Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Humminbird
®
, America's #1 name in
fishfinders. Humminbird
®
has built its reputation by designing and
manufacturing top-quality, thoroughly reliable marine equipment.
Your Humminbird
®
is designed for trouble-free use in even the
harshest marine environment. In the unlikely event that your
Humminbird
®
does require repairs, we offer an exclusive Service
Policy - free of charge during the first year after purchase, and
available at a reasonable rate after the one year period. For
complete details, see the warranty information at the end of this
manual. We encourage you to read this operations manual
carefully in order to get the full benefit from all the features and
applications of your Humminbird
®
product.
The RF45 SmartCast
®
product should have:
• One Advanced Remote Sonar Sensor - RSS
™
• This RF45 SmartCast
®
Operations Manual.
If any of these components are missing, please contact our
Customer Resource Center at either
1-800-633-1468
or visit
our website at
www.humminbird.com
.
NOTE:
The RF45 also comes in an International version that is
CE-compliant.
WARNING!
Disassembly and repair of this electronic unit should
only be performed by authorized service personnel.
Any
modification of the serial number or attempt to repair the original
equipment or accessories by unauthorized individuals will void the
warranty. Handling and/or opening this unit may result in exposure
to lead, in the form of solder.
WARNING!
This product contains lead, a chemical known to the
state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other
reproductive harm.
WARNING!
The bottom of the RSS™ should not be handled during
sonar operation, as this may cause physical discomfort and may
result in personal injury in the form of tissue damage. Handle the
RSS™ only by the antenna tower when it has been in the water.
WARNING!
The RSS™ (Remote Sonar Sensor) is not intended for
use by children younger than 6 years old without adult supervision
as the RSS™ may represent a choking hazard to small children.
Using the SmartCast
®
The SmartCast
®
is a
first-of-its-kind wireless
fishfinder that is incredibly
easy to use. Simply attach
the Remote Sonar Sensor
(RSS™) to the end of your
fishing line and cast it into
the water as you would a
normal float or lure. Then
power on the SmartCast
®
display and you are ready to
fish. The SmartCast
®
system uses sonar technology to send
sound waves from the RSS™ into the water. The returned
“echoes” are transmitted with wireless technology to the
SmartCast
®
and plotted on the display. New information appears
on the right. As this information moves to the left a very accurate
picture of the underwater world is created, including objects such
as the bottom, fish, and structures, as well as the depth of the
bottom.
WARNING!
The electronic parts in the Remote Sonar Sensor
(RSS™) are made to withstand use when casting into water.
Because shock from abrupt contact with rocks can damage your
RSS™, we do NOT recommend using your RSS™ in water that is
less than one foot (0.3 m) deep.
Operational Modes
The RSS™ can be used in two distinct ways:
Sonar Graph:
The RSS™ can be used to create a sonar graph
of the bottom. Cast the RSS™ into the water beyond an area of
interest, then reel in the RSS™ at a slow and steady rate. The
digital display will provide precise information for bottom contour,
depth and structure below the RSS™. Fish and bait fish will be
displayed when detected.
Stationary Float:
The RSS™ can be used as a float in a
stationary location to monitor the area below, giving you a live
update as fish approach your bait.
Attaching the RSS™
The line coming from your reel can be tied off to the front hole in
the Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS™). If you also wish to use the
RSS™ as a conventional float, use the second hole to attach your
hook using a lighter weight line. A snag will break the lighter line
if you have to break free. Slip line techniques are not
recommended because of the higher risk of losing the RSS™. If
you do use the slip line method, use a lighter weight line after the
lower stop, enabling retrieval of the RSS™ if the lower line with
hook breaks away.
CAUTION:
You will increase the possibility of breaking your line if you
use light test pound line on your reel. The RSS™ is positively
buoyant (is buoyant under its own weight plus 0.2 ounces or 5.7 g
of bait and lead weight.) The maximum amount of weight for any
attachment to the RSS™ is approximately
¹²₆₄
to
¹³₆₄
ounces (5.3 g
to 5.8 g), and includes the combined weight of any hook, line,
weight, swivel/snap swivel and bait that is attached to the RSS™.
The RSS™ itself weighs 1 ounce (28 g), and therefore light test line
might break.
NOTE:
Store the RSS™ in a dry, non-metallic container, such as a
tackle box, in a separate compartment, and isolated from any
metallic devices.
