Humminbird LAKEMASTER APEX Series User manual

1
introduction
Humminbird® LakeMaster® VX map cards are compatible with HELIX ® G3,
G3N and G4N control heads with chartplotting capabilities and all APEX™
and SOLIX ® control heads. To review the latest compatibility information
and to download a detailed LakeMaster Map Card user guide, visit our Web
site at humminbird.com.
This quick start guide and the LakeMaster user guide contain instructions
that apply to your Humminbird control head(s) as follows:
•APEX Series
•SOLIX Series
•HELIX Series
H LM M C
Your control head is compatible with either an SD card or a microSD
card. It is important to note the following guidelines:
WARNING! Do NOT delete or change the contents of your map card.
Changing the card will permanently damage it.
• Confirm the map card is locked (see the illustrations below).
•Do not force the card into the slot. The card should click easily into place.
• Do not leave the card slot cover open. Close the slot cover to prevent
water damage to the unit.
switch in
locked
position
SD  SD 
microSD card
adapter
microSD
card
®
  
532794-1EN_A

2
getting started
P O
1. Press the POWER key.
2. Choose your startup mode. If you are on the water with GPS
reception, select Normal mode. If you are off the water without GPS
reception, select Simulator mode.
C  C S V
It is important to install the latest software update to enable the
Humminbird LakeMaster map card on your control head.
LakeMaster requires the following software versions:
APEX and SOLIX: 4.040 and later
HELIX: 2.720 and later
To download the latest software, go to our Web site at humminbird.com
and slick Support > Software updates. For complete details about the
software update process, see your control head manual.
U  B (HELIX O)
LakeMaster requires the following basemap versions to operate on
HELIX control heads:
HELIX 5, 7 and 8: 2.010 (released 07/2020) and later
All other compatible HELIX models: 1.031 (released 07/2020) and later
To download the latest software, go to our Web site at humminbird.com
and slick Support > Software updates. For complete details about the
software update process, see your control head manual.
O C V
APEX/SOLIX:
1. Press the HOME key.
2. Select Chart View from the Favorites bar.
HELIX:
1. Press the VIEW key until Chart View is displayed on-screen.
OR
Press and hold the VIEW key to open the Views X-Press Menu. Select
Chart > Chart View.

3
  (/)   ()
U  S B (APEX  SOLIX O)
The status bar is located at the top of the screen. It changes to match
the on-screen view and active map card. You can tap the icons in the
status bar to open and close a menu or make a selection.
Tap to open the
X-Press Menu
chart
orientation
chart
preset
depth color
palette
S C P
Use Chart Presets to quickly alternate between settings. You can use the
default Fishing or Navigation settings provided, or you can create a
custom User preset with your preferences. The Fishing and Navigation
presets are also fully customizable. You can restore each preset back to
its default settings at any time.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Chart Options > Chart Preset
HELIX: Main Menu >HB Chart tab >Chart Preset
APEX/SOLIX HELIX

4
S  W L O
It is important to note if the water level is higher or lower than normal
for the selected lake. For example, if the water level is down 3 feet, set the
Water Level Offset to -3. Depth labels on the Contour Lines will adjust
based on the Water Level Offset setting.
•If the water level is higher than normal, set a positive amount.
•If the water level is lower than normal, set a negative amount.
•If the water level has not changed (normal): For APEX and SOLIX,
turn Water Level Offset off. For HELIX, set the Water Level Offset
to 0.
APEX/SOLIX: Home > Settings > Chart > Water Level Offset
HELIX: Main Menu >HB Chart tab > Water Level Offset
   ()    ()
shoreline new shoreline with Water Level Offset set to -3
S S D L
Use the Safe Depth feature to set the minimum depth level for your
vessel and to turn on highlights for hazards shallower than that level.
APEX/SOLIX: Home > Settings > Chart > Safe Depth
HELIX: Main Menu > HB Chart tab > Safe Depth

5
S D H
Highlight deep and shallow waters in Chart View and Chart Combo Views
using the following LakeMaster features. Highlight colors are customizable.
• Depth Highlights allow you to select up to four depth ranges to be
highlighted on the chart.
•Shallow Water Highlight identifies shallow waters when the depth is
equal to or less than the level you set.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Chart Options > Depth Highlights
HELIX: Main Menu >HB Chart tab > Depth Highlights
  ()   ()
SS ®: A  SS M
Use SmartStrike to highlight areas of the map where fish are most likely
biting (available for HD lakes only).
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu >SmartStrike
HELIX: Press the MENU key once > SmartStrike.

6
lakemaster in chart view
APEX/SOLIX
land
contour
lines
shallow
water
highlight
depth label
(depth of
contour)
depth
palette
colors
depth
highlight 1
HELIX
depth
highlight 1
shallow
water
highlight
contour
lines
depth label
(depth of
contour)
depth
palette
colors
land

