Humminbird MEGA Live User manual

1
MEGA LIVE IMAGING TARGETLOCK
INSTALLATION GUIDE
532889-3EN_A

Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Humminbird®, the #1 name in marine electronics. Humminbird
has built its reputation by designing and manufacturing top-quality, thoroughly reliable
marine equipment. Your Humminbird accessory is designed for trouble-free use in
even the harshest marine environment. In the unlikely event that your Humminbird
does require repairs, we offer an exclusive Service Policy. For complete details, see
the separate warranty card included with your unit. We encourage you to read this
manual carefully in order to get the full benefit from all the features and applications
of your Humminbird product.
Contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at https://
humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us.
WARNING! This device should not be used as a navigational aid to prevent
collision, grounding, boat damage, or personal injury. When the boat is moving, water
depth may change too quickly to allow time for you to react. Always operate the boat
at very slow speeds if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects.
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! Humminbird is not responsible for the loss of data files (waypoints,
routes, tracks, groups, recordings, etc.) that may occur due to direct or indirect
damage to the unit’s hardware or software. It is important to back up your control
head’s data files periodically. See your control head operations manual for details.
WARNING! Disassembly and repair of this electronic unit should only be
performed by authorized service personnel. Any modification of the serial number or
attempt to repair the original equipment or accessories by unauthorized individuals
will void the warranty.
NOTE: Some features discussed in this manual require a separate purchase. Every
effort has been made to clearly identify those features. Please read the manual
carefully in order to understand the full capabilities of your model.

NOTE: The illustrations in this manual may not look the same as your product, but
your unit will function in a similar way.
NOTE: To purchase accessories for your control heads, 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.
NOTE: The procedures and features described in this manual are subject to change
without notice. This manual was written in English and may have been translated to
another language. Humminbird is not responsible for incorrect translations or
discrepancies between documents.
NOTE:
Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
NOTE: Humminbird verifies maximum stated depth in saltwater conditions, however
actual depth performance may vary due to transducer installation, water type, thermal
layers, bottom composition, and slope.
WARNING
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS A BUTTON BATTERY.
If swallowed, a lithium button battery can cause severe or fatal injuries within
2 hours. Keep batteries out of reach of children. If you think batteries may have
been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body, seek immediate medical
attention.
APEX™, HELIX®, Humminbird®, MEGA 360 Imaging™, MEGA Live Imaging™, Minn Kota®,
SOLIX®, TargetLock™, Ultrex™ are trademarked by or registered trademarks of Johnson
Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
© 2022 Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Introduction 1
Compatibility.............................................................................. 1
Supplies................................................................................... 2
Update Software 3
Check the Current Software Version .................................................... 3
Update Control Head Software with an SD Card....................................... 4
Update Accessory Software with an SD Card .......................................... 5
Update Software with FishSmart........................................................ 6
Install the MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock 7
1. View the Installation Video............................................................ 8
2. Prepare for Installation ................................................................ 8
3. Install the Mounting Plate ............................................................ 9
A. MEGA Live Mounting Plate....................................................... 10
B.
MEGA Live Dual Mounting Plate (for use with MEGA 360) ....................... 11
4. Install the Control Box................................................................ 12
5. Install the Landscape Mode Mount ................................................. 13
6. Test the MEGA Live Views........................................................... 17
7. Connect the Shaft Assembly to the Mounting Plate .............................. 19
8. Install the MEGA Live TargetLock Heading Sensor ................................. 20
9. Adjust the Transducer Height........................................................ 22
10. Reinstall the Motor Stabilizer....................................................... 23
Install the MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock Foot Pedal 24
Install a MEGA 360 (separate purchase) 26
1. Prepare for Installation ............................................................... 26
2. Assemble the MEGA 360 Mount .................................................... 27
3. Install the Pod......................................................................... 29
4. Adjust the Pod Height................................................................ 30
5. Install the Collar Clamp .............................................................. 32
Table of Contents

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Route the Cables and Connect Power 34
1. Route the MEGA Live Power, Ethernet and Heading Sensor Cables ..............34
2. Route the MEGA Live Control Box Cables...........................................36
3. Route the MEGA 360 Cables (separate purchase).................................. 40
4. Connect Power........................................................................ 41
Set Up the Control Head 43
1. Confirm Connections ................................................................. 43
2. Set Up MEGA Live Imaging on the Control Head................................... 46
3. Test MEGA Live Imaging on the Control Head...................................... 47
4. Pair the TargetLock Heading Sensor to the Control Head.......................... 52
5. Pair the Foot Pedal to the Control Head............................................. 53
6. Calibrate Your MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock ..................................... 55
7. Confirm the Humminbird GPS Heading Sensor Operation (optional).............. 56
8. Confirm the Baud Rate (for devices connected to sensor pigtail only)............. 59
9. Set Up the Network .................................................................. 59
Power Off 60
Maintenance 61
Control Head Maintenance ............................................................. 61
Transducer Maintenance ............................................................... 62
MEGA Live Imaging Maintenance...................................................... 62
Troubleshooting 63
“Out of the Water” Error Displays when MEGA Live is in the Water................. 63
Fishing System Doesn’t Power Up ..................................................... 64
Fishing System Defaults to Simulator with a Transducer Attached.................. 64
Finding the Cause of Noise ............................................................. 65
Specifications 66
Contact Humminbird 69
Table of Contents