RSS™ Power
The Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS™) has a separate, non-
replaceable lithium battery that has a shelf life of three years and
will last for approximately 500 hours of in-water use (when the
nighttime LED is turned off). Discard the used RSS™ in
compliance with local laws as you would any electronic
component or battery.
The RSS™ will turn on its Sonar Transmitter/Receiver
automatically when it is immersed in the water. Once immersed,
the RSS™ will begin transmitting the sonar information via radio
frequency (RF) to the SmartCast
®
display. The RSS™ auto-
matically stops using power a few seconds after being pulled out
of the water.
WARNING!
Do not place the RSS™ in a wet area when not in use
as this will turn on the RSS™ and shorten its usable life. Store the
RSS™ in a dry area when not in use to conserve power. Never place
the RSS™ in a wet area of a boat or on a metal surface that could
accidentally power it on.
NOTE:
If the RSS™ was used in salt water, rinse it with fresh water
before storing it.
Channel A and B RSS™ Units
The Advanced RSS™ may be programmed to either Channel A or
Channel B. This A/B Channel option gives you the flexibility to
switch to a different channel if another angler is using a
SmartCast
®
unit within 150 feet of your RSS™ to reduce possible
interference. See
Changing the Channel on the Advanced
RSS™
for details on selecting either Channel A or Channel B.
NOTE:
RSS™ units, regardless of channel, may generate erratic
depth readings as a result of sonar interference when used in close
proximity (closer than 40 feet) to each other or to other sonar devices.
Understanding the Advanced RSS™
The Advanced RSS™ provides the following functionality:
• Water Surface Temperature
• Blinking Light for nighttime use
• Grayscale Sonar Data (only available on those units which
support grayscale)
• A/B Channel Select.
Grayscale sonar data and water temperature will be displayed
automatically on the screen.
You must manually program the Advanced RSS™ in order to turn
the light on or off or to change the RSS™ channel setting to A or
B.
Default settings on new products are Light = OFF and Channel = A.
RSS™ Programming Mode
You may change the light setting or the channel type on the
Advanced RSS™ using a programming mode that is accessed by
touching the wet switch contacts on the bottom of the RSS™.
NOTE:
Please read this and the next section BEFORE you try to
program the Advanced RSS™ using the wet switch contacts.
Specific step-by-step procedures to turn on the light and to change
the channel follow this section. You will find it easier to perform these
steps once you have grasped the way the programming mode works.
The programming mode allows you to:
• turn on the blinking light
• switch the Advanced RSS™ Channel from A to B.
The SmartCast
®
display temperature readout provides user
feedback to help you make the correct selections. The
temperature readout will change on the display to 40°F (4°C),
45°F (7°C), 50°F (9°C) or 55°F (12°C) to signify the following
settings.
NOTE:
If the temperature readout is set for degrees Celsius then the
temperature readout will change on the display to 4, 7, 9 or 12 to
signify the following settings:
Light setting:
Temp changes to…
Means that…
40°F (4°C)
Blinking light is OFF (factory default)
45°F (7°C)
Blinking light is ON (but only blinks when
the Advanced RSS™ is in the water)
Channel setting:
Temp changes to…
Means that…
50°F (9°C)
RSS™ is set to CHANNEL A (factory default)
55°F (12°C)
RSS™ is set to CHANNEL B
IMPORTANT:
The SmartCast
®
Control Head must be turned on and
the CHANNEL SELECT SetUp menu on the Control Head must be set
to Channel A (even if the RSS™ is set to Channel B) before you can
see the feedback on the Control Head temperature readout.
NOTE:
The Advanced RSS™ programming mode will time out after
20 seconds of no user activity, display the Start-Up screen, and
return the RSS™ to normal operation.
NOTE:
If the temperature display returns to a normal reading, or the
Start-Up screen appears on the display, you are no longer in
programming mode.
How the Wet Switch™ Works
In the following sections, you will use the wet switch contacts on the
bottom of the Advanced RSS™ to enter programming mode and to
change the Light and Channel settings. Before you try these
procedures for the first time, please read through this section to
familiarize yourself with the way the Wet Switch™ works.
Your finger should be moist, but not dripping, before you touch
the Wet Switch™. You can achieve the correct dampness
by dipping your finger in water, then dabbing your finger twice
on a towel.
A “touch” means touching both wet switch contacts at the same
time with your moistened finger, using medium pressure. The time
between touches needs to be one second or less.
