Always operate the boat at very slow speeds if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects. WARNING! The electronic chart in your Humminbird unit is an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and notices to mariners contain all of the current information needed for the safety of navigation, and the captain is responsible for their prudent use.
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NOTE: The procedures and features described in this manual are subject to change without notice. This manual was written in English and may have been translated to another language. Humminbird is not responsible for incorrect translations or discrepancies between documents.
Table of Contents HELIX Series Overview How Sonar Works How GPS and Cartography Work Power On What’s on the Control Head Key Functions microSD Card Slot Add Maps to your Control Head ......................14 Import Navigation Data ..........................15 Export Navigation Data..........................15 Update Software............................
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Flasher X-Press Menu Snapshot and Recording X-Press Menu Down Imaging X-Press Menu Navigation X-Press Menu Alarms Menu Tab Sonar Menu Tab Navigation Menu Tab Chart Menu Tab Setup Menu Tab Views Menu Tab Maintenance Troubleshooting HELIX Control Head Measurements Specifications Contact Humminbird...
HELIX Series Overview The HELIX Series is available in several different configurations. See the following list of products, all of which are covered by this manual, to find your HELIX Series model: • HELIX SONAR GPS: Wide screen Fishfinder with DualBeam PLUS (2D) sonar, chartplotting, and an internal GPS receiver.
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When all the echoes are viewed side by side, an easy to interpret “graph” of the bottom, fish, and structure appears. The sound pulses are transmitted at various frequencies depending on the application. Very high frequencies (455 kHz) are used for greatest definition but the operating depth is limited.
DualBeam PLUS Sonar (HELIX SONAR GPS) The HELIX SONAR GPS Fishfinder uses a 200/83 kHz DualBeam PLUS sonar system with a wide (60°) area of coverage. DualBeam PLUS sonar 20˚ 60˚ has a narrowly focused 20° center beam, surrounded 200kHz by a second beam of 60°, expanding your coverage to 83kHz an area equal to your depth.
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Xtreme Depth Sonar (HELIX XD GPS) The HELIX XD GPS Fishfinder uses the XD transducer to provide extreme depth coverage with DualBeam PLUS technology. The Xtreme Depth sonar beams can be operated at two frequencies: 50 kHz (74°) and 200 kHz (20°). The wide, 50 kHz beam transmits at a low frequency to provide greater depth coverage, up to 2500 ft (762 m).
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Whether fishing in shallow or very deep water, selectable dual-frequency is ideal for a variety of conditions. NOTE: Contact Humminbird Customer Service to determine which accessory transducers are compatible with your control head, or visit our Web site at humminbird.com.
How GPS and Cartography Work Your control head also supports GPS (Global Positioning System) and chartplotting. It uses GPS and sonar to determine your position, display it on a grid, and provide detailed underwater information. GPS uses a constellation of satellites that continually send radio signals to the earth.
Power On Follow the instructions below to power on your Humminbird control head. HELIX Series Title Screen 1. Press the POWER/LIGHT key. 2. When the Title screen is displayed, press the MENU key to access the Start-Up Options Menu. 3. Select Normal, and press the RIGHT Cursor key.
What’s on the Control Head Your HELIX Series user interface is easy to use. A combination of keys, different views, and situation-specific, customizable menus allows you to control what you see on the color display. Refer to the following illustration and see Key Functions, Views, and The Menu System for more information.
Key Functions Your control head consists of a set of easy-to-use keys that work with various on-screen views and menus. POWER/LIGHT Key The POWER/LIGHT key is used to power the control head on and off. You can also use the POWER/LIGHT key to adjust the backlight and contrast of the display. Power On: Press the POWER/LIGHT key to power on the unit.
MENU Key The MENU key is used to access the menu system. See The Menu System for more information. • Start-Up Options Menu: Press the MENU key during the power up sequence to view the Start-Up Options menu. • X-Press Menu: Press the MENU key once in any view to access the X-Press Menu, which provides frequently-used menu settings that correspond with the current view or navigation mode.
MARK Key Press the MARK key while in any view to mark the position of a waypoint. • Active Cursor: The waypoint will be marked at the cursor location. • Without Active Cursor: The waypoint will be marked at the boat location. •...
ZOOM (+/–) Key The Zoom (+/–) key has multiple functions, depending on the situation: • In any of the Navigation Views or the Sonar Zoom View, press the +/– Zoom key to change the scale of the view to appear closer or farther away. See Views and Introduction to Navigation for more information.
(see Snapshot and Recording View for details). NOTE: The microSD Card requires a separate purchase. For more information, visit our Web site at humminbird.com or contact Humminbird Customer Service at 1-800-633-1468. To insert a microSD Card: 1. Remove the microSD card slot cover.
You can also purchase microSD cards with additional chart information for a particular location. NOTE: The microSD card requires a separate purchase. Your control head supports Humminbird LakeMaster, Navionics Gold, HotMaps, and HotMaps Premium on microSD card media. Your control head does NOT support Navionics Classic Charts or Platinum Cartography.
• Import Humminbird Navigation Data: Insert a loaded microSD card into the control head card slot, and follow the on-screen prompts to import the waypoints, routes, tracks, and groups.
