Condor 345c df User manual

Operation Manual

2
Introduction
Thank you for choosing our Fish Finder and welcome to the innovations of Condor
Electronics!
Your Fishfinder is a high-quality sonar designed for both professional and novice fisherman
with trouble-free use in a variety of water areas. To familiarize yourself better with the
product’s operation and maximize the utilization, we invite you to read the User’s Manual
carefully.
Carefully read the installation steps and properly mounting the transducer and sonar unit
which will pay off in optimum performance of your Fishfinder.
An improper installation, especially the improper transducer installation may cause your
sonar unit working abnormally or not working at all.
For any possible problems you may encounter during the operation, please switch to the
Trouble shooting section for reference.
WARNING!
This machine works with 12 V power.
It is necessary to get sure that the instrument gets a 12 V power or that the boat
electrical system has an electrical noise suppressor and tension limitator filter.
The absence of this filter or an upper to 12 V power may cause irreparable damages to
the machine and invalidate the warranty.
If the boat electrical system does not have a filter
It is strongly recommended the use of the model
PW-92 electrical noise suppressor and tension limitator filter
All right reserved! Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be
copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior
written consent of Condor Electronics.
Condor Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations, and
special offers at any time. We reserve the right to change or improve our products and to
make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization.
Note: Our company holds the right to update the products, and it is not obligated for our
company to update the former products according the new standard.

3
INDEX
Understand sonar ………………………………….…………..…………………………………………………….……….. 4
No-skipping detection …………………………….………….…………………….……………………………………….. 4
Installation ………………………………………………….……………..…………………………………………………………. 5
Packing list …………………………………………….……….…………………………………………………………………….. 5
Tool List (not included) …………………………….………………………….……………………………………………… 5
Transducer installation …………………………………………….……………..………………………………………... 6
Transom installation …………………………………………………………….……………………………………………. 6
Shoot-thru-hull transducer installation …………………………………………………………………………… 10
The permanent shoot-thru-hull installation …………………..…….……………..………………….……….. 12
Sonar unit installation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Operation ………………………………………………………………………………..…..………………………….………….,… 16
Understanding the Fishfinder screen ……………………….…….………………………….……………… 16
Real time sonar window …………………………………….………..………………………………………………. 16
Keyboard instruction ……………………………………………..…….….……………………………………………. 17
Menu operation ………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………… 18
1. Sonar …………………………………………….……………..……………………………….…….…………………………….. 18
Chart Speed ……………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………. 18
Noise filter ……………………………………………………….………..…..….………………………….…………………. 18
Color Line …………………………………………………….………………….……….……………………………………... 19
Sensitivity ………………………………………………..…….…………………….………………………………….…….… 20
Fish ID. Sens ……………………………………………………………..……….…………………………………………. 21
Water Type ……………………………………….…………….……………..….………………………….…………………. 21
Frequency (only Condor 345c DF) ……………………………………………………………………………... 22
TGC Control ……………………………………………….………………………….……………………………….…….… 23
2. Display …………………………………………………………….…..………………………………………...................……... 24
Depth Range ………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………….. 24
Zoom Range. …………………………………………….……………..……………………………………………….…….. 24
Backlight …………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….…………….. 25
Echo Style …………………………………………………………………………………………….………….…………….. 26
Keel Offset …………………………………………………….…..……………………………………………………………. 26
3. System ……………………………………………………………….………………………………………...................……….. 27
Beeper …………………………………………………….……………….….…………………………………………………... 27
Simulator ………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………… 28
Language …………………………………………………….……………….……………………………………….….…….. 28
System Info …………………………………………………….……………….….…………………………………………... 29
Load Default ………………………………..………………………………………………………………...………………… 29
Temp Sensor ……………………………..…………………………….…………………………………...………………… 30
4. Units ………………………………………………………………….………………….………………………...................……... 30
Temperature ………………………………………………………………………….……………………………..….……… 30
Depth …………………………………….………….……………………………………………………………………………... 31
5. Alarm ……………………………………………….…………….…..……………………………………….................….……... 31
Fish I.D. ………………………………………………………….……………………………………….……………………….. 31
Shallow. …………………………………………….……………………..……………………………………………….…..….. 32
Battery …………………………………………………….……………………………………..……………….….…………….. 33
Trouble shooting ……………………………………………………..….……………………………………………………… 34
Specifications and features ………………………………………….……………………….………………………... 35

