DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Preface This handbook describes the Raymarine DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders. Conventions Used Throughout this handbook, the labelled keys are shown in bold capitals; for example, MENU. The software menu names and options are shown in normal capitals;...
Raymarine DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders are intended for recreational fishfinding. EMC Conformance All Raymarine equipment and accessories are designed to the best industry standards for use in the recreational marine environment. Their design and manufacture conforms to the appropriate Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, but correct installation is required to ensure that performance is not compromised.
DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders • Raymarine specified cables are used. Cutting and rejoining these cables can compromise EMC performance and must be avoided unless doing so is detailed in the installation manual. • If a suppression ferrite is attached to a cable, this ferrite should not be removed.
Raymarine Products and Services Raymarine products are supported by a network of Authorized Service Representatives. Raymarine’s Technical Services representatives or your local dealer will be available to answer any questions you may have. For information on Raymarine products and services, contact either of the...
Warranty ...iii Important Information ...iv Intended Use ... iv EMC Conformance ... iv Safety Notices ... v Raymarine Products and Services ... vi Chapter 1: Overview ...1 1.1 Introduction ... 1 Features ... 2 General ... 3 Transducer ... 3 Chapter 2: Installation ...5...
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Chapter 4: Main Menu ...25 4.1 Introduction ... 25 Selecting MENU Items ... 25 4.2 Fishfinder Operation Controls ... 29 Scroll Speed ... 30 Range ... 30 Frequency ... 32 A-Scope ... 33 GAIN MODE..34 GAIN ... 35 Color Gain ...
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EMC Servicing and Safety Guidelines ... 64 7.2 Problem Solving ... 65 Common Problems and Their Solutions ... 65 7.3 How to Contact Raymarine ... 66 On the Internet ... 66 Customer Support ... 66 In the US ... 66 Accessories and Parts ...
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DS400 and DS500 Digital Fishfinders Worldwide Support ... 68 Appendix A: Specifications ...69 Index ...71...
Chapter 1: Overview Chapter 1: Overview 1.1 Introduction This handbook describes the DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders. The DS400/500X feature state-of-the-art High Definition Fish Imaging (HDFI) technology. Constantly adjusting transmitter and receiver parameters throughout the water column, the DS400/500X intelligently analyzes fish and bottom echoes and automatically produces a crystal clear echo sounder display.
This provides superior fish and bottom detection in all water conditions. Features • DS500X: 5" Transmissive High Brightness TFT Color LCD DS400X: 3.5" Transflective Daylight Viewable TFT Color LCD • ¼ VGA 76,800 Pixel Display Resolution • Patented Digital HDFI Technology •...
The DS400/500X requires a transducer for measuring water depth, water temperature, distance traveled, and speed. A transducer is included with some fishfinder models. It is important to position your transducer correctly. Details on your transducer, including location and installation instructions,...
Table 2-1: Supplied Parts Item One of the following units: DS400X Digital Fishfinder without Transducer, US version DS400X Digital Fishfinder without Transducer, CE version DS500X Digital Fishfinder without Transducer, US version DS500X Digital Fishfinder without Transducer, CE version...
Table 2-3: Transducer Parts Item Transducer Adapter Cable for L365/L470 Style Transducers Transducer Adapter Cable for hsb Transom Mount Transducer for DS400X/DS500X/DS600X (P58) Bronze Thru-hull Transducer for DS400X/DS500X/DS600X (B744V) 2.3 Selecting the Equipment Location Mounting Location The DS400/500X is waterproof to IPX7 is and designed to be mounted either above or below deck.
Power/NMEA cable, supplied with the unit. This 5 ft (1.5 m) cable has a connector plug at one end for connecting to the fishfinder, and 3 wires at the other end for connecting the power supply. The power cable may be extended by up to 60 ft (20 m) using a wire gauge of AWG 12 or greater.
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If the transducer cable is cut, it must be replaced—it cannot be repaired. Cutting the cable will also void the warranty. 5.88 in (149.4 mm) 5.12 in (130 mm) Figure 2-1: DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders 3.46 in (88 mm) 2.70 in 2.28 in (68.6 mm) (57.9 mm) 2.28 in...
