Features described and illustrated in this guide may vary from your unit due to continuous development of the software. For the latest version of this document in supported languages, and other related documentation, visit: www.lowrance.com/downloads/recon or www.simrad-yachting.com/downloads/recon. Contact us For product support and service information, visit: www.lowrance.com/contact-us or www.simrad-yachting.com/contact-us.
INTRODUCTION This manual is a guide for operating the Recon trolling motor. For information related to installing the trolling motor, refer to the Recon Installation Manual. SYSTEM COMPONENTS Recon trolling motor (deployed) Head Cam lock depth collar Steering transmission Column Nose cone Lower unit Skeg...
FreeSteer joystick remote The trolling motor can be configured, calibrated, and operated using the FreeSteer Joystick Remote. Joystick Power ON/OFF / Menu Anchor lock ON/OFF Propeller speed increase Propeller speed decrease LCD display Lanyard attachment In-mode soft key Propeller ON/OFF / Cancel all Autopilot ON/OFF Programmable keys Battery cover M Battery cover lock Advanced wireless foot pedal The trolling motor can be calibrated and operated using the Advanced Wireless Foot Pedal.
A multi-function display (MFD) can be used to set up and operate the trolling motor. Compatible MFDs are: • Lowrance HDS Pro, HDS Live, HDS Carbon or Elite FS on the latest software • Simrad NSX, NSSevo3S or NSOevo3S on the latest software ®...
® ® motor status, and view diagnostic error codes and descriptions. ¼ Note: Your trolling motor can only be registered to one mobile app account. Alternatively, you can register your trolling motor by completing the form at www.lowrance.com/mfdreg or www.simrad-yachting.com/mfdreg.
SAFETY: READ BEFORE OPERATION Boater’s responsibilities The operator (driver) is responsible for the correct and safe operation of the boat and safety of its occupants and general public. It is strongly recommended that each operator (driver) read and understand this entire manual before operating the trolling motor. Ensure at least one additional person on board is instructed in the basic operation of the trolling motor in case the driver is unable to operate the boat.
TURN ON AND CONNECT These procedures assume your trolling motor has already been installed and wired according to instructions in the Recon Installation Manual. Turn on trolling motor The trolling motor will turn on automatically as soon as power is supplied to it. The trolling motor sounds three quick tones, and all its LEDs illuminate blue as it powers up.
Turn on remote Press and hold the menu key on the top right of the remote (A) to turn on the FreeSteer remote. ¼ Note: Press and release the same key to display the main menu. To turn off the remote, press and hold the menu key (A) again. Power ON/OFF and Menu key Joystick Ready for operation...
Turn on foot pedal If your foot pedal is wired to a 12 V supply, it will turn on automatically as soon as the power supply is connected. If you are using AA batteries to power the foot pedal, press and release the power key (A) under the heel end of the foot pedal to turn on the foot pedal.
Pair devices ⚠ WARNING: Using unapproved accessories to control your motor may cause damage, unexpected motor operation, and/or injury. Use approved parts and accessories, including controlling devices such as remotes, safely and in the manner directed to avoid accidental or unexpected motor operation.
However, one trolling motor can have more than one Advanced Wireless Foot Pedal paired with it. Mobile device To pair a mobile device running the Lowrance or Simrad app to the trolling motor, open the app and follow ®...
Status indicator LEDs and tones The trolling motor uses a range of tones and indicator lights to signal its current status. LEDs and audible tones on trolling motor STATUS MODE Indicator LED on trolling motor head STATUS LED MODE LED Audible tones Blue head STATUS (left) LED...
Audible tones Blue head STATUS (left) LED MODE (right) LED Meaning indicator light on mount on mount Two short tones None None None Requested action (descending) declined Single long tone None Both red, flashing between left/right Fault None Blue, slow flash Both white, flashing between left/right Software update is in progress None None Cyan (blue-green)
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LED on foot pedal There is a status LED on the left top surface of the foot pedal. Foot pedal LED Meaning Sequence when foot Blue, two quick flashes Foot pedal is powering up pedal turns on Green or orange or red Foot pedal power supply: Green: Foot pedal power supply is good (greater than 40%) Orange: Less than 40%...
DEPLOY AND STOW Deploy trolling motor Unlock the cam lock depth collar by folding back the locking lever (A). Slide the cam lock depth collar away from the steering transmission, re-locking it part way up the column (B). Hold the trolling motor by its column or under its head, and press down on the stow/deploy release lever (C, above).
