User manual VEXILAR FL-8SLT COLOR FLASHER

[. . . ] FL-8SLT Operation Manual CONTENTS General Description Specifications Unit Installation Power Connection Transducer Installation Operation Typical Indications Maintenance Operational Questions & Answers Transducer Beam Angle Chart Trouble Shooting Chart Accessories and Other Products Transducers Service and Support 2 3 4 4 5-8 9 - 10 11 - 14 15 16 - 20 21 22 23 - 25 26 - 27 28 Founded in 1960, Vexilar, Inc. has a long history of bringing revolutionary technology to the sport fishing industry. Just some of the Vexilar firsts include: the first liquid crystal display, the first fish alarm, the first three color display, and the first CRT and straight line paper graphs, for the sport fisherman. Now, with the FL-8SLT, we bring you the first true interference Rejection unit. [. . . ] Sometimes it may even disappear if the bait goes out of the cone of sound. If the fish moves closer to the bait it will change from green to orange. If the fish leaves and you can no longer see your bait, chances are, you've been robbed. 14 MAINTENANCE PERMANENT MOUNT With permanent mount applications, the power cord is left connected to the source, the transducer is not easily removed, and the gimbal bracket is screwed to the seat, deck, or dash. Under these conditions maintenance is very simple because nothing changes once the unit is installed. Because of this problems can sneak up on you if you're not careful. The unit should be removed from the bracket whenever the boat is parked to guard against theft. Connections made to battery posts need extra attention because of the battery acid. The transducer should be checked for scratches and cracks which can reduce the unit's sensitivity. Cuts or breaks in the cord should be repaired as soon as possible so corrosion doesn't attack the wire. An oily film can develop which will cause weak readings. PORTABLE MAINTENANCE In portable applications the unit is generally mounted to a carrying case and the transducer is frequently removed, as is the power. These conditions can cause more wear and tear than a permanently mounted unit. In addition to the previously mentioned maintenance items, be sure to check for broken or pulled wires, loose screws or hardware, and, above all, battery condition. 15 OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Where Should The Gain Control Be Set? For ice fishing - the gain control should be set so the bait you are fishing with is shown in green color on the dial. This color should be set while the lure or bait is at the normal fishing depth. As the bait is raised toward the surface the colors will turn to orange and possibly red, just below the surface. This happens because as the bait is raised towards the surface the signal strength from the bait gets stronger, resulting in color change. For open water fishing - set the gain control so as to get a strong bottom echo along with a second echo. The leading edge of the bottom echo will show a solid Red band, then bleeding into the orange color, then the trailing edge of the bottom will bleed from orange into the green color. Good bottom echoes, most of the time, will show all three colors, starting with Red, Orange, into Green. Why Can't I See My Bait While Ice Fishing, or like I can while ice fishing? For Ice Fishing - In order to see your bait it must be in the center of the cone and you must have your gain turned up high enough to see it. For open water - With the position of the transducer mounted to the boat, it is hard to get your bait there, and with the motion of the water it makes it difficult to keep it there. If all conditions are right you will be able to see your bait. Why Do Some Lures Show Up Better Than Others? The amount of Reflective Surface Area on the lure is the main reason. A thin vertical lure is not as easy to see as a horizontal fat lure. 16 What Color Should Fish Be? For ice fishing - with the FL-8SLT being operated with the perpendicular position found, the fish target entering the outside of the cone of sound will appear in green, as it moves towards the bait it will add some orange into the center of the signal, and if the fish continues to the perpendicular line under the transducer, red will be added to the center of the fish target. These color changes will take place automatically without adjusting the gain control. [. . . ] The idea is that you mount the transducers right next to each other and compare the two different views directly on the split screen. It has a lot of powerful features, but is one of the easiest units ever made to understand and operate. 24 The FL-18 The FL-18 is the first ever flasher to incorporate a split-screen zoom. and with two modes of zoom, a low power mode for shallow water, and a super bright display, this unit is the ultimate three-color flasher. The Boundary Waters Model LC-10 The LPS-1 is a simple to use handheld digital depth finder. Use it for fishing, ice fishing, canoeing, backpacking, and scuba diving. [. . . ]