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NOTE: If a microSD card is not installed, an error message will be displayed. Insert the card and try again. NOTE: The microSD card and adapter require separate purchases. Visit our Web site at humminbird.com or contact Humminbird Customer Service at 1-800-633-1468. microSD Card Slot...
Update Software Set up an online account at humminbird.com so that you will receive the latest Humminbird news and software updates for your Humminbird model. You can also download HumminbirdPC from your account, which allows you to manage your waypoints, routes, and tracks on your personal computer.
What’s on the Sonar Display The Fishfinder can display a variety of useful information about the area under and adjacent to Depth - Water depth can be set to alarm when the water becomes too shallow. Timer - Elapsed time with Speed accessory or GPS receiver Distance - Distance traveled with Speed accessory or GPS receiver Average Speed - Average speed reading with Speed accessory or GPS receiver What’s on the Sonar Display...
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(HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) your boat, including the following items: Thermoclines - Layers of water with different temperatures that appear at different depths and different times of the year. A thermocline typically appears as a continuous band of many colors moving across the display at the same depth.
Understanding the Sonar Display It is important to understand the significance of the display. The display does NOT show a literal 3-dimensional representation of what is under the water. Each vertical band of data received by the control head and plotted on the display represents something that was detected by a sonar return at a particular time.
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Sonar Colors and Bottom View Sonar Colors: Original Palette As the boat moves, the unit charts the changes in depth on HIGH the display to create a profile of the Bottom Contour. The Intensity Return Sonar View displays the sonar return intensity with different colors.
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Use Bottom View to select the method used to represent bottom and structure on the display. See Sonar Menu to set the Bottom View. Structure ID represents weak returns in blue and strong returns in red when Sonar Colors is set to Original.
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SwitchFire SwitchFire controls how the sonar returns are displayed in the Sonar Views. SwitchFire settings are available in the Sonar Menu Tab. To see the maximum sonar information available within the transducer beam so more fish arches and better jig tracking are shown, choose Max Mode. To see less clutter and more fish size accuracy interpreted from the transducer beam, choose Clear Mode.
What’s on the Down Imaging Display Down Imaging uses unique sonar technology to provide information about the area directly that you see on the display. Down Imaging reveals a variety of recognizable features so that you Depth - Water depth can be set to alarm when the water becomes too shallow. Timer - Elapsed time with Speed accessory or GPS receiver Distance - Distance traveled with Speed accessory or GPS receiver Average Speed - Average speed reading with Speed accessory or GPS receiver...
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(HELIX DI GPS only) below your boat. The razor-thin, high- definition profiling beams produce the detailed sonar data can interpret the structure and bottom contour, including the following items: Shadows - Result from a lack of reflected sonar from a particular area and can be as valuable for interpretation than the sonar reflected by the object itself.
Understanding the Down Imaging Display The images you see on the Down Imaging display are produced using sonar technology. Each time the unit pings, a strip of data representing all the echoes received by the transducer are put together on the display to form the image that you see.
Select a View The available views on your Humminbird unit will vary with the model you’ve purchased and, if it’s a sonar model, the transducer attached to the control head. See Views Menu Tab and the following pages for more information.
Change Digital Readouts Each view displays digital readout information (such as speed or time), which varies with the view displayed on-screen, connected accessories, and whether or not you are navigating. Sonar View Readout 1 Readout 3 Readout 5 Readout 2 Readout 4 HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS: In Sonar View and Down Imaging View, you can choose which digital readouts you want to display.
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Digital Readouts (Selectable or Fixed) Bearing Bearing is the direction to a destination waypoint measured in degrees from North (i.e. 321°, where 000° is North, 090° East, 180° is South, 270° is West). CMG/SMG Course Made Good/Speed Made Good. Course Made Good is the angle between the starting point on a route and the current position of the boat.
X-Press Menu, and change the left view display size. The available combo views are determined by your Humminbird model. To change the settings for either side of the view, the individual view must be selected as the active side.
Sonar View (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Sonar View presents a historical log of sonar returns. The most recent sonar returns are charted on the right side of the display. As new information is received, the historical information scrolls left across the display.
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Sonar Zoom View (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Sonar Zoom View provides a magnified view of the bottom and structure. The Sonar Zoom View makes it easier to see separate sonar returns that would usually be displayed close together, such as those caused by fish suspended close to the bottom or within structure.
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Split Sonar View (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Split Sonar View displays sonar returns from each down beam frequency on separate sides of the screen. You can use the Split Sonar View to make side by side comparisons between the sonar returns from both beams.
Big Digits View (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Big Digits View provides digital data in a large, easy-to-see format. • Digital Readouts: Readouts for depth, temperature, and speed information are displayed automatically if the transducer with built-in temperature and GPS receiver are connected to the Fishfinder.
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Circular Flasher View (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Circular Flasher View provides two ways to view sonar data in traditional flasher format. The view is controlled by the Ice Fishing Mode menu option in the Sonar Menu Tab. •...
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Ice Fishing Mode: Off When Ice Fishing Mode is off, the Circular Flasher View displays Real Time Sonar (RTS) data in a traditional flasher format. • Flasher X-Press Menu: Press the MENU key once in the Circular Flasher View. Use the X-Press Menu to set the Sensitivity, Upper Range, and Lower Range.
