Lowrance Marine Electronics Quick Guide
Models Covered
This guide applies to the following Lowrance models: 5 HDI, 5 TS, 7x GPS TS, 7 HDI, 7 TS, 9 HDI, 9 TS, and 12 TS.
Front Controls
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Home Page | Press to activate the Home page. |
| Zoom in/out | Press to zoom the image. Press both keys simultaneously to create a MOB (Man Over Board) waypoint at the vessel's position. |
| Arrows | On full screen pages: press to position the cursor on the image. Press to pan the image. On multi-panel pages: press to select a panel. In menus and dialogs: press to highlight an option. |
| Exit (X) | On a maximized multi-panel page: press to return to the multi-panel page. In menus and dialogs: press to return to the previous menu level or exit a dialog. |
| Menu/Enter | On any full screen page: press to display the menu. On multi-panel pages: press to maximize the current selected panel. In menus and dialogs: press to confirm a selection. |
| Cursor/Waypoint | Press to activate/deactivate the cursor. Press and hold to save a waypoint. |
| Power | Press to display the System Controls dialog. Press and hold to power the unit on/off. |
Micro SD Card
The unit utilizes a Micro SD card for data storage and chart updates. An illustration shows a Micro SD card being inserted into a slot.
System Controls Dialog
The System Controls dialog provides access to various system functions. An illustration shows the System Controls dialog with options like Settings, Standby, Power off, Brightness, and Night mode.
Display Illumination
- Brightness and day/night mode can be set from the System Controls dialog.
- Short presses on the Power key cycle through backlight brightness levels.
The Home Page
The Home page displays icons for different functions and pages. Selecting a page icon displays that page. Page icons may vary by model type. An illustration shows the Home page with various selectable page icons.
Pages
Select a page icon on the Home page to display a specific page, such as Chart, Sonar, StructureScan, or DownScan.
Custom Pages
- Select the 'Add Page' icon to create a custom page.
- Switch 'Customize' ON to edit custom pages.
Multi-panel Pages
- Switch between active panels using the Arrow keys. The active panel is indicated by an orange border.
- Activate the cursor with the Cursor/Waypoint key, then use the Arrow keys to position it.
- Maximize the active panel by pressing the Menu/Enter key. Press the Exit (X) key to return to the multi-panel view.
- Adjust panel sizes by selecting 'Adjust' in the System Controls dialog, using the Arrow keys to set the size, and confirming with the Menu/Enter key.
- To use the panel menu, a panel must be maximized.
An illustration shows a multi-panel display with a chart and sonar view.
Charts and GPS Plotter Pages
These pages display navigational charts and GPS data. (Note: Chart pages are not available for 7x TS models).
- Zoom the image using the Zoom keys.
- Pan the image using the Arrow keys.
- Display item information by positioning the cursor on an item and pressing the Menu/Enter key.
Illustrations show a Chart page and a GPS Plotter page.
Creating a Route on a Chart/GPS Plotter Page
- Activate a full screen page or maximize a panel on a multi-panel page.
- Press the Menu/Enter key, then select the 'New route' option.
- Position the first route point using the Arrow keys and confirm with the Menu/Enter key.
- Repeat step 3 for additional route points.
- Press the Exit (X) key to save the route.
Trails
The system automatically tracks and displays the vessel's movement as trails on the chart/GPS Plotter panel. Trails are managed through the Trails dialog.
To access the Trails dialog:
- Select 'Waypoints, Routes, Trails' from the Home page.
- Select the 'Trails' tab.
- Select the trail you wish to edit. An illustration shows the 'Edit Trail' dialog with options to display, record, and manage trails.
Change Chart Source if Card is Inserted
If a chart card is inserted, the chart source can be changed within the settings. (Note: Charts are not available for 7x TS models).
An illustration shows the settings menu with 'Chart source' highlighted, allowing selection between 'Lowrance' and 'Navionics'.
Sonar, StructureScan and DownScan Pages
These pages display sonar data, including Sonar, StructureScan, and DownScan imagery. Illustrations show examples of each type of sonar display.
- Zoom the image using the Zoom keys.
- Use the Arrow keys to navigate the sonar history.
The unit defaults to 'Auto' mode for sonar settings. To customize settings, switch to 'Custom' mode.
Illustrations show the transition from 'Auto' mode to 'Custom' mode in the sonar settings, with options for Range, Frequency, and Sensitivity.
Creating Waypoints
Press and hold the Cursor/Waypoint key to save a new waypoint. The waypoint is placed at the vessel's current position if the cursor is inactive, or at the cursor's position if the cursor is active.
Overlay Data
Data types and their positions on the screen can be customized. Data items can be enabled or disabled via the System Controls dialog. Individual data items can be removed from a panel:
- Select 'Edit overlay' in the System Controls dialog to enter edit mode.
- Press the Menu/Enter key to display edit options.
- Press the Exit (X) key to exit edit mode.
Logging Sonar Data
Sonar data can be logged and saved to the unit's internal memory. An illustration shows the 'Log sonar' option being selected from the System Controls menu, leading to a dialog for recording sonar data.
Creating a Man Over Board (MOB) Waypoint
Activate a MOB waypoint by pressing both Zoom keys simultaneously. An illustration shows the Zoom keys being pressed, and a MOB waypoint appearing on the display.
Settings Dialogs
The Settings dialogs are used for system configuration. An illustration shows the main settings menu with options like System, Navigation, Chart, Sonar, Alarms, Units, and Simulator.