4
Understand sonar
If you are familiar with how sonar works, skip ahead
to the next segment. But, if you have never owned
sonar Fishfinder before, this segment will tell you the
basic working theory about sonar.
Based on the sonar technology, the Fishfinder could
detect the underwater condition, including fish,
structure, or bottom. After you finished the
installation of transducer and sonar unit, connect the
sonar unit to the transducer. The transducer sends a
sound wave signal into the water in a cone shape. At
the source, the wave is narrow; however as it
penetrates deeper, the sound wave spreads forming
a cone (think flashlight). The sound wave bounce
back to the transducer when it strikes any object, the
object could be fish, structure, bottom or any other
object with density being different from the water.
The transducer amplifies the return signal and sends it back to the Fishfinder. By
measuring the time between the transmission of the sound wave and when the sound
wave bounce back, the Fishfinder could calculate the distance by the inner microprocessor.
Then the Fishfinder display the information on the screen for you to interpret.
No-skipping detection
Adopted high detecting technique, your fishfinder
has a high detecting precision, which enable a
“No-skipping detection”.
When sonar works, it continually samples the echo at
same interval (for your fishfinder, it is 0.06ms). And
the continuous signals form different sampling point.
The shorter the distance between 2 sampling points
is, the higher precision your fishfinder will be able to
detect minimal object (thinking about the fishing net,
the smaller the hole is, the smaller fish that not being
able to leak).

5
Installation
Do not begin the installation unless you have read the manual instruction carefully, which
contains information critical to the correct installation of your Fishfinder. And for any
problems you meet during the installation, please contact your local dealer for help.
Packing list
Before you install the transducer and sonar unit, please check the Packing List bellow and
make sure you are not missing any items.
A - Sonar unit
B - Bracket
C - Upper twist base
D - Lower twist base
E - Template
F - Locking bolt
G - Pivot bolt
H - Pivot nut
I - 4x15mm screws
J - 3x20mm screws
Tool List (not included):
Hand drill,
5/32” drill bits,
Phillips and flat-head screwdriver,
Pencil
Marine sealant.
2-part, slow-cure epoxy (for shoot-thru-hull transducer installation)

6
TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION
Transom installation
1. Select the mounting location
When you select a mounting location for the transducer, the flowing should be considered
in advance.
The sonar transmission / reception can be affected severely in turbulent water, so please
do not mount transducer behind strakes, rows of rivet, water intake, discharge port, the
immediate area of the propeller(s). These areas can create turbulence when the boat
moves in a high speed.
Do not mount the transducer in locations where it may be vibrate severely when the boat’s
engine launches or stop.
After the installation is finished, make sure the transducer is pointed down straightly to the
water surface.
2. Mark the location and drill the mounting holes
a) Make sure the boat is level and no obvious incline of the shipboard
b) Hold the template against the transom of boat，mark two mounting holes in the two
slots. The center of two holes should be parallel with water surface. Make sure the
distance between the bottom of template and the lower edge of the transom is about
0~5mm. (figure-1)
c) Using a 5/32” bit, drill 2 holes approximate 1” (25mm) deep at the marked location. Be
careful not drilling too deep then 1”.
Figure-1

7
3. Assemble the transducer
a) Slightly spread the pivot and match the transducer to the pivot. The toothed surface
make them not separating easily.
Note: when match the transducer and pivot, please be careful not assembling them
reversedly (see figure-2). a) right b) wrong)
Figure 2 a) b)
b) Put the locking nut into the slot of pivot then insert the pivot bolt, hand-tighten the pivot
bolt.(figure-3)
Note: Do not overtighten the pivot-bolt with Allen wrench, otherwise you will not being
able to adjust the angle of transducer
c) Match the pivot to the template.(figure-4)
Figure-3
Figure-4