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Chapter 2: Installation 2.99 in (76 mm) 5.88 in (149.4 mm) 3.46 in (88 mm) 3.08 in (78.3 mm) 2.83 2.66 in (72 m (67.6 mm) 2.66 in (67.6 mm) 6.37 in 3.81 in 1.68 in (161.8 mm) (96.7 mm) (42.7 mm) 6.22 in (158 mm)
2. Check the selected location for the unit. A clear, flat area is required. DS400X: allow at least 5½" (140 mm) wide by 4¾" in (120 mm) high, with at least 3½" (89 mm) of clearance behind the panel.
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6. Drill four 3/16" (5 mm) holes as indicated on the template. 7. Hand tighten the studs into the holes provided at the rear of the unit. 8. Place the gasket on the rear of the fishfinder. 9. Run the Power/NMEA cable and transducer cables through the back of the cutout and connect to the unit.
The cable connector (viewed from the outside) is shown in the following drawing. Figure 2-5: The exposed wires on the open end of the cable should be connected as follows: DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Transducer Power/NMEA DS400/500X Connector Panel pin1...
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Chapter 2: Installation Pin No. Function Battery negative – Battery positive + (10.0VDC to 18.0VDC) NMEA Input + NMEA Input – CGND NMEA Output + NMEA Output – The red wire connects to the feed from the positive (+) battery terminal and the black wire connects to the feed from the negative (–) battery terminal.
WARNING: Removing the transducer cable from the rear of the DS400/500X while the fishfinder is powered on can cause sparks. Only remove the transducer cable after power has been removed from the DS400/500X. If the transducer cable is accidentally removed while the DS400/500X is powered on, remove power from the fishfinder, replace the transducer cable, and then restore power.
Details on setting up your DS400/500X and display are given in Chapter 6. 3.3 Simulator Mode If you have not fully installed the fishfinder, you can still operate in Simulator mode by connecting the fishfinder to a 12VDC power supply.
Figure 3-1: 3.4 LCD Display When you first switch on the fishfinder, the scrolling bottom graph, or Fishfinder Page, is displayed. This is a graphical representation of the echoes seen by the DS400/500X. As time passes, this display scrolls from right to left and becomes a record of the echoes seen.
The digital sounder provides controls to reduce the background noise and to adjust the way in which echoes of different strengths are displayed. Typical Fishfinder Display Screen Bottom of transducer Depth markers...
44. The size of the target The larger the target, the larger the return on the fishfinder display. The size of a fish target is however dependent upon the size of the fish’s swim bladder rather than its overall size.
Chapter 3: Getting Started 3.6 Keypad Operation The DS400X and DS500X have six control keys. Figure 3-3: ENTER ENTER Pressing this key when a Menu box is displayed selects the menu item currently highlighted. When no Menu box is open, pressing this key places the Variable Range Marker (VRM).
Press again to return to the Fishfinder Page, or scrolling bottom graph display. Press to turn on the fishfinder. Press and hold for three seconds to turn unit off. Press and release as a shortcut to the DISPLAY SET UP... menu.
ENTER Figure 3-4: 3.8 Selecting the Display Page The DS400X and DS500X Fishfinders provide you with three Display Pages for presenting information. • Fishfinder Page Displays sounder data. This is the default screen; it appears when you first power on the unit.
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Press 26°15:512 W 080°04:664 26°16:322 W 080°03:846 00 :16 1 . 25 4:01:38 10/12/2004 Figure 3-5: to return to Fishfinder Screen Press to display Nav Data Display Pages DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Press to display Temp Screen Minutes D6634-1...
Chapter 4. Display Setup functions are described in Chapter 5. Sounder Setup functions are described in Chapter 6. Menu Structure Following is a diagram of the A Series Fishfinder menu structure. MAIN MENU MAIN MENU Accessing the Main Menu...
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ALARMS SOUNDER SETUP UNITS NMEA-OUT SETUP Language Key Beep Key Help Depth Offset Speed Calibrate Temp Calibrate Sounder Simulator DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Selection Temperature Background Color Auto Scroll LAT/LONG Analog Gauges Waypoint RNG/BRG Bearing Mode Time Offset Time Format...
Chapter 4: Main Menu 4.1 Introduction This chapter provides basic menu functions for using the DS400/500X Digital Fishfinder. More detailed information on using the Display controls and sounder setup is provided in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6, respectively. Selecting MENU Items This section provides an example of how to browse through the Main Menu by demonstrating how to make a change to the Gain setting.