Adjust motor depth Use the cam lock depth collar (A) on the trolling motor column to adjust the motor depth. Optimal depth of the lower unit depends on the boat type, water conditions, and the underwater terrain. If you hear the propeller blades splashing against the water surface, or cavitating, lower the lower unit.
Raise or lower the trolling motor to the desired depth. Guide the cam lock depth collar down to rest against the transmission (grip the collar from its base, not by its locking lever). Close the cam lock depth collar to secure the lower unit at the desired depth. Stow trolling motor ⚠...
As the trolling motor column approches the mount, release the stow/deploy lever so that the latch can secure the lower unit in the mount cradle. When the trolling motor is stowed parallel to the boat deck, unlock the cam lock depth collar (A). Guide the unlocked cam lock depth collar down the column, and lock it against the transmission (B).
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Use a 5/32 (4 mm) Allen key to remove the depth collar bolt (A) securing the collar (B). Separate the locking lever (C) from the collar. Take care not to lose the metal barrel that’s free to move inside the locking lever. Flip the locking lever 180°...
SETTINGS Use any of the following devices to configure your trolling motor’s basic settings: • FreeSteer Joystick Remote • Mobile device with the Lowrance or Simrad ® • Compatible multi-function display (MFD). ¼ Note: Always ensure your MFD software is up to date, and refer to the MFD's documentation for details. The device you are using to configure settings must be powered on and connected to the trolling motor.
Stow direction The trolling motor rotates to the stow direction configured for the lower unit when the stow/deploy release lever is pressed while the trolling motor is deployed. Prop out: The propeller is on the port side of the mount when the trolling motor is stowed. • Prop in: The propeller is on the starboard side of the mount when the trolling motor is stowed. •...
Prop auto on This setting automatically engages the propeller when you enter an Autopilot mode. The setting is disabled by default. Prop auto on enabled. If the propeller is not engaged when you enter an Autopilot mode, the propeller • engages automatically.
CALIBRATION Before operating the trolling motor for the first time, it's essential to undertake some calibration procedures. Failure to complete basic calibration may result in your trolling motor and steering not functioning as expected. ⚠ WARNING: Do not operate the propeller when the trolling motor is out of the water. The lower unit will move during calibration. Calibrate bow offset The bow offset calibration establishes the straight-ahead direction for the trolling motor, even if the trolling motor is mounted at an angle to the bow.
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Mobile app Ensure the trolling motor and your mobile device are powered on and connected with each other. app on your mobile device, and navigate to My devices. Open the Lowrance or Simrad ® Select your trolling motor from the list of devices stored against your profile. When the trolling motor home screen opens, open the Settings menu and navigate to Calibration.
Calibrate compass The trolling motor’s compass is inside the trolling motor head. Perform the compass calibration when: • You first use the trolling motor after installation • Your boating location has changed significantly (for example, if you have moved countries) because the magnetic deviation varies at different locations on Earth • You have performed a factory reset on the trolling motor. The trolling motor must be powered on and connected (via Bluetooth ®...
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Mobile app Ensure the trolling motor and your mobile device are powered on and connected with each other. app on your mobile device, and navigate to My devices. Open the Lowrance or Simrad ® Select your trolling motor from the list of devices stored against your profile. When the trolling motor home screen opens, open the Settings menu and navigate to Calibration.
FREESTEER JOYSTICK REMOTE The joystick offers both traditional keypad-style steering, and proportional 360° steering (FreeSteer). FreeSteer Move and hold the joystick to enter FreeSteer from any trolling motor mode. With FreeSteer, joystick motion is not confined to forward-back-left-right. To adjust direction, simply move and hold the joystick anywhere on the joystick’s 360° horizon, and the trolling motor lower unit turns to match the direction of the joystick.
Traditional steering Tap and release the joystick horizontally left or right to adjust the direction of the lower unit in small steps. Move and hold the joystick horizontally left or right to turn the lower unit continuously. The unit will continue turning until it reaches the maximum steering angle. Traditional steering: tap and release Traditional steering: move and hold left or right...
Remote keys Power ON/OFF and Menu • Press and hold to turn the remote on or off. • Press and release to open the main menu. Joystick • Use the joystick to change direction with FreeSteer (360° steering) or traditional (left-right) steering.