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Ice Fishing Mode: On When Ice Fishing Mode is on, the Circular Flasher View displays the sonar data in traditional flasher format with additional features including Zoom and Depth Cursor. • Sensitivity: When you turn on Ice Fishing Mode, the fishfinder’s sensitivity settings are adjusted automatically to accommodate ice fishing conditions.
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To activate the Depth Cursor: Use the Depth Cursor to identify depth on the flasher display. 1. Set up: Press the VIEW key repeatedly until the Circular Flasher View is displayed on the screen. Turn on the Ice Fishing Mode (see Sonar Menu Tab). 2.
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To activate Flasher Zoom: The Zoom feature displays a 2x magnified view of the area you choose on the flasher display. 1. Set up: Press the VIEW key repeatedly until the Circular Flasher View is displayed on the screen. Turn on the Ice Fishing Mode (see Sonar Menu Tab). 2.
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Down Imaging View (HELIX DI GPS only) Down Imaging View uses the razor-thin, high-definition profiling beams to produce the detailed sonar data that you see on the display. Sonar returns are charted on the right side of the display. As new information is received, the historical information scrolls left across the display. See What’s on the Down Imaging Display for more information.
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Down Imaging View with Active Cursor and Zoom Depth Cursor Dialog Information Water Surface Temperature Zoom Magnification Box Voltage Zoomed View Lower Range Triplog Speed NOTE: To change the colors used to display the Down Imaging data on the screen, see Down Imaging X-Press Menu: DI Colors.
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NOTE: The recording feature is only available in Humminbird models with sonar. You can take screen snapshots with the HELIX GPS, but the recording feature is not available on this model.
Screen Snapshots Screen Snapshots are saved pictures of the view on the screen. The screen snapshot will include the menus, dialog boxes, warnings, and messages that were active when the screen snapshot was taken. Saved Screen Snapshots can be viewed from the Snapshot and Recording View or Chart View.
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• Use an optional-purchase microSD card adapter connected to a PC to view the saved screen snapshot data files on your optional-purchase microSD Card (see humminbird.com for details). You will notice that a .DAT (or a .TXT) file is created for every .PNG screen snapshot.
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Snapshot is On (see Setup Menu Tab: Screen Snapshot). Saved Recordings can be played back from the Snapshot and Recording View. NOTE: The recording feature is only available in Humminbird models with sonar. The recording feature is not available in the HELIX GPS model.
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Playback a Recording: 1. From the Snapshot and Recording View, press the UP or DOWN Cursor keys to scroll through the saved files and highlight a saved Recording. 2. Press the RIGHT Cursor key. Recording File Information Highlighted Recording File Change Playback Settings: 1.
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Notes about Playback: • “Playback” will flash periodically on the screen to indicate that the control head is playing a saved recording and not a “live” view. • Navigation is not affected by the Sonar Recording feature, but any active navigation is cancelled and thumbnails and icons disappear when Playback begins or ends.
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Bird’s Eye View/Bird’s Eye Big Digits View Bird’s Eye View shows a 3D perspective view of the track and the chart’s land contour from a point above and behind the boat (the eye point). As the boat turns, the eye point moves to follow the boat.
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Bird's Eye View (Navigating) Next Waypoint Latitude and Longitude Position Off Course Limits Speed of the Boat Route XTE (Cross Track Error): Distance of Boat from Route Track Course over Ground Depth Bearing: Direction to Destination Waypoint measured in degrees from North Time to Go to the next waypoint in the route DTG: Distance to Go to Waypoint Bird’s Eye Views...
Chart View Chart View shows cartography from the built-in UniMap or an optional microSD card map for the area surrounding your current position. The cartography is applied to any standard Chart View or Combo view that displays a chart. The current track (also known as the position history or breadcrumb trail) showing where the boat has been, along with saved tracks, waypoints, and the current route (when navigating), are overlaid on the chart.
Chart No Readouts View (HELIX GPS only) If you have a HELIX GPS, you can display the Chart View without digital readouts. Chart No Readouts View has the same cartography capabilities as the standard Chart View. Chart No Readouts View Map Scale Boat Icon Cartography...
Chart Big Digits View (HELIX GPS only) Chart Big Digits View has the same cartography capabilities as the standard Chart View, and it includes multiple digital readouts. Navigation digital readout windows are always displayed on-screen, even when the control head is not navigating. Chart Big Digits View Digital Readouts Boat Icon...
Chart Instrument View (HELIX GPS only) Chart Instrument View displays a digital compass, XTE (Cross Track Error) graphic, and large digital readouts in one view. Change Digital Readouts: Press the MENU key once. Choose Select Readouts, and press the RIGHT Cursor key to change the digital readouts displayed on this view. Chart Instrument View Large Digital Readouts XTE Graphic...
Chart View Orientation Both Chart and Chart Combo Views allow you to choose the orientation of the view (see Navigation Menu Tab: Chart Orientation). In each orientation, the view pans automatically so that the boat is always centered on the display. To see more of the view when the boat is traveling at the speed you set, see Chart Menu Tab: Vessel Offset and Offset Speed.
