Humminbird APEX™/SOLIX® Quick Start Guide

Power On/Off

Power On/Off: Press and hold the POWER key [?].

Power Off: During operation, tap the top, right corner of the status bar and select Power Off.

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.
Alternatively, use the Joystick [?️] and CHECK key [✔️] to select.
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.
Angler mode has fewer menu settings for simpler operation. Custom mode provides access to more menu settings for detailed customization.

For additional information, download the APEX/SOLIX Operations Manual from the Humminbird website at humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com.

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 it 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.

Description of Home Screen Layout: The screen features a 'favorite views widget' on the left side, a status bar at the top displaying time and system status, a main area for tools and data, and a side bar for additional navigation options.

Select a Tool, Widget, View, or Main Menu

Use the touch screen, Joystick [?️], or the ENTER key [✔️] to make selections.

Interaction Methods:

Tap to Select: Use a finger to tap directly on the desired item on the touch screen.
Joystick and Select: Use the joystick to navigate to an item and press the joystick (or ENTER key) to select it.
Open: Some items may require a specific action to open, such as pressing the joystick after navigating to it.

Adjust a Menu Setting

To adjust settings like Backlight:

Drag the slider, or press and hold the slider.
Alternatively, turn the Rotary dial, or press and hold the ENTER key [✔️].

Close a Menu

Tap the Back icon [↩️] to go back one level.
Tap the X icon [❌] to close a menu.
Press the EXIT key [❌] to close a menu or go back one level. Press and hold the EXIT key [❌] to close all menus.

Tips for Using the Status Bar

The status bar is located at the top of the screen and displays touch menus that change to match the on-screen view and status.

Tap the view name or press the MENU key [☰] to open the X-Press Menu for the on-screen view.
Tap the status bar or press the POWER key [?] to open the Power X-Press Menu.

Display a View from the Views Tool

Use the touch screen or the Joystick [?️] to open a view from the Views tool on the Home screen.

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 [✔️].

You can tap to close the Favorite Views widget.

Edit the On-Screen View (X-Press Menu)

The X-Press Menu displays options for the on-screen view, selected pane, and operation mode.

Single-Pane View: Tap the view name in the status bar or press the MENU key [☰].
Multi-Pane View: Tap a pane, or press the PANE key to select a pane, then press the MENU key [☰].
Select (Pane Name) Options > Preferences to change the appearance of the view.
Select (Pane Name) Options > Overlays to display or hide information.
Select View Options > Data Overlays to display data readouts.

Using the X-Press Menu: Swipe with one finger up/down or move the Joystick [?️] to scroll through the menu list. The selected pane is outlined in yellow.

Interaction for Menu Access:

Tap to Select a Pane and the Menu.
Press the PANE key to Select a Pane.
Press the MENU key [☰].

Activate the Cursor

Tap a position on the view, or move the Joystick [?️]. To open the Cursor menu, press and hold a position.

The Cursor menu allows you to mark a waypoint [?], create a route, open the Go To menu [➡️], or start a search.

Zoom In/Zoom Out

Pinch out to zoom in, pinch in to zoom out, or press the +/- ZOOM keys [➕] [➖].

Set Up Humminbird® Charts: Set the Water Level Offset

When using Humminbird CoastMaster™ or LakeMaster® chart cards, it's important to note water level changes. If the digital depth is significantly different from the depth contour, adjust the Water Level Offset.

With a Chart View displayed, 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.

A Humminbird CoastMaster or LakeMaster chart card must be installed and selected as the chart source to enable this feature.

The water level offset will be highlighted in brown to visually extend the land on the display.

Adjustment Methods:

Tap to select a menu item.
Press and drag the slider to adjust the setting.
Press the MENU key [☰] to access menus.
Turn the Rotary dial to adjust the menu setting.

To apply depth colors or highlight ranges, go to the Chart X-Press Menu > Humminbird Settings.

Mark Waypoints

Open the Mark Menu and select Waypoint, or press the MARK key [?] twice. If the cursor is not active, the waypoint is marked at the boat position. If the cursor is active, it's marked at the cursor position.

Activate Man Overboard (MOB) Navigation

As soon as you know you have a man overboard, press and hold the MARK/MAN OVERBOARD key [?].

Man Overboard navigation marks the approximate point where the person went overboard and starts continuous navigation toward the Man Overboard waypoint.

To end navigation, press the GO TO key [➡️] and select Cancel Navigation.

Start Quick Route Navigation (touch screen)

Open the Cursor Menu: Press and hold a position on the chart.
Select Go To [➡️].
Select Quick Route.
Tap the chart at the positions where you want to mark a route point.
- Undo Last Route Point: Tap the Back icon [↩️].
- Cancel Route Creation: Tap the X icon [❌].
To start navigation, tap the check icon [✔️] in the status bar.

Cancel Navigation: Tap Chart in the status bar, then select Go To > Cancel Navigation.

Start Quick Route Navigation (keypad)

Press the GO TO key [➡️].
Select Quick Route.
Use the Joystick [?️] to move the cursor to a position or waypoint. Press the Joystick [?️] to mark the first route point.
Repeat step 3 to connect more route points.
- Undo Last Route Point: Press the EXIT key [❌] once.
- Cancel Route Creation: Press and hold the EXIT key [❌].
To start navigation, press the ENTER key [✔️].