Menu navigation When a menu is open: • Move the joystick forward or back to select options in the menu. Center-press and release the joystick to open or enable a selected option. • Press and release the menu key to close the menu and return to the main status screen. ¼...
Remote settings To configure settings for the FreeSteer remote: Press and hold the menu key on the remote to turn on the remote. ¼ Note: The status Disconnected displays if the remote is not connected to the trolling motor. When disconnected, you are able to access the menu and settings for the remote, however, you cannot calibrate the trolling motor.
Soft key The soft key (A) under the LCD screen provides quick access to in-mode functions. The action of the soft key depends on the mode. A word or symbol displayed on the LCD screen above the soft key shows the current action of the soft key. Icon Function of soft key Notes...
Lock remote When the trolling motor is in Manual mode, you can lock the keys on the remote to prevent accidental inputs. While the remote keys are locked: • The menu key still functions, and you can use the joystick as usual to navigate menus. •...
TROLLING MOTOR OPERATION The trolling motor must be deployed in order to operate. The trolling motor can be operated with: • The FreeSteer Joystick Remote • The Advanced Wireless Foot Pedal • A compatible multi-function display (MFD) on the same NMEA 2000 network as the trolling motor ®...
MANUAL MODE In Manual mode, you control the trolling motor as required to change the direction and speed of the boat. Engage/disengage propeller with remote Press and release the propeller key to engage the propeller. Press and release the propeller key again to disengage the propeller.
Engage/disengage propeller with foot pedal To engage the propeller, press and hold the momentary switch (A) at the toe end of the foot pedal. The propeller is engaged as long as the momentary switch is pressed (provided the speed knob, (B) is not in the OFF position).
Lower key module on foot pedal The keys (E, F, G) on the lower key module of the Advanced Wireless Foot Pedal have steering functions programmed by default. ¼ Note: The three keys (E, F, G) on the lower key module can be reprogrammed, changing their functions. ¼...
MFD for more information. ¼ Note: Visit www.lowrance.com or www.simrad-yachting.com to ensure your MFD is compatible and its software is up to date. The trolling motor and MFD must be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network.
Adjust position in Anchor lock mode When in Anchor lock mode, Anchor jog using the FreeSteer remote moves the boat in the direction you choose, then resumes Anchor lock at the new position. ¼ Note: The trolling motor must be in Anchor lock mode for Anchor jog to work. Remote Tap and release the joystick in any 45°...
FreeSteeer Anchor jog To move the boat continuously in any direction, move and hold the joystick in the direction you want. This activates FreeSteer Anchor jog. The lower unit will turn to match the direction requested by the joystick, then the propeller speed will increase to move the boat in the requested direction. In FreeSteer Anchor jog, the propeller thrust is proportional to the joystick's position from center.
¼ Note: If you have removed the lower key module from the foot pedal, and not assigned a Propeller constant on key to the foot pedal, you cannot use the foot pedal to pause Anchor lock. ¼ Note: Do not use the momentary switch on the foot pedal to pause the propeller; its function in Anchor lock mode is to STOP Anchor lock.
Autopilot modes (Course lock and Heading lock) ⚠ WARNING: Avoid serious injury from colliding with other boats, running aground, or striking objects in the water. The Autopilot system cannot detect other boats, shallow water, or objects in the water. Always beware of possible obstructions to navigation when navigating or operating in Autopilot modes.
• Switch between Cruise Control mode (fixed speed over ground) or propeller thrust percentage • Pause the propeller while ‘remembering’ the steering instructions. Start Autopilot mode When you start an Autopilot mode, the trolling motor uses the present direction of the trolling motor lower unit, and uses the present speed. If the Prop auto on function is not enabled, you must engage the propeller manually when entering an Autopilot mode.
Pause propeller in Autopilot mode When the trolling motor is in an Autopilot mode, you can pause the propeller and still ‘remember’ the course (or heading) you were using. This is useful if you have hooked a fish, or identified a hazard where it is prudent to disengage the propeller. ¼ Note: When the propeller is paused in Anchor lock (or Autopilot) modes, the indicator LED on the trolling motor head slowly pulses.
Cruise Control mode Cruise Control mode maintains the vessel’s speed over ground at a constant value. This lets you reproduce your optimum lure-trolling speed, or reproduce the special trolling motor note that seems to attract your favorite species. You can enable Cruise Control when you are engaged in an Autopilot mode, or navigating. When you start Cruise Control mode, the value for the set speed matches the vessel’s speed over ground (SOG).