4. To edit the highlighted menu item, press the trackpad < or > keys to scroll through the available options. Once the item is changed, the change is accepted; you need not use the ENTER key to select. DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders MAIN MENU MAIN MENU...
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Chapter 4: Main Menu 5. For some numerical settings you will press the ENTER key to select and then use the trackpad to increment or decrement the value. For example, to change a manual setting: i. Use the trackpad to browse to MANUAL. ii.
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MODE..., for example) contains sub-menus. Use the trackpad keys to scroll through the sub-menus. MAIN MENU MAIN MENU DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders ARROW and ENTER key-help symbols prompting you to use Trackpad and ENTER keys to change this menu item.
Chapter 4: Main Menu 4.2 Fishfinder Operation Controls The fishfinder operation menu items are outlined in Table 4-1 . Table 4-1: Fishfinder Menu Items Menu Scroll Speed Range Frequency A-Scope GAIN MODE... Sub-Menu Options — PAUSED — AUTOMATIC, MANUAL —...
Sub-Menu Options View OFF, SPLIT, FULL SCREEN Zoom X Mode AUTOMATIC, MANUAL — QUIT = no ENTER = yes Chapter 5 (See Chapter 6 DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Default AUTOMATIC —...
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Chapter 4: Main Menu The range mode must be set to MANUAL before the range will change. Press UP, DOWN, or MENU. Pressing field in the MAIN MENU so you can make the change if desired. If you wish to remain in Automatic Range mode, press QUIT.
The DS400/500X can automatically select the appropriate frequency, based on the current display range. As the depth increases while in Auto Frequency mode, the fishfinder shifts from 200 kHz to 50 kHz. As the depth decreases, the fishfinder switches from 50 kHz to 200 kHz.
Chapter 4: Main Menu A-Scope Use the A-Scope screen to show raw sonar data directly from the transducer beam. This gives you a “real time” image of fish and bottom structure directly below the transducer. This function is very useful in showing the strength of the echo returned from a fish.
Note: Automatic Gain settings take advantage of the hardware’s advanced digital technology. As a result, the sounder typically performs better in auto- matic mode than manual. For better performance Raymarine recommends selecting AUTO mode for all Gain options. Note that this menu item is in all caps and in followed by an ellipsis (...). This is an indicator that the setting contains sub-menus.
Chapter 4: Main Menu GAIN The gain, or sensitivity, of the display adjusts background noise by varying echo strength for display. The value of the gain control determines the strength above which echoes are displayed. If the gain is low only the strongest echoes are displayed.
Increasing the TVG value increases the maximum depth to which TVG is applied. Decreasing reduces the maximum depth. Although you can manually set the TVG level, Raymarine recommends letting the unit choose the proper level for you by selecting AUTOMATIC.
Chapter 4: Main Menu Second Echo Rejection A so-called “second echo” can caused by the sonar signal returning from the bottom, reflecting off the water’s surface, bouncing off the bottom again and returning. This option helps eliminate identifying a false bottom. Select from the following: OFF, which offers no rejection •...
FULL SCREEN zooms the entire screen. • Note: If also displaying dual frequencies, the zoomed image is displayed ful- ly in both frequency windows. Figure 4-3: DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Zoom with Split Screen D6641-1...
Chapter 4: Main Menu Zoom x2, x3, x4 Magnification This parameter sets the level of display magnification. The greater the zoom, the smaller the area you are viewing, so the smaller the Zoom Range Bar. Select from: • • • Mode AUTOMATIC adjusts the position of the zoom window so that bottom •...
5.1 Introduction This chapter will help you to become familiar with the functions of the display’s controls. A general discussion of the fishfinder’s menu items was provided in Chapter 4. Information on setting up the sounder is provided in Chapter 6.
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Figure 5-1: DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders MAIN MENU MAIN MENU MENU MAIN MENU MAIN MENU DISPLAY SET UP DISPLAY SET UP ENTER Accessing Display Set Up Menu Items...
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Chapter 5: Display Set Up The Display Set Up menu items are listed in Table 5-1 and then described following that. Table 5-1: DISPLAY SET UP... Menu Menu Brightness Target Depth ID Depth Digit Size Transparent Menu PALETTE... DATA ITEMS... NAV.