NOTE
: Your finger must make contact with both of the wet switch
pins simultaneously in order to tap them successfully.
See the procedures that follow for specific instructions on turning
the light on or off or changing the channel from A to B.
Turning on the Advanced RSS™ Blinking Light
To turn on the blinking nighttime fishing light:
1. Wet your finger and tap the wet switch on the Advanced
RSS™ three times (the time between touches needs to be
one second or less) to enter the Light programming mode.
The temperature reading on the display will change to show
a temperature reading of 40°F (4°C) (blinking light OFF).
2. To change the setting to 45°F (7°C) (blinking light ON) touch
and release the wet switch contacts once more. Wait two
seconds and then confirm that the temperature reading on
the display has changed to 45°F (7°C). Single touches will
toggle the setting between 40°F (4°C) and 45°F (7°C).
NOTE:
When the LED is set to ON it will flash every four seconds
when the RSS™ is in operation (i.e. when the wet switch is
submerged). Even when the LED is set to ON, the LED will not
flash unless the wet switch is activated. If you want to test the
RSS™ to make sure the LED is set to ON before using the RSS,
wet your finger and hold it on the wet switch; if the LED is set to
ON, the LED will begin to flash.
NOTE:
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to turn off the LED when finished
with night fishing.
3. Once you have made your selection you can either wait 20
seconds for programming mode to time out (the Start-Up
screen will appear on the display), or continue immediately
to the next procedure to change the channel.
Changing the Channel on the Advanced RSS
To change the channel type on the Advanced RSS:
1. From the Light programming mode (see
Turning on the
Advanced RSS™ Blinking Light
), touch and release
the wet switch contacts twice more with your moist finger
to change from the Light programming mode to the
Channel programming mode. The temperature reading on
the display will change to show a temperature reading of
50°F (9°C) (channel set to A).
2. To change the setting to 55°F (12°C) (channel set to B)
touch and release the wet switch contacts once more. Wait
two seconds and then confirm that the temperature reading
on the display has changed to 55°F (12°C). Single touches
will toggle the setting between 50°F (9°C) and 55°F (12°C).
3. Once you have made your selection, wait 20 seconds for
programming mode to time out (the Start-Up screen will
appear on the display).
4. Use the SetUp Channel Select menu on the display to
switch the software to match the new channel designation
on the Advanced RSS. See
Channel Select (SetUp
Menu)
for more information.
CAUTION:
Make sure that you change the Channel Selection on the
display to match the new Advanced RSS™ Channel before using
the Advanced RSS.
Maintenance
Your SmartCast
®
is designed to provide years of trouble-free
operation with virtually no maintenance. Follow these simple
procedures to ensure your SmartCast
®
continues to deliver top
performance.
WARNING!
Never leave the RF45 SmartCast
®
product in a closed car
or trunk - the extremely high temperatures generated in hot weather
can damage the electronics.
RSS™ Maintenance:
After using the RSS™ in salt water, wipe
the affected surfaces with a cloth dampened with fresh water. The
RSS™ Wet Switch™ pins must be rinsed with fresh water after
exposure to salt water to prevent corrosion.
If your RSS™ remains out of the water for a long period of time,
it may take some time to wet it when returned to the water. Small
air bubbles can cling to the surface of the RSS™ and interfere
with proper operation. Wipe the face of the RSS™ with a wet
cloth to remove them.
Troubleshooting
Do not attempt to repair the RSS™ yourself. There are no user
serviceable parts inside, and special tools and techniques are
required for assembly to ensure the waterproof integrity of the
housings. Repairs should be performed only by authorized
Humminbird
®
technicians.
Many requests for repair received by Humminbird
®
involve units
that do not actually need repair. These units are returned “no
problem found.” If you have a problem with your SmartCast
®
, use
the following troubleshooting guide before calling the Customer
Resource Center or sending your unit in for repair.
1. The SmartCast
®
loses signal.
If the SmartCast
®
is not able to get an RF
signal from the RSS™, the display will stop
updating (the screen will freeze) and the
SmartCast
®
screen will be displayed after
several seconds. Whenever reception is lost
or the RSS™ emerges from the water for
more than a few seconds, the SmartCast
®
screen will be displayed until the RSS™ is placed back in the
water and reception is regained.
• The SmartCast
®
system is a line-of-sight wireless product. If objects
are placed between the RSS™ and the SmartCast
®
Display, the
reception may be lost.