8
Note: Do not push the pivot into the bracket. (figure-5)
4. Initial installation of transducer
a) Apply marine sealant to the 4 x 15mm screws and the two holes on transom. Hold the
bracket against transom again slightly tighten the template by two 4 x 15 mm screws
(figure-6).
Note: Do not over tighten, otherwise you will not being able to adjust the transducer
b) Adjust the template to make it roughly vertical to the water surface，then tighten the two
screws with Allen wrench
c) Press the pivot into the bracket, and then rotate the transducer to make it parallel with
the water surface.
Note: The pivot match the transducer by ratchets and the increment is 12 degree, so in
some situations you may find it impossible to adjust the transducer completely parallel with
the water surface. In this situation a slight inclination downward (1 ~ 5 degree) is
acceptable.
Figure-5
Do not push
the pivot into
the bracket
Figure-6

9
4. Routing the cable
According to the different situation of boat, you could choose to route the transducer
through or over the transom to the sonar unit. If you choose to route the transducer
through the transom to the sonar unit, please follow the steps bellow:
a) hold one cable clamp at the position approximate 1/4 distance from the top of transom
to the transducer, then mark the position with a pencil. Using a 1/8” bit, drill tow holes
approximate 3/8” (10mm) deep.
b) Apply some marine sealant to the hole, and then tighten the cable clamp with two
screws.
c) If more than one cable clamp are needed, repeat step1 and 2
Note: As the transducer is adjustable, make sure the cable between the transducer and
the first clamp is not tighten. Enough slack should be remained; otherwise the
transducer cable is easily damaged. To make sure such damage will not happen please
rotate the transducer to the utmost position before tighten the first cable clamp (see
figure-7).
d) When route the transducer cable to the sonar unit, avoid enwinding the transducer
cable with other electrical wires or some electrical device that may cause interference,
as this will affect the transducer’s transmission / reception of sonar signal.
5. Test the initial installation
To get a better installation of the transducer, we suggest you testing the initial installation
and adjust the transducer according to the test outcome.
Before the test, please make certain you have finished the installation of the sonar unit and
properly connect the transducer cable to the sonar unit. Also make sure the distance
between the transducer and bottom is not beyond the depth capability of your Fishfinder.
a) Power up the sonar unit and see whether there is sonar information on display. If yes, it
means the sonar unit is properly connected to the transducer. If not, please check the
connection between the sonar unit and the transducer.
The template touches the transducer
Figure-7

10
b) First run your boat at a low speed. See the sonar information on the screen. If the sonar
display comes out normal, then speed up your boat. Always observe the sonar display
during the course. If signal losing or abnormal sonar display happens when the boat
run at a certain speed, note the speed of your boat.
c) Adjust the transducer in a small scope and run the boat at the noted speed (step 2).
Then observe the sonar display. If the sonar display is normal, go to the next step. If not,
please adjust the transducer until it comes out normal. If by any means a normal sonar
display can not be obtained, then it is necessary for you to relocate the position of the
transducer.
6. The final installation
a) Make sure the transducer could be completely immersed into water, and then adjust
the location of template on the transom to make the transducer immersed into water as
low as possible. This will make the transducer’s transmission / reception being affected
by the whirlpool at the smallest extent when the boat runs at a high speed.
b) As soon as you believe having found the best mounting location of the transducer,
release the pivot from the template, then mark the third hold with a pencil (see
figure-8).
c) Using a 5/32” bit, drill a hole appreciated 1” (25mm) deep at the marked position.
d) Apply some marine sealant in three holes and hold the template against the transom.
After you are certain the installation is completely in line with the mounting location
which you got at step 4, then tighten the three screws with Allen wrench.
e) Press the pivot into the template.
Shoot-through-hull transducer installation
Transom installation is the most widely used method to install the transducer. However in
some situation you also could use Shoot-thru-hull transducer installation. Which,
compared with Transom installation, is more convenient and fast. However, considering of
the material of boat and any possible trapped air bubbles in the material, sonar signals will
be slightly reduced when passing through the boat hull.
1. Preparation
The boat hull should be single layer construction, since the sonar signal could not pass
through air.
Figure-8