Options OFF, Bearing Mode TRUE, MAGNETIC Time Offset UTC, –13 to +13 hours Time Format 12 HOUR, 24 HOUR Time OFF, ALARM CLOCK OFF, Date Format MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY Date OFF, DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Default TRUE 12 HOUR MM/DD/YY...
Chapter 5: Display Set Up 44.2 Figure 5-2: Depth Digit Size This setting controls the size of the digital depth readout at the lower left of the screen. Choose from the following: LARGE (default) • SMALL • Transparent Menu This option removes the background white from the menu dialog box, enabling you to see data that would normally be hidden.
(high brightness level) or at night (low brightness level). Selection Select the optimal color scheme for your lighting conditions: CLASSIC (default) • SUNBURST • GRAYSCALE • INV. GRAY • COPPER • NIGHT VISION • DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders DISPLAY SET UP DISPLAY SET UP Transparent Menu D6901-1...
Chapter 5: Display Set Up Background Color When the CLASSIC palette is selected, you can also choose the background color used. Three colors are available for the sonar display background – black, white and blue. You will probably find that you need to change the background color in different light conditions.
Note: When analog gauges are selected, the Navigation Items cannot be dis- played on the Fishfinder page. You must switch to the Nav Data page using the PAGE key to view that information. Figure 5-4: NAV. SET UP... (Navigation Data) Similar to Data Items, this is a list of navigation data you can display on the screen as separate data items.
• Display ON or OFF Note: When analog gauges are selected as Data Items, the Navigation Items cannot be displayed on the Fishfinder page. You must switch to the Nav Data page using the PAGE key to view this information.
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DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders D6903-1 Figure 5-5: Displaying Navigation Data...
Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up 6.1 Introduction Once you have installed your DS400X or DS500X and are familiar with its basic operation, you need to set it up so that it displays information according to your preferences. The SYSTEM SET UP option enables you to set up your system configuration and personal preferences.
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Figure 6-1: DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders MAIN MENU MAIN MENU MENU MAIN MENU MAIN MENU SOUNDER SET UP SOUNDER SET UP ENTER Accessing Sounder Set Up Menu Items...
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Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up The following table lists the setup menus and their options and shows the factory default setting. Each parameter is described in the following subsections. Table 6-1: SOUNDER SET UP... Menu Items Menu Sub-Menu ALARMS... Fish Alarm Shallow Alarm Shallow Range Deep Alarm...
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MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY 12 HOUR, 24 HOUR OFF, — ENGLISH (UK), ENGLISH (US), DANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, DUTCH, ICELANDIC, ITALIAN, NOWEGIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, SWEDISH, FINNISH — — DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Default KNOTS NAUTICAL MILES TRUE MM/DD/YY 12 HOUR ENGLISH (US)
Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up Menu Sub-Menu Depth Offset Speed Calibrate Temp Calibrate Sounder Simulator ALARMS... This menu group is used to set up alarms that are available to alert you of certain conditions. Each alarm can be toggled ON and OFF and you set the threshold at which the alarms are triggered, except for the fish and battery voltage alarms.
DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders 41 40 44.2 D6900-1 Figure 6-2: FISH & DEPTH Target Depth IDs Fish Alarm If this alarm is ON, the unit sounds a beeper whenever it finds a fish. The default setting is OFF. Shallow Alarm...
Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up Deep Alarm If this alarm is ON and the depth below the boat is greater than the value set using the Deep Range setting, the beeper sounds and moving arrow indicators point to the digital depth display. You cannot set the deep alarm to be shallower than the shallow alarm.
4. Press the < or > trackpad key to decrement/increment the alarm time. 5. When the time at which you want the alarm to sound is displayed, press ENTER again. The word ON and the time are highlighted again. The alarm is set. DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders -or- 71.9 Indicator scrolling...
Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up 6. When the alarm clock sounds, it is accompanied by a message box labeled ALARM CLOCK displaying the time. The default setting is OFF. Figure 6-5: UNITS... You can set the units for each system parameter. The units you set will be used to display all data, including information received from other instruments on the system.
OFF. The following table displays the available NMEA sentences and their meanings. Table 6-2: NMEA Sentences Sentence DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders Meaning Bearing & Distance to Waypoint Bearing & Distance to Waypoint – Rhumb Line Depth Below Transducer Depth Geographic Position –...