7
tips for using the map
M A  C
APEX/SOLIX HELIX
Move the Joystick.
Press any arrow on the
4-Way Cursor Control key.
S M   C
Zoom in (+) and Zoom out (-) to see more of the chart
display (contour lines, depth colors, etc.).
V M I
Move the cursor to an icon (buoy, marker, etc.), contour line, or
position on the chart, and press the CHECK/INFO key. If you
have an APEX or SOLIX control head, press the CHECK/INFO key
a second time or select Map Info from the Info Menu.
S Y M (APEX A SOLIX O)
Search the area for the nearest waypoints, routes, and tracks.
1. From the Chart X-Press Menu, select Info.
2. Select Find Nearest.
3. Select an item from the displayed list.
D  H C L
Hide Contour Lines to see more details on the chart.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Chart Options > Depth/Contours
HELIX: Main Menu > HB Chart tab > Depth/Contours
C  C O
Select your display preference: North-Up, Head-Up, Course-Up, etc.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Chart Options > General > Orientation
HELIX: Main Menu > Chart tab > Chart Orientation

8
advanced lakemaster features
LM P: C L
If you have a LakeMaster Premium map card, you can display layers that
show aerial imagery or shaded relief in Chart View and Chart Combo Views.
The transparency of these layers is customizeable.
•Aerial Imagery can be applied to land only or to both land and water.
•Shaded Relief uses shadows to show features of the lakebed.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Chart Options > Layers
HELIX: Main Menu >HB Chart tab > Layers
  (  )  
AC ® ZL
Download the AutoChart ZeroLines Accessory Manual from our Web site at
humminbird.com.

9
troubleshooting
The map is not displayed in Chart View.
1. Confirm GPS reception.
2. Confirm the control head software is up to date.
3. Confirm compatibility on our Web site at humminbird.com.
How can I view maps on my control head when I am not on the water?
1. Power on the control head. Select Start Simulation (APEX/SOLIX) or
Simulator (HELIX). Open a chart view and move the cursor to your
desired position on the chart.
APEX/SOLIX: Chart X-Press Menu > Set Simulation Position
HELIX: Main Menu > Chart Menu Tab > Set Simulation Position
C an I view the Humminbird LakeMaster map card on my computer?
No, the Humminbird LakeMaster map card is not compatible with your
computer. It is only compatible with your Humminbird control head.
Installing the Humminbird LakeMaster map card in a computer could
corrupt the map files.
The map displays, but seems to redraw slowly as you move across the
water.
1. Press the ZOOM (-) key to zoom out of the Chart View.
2. Confirm the control head software is up to date.
For additional questions, see the FAQ page at humminbird.com or
contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at
https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us.

10
warranty
P W  R P
Johnson Outdoors warrants this product against defects in material and
workmanship for 30 days from the date of purchase. Defects in materials or
workmanship that occur within 30 days of purchase, substantiated by a sales
receipt, will either be repaired or replaced without charge at Johnson Outdoors’
discretion. THIS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
AVAILABLE FOR ANY DEFECT CONCERNING THE PRODUCT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR
DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY OTHER CAUSE WHATSOEVER. JOHNSON
OUTDOORS WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR
ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR OTHER INDIRECT DAMAGES OF
ANY KIND.
This warranty does not apply when: 1. the product has been altered, adjusted or
handled in a manner other than in accordance with the instructions furnished
with this product: 2. any defect, problem, loss or damage has resulted from any
misuse, negligence or carelessness.
R  D P
Do not return this product to any retailer. You must return this product directly
to Johnson Outdoors. Returned products must have a Return Authorization
(RA) number clearly displayed on the outside of the shipping package. Contact
Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at https://humminbird-
help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us within 30 days of purchase to obtain the
RA. When you return the product, include a valid sales receipt, product UPC, a
return address and phone or email contact information. The RA is valid for 30
days from date issued. Product should be returned to: Humminbird Service
Department, 678 Humminbird Lane, Eufaula, AL 36027 USA
Johnson Outdoors reserves the right to examine the product when we receive
it to determine if the defect or malfunction is due to a defect in materials or
workmanship. Johnson Outdoors will duplicate the original data on all repaired
or replaced products. Products that are defective due to any other cause will
not be repaired or replaced. Damaged products, not covered by or that are out
of warranty may be eligible for repair for a service fee, contact Johnson
Outdoors for more information. WARNING: Never format a LakeMaster SD card.
Formatting the card will permanently erase the map data. Never use a
LakeMaster SD card to store or transfer data as this may damage the card.

11
warnings
WARNING! The electronic chart in your Humminbird unit is an aid to
navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government
charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and
notices to mariners contain all of the current information needed for
the safety of navigation, and the captain is responsible for their
prudent use.
WARNING! Do NOT save data files (waypoints, routes, tracks, groups,
recordings, etc.) to your map card. Saving data to your map card will
permanently damage it. You can save navigation data to the control
head and export it to a blank card. Download the LakeMaster Map Cards
User Guide from our Web site at humminbird.com for more details.
WARNING! Do NOT delete or change the contents of your map card.
Changing the card will permanently damage it.
NOTE: To purchase accessories for your control head, visit our Web site at
humminbird.com or contact Humminbird Technical Support
through our
Help Center at https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us
.
APEX™, AutoChart®, LakeMaster®, HELIX®, Humminbird®, SmartStrike®, and SOLIX® are
trademarked by or registered trademarks of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Adobe, Acrobat, Adobe PDF, and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
microSD is a trademark or registered trademark of SD-3C, LLC in the United States, other
countries or both.
© 2022 Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

12
Social Media Resources:
Facebook.com/HumminbirdElectronics
Twitter.com (@humminbirdfish)
Instagram.com/humminbirdfishing
YouTube.com/humminbirdtv
contact humminbird
Contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at
https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us or by writing
to the address below:
Humminbird Service Department
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula AL 36027 USA