Cancel Navigation: Press the GO TO key [➡️], then select Cancel Navigation.

Key Interaction Visuals:

Open Go To Menu [➡️].
Move Cursor Position [?️].
Mark Route Points [?].
Start Navigation [✔️].

Pair a Phone with the Control Head

Use these instructions to pair a mobile phone [?] using Bluetooth® wireless technology (available with Bluetooth-supported Humminbird products and mobile devices; Wi-Fi [?] 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 pairing.
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 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, then select On or Off.

Change Phone Bluetooth Notification Settings on the Phone

Apple iOS: Open the phone's Bluetooth menu [?], select the control head under My Devices, and turn on Show Notifications.
Google Android: Open the phone's Bluetooth menu [?], next to the control head's name under Paired Devices, select Settings, and turn on Message Access.

Managing your Humminbird Unit

Register your Humminbird

Register your product(s) to receive Humminbird news, software updates, and new product announcements. Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com, click Support > Register Your Product, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Download the Operations Manual

Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com, click Support > Manuals. For APEX, select APEX Series Product Manual. For SOLIX, select SOLIX Series Product Manual.

Update Software

Keep your control head and accessory software up to date. Updates can be done using an SD or microSD card [?] or via Bluetooth® wireless technology with the One-Boat Network App®. Refer to your operations manual for details.

Before installing updates, export your settings (menu, radar, navigation data) and screen snapshots to an SD or microSD card [?].
To check your current software version, press HOME [?] > Settings > Network > System Info.
To update via SD/microSD card: Format an SD/microSD card [?]. Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com, click Support > Software Updates, select the update for your model, and follow instructions to save the file. Power on the control head with the card inserted.
To update via One-Boat Network: Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com, click Learn > One-Boat Network App. Use the app to download and push updates directly to your unit (requires Bluetooth [?] and compatible devices).

Your control head must be running software release 4.130 or higher to support this feature.

Key Functions

This section details the function of each key on the control head:

POWER key [?]: Powers on/off the control head. Opens the Power X-Press Menu when pressed during operation.
ENTER key [✔️]: Starts a command, turns on a setting, opens the Info menu, or the Cursor menu.
EXIT key [❌]: Closes a menu, dialog box, turns off an alarm, or exits Cursor mode. Press and hold to close all menus.
Joystick [?️]: Selects views, tools, or menus. Moves the cursor and pans chart views.
Rotary dial: Adjusts menu settings. Press to open the Views bar.
GO TO/Screen Snapshot key [➡️]: Opens the Go To menu for navigation. Press and hold to save a screen image.
PANE key: Opens the View Options menu or selects a pane in multi-pane views.
MARK/MAN OVERBOARD key [?]: Press and hold to start Man Overboard Navigation. Press twice to mark waypoints.
HOME key [?]: Displays the Home screen for access to settings, alarms, views, and tools.
ZOOM IN/OUT keys [➕] [➖]: Adjusts the view magnification. Press and hold ZOOM OUT to zoom out completely.
MENU key [☰]: Opens the X-Press Menu for the current view. Press twice to open the Main Menu (Settings tool).

Contact Humminbird

Contact Humminbird Technical Support through their Help Center at humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com.

Mailing Address:

Humminbird Service Department
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula AL 36027 USA

Social Media Resources:

Facebook: Facebook.com/HumminbirdElectronics
Twitter: Twitter.com/@humminbirdfish
Instagram: Instagram.com/humminbirdfishing
YouTube: YouTube.com/humminbirdtv

	Humminbird APEX/SOLIX Quick Start Guide: Setup, Operation, and Features A concise guide to setting up and operating your Humminbird APEX or SOLIX marine electronics. Learn about power, initial setup, home screen navigation, chart settings, waypoints, route creation, phone pairing, software updates, and technical support.
	Humminbird APEX/SOLIX Quick Start Guide A quick start guide for the Humminbird APEX and SOLIX series, covering initial setup, screen navigation, feature activation, and device management.
	Humminbird SOLIX Quick Start Guide: Setup, Navigation, and Features Get started quickly with your Humminbird SOLIX marine fishfinder and chartplotter. This guide covers essential functions including power, initial setup, home screen navigation, chart features, waypoint management, route creation, and Bluetooth phone pairing.
	Humminbird SOLIX Quick Start Guide A comprehensive quick start guide for the Humminbird SOLIX series, detailing initial setup, navigation features, device management, and key functions for marine electronics users.
	Humminbird SOLIX Operations Manual: Features, Setup, and Navigation Guide Comprehensive operations manual for the Humminbird SOLIX series, detailing setup, touchscreen and keypad functions, GPS, sonar, radar, AutoChart Live, Mosaic Live, and navigation features for marine electronics users.
	Humminbird APEX and SOLIX Operations Manual: Marine Electronics Guide Explore the Humminbird APEX and SOLIX series with this operations manual. Learn about setup, navigation, sonar, radar, and system features for advanced marine electronics. Visit humminbird.com for support.
	Humminbird SOLIX Series Control Head Installation Guide Comprehensive installation guide for the Humminbird SOLIX Series Control Head, covering preparation, mounting options, power connection, cable routing, and system testing for marine electronics.
	Humminbird APEX and SOLIX Operations Manual Comprehensive operations manual for Humminbird APEX and SOLIX marine electronics. Learn about setup, features, navigation, sonar, radar, and more.