Chapter 6: Sounder Set Up Language Select the language in which you wish information to be displayed. The selected language will be used for all screen text. Select from the following: ENGLISH (UK) • ENGLISH (US) (default) • DANISH • FRENCH •...
This area is informational only; it is not editable. SW Version displays the software version of the DS400/500X. Serial Number displays the serial number of the DS400/500X, which should also be marked on the label on the rear of the unit. DS400X and DS500X Digital Fishfinders...
Chapter 7: Maintenance and Problem Solving Chapter 7: Maintenance and Problem Solving This chapter provides information on routine maintenance and on possible causes of problems you may experience with your DS400/500X. 7.1 Maintenance CAUTION: This unit contains high voltage. Adjustments require specialized service procedures and tools only available to qualified service technicians - there are no user serviceable parts or adjustments and the operator should not attempt to service the equipment.
To minimize these effects and enable you to get the best possible perfor- mance from your Raymarine equipment, guidelines are given in the installation instructions, to enable you to ensure minimum interaction between different items of equipment, i.e.
Chapter 7: Maintenance and Problem Solving 7.2 Problem Solving All Raymarine products are, prior to packing and shipping, subjected to comprehensive test and quality assurance programs. However, if this unit should develop a fault, please refer to the following table to identify the most likely cause and the corrective action required to restore normal operation.
Clicking the Find Answers link routes you to our solution database. Search questions and answers by product, category, keywords, or phrases. If the answer you are seeking is not available, click the Ask Raymarine tab to submit your own question to our technical support staff, who will reply to you by e-mail.
Technical Service is available Monday through Friday 4:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Please have the Raymarine item or part number ready when calling if placing an order. If you are not sure which item is appropriate for your unit, you...
Accessories and Parts Raymarine accessory items and parts are available through your authorized Raymarine dealer. Please refer to the lists of component part numbers and optional accessories in the Installation chapter of this manual and have the Raymarine part number ready when speaking with your dealer.
Appendix A: Specifications Appendix A: Specifications General Size DS400X DS500X Weight DS400X DS500X Environmental Power Input Mounting Controls Display Display type DS400X DS500X Interface Connector Sounder Output Power: Frequency Pulse Length Max. Transmit Rate Depth Conforms to 89/336/EEC (EMC) H x W x D, excluding mounting bracket 4.45 x 5.12 x 2.7 in (113 x 130 x 68.6 mm)
Index Accessories 6 Obtaining 66 Alarm Clock 49 Alarms 55 Alarm Clock 58 Deep Alarm 57 Deep Range 57 Fish Alarm 56 Shallow Alarm 56 Shallow Range 56 Target Depth ID 55 Temp Alarm 57 Temp Range 58 Analog Gauges 47 A-Scope 33 Auto Scroll 47 Background Color 47...
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Color Gain 35 Gain Mode 34 Int Rej 36 Max Ping Rate 37 Power 37 Second Echo Rejection 37 TVG 36 Help from Raymarine 66 Installation 5 Cables 7 EMC Guidelines 5 Location 6 Mounting 10 Int Rej 36 Key Beep 61...
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Power 37 Cable 12 Connection 12 Power on 15 PWR key 20 QUIT key 20 Range 30 Range and Bearing 49 Raymarine Addresses 67 Phone numbers 67 Website 66 Repair 67 RNG/BRG 49 Routine Checks 63 Safety EMC Guidelines 5...
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Speed 47 Speed Calibrate 62 Speed Units 59 Supplied Parts 5 System Connections 12 Target Depth ID 44 Target Indications 18 Technical Support 67 Temp Alarm 57 Temp Calibrate 62 Temp Graph Page 20 Temp Range 58 Temp Units 59 Temperature 47 Time Format 49 Time Offset 49...
1. Limited Product Warranty Raymarine warrants that all of its products, in the course of normal use, will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 2 years (24 months) from date of sale to the original owner, subject to the limitations set forth in this warranty.
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If repairs are necessary under the warranty, the affected product must be forwarded to a Ray- marine facility or an approved Raymarine service agent, at owner’s expense in a manner set forth in part 3 hereof.
Factory Service Centers United States of America Raymarine Inc 22 Cotton Road, Unit D Nashua, NH 03063-4219, USA Telephone: +1 603 881 5200 Fax: +1 603 864 4756 www.raymarine.com Sales & Order Services Telephone: +1 800 539 5539 Ext. 2333 or +1 603 881 5200 Ext.
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