Garmin Fishfinder 250 Owner's Manual
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Garmin Fishfinder 250 Owner's Manual

Garmin fishfinder 250/250c high-resolution sonar owner's manual
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Fishfinder 250/250C
high-resolution sonar
owner's manual
(Fishfinder 250C shown)

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Summary of Contents for Garmin Fishfinder 250

  • Page 1 Fishfinder 250/250C high-resolution sonar owner’s manual (Fishfinder 250C shown)
  • Page 2 © Copyright 2005 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151 Street Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A. Tel. 913/397.8200 or 800/800.1020 Fax 913/397.8282 All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express prior written consent of Garmin.

  • Page 3: Product Support

    Use this area to record the serial number in case your Fishfinder 250/250C is lost, stolen, or in need of service. Be sure to keep your original sales receipt in a safe place or attach a photocopy to these instructions.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Optional Transducers ... 2 Installation ... 3 Selecting a Proper Location ... 3 Installing the Swivel Mount ... 3 Flush Mounting the Fishfinder 250/250C Unit ... 6 Connecting the Power/Data Cable ... 7 Interfacing ... 8 Installing the Transducer ... 10 Transom Mount Installation ...

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    ETTING TARTED Packing List Before installing and using your Fishfinder 250/250C, check to see that your package includes the following items. The package part number can be found on the outside of the box. If any parts are missing, contact your Garmin dealer immediately.

  • Page 6: Transducers

    • 200kHz, 9°, bronze, thru-hull mount, depth, temp, speed • 200kHz, 12°, plastic, thru-hull mount, depth • 200kHz, 12°, plastic, thru-hull mount, depth, temp • 200kHz, 14°, plastic, in-hull mount, depth • 200kHz, 14°, plastic, trolling motor mount, depth, temp Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 7: Installation

    Installation The Fishfinder 250/250C must be properly installed according to the following instructions to get the best possible performance. To complete the installation, you need the appropriate fasteners and tools. Verify that all cables can reach the unit mounting location, and take time to read through these instructions prior to installation.
  • Page 8 The swivel base is designed to be secured using a pan head screw or machine bolt. If you use a screw with a countersunk head, you risk damaging the mounting bracket. Secure the base and attach the mount. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 9 4. To rotate the entire bracket, twist it left or right. The bracket clicks as you turn it. 5. Tighten all knobs once the desired viewing angle is obtained. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ETTING TARTED NSTALLATION Slide the unit onto the bracket.

  • Page 10: Flush Mounting The Fishfinder 250/250C Unit

    TARTED NSTALLATION Flush Mounting the Fishfinder 250/250C Unit The Fishfinder 250/250C can be flush mounted on a flat panel. When flush mounting the Fishfinder 250/250C, choose an appropriately sized location for the unit. Use the Flush Mount Template provided in the box to determine a location. Check that all cables reach the unit mounting location before beginning installation.

  • Page 11: Connecting The Power/Data Cable

    Connecting the Power/Data Cable The power/data cable connects the Fishfinder 250/250C to a 10-35 Volt DC system and provides interface capabilities for connecting external devices. The color code in the diagram (page 9) indicates the appropriate harness connections. If it is necessary to extend the power/data wires, use a wire of comparable size and keep your extension as short as possible.

  • Page 12: Interfacing

    GPS or NMEA capable navigation devices, check with those manufacturers to see if their units accept/store NMEA 0183 SDWPL sentences/waypoints. The Fishfinder 250/250C does not store the actual waypoint. Only the receiving device, if capable, will store the waypoint.
  • Page 13 Electronics Association (NMEA) format and sentences is available for purchase from NMEA at: NMEA Seven Riggs Avenue Severna Park, MD 21146 U.S.A. www.nmea.org Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual (TX COM 2) (RX COM 2) (RX COM 1) To Unit (Blue) Port 1 Data OUT...

  • Page 14: Installing The Transducer

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  • Page 15: Shoot-Thru-Hull Installation

    • The location must not be over any strakes or behind any obstruction on the hull that would create turbulence at speed. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ETTING NOTE: Many modern hulls have a prelocated pocket for shoot-thru-hull transducer installation. If you are unsure if your hull is equipped with a pre-located pocket, contact your hull manufacturer.