• The RF45 depth range is 2 to 120 feet (0.6 to 35 meters). Erratic
readings may occur in water that is shallower than 2 feet (0.6 m).
In addition, because of the nature of sonar, this product is not
intended for use in swimming pools or small enclosed bodies of
water.
• Reeling the RSS™ too fast can cause loss of signal and the screen
will freeze.
• Check the buoyant balance between the RSS™ and your tackle;
over 0.2 ounce (5.7 grams) will submerge the RSS™, causing
signal loss.
• The RF45 may not obtain its maximum RF distance unless the
water is smooth. Waves or chop may reduce the RF range
significantly.
NOTE:
Retrieving the RSS™ too rapidly, or the repetitive rocking
motion of rough water, can result in loss or distortion of the bottom
detail on the display. For best bottom detail, perform a smooth and
slow reel-in with constant speed and the rod tip up (holding the rod
tip low or using a heavy line may cause the RSS™ to submerge and
momentarily lose radio contact).
2. When in very shallow water, I get gaps in the bottom reading
and inconsistent digital depth indication.
The SmartCast
®
will work reliably in water 2 feet (0.6 meter) or
deeper. The depth is measured from the RSS™.
3. The display shows many black dots at high sensitivity
settings.
You are seeing noise or interference caused by one of several
sources. Noise can be caused by other electronic devices.
Turn off any nearby electronics and see if the problem goes
away. Other sonar devices or any electronic device operating
in the 900 mHz range (in the 400 mHz range for International
versions) could cause interference with your SmartCast
®
.
4. The display shows fluctuating depth readings and excessive
clutter, including vertical bars that may be drawn on top of
fish icons.
The SmartCast
®
system comes with the capability to receive
separate signals from a Channel A RSS™ or a Channel B
RSS™. Two A- or B-type RSS™ units used simultaneously, as
well as one A- and one B-type RSS™ unit used simultaneously,
can cause RF interference between each other.
5. The display jumps and the bottom has an abrupt change;
sometimes a vertical line is missing or a black line from top
to bottom is displayed.
This display image jump is due to an automatic change in
depth. New returns graphed at a different scale will not
match up with the historic data already graphed at a higher
or lower scale. Vertical lines can also occur as the radio
signal from the RSS™ is lost and then regained in rough
water conditions.
Humminbird
®
One Year Limited Warranty
We warrant the original retail purchaser that products made by
Humminbird
®
have been manufactured free from defects in
materials and workmanship. This warranty is effective for one year
from the date of original retail purchase. Humminbird
®
products
found to be defective and covered by this warranty will be
replaced or repaired free of charge at Humminbird
®
option and
returned to the customer freight prepaid. Humminbird
®
sole
responsibility under this warranty is limited to the repair or
replacement of a product that has been deemed defective by
Humminbird
®
. Humminbird
®
is not responsible for charges
connected with the removal of such product or reinstallation of
replaced or repaired parts.
This warranty does not apply to a product that has been:
• Improperly installed;
• Used in an installation other than that recommended in the
product installation and operation instructions;
• Damaged or has failed because of an accident or abnormal
operation;
• Repaired or modified by entities other than Humminbird
®
.
Please retain your original receipt as a proof of the purchase date.
This will be required for in-warranty service.
THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES ON THE PART OF
HUMMINBIRD
®
AND WILL BE THE CUSTOMER'S EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY, EXCEPT FOR ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
UNDER STATE LAW WHICH ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN DURATION
TO ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE. IN NO
EVENT WILL HUMMINBIRD
®
BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTY RELATING TO THE PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow limitations on an implied warranty, or the
exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
exclusions may not apply to you. You may also have other rights,
which vary from state to state.
International Purchases
A separate warranty is provided by international distributors
for units purchased outside the United States. This warranty is
included by your local distributor and this distributor maintains local
service for your unit. Warranties are only valid in the area of intended
distribution. Units purchased in the United States or Canada must be
returned to our factory in the United States for service.
Humminbird
®
Service Policy
Even though you'll probably never need to take advantage of our
incredible service policy, it's good to know that we back our
products this confidently. We do it because you deserve the best.
We will make every effort to repair your unit within three business
days from the receipt of your unit at our factory. This does not
include shipping time to and from our factory. Units received on
Friday are typically shipped by the following Wednesday, units
received Monday are typically shipped by Thursday, etc.
All repair work is performed by factory-trained technicians to meet
exacting factory specifications. Factory-serviced units go through
the same rigorous testing and quality control inspections as new
production units.
After the original warranty period, a standard flat rate service
charge will be assessed for each repair (physical damage and
missing parts are not included). Any repairs made after the original
warranty will be warranted for an additional 90 days after service
has been performed by our factory technicians. You can contact
our Customer Resource Center or visit our website to verify the flat
rate repair fee for your product (visit the Product Support section):
http://www.humminbird.com
We reserve the right to deem any product unserviceable when
replacement parts are no longer available or impossible to obtain.
This Service Policy is valid in the United States only. This applies
only to Humminbird
®
products returned to our factory in Eufaula,
Alabama. This Service Policy is subject to change without notice.
Returning Your Unit for Service
Before sending your unit in for repair, please contact the factory,
either by phone or by email, to obtain a Repair Authorization
Number for your unit. Please have your product model name and
serial number available before calling the factory. If you contact
the factory by e-mail, please include your product model name
and serial number in the e-mail, and use Request for Repair
Authorization Number for your e-mail subject header. You should
include your Repair Authorization Number in all subsequent
communications about your unit.
For IN-WARRANTY service, complete the following steps:
• Obtain a Repair Authorization Number from the Humminbird
®
Customer Resource Center.
• Tag product with your customer name, street address, phone
number and your assigned Repair Authorization Number.
• Include a brief written description of the problem.
• Include a copy of your receipt (to show proof and date of
purchase).
• Return product freight prepaid to Humminbird
®
, using an
insured carrier with delivery confirmation.
For OUT-OF-WARRANTY service, complete the following steps:
• Obtain a Repair Authorization Number from the Humminbird
®
Customer Resource Center.
• Include payment in the form of credit card number and
expiration date, money order or personal check. Please do not
send cash.
• Tag product with your customer name, street address,
phone number and your assigned Repair Authorization
Number.
• Include a brief written description of the problem.
• Return product freight prepaid to Humminbird
®
, using an
insured carrier with delivery confirmation.
If sonar performance becomes weak (i.e., there are
bottom gaps or "0" depth readings) the bottom of
the RSS™ needs to be cleaned with a drop or two of
a 5 to 10 percent solution of liquid dish-washing
detergent and water. Use approximately one
tablespoon (15 ml) detergent to 8 ounces (237 ml) of
water to remove oils from the face of the RSS™,
then wipe with a damp cloth.
Temperature of 50 °F (9° C)
means Channel is Set to A
Temperature of 55 °F (12° C)
means Channel is Set to B
NOTE:
These screens represent units which support grayscale.
Temperature of 40° F (4° C)
means LED is OFF
Temperature Setting of 45 °F (7°C)
means LED is ON
NOTE:
These screens represent units which support grayscale.
Use a heavy test line, standard
knots, and tackle such as a
swivel.
Handle the RSS™ by the antenna tower
when it has been in water.
The second leader hole is for using the RSS™ as a
float. Connect a lighter weight hook line to this hole.
Do not over-weight the hook line as this will
submerge the RSS™, causing signal loss.
To scan an area, cast and then reel in at a
slow, steady rate with your rod tip up.
531354-1_A
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
RSS™ Specifications:
Power Requirement......................................One non-replaceable
Lithium RSS™ Battery
Battery Expected Life........................................................3 years
(approximately 500 hours of in-water use)
Depth Capability .......................... 2 - 120 feet (0.6 - 35 meters)
Sonar Coverage .................................................. 90° @-10 dB*
Sonar Operating Frequency .......................................... 125 kHz
Operational Radio Frequency .................................... 916.5 mHz
(433.92 mHz International)
* Area of bottom coverage equals twice the current depth.
Contact Humminbird
®
Humminbird
®
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference and;
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
Humminbird
®
could void the users authority to operate the device.
FCC ID: ICLSMC1
Your Humminbird
®
accessory is designed for
trouble-free operation and is backed by a
one year warranty.
If you have any questions, contact our
Humminbird
®
Customer Resource Center
:
By Telephone
(Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central
Standard Time):
1-800-633-1468
By e-mail
(typically we respond to your e-mail within three
business days):
For direct shipping, our address is:
Humminbird
Service Department
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula, AL 36027 USA