Viewing Cartography In the Chart and Chart Combo Views, there are several cartography-related functions that you can access using various keys. Panning: Use the 4-WAY Cursor Control key to move the chart around on the display in the direction of the key being pressed. When you do this, a bull’s eye cursor is drawn at the center of the screen and is linked to the boat by a yellow line, even if the boat is off the screen.
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Screen Snapshots and Recording Icons: When a waypoint is created while Screen Snapshot and Recording is active, the waypoint will appear as a snapshot icon or recording icon in chart views. See Views: Snapshot and Recording View for more information. Chart Info: Press the CHECK/INFO key to get detailed information about the chart.
You can also use the Waypoint Management dialog box to create new waypoints and routes from scratch. You can edit your navigation data and organize it too. This section will get you started. See your Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for complete details. Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks...
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destination, although you should always look out for obstacles not shown on the chart. A Route Leg is the path between each waypoint in a route. The color of each route leg is displayed as follows: • Completed Route Leg = Gray •...
Dialog Box The Waypoint Management dialog box allows you to organize your waypoints, routes, and tracks on your Humminbird control head. Open the Waypoint Management Dialog Box 1. Press the MENU key twice to open the Main Menu. 2. Press the RIGHT Cursor key until the Navigation Menu Tab is selected.
What’s on the Waypoint Management Dialog Box Use the Waypoint Management dialog box to manage your waypoints, routes, and tracks. Use the 4-WAY Cursor Control key to select a waypoint, route, track, group, or menu option. To scroll through the list, press the UP or DOWN Cursor keys. To open a submenu, press the RIGHT Cursor key.
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Preview Window: As you scroll, the selected item’s information is displayed on the right side of the Waypoint Management dialog box. Press the +/– ZOOM keys to view the position closer or farther away in the preview window. Information: Displays the default group where all new waypoints, routes, and tracks will be saved.
Save, Edit, or Delete a Waypoint Save your Current Position as a Waypoint: On any view, press the MARK key to save the current position of the boat as a waypoint. Save the Cursor Position as a Waypoint: On the Chart or Chart Combo Views, use the 4-WAY Cursor Control key to move the cursor to the position you want to save as a waypoint.
Cancel Navigation: From the Navigation X-Press Menu, select Cancel Navigation, and press the RIGHT Cursor key. Canceling navigation removes the route and any waypoints created using the GOTO key, but it does not remove any saved routes from memory. You will be prompted to save the current route when you cancel navigation.
Routes Save the Current Route: While you are navigating, the current route can be saved. From the Navigation X-Press Menu, select Save Current Route, and press the RIGHT Cursor key. Navigation will continue. Create a New Route: Open the Waypoint Management dialog box. Select Options > New > New Route.
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• Choose a Waypoint in a Route, and press the RIGHT Cursor key. Select Reorder, and press the RIGHT Cursor key. To move the waypoint up or down in the route order, press the UP or DOWN Cursor keys. Press the EXIT key to select Save. Press the RIGHT Cursor key to confirm your changes. Changing the Waypoint Order in a Route (two options) Select Reverse OR Select a Waypoint >...
NOTE: The Edit Waypoint dialog box is also available when you select a waypoint from the Navigation X-Press Menu. NOTE: See your Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information about groups and the other great features of the Waypoint Management dialog box.
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Edit a Waypoint, Route, Track, or Group 1. Open the Waypoint Management dialog box. 2. Open the Submenu: Use the 4-WAY Cursor Control key to select a waypoint, route, track, or group. Press the RIGHT Cursor key to open the submenu. 3.
Man Overboard (MOB) Navigation As soon as you know that you have a man overboard (MOB), you should activate MOB navigation to maximize the chances for a successful rescue. MOB navigation allows you to create an MOB waypoint to locate the point at which your man went overboard and the relation of the boat to that point.
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MOB Navigation Position where man fell overboard Target surrounding MOB waypoint MOB waypoint Elapsed time since MOB was activated Boat icon It is not possible to re-activate MOB or modify the current route without first canceling MOB navigation. The Off Course trigger is also disabled and the Off Course Alarm circle is not drawn. Any press of the GOTO key, or selection of a GOTO menu option, will cause an error beep and a short message will be displayed that will disappear after 2 seconds.
The Menu System The Menu System is divided into easy-to-use menu modules as follows: • Start-Up Options Menu: Press the MENU key during the power on sequence to view the Start-Up Options Menu. From the Start-Up Options Menu, you can choose the following modes: Normal, Simulator, and System Status.
Start-Up Options Menu Press the MENU key during the power on sequence to view the Start-Up Options Menu, and select one of the modes described on the following pages. Also, see Power On for more information. Start-Up Options Menu Normal Use Normal for on-the-water operation.
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Simulator Use Simulator to learn how to use your control head before taking your boat on the water. The Simulator is a very powerful tool that provides a randomly-updated display which simulates on the water operation. Simulator We recommend going through this manual while using the Simulator, since all of the menus function and affect the display in the same way as they would in Normal operation.
System Status Use System Status to view system connections and to conduct a unit self-test. After you select System Status from the Start-Up Options Menu, press the VIEW key to display the following options: • Self Test • Accessory Test •...