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Foot pedal Use the remote, a mobile device, or a multi-function display to assign Cruise Control mode to one of the configurable key on the foot pedal. Refer to Assign functions to foot pedal keys on page 53 for instructions. Press and release the key you configured for Cruise Control to start Cruise Control mode. When Cruise Control mode is active, you can adjust the vessel's speed over ground by using the speed control knob on the foot pedal.
NAVIGATION The Recon trolling motor can store 20 waypoints (GPS positions) and 20 routes (recorded trails) in its memory. You can access saved waypoints and routes from the main menu on the FreeSteer remote (refer to pages 50 and 51). ⚠...
Foot pedal To create a waypoint using the foot pedal, you need to have assigned Waypoint to one of the configurable keys on the foot pedal (refer to Assign functions to foot pedal keys on page 53 for instructions). Press and release the key you configured for Waypoint to store a waypoint. Go to waypoint Remote The trolling motor can navigate to waypoints within 400 m (0.25 miles) of your vessel's current position. Press and release the menu key on the remote to open the menu.
¼ Note: Trails recorded by the trolling motor are called Routes when they are saved. The data is exactly the same. Up to 20 routes can be saved on the trolling motor. Follow recorded trail (route) Remote Use the remote to navigate to Menu > Trails. ¼...
Refer to the MFD's documentation for more information. ¼ Note: Visit www.lowrance.com or www.simrad-yachting.com to ensure your MFD is compatible and its software is up to date. ¼...
You can use any of the following connected devices to program the keys on the foot pedal: • FreeSteer Joystick Remote • Mobile device with the Lowrance or Simrad ® • Compatible Lowrance or Simrad multi-function display (MFD).
Mobile app In the app, navigate to My devices > Trolling motor > Settings > Foot pedal. Open each key you want to configure, and assign the key a function from the drop down list (refer to page 54). ¼ Note: Key 1, Key 2, and Key 3 refer to the keys D, E, F respectively in the diagram above, and are located on the upper part of the foot pedal.
Use any of the following connected devices to program the keys on the remote: • FreeSteer joystick remote • Mobile device with the Lowrance or Simrad ® • Compatible Lowrance or Simrad multi-function display (MFD).
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Remote On the remote, navigate to Settings > Remote > Buttons. Select each of Trigger 1 short, Trigger 1 long, Trigger 2 short, Trigger 2 long and assign a function from the drop down list to each one. Mobile app In the app, navigate to My devices >...
Note: Do not disconnect power from the trolling motor while a software update is in progress. Update software via MFD Visit the product page for your trolling motor: www.lowrance.com/downloads/recon or www.simrad-yachting.com/downloads/recon. Download the most recent Recon software to a microSD ®...
FACTORY RESET Factory reset trolling motor When you perform a factory reset on the trolling motor, all settings revert to their factory defaults. • Calibrations, including bow offset calibration and compass calibration, are cleared. • Waypoints and recorded trails (called routes) saved on the trolling motor memory are cleared. •...
Error codes are reported on the mobile app, FreeSteer Joystick Remote, or a connected multi-function display. They can be used to help diagnose issues with the trolling motor. ¼ Note: Use the Lowrance or Simrad ® mobile app to access details about the source of an error code, and suggestions for how to troubleshoot it.
MAINTENANCE To keep your trolling motor in the best operating condition and retain its dependability, your trolling motor must receive periodic inspections and maintenance. Keep it maintained properly to ensure the safety of you and your passengers. Record all maintenance performed and save maintenance work orders and receipts. ⚠...
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Every 100 hours of use or annually (whichever occurs first) Use a marine grease such as Quicksilver 2-4-C with PTFE to lubricate the mechanisms on the trolling motor mount. Loosen the side plate screws from each side of the mount (A). The screws are retained by washers. Remove the side plates from both sides of the mount, taking care not to damage the locating tabs (B) as they leave their slots (C).
If latches on the mount (D, F) start to become rough, worn, or start to make noise, apply a thin coat of Quicksilver 2-4-C with PTFE to the top surface of each latch, on both sides of the mount. Replace the side plates on the mount. Battery inspection The power supply batteries should be inspected at periodic intervals to ensure proper trolling motor operation.
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