions for complete customization). Follow the on-screen prompts to configure the unit.
Illustration showing a hand selecting an option on a user mode screen.
Alternatively, use the Joystick ?️ and CHECK key ✔️ to select.
NOTE: For additional information, download the APEX/SOLIX Operations Manual from the Humminbird Web site at humminbird.com.
NOTE: See the Key Functions page at the back of this guide for more helpful tips.
The Home Screen
The Home screen is the main control center for your control head. Use the Home screen to access control head settings, navigation data, views, alarms, and other tools.
Press the HOME key ? to open the Home screen from any view.
- Tools, views, and widgets available on the Home screen are determined by the equipment attached to the control head network.
- Pair your Bluetooth®-capable control head and mobile phone to receive text message and phone call alerts on your Home screen.
- The Home screen wallpaper can be customized using the Images tool.
- The APEX Home screen and tool menus include an additional Data Dashboard that displays your connected phone, control head system information, and standard data box readouts.
Screenshot of the APEX Home Screen displaying icons for various tools and widgets, labeled: favorite views widget, status bar, side bar, tools, Bluetooth notifications (with paired mobile phone), system information, digital readouts.
Screenshot of the SOLIX Home Screen displaying similar elements as the APEX Home Screen.
Select a Tool, Widget, View, or Main Menu
Use the touch screen ?, Joystick ?️, or the ENTER key ✅ to make selections.
Icons representing touch screen interaction (Tap to Select), joystick selection (Select), and rotary dial operation (Open).
Displaying Views
Display a View from the Views Tool
Use the touch screen ? or the Joystick ?️ to open a view from the Views tool. Use the Views tool (below) or Favorite Views widget to display a view from the Home screen.
Screenshot of the Home screen with the 'Views' tool highlighted, and a hand pointing to it.
Display a View from the Favorite Views Widget
- Tap the Favorite Views widget in the side bar, or press the Rotary dial ⚙️.
- Tap a view, or turn the Rotary dial ⚙️ and press the ENTER key ✅.
Screenshot of a chart view with the Favorite Views widget highlighted, and a hand interacting with it.
Tap to close the Favorite Views widget.
Cursor and Zoom Functions
Activate the Cursor
Tap a position on the view, or move the Joystick ?️. To open the Cursor menu, press and hold a position. Use the Cursor menu to mark a waypoint, create a route, open the Go To menu, or start a search.
Screenshot of a chart view with the Cursor menu open, and a hand interacting with it.
Zoom In/Zoom Out
Pinch out to zoom in, pinch in to zoom out, or press the +/- ZOOM keys [zoom in button]/[zoom out button].
Screenshot of a sonar view showing a pinch-to-zoom gesture, alongside icons for the +/- zoom keys.
Set Up Humminbird® Charts: Set the Water Level Offset
When you start your trip for the day using a Humminbird CoastMaster™ or LakeMaster® chart card, it is important to note if the water level is higher or lower than usual. For example, if the digital depth on your control head is showing 3 feet less than the related depth contour for your location, set Water Level Offset to -3 feet.
- With a Chart View displayed on-screen, tap Chart in the status bar, or press the MENU key ☰ once.
- Select Water Level Offset.
- Tap the on/off button, or press the ENTER key ✅, to turn it on.
- Press and hold the slider, or turn the Rotary dial ⚙️, to adjust the setting.
Screenshot of a chart view with the Water Level Offset menu open, showing a slider and interaction prompts.
Water Level Offset: The water level offset will be highlighted in brown to extend the land visually on the display.
NOTE: A Humminbird CoastMaster or LakeMaster chart card must be installed and selected as the chart source to enable this feature.
Tap to select a menu ?. Press and drag the slider to adjust the menu setting. OR Press the MENU key ☰. Turn the Rotary dial ⚙️ to adjust the menu setting.
NOTE: To apply depth colors, depth highlight range, etc., go to the Chart X-Press Menu > Humminbird Settings. See your operations manual for details.
Waypoints and Man Overboard
Mark Waypoints
Open the Mark Menu and select Waypoint, or press the MARK key ? twice. If the cursor is not active, the waypoint will be marked at the boat position. If the cursor is active, the waypoint will be marked at the cursor position.
Screenshot of a chart view with the Mark menu open, and a hand interacting with it.
Activate Man Overboard (MOB) Navigation
As soon as you know you have a man overboard, press and hold the MARK/MAN OVERBOARD key ?. See your operations manual for details.
Man Overboard Navigation: Man Overboard navigation marks the approximate point where the person went overboard and starts continuous navigation toward the Man Overboard waypoint.
Screenshot of a chart view with Man Overboard navigation active.
NOTE: To end navigation, press the GO TO key ➡️ and select Cancel Navigation.