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1Introduction
Introduction
This manual will guide you through the following installation requirements for the
MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock transducer:
• Installing the Transducer and Foot Pedal
• Connecting to the Control Head and Power
• Testing the Installation
• Powering Off
Before proceeding with this installation, the Humminbird control head
and Minn Kota® Ultrex trolling motor should be installed. The MEGA Live
Imaging transducer can be connected directly to the control head or to
a Humminbird Ethernet Switch (optional, separate purchase required)
for networking. See the Ethernet Switch installation instructions to
install the Ethernet Switch.
Compatibility
Control Heads: MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock is compatible with all APEX™ Series
and SOLIX® Series fish finders, HELIX® Series G3N and G4N fish finders equipped
with MEGA Imaging+, and HELIX 7 G4N fish finders with MEGA Down Imaging or
MEGA Side Imaging. It can be mounted on Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motors.
Minn Kota Trolling Motor Humminbird Fish Finder
Minn Kota Ultrex APEX Series: All models
SOLIX Series: All models
HELIX Series: HELIX G3N and G4N models
with MEGA Imaging+ and HELIX 7 G4N
models with MDI or MSI

2Introduction
Cables: Your MEGA Live Imaging transducer comes with the cables required to connect
directly to your APEX or SOLIX fish finder. In addition to the cables permanently
attached to the transducer, this includes two extension cables (a 10' MEGA Live power
cable and a 20' Ethernet cable) to allow for quick-disconnect. To connect the Ethernet
to a HELIX control head, you will need to purchase an ethernet adapter cable.
NOTE: An ethernet switch (separate purchase required) can be used to connect your
MEGA Live Imaging transducer to multiple control heads. To purchase accessories for your
control heads, 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.
Accessories: Additional recommended accessories include a Humminbird Heading
Sensor GPS Puck (and a Heading Sensor GPS Adapter cable for APEX and SOLIX
only), or a Minn Kota Heading Sensor connected to an i-Pilot Link trolling motor.
A dual mount plate (separate purchase), is required to use a MEGA 360 Imaging™
transducer with your MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock.
For the most current list of compatible accessories, visit our Web site at humminbird.com.
Supplies
In addition to the hardware included with your accessory, you will need the
following supplies:
• 5A slow-blow fuse
• Philips head screwdriver
• 3/8 wrench or socket
• 1/2 wrench or socket
• Cable ties
• Minn Kota trolling motor Stabilizer Kit (included with each Minn Kota Ultrex
trolling motor or available as a separately purchased accessory)
• 1 Amp fuse (needed for MEGA 360 installation only)
• Allen wrench (needed for MEGA 360 installation only)
Switch (optional): If you do not have a main switch or fuse panel available on your
boat to connect power, you will need to purchase a battery switch. See Route the
Cables and Connect Power, Section 3: Connect Power for more information.

3Update Software
Update Software
Your control head model may need a software update to work with the MEGA Live
Imaging transducer. We recommend that you read the following section completely
before starting any software updates.
NOTE: It is important to install the latest software update on your control head to
enable all MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock features. For the latest software updates,
visit our Web site at humminbird.com.
Check the Current Software Version
It is helpful to review the software version number that is currently installed on the
control head and each accessory.
APEX/SOLIX Series
1. Press the HOME key.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Network > Network Info.
4. The Network Info dialog box shows a section for each device connected to the
network. Scroll to each section to note the software version number listed.
HELIX Series
1. Press and hold the VIEW key.
2. Select System > System Status.
3. Confirm the Software Version listed.

4Update Software
Update Control Head Software with an SD Card
You will need an SD or microSD card (depending on your control head model).
WARNING! Humminbird is not responsible for the loss of data files (waypoints,
routes, tracks, groups, snapshots, recordings, etc.) that may occur due to direct or
indirect damage to the unit’s hardware or software. It is important to back up your
control head data files periodically. See your control head operations manual for more
information.
1. Before the control head software is updated or restored to system defaults,
export your navigation data and copy your screen snapshots to an SD or
microSD card. See your control head operations manual for instructions.
2. Install a formatted SD or microSD card into the computer card slot.
3. Go to humminbird.com, and click Support > Software Updates.
4. Click on your control head model. The available software updates are listed as
downloads under each product. Confirm the file name is for your control head
model.
• Read the notices and instructions, and select Download.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to save the software file to the SD or microSD
card.
5. Repeat step 4 to download the software updates posted to each product.
6. Insert the SD or microSD card (with the software file) into the control head
card slot.
7. Power on your Humminbird control head. Start Normal mode.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts to update the control head software.
9. When the software update is complete, remove the SD or microSD card from
the control head card slot.
10. Restart: If you don’t have any other software updates to install, power off the
control head, and restart it.