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GPS Diagnostic View shows a sky chart and numerical data from the GPS receiver. The sky chart shows the location of each visible GPS satellite with its satellite number and a signal strength bar. A dark gray bar indicates that the satellite is being used to determine your current position. A light gray bar indicates that the satellite is being monitored, but is not yet being used.
X-Press Menu The X-Press Menu provides a shortcut to your most frequently-used settings. The options provided on the X-Press Menu correspond with the current view. For example, if you are in a Sonar View and press the MENU key once, the Sonar X-Press Menu will display. X-Press Menu To use an X-Press Menu: 1.
Main Menu The Main Menu provides the standard set of menu options, including the settings that are changed less frequently. NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details.
Quick Tips for the Main Menu • From any menu option on a menu tab, press the EXIT key to jump directly to the top of the tab. • From the bottom of a menu tab, press the DOWN Cursor key to jump directly to the top of the tab.
User Mode (Normal or Advanced) Menu options can be simplified or expanded by setting your control head User Mode to Normal or Advanced. Normal Mode is provided for users who want greater simplicity and fewer menu choices. Advanced Mode is provided for users who want the highest level of control over the control head.
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HELIX DI GPS Sonar Tab, Normal Mode HELIX DI GPS Sonar Tab, Advanced Mode Main Menu...
NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details. NOTE: Menu options are determined by your Humminbird model. See the following pages for full menu descriptions. Sonar X-Press Menu...
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Cancel Navigation (only when Navigating) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Cancel Navigation discards the current route and exits Navigation Mode. This menu option will only appear when you are currently navigating a route. This will not delete a previously-saved route. Active Side (Combo Views only) Settings: Left, Right;...
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NOTE: A minimum distance of 10 feet will be maintained between the Upper and Lower Range regardless of the manual settings entered. The available Upper Range settings are determined by your Humminbird model as follows: • HELIX SONAR GPS: 0 to 1490 ft, 0 to 497 m (International Models only); Default = 0 •...
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NOTE: A minimum distance of 10 feet will be maintained between the Upper and Lower Range regardless of the settings entered manually. The available Lower Range settings are determined by your Humminbird model as follows: • HELIX SONAR GPS: Auto to 1500 ft, Auto to 500 m (International Models only);...
Bottom Lock (Sonar Zoom View only) Settings: Off, On; Default = Off Bottom Lock changes the mode of the zoomed view in the Sonar Zoom View. Bottom Lock continuously graphs the bottom at a constant point on the display regardless of changes in depth. This “flattens“...
Flasher X-Press Menu (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only and Circular Flasher View only) The Flasher X-Press Menu provides a shortcut to your most frequently-used settings. Press the MENU key once while in the Circular Flasher View to access the Flasher X-Press Menu.
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NOTE: A minimum distance of 10 feet will be maintained between the Upper and Lower Range regardless of the manual settings entered. The available Upper Range settings are determined by your Humminbird model as follows: • HELIX SONAR GPS: 0 to 1490 ft, 0 to 497 m (International Models only); Default = 0 •...
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NOTE: A minimum distance of 10 feet will be maintained between the Upper and Lower Range regardless of the manual settings entered. The available Lower Range settings are determined by your Humminbird model as follows: • HELIX SONAR GPS: Auto to 1500 ft, Auto to 500 m (International Models only);...
X-Press Menu. NOTE: For more information, see Views: Snapshot and Recording View. NOTE: The recording feature is only available in Humminbird models with sonar. You can take screen snapshots with the HELIX GPS, but the recording feature is not available on this model.
Cancel Navigation (only when Navigating) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Cancel Navigation discards the current route and exits Navigation Mode. This menu option will only appear when you are currently navigating a route. This will not delete a previously-saved route.
Delete All Recordings (optional-purchase microSD Card, Snapshot and Recording View only) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Delete All Recordings allows you to delete all the recordings at once. This menu option is only available when an optional-purchase microSD card is installed and Snapshot and Recording View is on the screen.
NOTE: Sonar chart speed is increased during Fast Forward and reversed during Rewind. This may result in a reduced quality sonar image, since at higher speeds, not every sonar return can be processed. Stop Playback (optional-purchase microSD Card only) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key to activate. Stop Playback allows you to stop playback of a sonar recording from any view.
NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details. NOTE: Menu options are determined by your Humminbird model. See the following pages for full menu descriptions. Down Imaging X-Press Menu...
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Cancel Navigation (only when Navigating) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Cancel Navigation discards the current route and exits Navigation Mode. This menu option will only appear when you are currently navigating a route. This will not delete a previously-saved route.
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DI Enhance Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key. DI Enhance allows you to adjust your Down Imaging View in the following categories: Sensitivity, Contrast, and Sharpness. Whether you’re searching the Down Imaging data for fish or certain bottom contour, the most effective settings will vary with the situation.
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Lower Range Settings: Auto to 600 feet, Auto to 240 meters [International Models only]; Default = Auto Lower Range sets the deepest depth range that will be displayed by the unit. Auto: The Lower Range will be adjusted by the unit to follow the bottom automatically. Auto is the default setting.
NOTE: To see the Navigation X-Press Menu in a Combo View, change the Active Side setting to the side you want to adjust. Navigation X-Press Menu See Introduction to Navigation and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information. Navigation X-Press Menu...