11
Note: The areas being chosen to mount the transducer should be free from turbulent water.
Any ribs, strakes and other protrusions that may create turbulence should be avoided.
With double-hulled boat, you could make the shoot-thru-hull installation only when some
flotation materials (such as plywood, balsa, wood or foam) are removed from the chosen
area. (figure-9)
Warning: contact your boat dealers to get the full specifications of your boat.And never try
to remove any materials from the inner hull before you completely know about the
composition of your hull.
Chose an appropriate position in the inner hull, then removing the inner layer of fiberglass
and flotation materials, thus the surface of outer hull exposed.
Epoxy the transducer to the outer layer of fiberglass; press the transducer with a slight
twisting motion to purge any trapped air from underneath.
After the epoxy cures for 24hours and be certain that the epoxy is solidified, fill the
remaining space with resin. And then the installation of transducer is finished. With the
shoot-thru-hull installation, the transducer will not be able to adjust as soon as it is fixed. So,
test before final installation is necessary.
2. Find a better mounting location
a) Fill the hull with enough water to submerge the transducer.
b) In the sump of the boat, place the transducer at the identified mounting position, face
down. To make the transducer in position, some heavy object could be used.
c) Turn on the sonar unit, run the boat to water area that the depth is about 20 feet to test
whether the sonar display is normal (if needed, please adjust the sensitivity and depth
range). If not, check the connection between the control head and the transducer.
d) Run the boat at various speed to see the sonar display, if such phenomena appears:
sonar strength obviously decreasing, signal losing, bottom missing, then note the
speed and choose another location for the transducer.
e) Repeat step 4 until you get the best mounting location for the transducer.
The Permanent Shoot-Thru-Hull installation
a) make sure the surface of the chosen location is clear dry and free of any oil, then sand
the mounting surface of transducer with 100 grit sandpaper until it looks very clean and
flat.
b) Wipe off the sand debris on mounting surface with a piece of cloth, and then clean the
Figure-9

12
mounting surface of hull and transducer with rubbing alcohol.
c) Get a quantity of epoxy and hardener, mix them in a certain proportion and thoroughly,
slowly stir them on a paper plate. Avoid forming air bubbles in the epoxy.
d) When the epoxy looks unworkable (about 20 minutes are needed from the beginning
you mixing them), make sure there are no air bubbles in the epoxy layer, then spread a
thin layer of epoxy on the surface of transducer, a comparably thick layer to the surface
of sand area on the hull.
e) Press the transducer into the epoxy of the sanding area on the hull with a slight twisting
motion, forcing any air bubbles out from underneath. Make sure the face of the
transducer will be parallel with the hull after you finish all the above job.
Warning: do not bump the transducer while the epoxy is wet. It will take about 24hous
for the epoxy curing completely.
Note: weight the transducer with some heavy object to prevent it from moving during
the epoxy curing,
When the epoxy cures completely, drain out the remained water from the hull.
f) Route the cable to the control head, and now it’s ready to use.

Sonar unit installation
1. Find a mounting location
W
hen you begin the installation of you Fishfinder, the following should be considered:
a) T
he location should be convenient for your choosing the best viewing angle.
b)
There should be enough room for the
installation is finished. For the detailed dimension, please see the
c) T
here should be enough room behind the sonar unit to route the cable when the
installation is finished. For the detailed dimension, please see the
d)
To get a stable installation, the mounting surface should be flat
it will be very hard to fix the
damage
your Fishfinder when the
13
hen you begin the installation of you Fishfinder, the following should be considered:
he location should be convenient for your choosing the best viewing angle.
There should be enough room for the
sonar unit tilting &
twisting when the
installation is finished. For the detailed dimension, please see the
figure
here should be enough room behind the sonar unit to route the cable when the
installation is finished. For the detailed dimension, please see the
figure
To get a stable installation, the mounting surface should be flat
enough
it will be very hard to fix the
lower twist base. A
nd an instable installation may
your Fishfinder when the
boat encounters
severe wave shock.
hen you begin the installation of you Fishfinder, the following should be considered:
he location should be convenient for your choosing the best viewing angle.
twisting when the
figure
-10.
here should be enough room behind the sonar unit to route the cable when the
figure
.
enough
. Otherwise
nd an instable installation may
severe wave shock.