Pair a Phone with the Control Head
Use the following instructions to pair a mobile phone to the control head using Bluetooth wireless technology. (Available with Bluetooth supported Humminbird products and mobile devices only. Wifi or data connection required.)
Enable Bluetooth on the Phone
- Open the Settings menu on your phone.
- Select Bluetooth ?.
- Select On.
Pair the Phone with the Control Head
- Press the HOME key ?.
- Select the Bluetooth ? tool.
- Under Phone Bluetooth, select Settings.
- Select Connect Phone.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing process.
- Check your phone. When prompted, tap Pair on your phone.
- Press Confirm on your control head.
Upon successful pairing, the control head will be listed as connected under the phone's Bluetooth menu.
Change the Phone Bluetooth Notification Settings on the Control Head
- Under the Phone Bluetooth menu, select Settings.
- Select Text Message Alerts or Phone Call Alerts. Tap to select an alert format. To turn off notifications, select off.
- Turn Sounds On/Off: Select Sounds. Select on or off.
Change the Phone Bluetooth Notification Settings on the Phone
- Apple iOS: Open the phone's Bluetooth menu, and select the control head under My Devices. Google Android: Open the phone's Bluetooth menu, and next to the control head's name under Paired Devices, select Settings.
- Apple iOS: Turn on Show Notifications. Google Android: Turn on Message Access.
Managing your Humminbird Unit
Register your Humminbird
Register your product(s) and sign up to receive the latest Humminbird news, including software updates and new product announcements.
- Go to the Humminbird Web site at humminbird.com, and click Support > Register Your Product. Follow the on-screen instructions to register your Humminbird product.
Download the Operations Manual
- Go to the Humminbird Web site at humminbird.com, and click Support > Manuals.
- APEX: Under APEX Series, select APEX Series Product Manual. SOLIX: Under SOLIX Series, select SOLIX Series Product Manual.
Update Software
It is important to keep your control head and accessory software up to date. You can update software using an SD or microSD card (depending on your APEX/SOLIX model) or by using Bluetooth wireless technology and the FishSmart™ App. See your operations manual for complete details about updating software.
- Before you install software updates, export your menu settings, radar settings, and navigation data from your control head to an SD or microSD card. Copy your internal screen snapshots to an SD or microSD card.
- To check your current software version, press the HOME key ? and select Settings > Network > System Info.
- To update software with an SD or microSD card, you will need a formatted SD card or microSD card with an adapter. Visit the Humminbird Web site at humminbird.com and click Support > Software Updates. Select the software update for your control head model and follow the on-screen instructions to save the software file to the card. Then, power on the control head and install the SD card in the card slot. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the software update.
- To update software with FishSmart, visit the Humminbird Web site at humminbird.com and click Learn > FishSmart App. Use the FishSmart App to download and push software updates directly to your Humminbird control head or accessory. (Available with Bluetooth supported Humminbird products and mobile devices only. Wifi or data connection required.)
NOTE: Your control head must already be running software release 3.110 or higher to support this feature.
Key Functions
| Key | Key Functions |
|---|---|
| POWER [power button] | Press the POWER key to power on the control head. During operation, press the power key to open the Power X-Press Menu. Press and hold the power key to power off the control head. |
| ENTER ✅ | Press the ENTER key to start a command or turn on a setting. The ENTER key also opens the Info menu and the Cursor menu. |
| EXIT ❌ | Press the EXIT key once to close a menu, close a dialog box, turn off an alarm, or exit Cursor mode. Press and hold the EXIT key to close all menus at once. |
| Joystick ?️ | Move the Joystick to select a view, tool, or menu. Press the Joystick to open your selection. The Joystick is also used to move the cursor across the view and pan 2D/3D chart views. |
| Rotary dial ⚙️ | Turn the Rotary dial to adjust menu settings. With a view displayed on-screen, press the Rotary dial to open the Views bar. |
| GO TO/Screen Snapshot ➡️ | Press this key once to open the Go To menu for navigation functions. Press and hold this key to save the screen image. |
| PANE ? | Press the PANE key to open the View Options menu or to select a pane in a multi-pane view. |
| MARK/MAN OVERBOARD ? | Press and hold this key to start Man Overboard Navigation. To mark waypoints, press this key twice. |
| HOME ? | Press the HOME key to display the Home screen. The Home screen allows you to access settings, alarms, views, and tools for the control head. |
| ZOOM IN (+)/ZOOM OUT (-) [zoom in button]/[zoom out button] | For a closer view, press the ZOOM IN (+) key. For a wider view, press the ZOOM OUT (-) key. Press and hold the ZOOM OUT (-) key to zoom out all the way. |
| MENU ☰ | To open the X-Press Menu for the on-screen view and operation mode, press the MENU key once. To open the Main Menu (Settings tool), press the MENU key twice. |
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E-mail: service@humminbird.com
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