Cancel Navigation (only when Navigating) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Cancel Navigation discards the current route and exits Navigation Mode. This menu option will only appear when you are currently navigating a route. This will not delete a previously-saved route.
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You can move the cursor onto an existing waypoint and press the MENU key once, or use Cursor to Waypoint to select a waypoint from the saved waypoints list. NOTE: See Introduction to Navigation and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information.
Save Current Track Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions. Save Current Track allows you to save the current track on the display. After the current track is saved, a new current track is started. Save Current Track appears on the Navigation X-Press Menu after navigation is stopped.
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Select Readouts (HELIX GPS only) Settings: Various Select Readouts allows you to choose digital readouts for the on-screen view. The available menu options are determined by the on-screen view, connected accessories, and whether or not you are navigating. NOTE: If you have a sonar model, the digital readouts are changed in the Setup Menu tab. See Setup Menu tab: Select Readouts.
Route [Name] allows you to view the Route submenu for the last saved route. You can travel the route forwards or backwards. You can also edit the route or delete it. NOTE: See Introduction to Navigation and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information.
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You must have pressed the MARK key at least once since you last powered up the control head for this menu option to appear. NOTE: See Introduction to Navigation and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information. The Waypoint Submenu includes the following menu options: Edit opens the Edit Waypoint dialog box so that you can edit the selected waypoint.
Alarms Menu Tab From any view, press the MENU key twice to access the Main Menu System. The Alarms tab will be the default selection. NOTE: When an alarm is triggered, you can silence it by pressing any key. The alarm will be silenced and will not be triggered again until a new instance of the alarm condition is detected.
Depth Alarm (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: Off, 1 to 100 feet, or 0.5 to 30 meters [International Models only]; Default = Off Depth Alarm sounds when the depth becomes equal to or less than the menu setting. Fish ID Alarm (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: Off, All, Large/Medium, Large;...
Temp. Alarm (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: Off, 33-120 Fahrenheit, 0-50 Celsius [International Models only]; Default = Off Temp. Alarm sounds when the water temperature detected by the control head reaches the Temp. Alarm setting, which is either set in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius [International Models only].
Drift Alarm Settings: Off, 25 to 3000 feet, 10 to 1000 meters [International Models only]; Default = Off Drift Alarm allows you to set the size of a perimeter around the boat’s anchored position. If the anchored boat drifts outside of that perimeter, the Drift Alarm will sound. Drift Alarm Circle Alarm Tone Settings: High, Medium, Low;...
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Start Timer Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key to start the Timer. Start Timer allows you to start the Timer using the saved countdown settings in the Timer Setup dialog box. To create the Timer settings, see Timer Setup. Stop Timer (with the Timer running) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key to stop the Timer.
NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details. NOTE: Menu options are determined by your Humminbird model. See the following pages for full menu descriptions. HELIX DI GPS...
Beam Select sets which sonar returns from the transducer will be displayed on the screen. The available beam frequencies are determined by your Humminbird model. DualBeam PLUS models (HELIX SONAR GPS) allow you to choose 200/83 kHz, 200 kHz, or 83 kHz (Default = 200 kHz).
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Xtreme Depth models (HELIX XD GPS) allow you to choose 200/50 kHz, 200 kHz, or 50 kHz (Default = 200/50 kHz). • When set to 200/50 kHz, the returns from both beams are blended by starting with the 50 kHz wide beam return, dimming it, and then overlaying it with the 200 kHz narrow beam return.
Surface Clutter Settings: Low = 1 to High = 10; Default = 5 Surface Clutter adjusts the filter that removes surface clutter noise caused by algae and aeration. The lower the setting, the less surface clutter will be displayed. surface clutter SwitchFire Settings: Max Mode, Clear Mode;...
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Fish ID+ Settings: Off, On; Default = Off Fish ID+ uses advanced signal processing to interpret sonar returns and will display a Fish Symbol when very selective requirements are met. When a fish is detected, a fish icon and its depth are displayed above the return that has been classified as being a fish.
Fish ID Sensitivity Settings: Low = 1, High = 10; Default = 5 Fish ID Sensitivity adjusts the threshold of the Fish ID+ detection algorithms. Selecting a higher setting allows weaker returns to be displayed as fish. This is useful for identifying smaller fish species or baitfish.
Bottom View Settings: Structure ID, WhiteLine; Default = Structure ID Bottom View selects the method used to represent bottom and structure on the display. • Structure ID represents weak returns in blue and strong returns in red. If the Sonar Colors palette is changed, the Structure ID will display the strongest return as specified by the palette.
455 kHz Sensitivity (Advanced, HELIX DI GPS only) Settings: -10 to +10, Default = 0 455 kHz Sensitivity adjusts the sensitivity of the 455 kHz beam. Increase the sensitivity to display additional weak returns and decrease the sensitivity to display fewer weak returns. Depth Lines (Advanced) Settings: Off, On;...
Max Depth (Advanced) Settings: Various, see below. Max Depth controls the maximum depth of operation. When Max Depth is set to Auto, the Fishfinder will acquire bottom readings as needed (within the capacity of the unit). When Max Depth is set to match your fishing maximum depth, your Fishfinder will not attempt to acquire sonar data below that depth, so more detail will be shown on the screen.