14
2. Installation of the sonar unit
a) Assemble the bracket
Hold the bracket to match the sonar unit control head
3. Fix the fish finder on the installation surface which you choose before
4. Connect the power cable to the boat
Your Fishfinder include a 1.5m long power cable, which is used to connect to
the
transducer and battery. Properly connect the power cable to the transducer and battery,
then it is ready to use.
Caution: some boats may have 24 or 36 volt electric system, however for your
Fishfinder, only 12 volt electric system could be adopted. Any damage from the surplus
power will void your warranty.
Bracket
Control Head
Locking
knob
2) Assemble the locking knob

15
12 v
BatteryTransducer
Note:for the purpose of minimizing the potential of interference with other electronic
facilities, we suggest you using a separate power source for the sonar unit.
Note:we are not responsible for over-voltage or over-current failures.
For presenting such possible failures happening, we suggest you using a 3Amp fuse.
WARNING!
Every time you power on your boat it is necessary to switch off the instrument and open
up the security interruptor. The tension peaks that come from the alternator may
seriously damage the instrument. The on/off circuit is the first thing that frequently
breaks it, so that the machine will not power on or switch off anymore.
This defect is tipical of a not filtered powering and is not covered by warranty.

16
Operation
Understanding the Fishfinder screen
This chart shows all the information that your Fishfinder display during the operation. The
upcoming sonar information will firstly appears in the Real-time sonar window, and then
scrolls across the screen from right to left. So, what you see on the screen (Fish symbols,
Fish arches, bottom shape, etc) is formed by the sonar history.
The black line at the top of the screen represents the water surface, and the water depth
and Temp will appear at the upper left corner as soon as you turn on the sonar unit and the
transducer was properly connected.
By moving the transducer slowly at a steady speed, you could see the bottom shape
shown at the bottom of the screen.
Real Time Sonar Window
The plot on the screen demonstrates the sonar history, which varies at different
time segment. So, considering the boat and targets may continually move
when the sonar works, the information displayed on the screen only shows the
time segment when the targets were detected.
To understand the display correctly, you could imagine dividing the screen into
many parallel “bands” at vertical direction. Each “band” represents the signals
received by the sonar unit at a particular time. The closer the position of “brand”
to the right side is, the latest signal it represents.
The Real Time Sonar Window shows the instant time segment when the
targets are detected. With the Real Time Sonar window, you could observe the
fastest updating which will show you the instant underwater information,
including depth, bottom, structure, and fish being detected.
Water depth
Water temp
50 kHz fish symbols
200 kHz fish symbols
Bottom shape
Water surface
Real time
sonar window
Instant
sonar returns
Sonar hystory
window
Depth range

17
Keyboard instruction
The Fishfinder sound a tone when you press the key which
means the unit has accepted a command. Your Fishfinder user
interface is designed with 5 easy-to-use keys.
Just by simple operation you could have various on-screen
views and menus.
1. MENU KEY:is used to enter into a menu setting.
2. ENT KEY:is used to confirm option setting.
3. EXIT KEY: is used to exit a menu setting and back to the
superior menu
EXIT key can also be used to “hold” the screen. When the
sonar is working, if the EXIT key is pressed down, a "HOLD" will
display on the lower left screen and the scrolling will stop until
the EXIT is pressed down again.
4. POWER KEY:is used to turn the Fishfinder on or off and
also to adjust the backlight of the screen.
5. −
−−
− ‘MINUS’ KEY : is used to put down the deep range on the sonar screen .
6. + ‘PLUS’ KEY: is used to up the deep range on the sonar screen.
AUTOMATIC RANGE MODE: Pressing both “-” and “+” keys at the same time the unit will
instantly turn into the automatic range mode.
7. UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW KEY: are used to move up or down to select the menu.
8. LEFT ARROW / RIGHT ARROW KEY: are used to move left or right to select the
menu.
The Up Arrow / Down Arrow key are also used to enter into a menu option and increase or
decrease the value.