  • Page 16: Testing The Installation

    (page 13) and the Fishfinder POWER/BACKLIGHT 250/250C should power on. If the unit fails to power on, verify that the power/data cable is seated properly in the back of the unit, the Red and Black wires are connected to the correct polarity, and the 2-Amp fuse is installed and not blown.

  • Page 17: Basic Operation

    ASIC PERATION Using the Keypad MENU Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC NOTE: Press and release a key to activate its primary function. Pressing and holding a key activates its secondary function (if available). The keypad contains the following keys: ARROW Keys—press to select (highlight) menu options and enter data.

  • Page 18: Using The Sonar Page

    SING THE ONAR Using the Sonar Page The Sonar page is where your Fishfinder 250/250C becomes a powerful fishfinder/flasher. If the unit does not detect a transducer, a “Sonar Turned Off” message is displayed on the Sonar page. If in Simulator mode, a “Running Simulator”...
  • Page 19 The Fish Symbols option (page 22) allows you to find fish by viewing the actual sonar data, a fish symbol or a combination of both. Fish symbols appear as black on the Fishfinder 250 and green on the Fishfinder 250C. When Frequency is set to Dual (page 14), the appearance of the fish symbols (and simulated fish returns) will...

  • Page 20: Using The Adjustment Menu

    Right ARROW keys to scroll through the options. Press the Up or Down ARROW keys to change the current setting or press the ENTER key to review the setting before making changes. Current adjustment setting Normal setting area Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 21: Adjustment Options

    • Zoom—quickly selects a display zoom scale or to split the display. When a scale other than No Zoom is selected, the View or Span options are activated in the Adjustment Menu. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION The Zoom function includes the following seven settings: No Zoom––displays the sonar picture with no zoom.
  • Page 22 • Target Level—adjusts which colors (Fishfinder 250C) or shades of gray (Fishfinder 250) are used to display sonar information. A Color Bar (page 23) is displayed on the right side of the screen as you adjust this setting. A higher percentage results in more strong-signaled colors or shades (page 15) displayed on the Sonar page.
  • Page 23 250C and black on the Fishfinder 250. When set at Normal or 1-100%, this option can be used to better determine bottom hardness. See page 34 for more information on this feature. • Frequency—allows you to choose a sonar operation frequency.

  • Page 24: Pausing The Sonar Page

    4. When finished, move the field highlight back to OK and press ENTER. The unit sends a NMEA WPL sentence to the attached GPS unit or NMEA navigational device (pages 8-9). displayed at the top of the screen. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 25: Using The Main Menu

    ENTER. 2. Highlight the desired setting and press ENTER. 3. Press ADJ/MENU to return to the Sonar display or to cancel data entry. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Graph Tab The Graph tab allows you to determine the appearance of the scrolling graph display and contains unit settings that usually do not require frequent change.
  • Page 26 • Temperature and Water Speed—hides or displays temperature and water speed on the Sonar page. When set to Auto, the unit automatically displays this information only if it is received from the transducer. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual —allows you to...

  • Page 27: Tools Tab

    • Level setting (page 18). Temperature Graph—toggles On or Off the display of a • temperature graph on the Sonar page. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Advanced Data Fields—toggles On or Off the advanced • data fields on the Sonar page.
  • Page 28 fields always arrange below Wide data fields), Remove a data field, or Replace a data field. For Replace, choose a replacement item from the list and press ENTER. 3. Highlight OK and press ENTER to save changes. Modifying a data field Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 29: Temp (Temperature) Tab

    Select Auto to have the unit determine the best range, or select a span of 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 degrees. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Reset (Scale)—resets the scale range for the temperature •...
  • Page 30 ENTER to finish. 5. If you want the alarm to display and beep until acknowledged, highlight the Persist box and press ENTER to place a check mark in the box. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 31: System Tab

    Depth, Water Temp, and Water Speed. Language—select from various languages for the unit’s on- • screen display. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Simulator—lets you simulate unit operation using a Depth • Only, Depth/Temp, Depth/Speed, or Depth/Temp/Speed transducer.