NOTE: Visit our Web site at humminbird.com to determine which accessory transducers are compatible with your Humminbird Fishfinder, or contact Humminbird Customer Service. NOTE: When Digital Depth Source is set to 2D Element, the DI setting will be removed from the DI Pings menu.
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Ice Fishing Mode Settings: Off, On; Default = Off Ice Fishing Mode controls how information is displayed in the Circular Flasher View. When Ice Fishing Mode is off, the Circular Flasher View displays Real Time Sonar (RTS) data in a traditional flasher format.
NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details. NOTE: Menu options are determined by your Humminbird model. See the following pages for full menu descriptions. Navigation Menu (Advanced)
You can also edit waypoint, route, and track information. Your navigation data can be saved into groups, sorted, copied, and exported to HumminbirdPC. See Introduction to Navigation and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for more information. Navigation Menu Tab...
Settings dialog box to set the waypoint icon category and the waypoint icon for all new waypoints. See Introduction to Navigation: Edit your Waypoints, Routes, Tracks, and Groups and the Humminbird Waypoint Management Guide for details. The Waypoint Settings dialog box includes the following options: Icon Category allows you to select a waypoint icon category (All, Geometry, Alerts, Supplies, Navigation, Recreation, Fish, Environment).
Casting Rings Settings: Off to 150 feet, 0 to 50 meters; Default = Off Casting Rings allows you to display a circle around each waypoint on the Chart View. This menu option sets the distance that the Casting Ring will be displayed from the waypoint. Select Off to hide the Casting Rings.
Trolling Grid Rotation Settings: 0° to 89°, Default = 0° Trolling Grid Rotation allows you to set the orientation of the trolling grid in degrees, where a setting of 0° displays a standard North, South, East, West alignment. See Introduction to Navigation: Add a Waypoint Target or Trolling Grid for information.
Course Projection Line Settings: Hidden, Standard, Single Vector, COG/SOG; Default = Standard Course Projection Line displays an arrow or line, extending from the bow of the boat, that projects your current course and shows where the boat will go if you continue on your present course.
Chart Menu Tab Press the MENU key twice to access the Main Menu and then press the RIGHT Cursor key until the Chart tab is selected. NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal. See Main Menu: User Mode for details.
If you select Auto, your unit will select a chart automatically (see microSD Card Slot: Add Maps to your Control Head). NOTE: The microSD Card requires a separate purchase. For more information, visit our Web site at humminbird.com or contact Humminbird Customer Service at 1-800-633-1468. Set Simulation Position (Advanced) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions to activate.
Set Map Offset (Advanced) Settings: Press the RIGHT Cursor key and follow screen instructions to activate. Set Map Offset allows you to change the map offset used by your control head. Press the 4-WAY Cursor Control key to activate the cursor and move it to the location where the Map Offset will be applied.
To customize the chart layers: 1. Select Chart Detail Level from the Chart Menu Tab. Press the RIGHT Cursor key to select Custom. Selecting Custom adds the Custom Chart Layers menu to the Chart menu. 2. Press the DOWN Cursor key to select Custom Chart Layers, and press the RIGHT Cursor key to access the submenu.
Auto Zoom (Advanced) Settings: On, Off; Default = Off Auto Zoom sets the Chart View to zoom automatically based on the speed of the boat. As the boat’s speed increases, the chart range will increase. You can continue to use the +/– ZOOM keys to see more or less of the view, and Auto Zoom will resume after 20 seconds.
Contour Lines (optional-purchase LakeMaster charts only) Settings: Hidden, Visible; Default = Visible Contour Lines sets whether the water contour lines are visible or hidden in the Chart Views. Contour Lines are also affected by the Water Level Offset setting. Depth Colors (optional-purchase LakeMaster charts only) Settings: Off, 1 - 10;...
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Shallow Water Highlight (optional-purchase LakeMaster charts only) Settings: 0 to 30 feet, 0 to 5 fathoms, 0 to 10 meters (International Models only); Default = 0 Shallow Water Highlight allows you to select a minimum shallow depth setting so that the depth is highlighted in red in the Chart Views.
Setup Menu Tab From any view, press the MENU key twice to access the tabbed Main Menu, then press the RIGHT Cursor key until the Setup tab is selected. NOTE: Menu options will vary depending on which accessories are attached to the unit. NOTE: Menu options can be expanded or simplified by setting the User Mode to Advanced or Normal.
Units - Depth (HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: Domestic Models: Feet, Fathoms; International Models: Meters, Feet, Fathoms; Default = Feet/Meters Units - Depth selects the units of measure for all depth-related readouts. Units - Temp (International Models only, temperature input required) Settings: Celsius, Fahrenheit;...
NOTE: It is important to back up your control head’s data files periodically. Data files should also be saved to your PC before restoring the unit’s defaults or updating the software. See your Humminbird online account at humminbird.com and the Waypoint Management guide.
Select Readouts (Advanced, HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, AND HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: Various Select Readouts sets the information to display in each of the fixed-position data windows on the Sonar View screen. To leave the data window blank, select Off. See Views: Change Digital Readouts to change the Select Readouts.
