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Pub. 988-0148-831
www.lowrance.com
iFINDER Explorer
Handheld Mapping GPS Receiver
Operation Instructions
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Copyright © 2006 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Lowrance. Any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited. IFINDER Explorer is a trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. ® Lowrance is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Navionics is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc. DURACELL is a
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Table of Contents Section 1: Read Me First!......................................................... 1 Capabilities and Specifications: ................................................... 2 Introduction to GPS, WAAS and EGNOS ................................... 6 How to use this manual: typographical conventions .................. 8 Arrow Keys................................................................................ 8 Keyboard ..............................................................
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Visual Back Trailing............................................................... 36 Navigate a Back Trail............................................................. 37 Clearing or Erasing a Trail .................................................... 38 Power Saving .............................................................................. 38 Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ............................. 39 Switch to Advanced Mode....................................................
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Delete a Route......................................................................... 57 Save GPS Data Files to an MMC............................................... 57 Searching..................................................................................... 58 Trails ........................................................................................... 60 Create and Save a Trail.......................................................... 60 Clear a Trail ..............................
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Auto Satellite Search.................................................................. 72 Check MMC Files and Storage Space........................................ 73 Com Port Configuration ............................................................. 73 Configure NMEA ........................................................................ 74 Use WAAS/EGNOS..................................................................... 75 Coordinate System.................................................
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Delete Trail ........................................................................... 102 New Trail............................................................................... 103 Trail Visible/Invisible and Other Trail Options .................. 103 Units of Measure....................................................................... 103 Section 6: Searching .............................................................105 Selected Item....................................................
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WARNING! A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION. CAUTION When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), a GPS unit will show the shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to the waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not only take advantage of all available navigation tools when traveling to a way- point, but will also visually check to make sure a clear, safe path to the waypoin
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Section 1: Read Me First! How this manual can get you out on the road, fast! Welcome to the exciting world of GPS satellite navigation! We know you're anxious to begin finding your way with this hand-held technol- ogy, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab the batteries and head outside, please give us a moment or two to explain how our manual can help you get the best performance from this remarkable little GPS unit. First, we want to thank you for buying an iFINDER Explorer. Whether y
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The rest of Section 3 contains short, easy-to-scan lessons that follow one another in chronological order. They're all you'll need to know to find your way on the water or in the wilderness quickly. Easy Mode operation will meet the navigation needs of many users. But, after you've learned the basics (or if you already have some GPS experience), you may want to try out some of the iFINDER's many ad- vanced navigation features. That brings us to Section 4, Advanced Mode Operation. After we introd
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Backlighting:.................. White LED screen backlighting for night and low-light viewing. Input power:......................3 volts DC (two 1.5v AA batteries); operates up to 12 hours on batteries when using one-second position updates (longer update rates further extend battery life, but will reduce GPS accu- racy). Cigarette lighter power adapter in- cluded. Case size:......................... 5.6" H x 2.5" W x 0.9" D (142 x 65 x 25 mm); water resistant to IPX-7 standards. Weight:........
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Mapping memory: ......... Up to 1 GB on one MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD (Secure Digital Card.) Position updates: .......... Up to every second. Position points: ............. 1,000 waypoints; 1,000 event marker icons. Graphic symbols for waypoints or event marker icons: ................. 42. Routes:............................. 100; up to 100 waypoints per route. Plot Trails:...................... 99 savable; up to 9,999 points per trail. Man Overboard:............. MOB feature precisely marks m
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nates the weakest signals, then computes its location in relation to the remaining satellites. Once the iFINDER figures its latitude and longi- tude, it plots that position on the moving map shown on the screen. While the screen is updated once a second, your iFINDER is making these in- ternal calculations and determining its position several times a second! The performance doesn't stop there. Stored in the permanent memory of each iFINDER is a basic background map of the entire world. We lock i
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You make your own Custom Map Files with our MapCreate software, but you don't have to. We also sell ready-to-use FreedomMaps. These custom maps are pre-loaded on MMCs. (No computer work required!). The iFINDER automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the MMC or SD Card. To use a custom map, all you need to do is slide an MMC containing a map into the unit. Introduction to GPS, WAAS and EGNOS Well, now you know the basics of how the iFINDER does its work. You might be ready to jump ahe
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A minimum of three satellites are required to determine a 2D fix. The system requires signal reception from three satellites in order to determine a position. This is called a 2D fix. It takes four satellites to determine both position and elevation (your height above sea level — also called altitude). This is called a 3D fix. Remember, the unit must have a clear view of the satellites in order to receive their signals. Unlike radio or television signals, GPS works at very high frequencies. Thes
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There, however, are some fringe areas of the U.S., including parts of Alaska, that do not yet receive robust WAAS coverage. Continued WAAS development is planned to extend WAAS coverage in the years to come. WAAS boosts the accuracy of land GPS navigation, but the system is designed for aircraft. The satellites are in a fixed orbit around the Equator, so they appear very low in the sky to someone on the ground in North America. Aircraft and vessels on open water can get consis- tently good WAAS
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some kind with the menu item. Text that you may need to enter or file names you need to select are shown in italic type, such as trail name. Instructions = Menu Sequences Most functions you perform with the iFINDER are described as a se- quence of keystrokes and selecting menu commands. We've written them in a condensed manner for quick and easy reading. For example, instructions for backtracking a trail in Easy Mode would look like this: 1. Press MENU|↓ to NAVIGATE TRAIL|ENT. 2. Now, let the iF
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Notes 10
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Section 2: Installation & Accessories Power The iFINDER operates from AA batteries or on 3 volts DC using an optional external power cable with a cigarette lighter adapter. When the power cable is used, the iFINDER automatically switches to exter- nal power. If the external power fails, the unit will switch to battery power. Flash memory will keep your stored data safe and accessible for the life of the product. After the unit is turned off, no battery or external power is needed to store your d
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Battery Installation Turn the unit over so that the back is facing you. With your thumb or nail, pull back on the small clip to release the battery cover latch as shown in the following images. Once the latch is released, pull the bat- tery cover out of the grooves in the bottom of the case. Remove the iFINDER battery cover. Install the batteries according to the embossed signs in the battery com- partment. They show the correct polarity. Point the positive pole of the upper battery to the