  • Page 32: Units Tab

    Magnetic North using the magnetic variation value received in the RMC NMEA sentence (page 23). Sonar Tab The Sonar tab allows you to initialize settings and calibrations. Main Menu—Sonar tab Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 33 Enter a negative number to compensate for a large vessel that may draw several feet of water. The Keel Offset is reflected in the depth reading. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Transducer at surface...

  • Page 34: Time Tab

    Current Time and Current Date—display current time • and date. Fields will be blank if not receiving a time from an attached GPS. It is not possible to edit these fields. Main Menu—Time tab Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...

  • Page 35: Understanding Sonar

    If you are unfamiliar with basic sonar or need help determining what appears on the graph, this section may benefit you. This section is intended to teach the novice user how the Fishfinder 250/250C operates and how it can help improve fishing productivity.

  • Page 36: Transducer Coverage

    6-foot diameter circle at a 30-foot depth. When using the Fishfinder 250/250C with Frequency set to Dual, the unit alternately transmits 50kHz and 200kHz signals and combines the information. This allows the unit to cover a large area and still retain good bottom resolution.

  • Page 37: Understanding The Graph

    NOTE: Remember that the Fishfinder displays a 2-D picture of the underwater environment. The fish and tree could be located anywhere in the coverage area at that time. Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual ASIC PERATION Example 1...

  • Page 38: Whiteline

    NDERSTANDING ONAR Whiteline The Fishfinder 250/250C can help you to determine if the bottom is hard or soft. When the sonar soundwaves are reflected back by the bottom, a hard bottom returns a stronger signal than a soft bottom. A thin whiteline indicates a softer bottom while a thick whiteline indicates a harder bottom.

  • Page 39: Thermoclines

    One feature unique to Garmin is See-Thru technology. See-Thru ® technology allows the Fishfinder 250/250C to “see” through thermoclines and locate fish where they live—and fish love thermoclines. A rough definition of a thermocline is a break in the water where the temperature changes faster than in the water above it.

  • Page 40: Appendix

    Weight: 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg) Display: (Fishfinder 250) 4.5" diagonal (11.4 cm), 3.2” W x 32” H (8.1 cm x 8.1 cm) high-contrast 10-level grayscale FSTN display with adjustable brightness (320 x 320 pixels) (Fishfinder 250C) 4.5" diagonal (11.4 cm), 3.2” W x 3.2” H (8.1 cm x 8.1 cm) high-contrast, 16-color CSTN display with...

  • Page 41: Messages And Alarms

    Messages and Alarms The Fishfinder 250/250C uses an on-screen alert message system. Press the ENTER key to acknowledge a message. Battery Alarm—The battery’s voltage has fallen below the value entered in the Battery Alarm setup. Battery Voltage High—The input voltage is too high; the unit will shut off.

  • Page 42: Software License Agreement

    OFTWARE ICENSE GREEMENT Software License Agreement BY USING THE FISHFINDER 250/250C, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. Garmin grants you a limited license to use the software embedded in this device (the “Software”) in binary executable form in the normal operation of...
  • Page 43 Garmin dealer for repairs. The Fishfinder 250/250C is fastened shut with screws. Any attempt to open the case to change or modify the unit in any way will void your warranty and may result in permanent damage to the equipment.

  • Page 44: Index

    NMEA 8, 20, 27, 29, 30 NMEA Setup 27 Noise Reject 19 Number Size 22 Packing List 1 Pointer 8, 13, 16, 20, 24 Position Format 28 POWER/BACKLIGHT key 12, 13 Power Up 12 Preface iii Range 17 Registration iii Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 45 Target Level 18 Temperature 22 Temperature Graph 23 Temperature Tab 25 Temperature Units 28 Testing the Installation 12 Time 30 Fishfinder 250/250C Owner’s Manual Timer 26 Time Duration 25 Time Format 30 Time Tab 33 Time Zone 30 Tools Tab 23...
  • Page 46 For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of your Garmin products, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com. © Copyright 2005 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151 Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A. Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

This manual is also suitable for:

Fishfinder 250c

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