Sonar View Readout 1 Readout 3 Readout 5 Readout 2 Readout 4 NOTE: The availability of the digital readout information corresponds with the view selected, the accessory attached, and whether or not you are navigating. Depth Offset (Advanced, HELIX SONAR GPS, HELIX DI GPS, HELIX XD GPS only) Settings: -10.0 to +10.0 feet or -3.0 to +3.0 meters [International models only];...
Local Time Zone (Advanced) Settings: Various; Default = EST [UTC-5] - Eastern Standard Time Local Time Zone selects your time zone in reference to the time reported by the GPS receiver when Time+Date is selected as a Digital Readout (see Views: Change Digital Readouts). Daylight Saving Time (Advanced) Settings: Off, On;...
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Digits Format (Advanced) Settings: Small tenths, Large tenths, No tenths; Default = Large tenths Digits Format adds a tenth decimal place to the readouts such as Temperature and Depth. Use the settings to change the display of the decimal place or remove it from the digital readouts. Examples of the different settings are displayed below.
Encrypt SD Card enables the installed microSD Card for ChartSelect (separate purchase required). ChartSelect allows you to purchase a Humminbird chart online and download it to a microSD Card. Visit chartselect.humminbird.com for more information and to download the ChartSelect User Guide.
Views Menu Tab From any view, press the MENU key twice to access the tabbed Main Menu, then press the RIGHT Cursor key until the Views tab is selected. This menu tab allows you to set the available views to hidden or visible in the view rotation.
Maintenance Your Humminbird control head is designed to provide years of trouble free operation with very little maintenance. Use the following procedures to ensure your Humminbird continues to deliver top performance. Control Head Maintenance It is important to consider the following precautions when using your Humminbird control head: •...
Troubleshooting Before contacting Humminbird Customer Service, please read the following section. Taking the time to review these troubleshooting guidelines may allow you to solve a performance problem yourself, and therefore avoid sending your unit back for repair. HELIX Series Doesn’t Power Up If your control head doesn’t power up, use the Installation Guide that also comes with it for...
Display Problems There are several main conditions or sources of possible interference that may cause problems with the quality of the information displayed on the control head. Look in the following table for some symptoms of display problems and possible solutions: Problem Possible Cause The control head loses...
Finding the Cause of Noise Electrical noise usually affects the display with many black dots at high speeds, and high sensitivity readings. One or more of the following sources can cause noise or interference: Possible Source of Noise Isolation Other electronic devices Turn off any nearby electronic devices to see if the problem goes away, then turn them on one at a time to see if the noise re-appears.
HELIX 5 Control Head Measurements Gimbal Mount (HELIX 5) 7.55 in (191.77 mm) VIEW 4.28 in MENU (108.71 mm) 4.64 in MARK (117.86 mm) EXIT GOTO 2.90 in (73.66 mm) 3.30 in (83.82 mm) Control Head Measurements...
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In-Dash Mount (HELIX 5) 7.55 in (191.77 mm) VIEW 4.28 in MENU (108.71 mm) MARK EXIT GOTO 2.90 in (73.66 mm) 2.17 in (55.12 mm) Control Head Measurements...
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HELIX 7 Control Head Measurements Gimbal Mount (HELIX 7) 10.54 in (267.72 mm) 5.44 in 5.80 in (138.18 mm) (147.32 mm) 2.97 in (75.44 mm) 3.60 in (91.44 mm) Control Head Measurements...
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In-Dash Mount (HELIX 7) 10.54 in (267.72 mm) 5.44 in (138.18 mm) 2.97 in (75.44 mm) 2.17 in (55.12 mm) Control Head Measurements...
IPX Rating ......IPX7 Waterproof/Submersible @ 1m for 30 minutes NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.
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IPX Rating ......IPX7 Waterproof/Submersible @ 1m for 30 minutes NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.
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IPX Rating ......IPX7 Waterproof/Submersible @ 1m for 30 minutes NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.
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IPX Rating ......IPX7 Waterproof/Submersible @ 1m for 30 minutes NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.
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IPX Rating ......IPX7 Waterproof/Submersible @ 1m for 30 minutes NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal layers, bottom composition and slope.
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Cartography ............Built-in Unimap Optional Separate Purchase microSD Chart Cards: Humminbird LakeMaster and Navionics Gold, HotMaps, and HotMaps Premium Power Requirement .
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Cartography ............Built-in Unimap Optional Separate Purchase microSD Chart Cards: Humminbird LakeMaster and Navionics Gold, HotMaps, and HotMaps Premium Power Requirement .
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ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE STATEMENT: It is the intention of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. to be a responsible corporate citizen, operating in compliance with known and applicable environmental regulations, and a good neighbor in the communities where we make or sell our products. WEEE DIRECTIVE: EU Directive 2002/96/EC “Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)”...
Contact Humminbird Contact Humminbird Customer Service in any of the following ways: Web site: humminbird.com E-mail: service@humminbird.com Telephone: 1-800-633-1468 Direct Shipping: Humminbird Service Department 678 Humminbird Lane Eufaula, AL 36027 USA Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time) Social Media Resources: Facebook.com/HumminbirdElectronics...
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