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COLOR PALETTES
— The default setting is the 6-color palette. This setting has RED
representing the strongest signal, often signifying a hard bottom or a larger fish that is in the
center of the transmit signal (cone). As signal strengths diminish, the colors will fade accordingly.
Again, red represents the strongest signal, followed by orange, yellow, light green, green, and
blue. When using the other color palettes, the colors displayed, and the signal strengths
represented will change accordingly. It is impossible to always associate a signal from a target
with a particular color, as water depth, sensitivity setting, and the target’s proximity to your
location can all affect how the signals show on your display.
SIMULATOR
— The MarCum Digital Sonar has a simulator mode that will portray a variety of
different depths and signal returns. Activating this feature enables the user to experiment with
the various settings without being on the water. This simulator represents an open water or ice
fishing experience, so the depths and signals will change as it goes through the simulation.
When using your Digital Sonar in open water [in a moving boat] it is typical to mark fish as a
“hook” or “arch” shape. When stationary, as in ice fishing, your signals of both your jig and the
fish will show as lines of varying thicknesses.
You may also experiment with settings by getting your Digital Sonar to get a bottom reading off
the floor in your house or garage. It must be a bare tile or cement floor. Position your Digital
Sonar with the transducer hanging motionless about 2 feet above the tile or cement floor and
then turn the sensitivity up to the maximum [25] setting. If the transducer is 2 feet above the
floor, you should get a bottom reading at about 8.5 feet [the unit is calibrated to be accurate in
water, not air!]. If you now raise and lower the transducer the bottom signal should move in a
corresponding manner. You may find it is easier to learn the zoom and other functions while
experimenting in this way with the “manual simulator”.
GAUGES
— A feature unique to the MarCum Digital Sonar is the ability to be able to constantly
see where your most critical settings are at. At a glance, you will be able to see what your
sensitivity level is, what level of IR you are operating at, how high your Target Adjust is, your
range, and battery status displayed in volts. The gauges can be turned on or off by pressing
MENU, highlighting “Gauge Display”, and making your selection. Where the gauges display will
depend on which screen configuration you have selected.
ZOOM INFO
One of the best features to have in an ice fishing Sonar is a “Zoom”, and there is none better
than that of the Marcum Digital Sonar. A Zoom feature enables you to have a magnified view of a
selected portion of the water column. Note that when the ZOOM window is open, you can still
view the entire water column on one of the other windows. Imagine that you are fishing for
walleyes in 30 feet of water, and you are zoomed in on the bottom 5 feet. If a school of crappies
comes through at 20 feet, you will be able to easily see them on one of the other windows, and
quickly raise your bait to their level. The position of the ZOOM window is adjustable in one-foot
increments and can be moved to focus on the bottom (for detecting bottom-hugging fish), or at
any level above bottom for suspended fish.
The MarCum Digital Sonar also offers Auto Bottom Lock Zoom that automatically zooms and
locks onto the bottom, even when you change locations. This is especially useful for if you are
hole-hopping for bottom hugging fish like walleyes and perch. To access the Auto Bottom Lock
Zoom, press ZOOM, and then press the UP button until “A” (Auto) appears. It will appear after
you pass “0” on the Zoom Window. The ZOOM feature on the MarCum Digital Sonar can be
accessed in several ways depending on which sonar windows you have displayed on your
dashboard. Having your Digital Sonar set at the factory default setting for a screen configuration
will make it easiest to learn how to use the Zoom. It is highly recommended that you learn how
the Zoom works while in simulator mode.
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