18
Menu Operation
1. Sonar
Chart Speed
Chart Speed control how fast the sonar information moves across the screen. With the high
speed, you could see more information across the screen; however the fast moving
information makes you feel difficult to interpret the fish details and bottom.
With the low speed, you feel easeful to have enough time to interpret the fish details and
bottom. However the compressed information may cause a little problem for you to
interpret them.
To achieve better images, try adjusting the Chart Speed level to match how fast you are
moving in the actual condition: stationary, drifting slowly or running you boat at different
speed.
To set the Chart Speed:
1) Press Menu to enter into the menu
setting.
2) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select
Sonar Option.
3) Press Right Arrow to enter into
Sonar setting.
4) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select
the Chart Speed option.
5) Press Right / Arrow to enter into
the setting.
6) Press Right / Left Arrow to
increase or decrease the value.
7) Press Ent to confirm the setting.
8) Press Exit to exit from the menu
setting.
Noise Filter
Noise Filter is used to filter the noise from the air or water environment to get a clear
sonar image on the screen.
In many situations, your Fishfinder display will be effected by undesired signal which
maybe caused by your boat engine, turbulence, wiring, or other electrical and mechanical
sources.

19
Such undesired signal will produce unwanted mark on the screen, which may cause a
misunderstanding of the underwater condition.
In such situations when you see too much clutter on the screen, increasing the Noise Filter
will play an effect. The larger the value is, the more unexpected sonar returns will not be
displayed. If the Noise Filter is increased too high, most sonar returns (which maybe fish)
will not be displayed.
In situation while water is clear, try decreasing the Noise Filter, however in situation while
water is turbid, try increasing the Noise Filter will be helpful.
When the water is deep enough, the high value setting may greatly affect or even hinder
your Fishfinder’s performance to find the bottom. So, in deep water, decreasing the Noise
Filter value will be helpful.
Note: in some situations while you have big trouble with noise, try finding and fixing the
interference source, rather than operating your Fishfinder with a very high Noise Filter
value.
Note: there is 9 level and “Auto” option for Noise Filter setting. The setting with
“Auto” or 3~5 level is suitable for most using condition.
To set the Noise Filter:
1) Press Menu to enter into the menu
setting.
2) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select
Sonar Option.
3) Press Right Arrow to enter into
Sonar setting.
4) Use the Up / Down Arrow to select
the Noise Filter option.
5) Press Right / Arrow to enter into the
setting.
6) Press Right / Left Arrow to increase
or decrease the value.
7) Press Ent to confirm the setting.
8) Press Exit to exit from the menu
setting.
Color Line
Color Line is used to distinguish between weak and strong echoes, which is very helpful
for you to know well whether the bottom is hard or soft; and also help you to distinguish
weeds from trees, or fish from structure.

20
Strong sonar returns, such as hard bottom or other relatively hard target, will be display
with brightly colored line. Weak sonar returns, such as soft, muddy or weedy bottom, will
be displayed as lightly colored line.
Color Line is adjustable. Experiment with your unit to find the Color Line setting that's best
for you.
To set the Color Line:
1) Press Menu to enter into the
menu setting.
2) Use the Up / Down Arrow to
select
Sonar Option.
3) Press Right Arrow to enter into
Sonar setting.
4) Use the Up / Down Arrow to
select
the Color Line option.
5) Press Right / Arrow to enter into
the setting.
6) Press Right / Left Arrow to increase or decrease the value.
7) Press Ent to confirm the setting.
8) Press Exit to exit from the menu setting.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity determines how echoes will be
displayed on the screen. Increasing the
sensitivity will make you see more details on
the screen. When you are in deep water,
you have to increase the sensitivity while in
shallow water you have to decrease the
sensitivity.
In most situation, just set sensitivity to “Auto”
will work well.
To set the Sensitivity: