NorthStar 8000I User manual

Northstar 8000i
System Operation Manual
www.northstarnav.com

2Northstar 8000i Operation Manual
Important Safety and Warning Information
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Please read carefully before use
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to
potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety
measures that follow this symbol to avoid possible
injury or death.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate
injury.
CAUTION used without the safety alert symbol indicates
a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in property damage.
It is your sole responsibility to use the Northstar 8000i in a manner that will not cause
accidents, personal injury or property damage. Always observe safe boating practices.
When navigating the vessel, use the Northstar 8000i only as a navigational aid. Proper
navigation of the vessel is the sole responsibility of the vessel operator.
Depth soundings should be used only for navigation. Never use a depth sounding to gauge
depth, range or other conditions for swimming or diving.

Northstar 8000i Operation Manual 3
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the US Government which is solely
responsible for its operation, accuracy, and maintenance. The GPS system is subject to
changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment
anywhere in the world.
The electronic chart used by the Northstar 8000i is an aid to navigation designed to
supplement, not replace, official government charts. Only official government charts
supplemented by notices to mariners contain the information required for safe and
prudent navigation. Always supplement the electronic information provided by the
Northstar 8000i with other plotting sources such as observations, depth soundings,
radar and hand compass bearings. Should the information not agree, the discrepancy
must be resolved before proceeding any further.
Never operate the 8000i in Simulate Mode while you're underway.
It is the user's responsibility to ensure that Simulate Mode is used only in safe situations
such as when you are moored in a marina.
The accuracy of the sonar depth display can be limited by many factors, including the
type of transducer, the location of the transducer, and water conditions. Ensure that the
transducer is installed and used correctly.
The radar must be set up before it is used for the first time.
See "Set up the radar before using it" in the Radar Installation manual.

4Northstar 8000i Operation Manual
Never look directly into the scanner at close range while the radar is operating.
Radar scanners emit electromagnetic energy at a frequency that can be harmful at close
range. Always keep the recommended safe distance from the scanner as follows:
Scanner
Model
Vertical beam
angle of scanner
(degrees)
Minimum safe
distance
(100 Watts per m²
average power
density) Note 1
Minimum safe
distance
(10 Watts per m²
average power
density) Note 2
2 kW 30 1.6 ft (0.5 m) 4.6 ft (1.4 m)
4 kW 25 3 ft (0.9 m) 9.3 ft (2.8 m)
6 kW 20 3.6 ft (1.1 m) 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
10 kW 20 9.5 ft (2.9 m) 30 ft (9.0 m)
25 kW 20 18 ft (5.5 m) 57 ft (17.4 m)
NOTES: Limits apply to exposure within the vertical beam angle.
Note 1: Peak occupational exposure limit pursuant to IEC 60936 Clause 3.27 and
IEC 62252 Clause 4.32
Note 2: General public exposure limit pursuant to IEC 60936 Clause 3.27 and IEC
62252 Clause 4.32
Failure to adhere to these warnings may lead to death, serious injury or property
damage. Northstar disclaims all liability for installation or use of this product that
causes or contributes to death, injury or property damage or that violates any law.
You are strongly recommended to scan all removable media (such as USB memory sticks or
CDs) for viruses or corrupt data on a separate device BEFORE connecting or using the
removable media with the 8000i.

Northstar 8000i Operation Manual 5
Disclaimer
As Northstar is continuously improving this product we retain the right to make
changes to the product at any time which may not be reflected in this version of
the manual. Please contact your nearest Northstar distributor if you require any
further assistance.
It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the instrument and
transducers in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal injury or property
damage. The user of this product is solely responsible for observing safe boating
practices.
BRUNSWICK NEW TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES
DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN A WAY THAT MAY
CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY VIOLATE THE LAW.
Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user guides and
other information relating to the product (Documentation) may be translated to,
or has been translated from, another language (Translation). In the event of any
conflict between any Translation of the Documentation, the English language
version of the Documentation will be the official version of the Documentation.
This manual represents the product as at the time of printing. Brunswick New
Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to specifications without notice.
Copyright © 2006 Brunswick New Technologies Inc. Northstar™ is a registered
trademark of Brunswick New Technologies Inc.
Warranty
The Northstar Warranty Statement is supplied as a separate document.
It is shipped with the Product Registration Card.
In case of any queries, refer to www.northstarnav.com.

6Northstar 8000i Operation Manual
Contents
Important Safety and Warning Information ..................................................................................................2
Disclaimer..................................................................................................................................................................5
Warranty.....................................................................................................................................................................5
1Welcome to the Northstar 8000i 16
1.1 Networking the 8000i ........................................................................................................................... 16
1.2 How to use this manual........................................................................................................................ 17
1.3 Conventions ............................................................................................................................................. 17
2Introduction to the Northstar 8000i 18
2.1 Turn on the 8000i ................................................................................................................................... 18
2.2 Turn off the 8000i................................................................................................................................... 19
2.3 The keys on the 15 inch Monitor....................................................................................................... 19
2.4 The keys on the remote keypad ........................................................................................................ 21
2.5 The keys on the 12 inch Display Processor.................................................................................... 22
2.6 The buttons .............................................................................................................................................. 23
2.7 How to select an item ........................................................................................................................... 23
2.8 Single pane options............................................................................................................................... 23
2.9 What is the active pane? ...................................................................................................................... 24
2.10 What are pages? ..................................................................................................................................... 24
2.11 Expand a small pane.............................................................................................................................. 25
2.12 Cycle through the panes on a page................................................................................................. 25
2.13 Select a page............................................................................................................................................ 26
2.14 Edit a page ................................................................................................................................................ 26
3Set up the Northstar 8000i basics 27
3.1 Adjust the brightness on the 15 inch Monitor ............................................................................. 27
3.2 Adjust the brightness on a 12 inch Display Processor............................................................... 27
3.3 Turn the keypad beeps on or off....................................................................................................... 28
3.4 Turn the keypad backlight on or off ................................................................................................ 28
3.5 Adjust the volume.................................................................................................................................. 28
3.6 Select a palette........................................................................................................................................ 29
3.7 Show/hide the control panel.............................................................................................................. 29
3.8 Show/hide the instruments bar......................................................................................................... 29
3.9 Show/hide the top control bar .......................................................................................................... 29
3.10 Select the time format .......................................................................................................................... 30
3.11 Select your time zone ........................................................................................................................... 30
3.12 Select the large scale distance units ................................................................................................ 31
3.13 Select the small scale distance units................................................................................................ 31
3.14 Select the temperature units.............................................................................................................. 31
3.15 Select the depth units........................................................................................................................... 32
3.16 Select the speed units........................................................................................................................... 32
3.17 Select the volume units for liquids................................................................................................... 32
3.18 Select the pressure units...................................................................................................................... 33
3.19 Specify your vessel statistics............................................................................................................... 33

Northstar 8000i Operation Manual 7
4Chart 34
5Set up the chart library 35
5.1 Display the C-MAP MAX Pro Chart Manager screen...................................................................35
5.2 What does the C-MAP PRO Chart Manager screen show?........................................................35
5.3 The Chart Manager control panel.....................................................................................................36
5.4 The Chart Manager icons .....................................................................................................................36
5.5 Information on C-Map chart licenses and subscriptions...........................................................38
5.6 Purchase or rent?....................................................................................................................................38
5.7 Different ways to choose a chart collection ..................................................................................38
5.8 Purchase a chart license over the internet.....................................................................................40
5.9 Purchase a chart license over the phone........................................................................................40
5.10 Purchase a chart license through a dealer.....................................................................................41
5.11 Load the chart licenses .........................................................................................................................42
5.12 Install the chart data..............................................................................................................................42
5.13 Update charts over the internet ........................................................................................................44
5.14 Update the database by DVD.............................................................................................................45
5.15 Uninstall chart collections ...................................................................................................................45
6Chart screen basics 47
6.1 Display the chart screen.......................................................................................................................47
6.2 What does the chart screen show?...................................................................................................48
6.3 Display your current position in real time......................................................................................49
6.4 Display your current position data ...................................................................................................49
6.5 Instant GoTo.............................................................................................................................................49
6.6 GoTo or show a Lat/Long coordinate..............................................................................................49
6.7 Zoom in or out on a chart screen......................................................................................................50
6.8 Pan the chart............................................................................................................................................50
6.9 Zoom in or out on part of a chart screen........................................................................................50
6.10 Change the chart view..........................................................................................................................51
6.11 What is the chart orientation?............................................................................................................51
6.12 Change the chart orientation.............................................................................................................52
6.13 What is the vessel offset mode? ........................................................................................................52
6.14 Select the vessel offset mode.............................................................................................................53
6.15 Select the level of chart detail............................................................................................................53
6.16 Show details about an object on the chart....................................................................................53
6.17 Show range and bearing from your vessel ....................................................................................54
6.18 Show range and bearing between two points.............................................................................54
7Customize the chart screen 56
7.1 What is the course predictor line? ....................................................................................................56
7.2 Show/hide the course predictor line ...............................................................................................56
7.3 Keep your vessel in view on the chart screen ...............................................................................57
7.4 Select the vessel symbol ......................................................................................................................57
7.5 What is the chart guard zone?............................................................................................................57
7.6 Set up the chart guard zone ...............................................................................................................58
7.7 Turn the chart guard zone on or off.................................................................................................58

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7.8 Select the default icon for a waypoint ............................................................................................ 59
7.9 Select the default icon for an event mark ...................................................................................... 59
7.10 Set the deep water contour................................................................................................................ 59
7.11 Show/hide your current track ............................................................................................................ 60
7.12 Show/hide the chart boundaries ...................................................................................................... 60
7.13 Show/hide shade safe depths............................................................................................................ 61
7.14 Show/hide the Lat/Long grid overlay .............................................................................................61
7.15 What are light sectors? ......................................................................................................................... 62
7.16 Show/hide the light sectors................................................................................................................ 62
7.17 Show/hide tidal flow and currents ................................................................................................... 62
8Use the chart views 63
8.1 Default settings for the chart views ................................................................................................. 63
9Use the chart overlays 65
9.1 Overlay the radar.................................................................................................................................... 65
9.2 Adjust the settings for the radar ....................................................................................................... 66
9.3 Change the radar mode ....................................................................................................................... 66
9.4 Adjust the radar opacity....................................................................................................................... 66
9.5 Overlay satellite or aerial photos ...................................................................................................... 67
9.6 Overlay the ports and marinas........................................................................................................... 67
9.7 Overlay roads, terrain, SAR and/or GMDSS areas ........................................................................ 67
10 Use waypoints 69
10.1 Create a waypoint .................................................................................................................................. 69
10.2 Create an event mark............................................................................................................................ 69
10.3 Select and show a waypoint on the chart...................................................................................... 70
10.4 Hide a waypoint...................................................................................................................................... 70
10.5 Delete a waypoint .................................................................................................................................. 70
10.6 Navigate to a waypoint ........................................................................................................................ 71
10.7 Stop navigating to a waypoint .......................................................................................................... 71
10.8 Set/remove the warning zone for a waypoint.............................................................................. 71
10.9 Find a waypoint ...................................................................................................................................... 72
10.10 Display the waypoint details .............................................................................................................. 72
10.11 Change the waypoint details ............................................................................................................. 73
10.12 Display the waypoints library............................................................................................................. 73
10.13 Delete a waypoint from the Waypoints Library ........................................................................... 74
11 Use routes and waypoints 75
11.1 Copy an existing route.......................................................................................................................... 75
11.2 Create a new route................................................................................................................................. 76
11.3 Move a waypoint in a route ................................................................................................................ 77
11.4 Add a new waypoint into a route ..................................................................................................... 77
11.5 Add a waypoint to the start or end of the route.......................................................................... 78
11.6 Remove a waypoint from a route using the Routes Library .................................................... 79
11.7 Remove a waypoint from a route using the Chart screen........................................................ 79
11.8 Change the order of the waypoints in a route ............................................................................. 80
11.9 Add an existing waypoint to a route ............................................................................................... 80
11.10 Display the Routes Library................................................................................................................... 81

Northstar 8000i Operation Manual 9
11.11 Select and follow a route from the Routes Library......................................................................81
11.12 Select and follow a route with GoTo................................................................................................81
11.13 Follow a route..........................................................................................................................................82
11.14 Navigate to the previous or next waypoint...................................................................................82
11.15 Stop following a route ..........................................................................................................................82
11.16 Hide an inactive route...........................................................................................................................83
11.17 Delete a route ..........................................................................................................................................83
11.18 Reverse your route.................................................................................................................................83
11.19 Display and/or change the route details ........................................................................................84
11.20 Reset the XTE on an active route or waypoint..............................................................................84
11.21 Set up routes to be shown or hidden ..............................................................................................85
11.22 Show the route length and estimated travel time......................................................................85
12 Set up navigation 87
12.1 Select the bearing mode......................................................................................................................87
12.2 Select the variation source ..................................................................................................................88
12.3 Set the manual variation......................................................................................................................88
12.4 Select the position data format .........................................................................................................89
12.5 Set the look ahead distance to update chart ................................................................................89
12.6 Set the center circle to update chart................................................................................................90
12.7 Set the amount of time represented by the course predictor line ........................................ 90
12.8 Set the angle delay to update the chart .........................................................................................91
12.9 Set the waypoint arrival distance......................................................................................................91
12.10 Select whether to continue navigating at the route end .........................................................92
13 Introduction to 3D Chart 93
13.1 Display the 3D Chart screen................................................................................................................93
13.2 Reposition the 3D Chart screen to show your vessel .................................................................93
13.3 Pan the 3D Chart to show new areas...............................................................................................94
13.4 Rotate the view of the 3D Chart manually.....................................................................................94
13.5 Change the azimuth setting on 3D Chart ......................................................................................94
13.6 Change the camera angle for 3D Chart...........................................................................................95
13.7 Change the elevation manually.........................................................................................................95
13.8 Enhance the vertical scale ...................................................................................................................96
13.9 Change the vessel mode......................................................................................................................96
13.10 Show/hide the bathymetric data......................................................................................................96
13.11 Overlay satellite or aerial photos on 3D Chart..............................................................................97
13.12 Synchronize 3D Chart and the chart screen..................................................................................97
14 3D Steer 99
14.1 Display the 3D Steer screen ................................................................................................................99
14.2 What does 3D Steer show?..................................................................................................................99
14.3 When to reset the XTE...........................................................................................................................99

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15 The sounder 101
15.1 How the sounder works .....................................................................................................................101
16 Use the sounder 101
16.1 Display the sounder screen...............................................................................................................102
16.2 What does the sounder screen show? ..........................................................................................102
16.3 What does the sounder status bar show?....................................................................................103
16.4 Change the scroll speed.....................................................................................................................103
16.5 Change the palette ..............................................................................................................................104
16.6 Show/hide the depth value ..............................................................................................................104
16.7 Show/hide the depth line..................................................................................................................105
16.8 Move the depth line ............................................................................................................................105
16.9 Change the sounder operating mode...........................................................................................105
16.10 When to use 50 kHz, 200 kHz, or mixed frequency...................................................................106
16.11 Select 50 kHz, 200 kHz or mixed frequency screen...................................................................107
16.12 Select a split 50/200 kHz screen ......................................................................................................107
16.13 Select a split zoom screen .................................................................................................................108
16.14 What is zoom range and zoom range shift?................................................................................108
16.15 Change the zoom range shift...........................................................................................................108
16.16 Select a split bottom lock screen ....................................................................................................109
16.17 Change the ratio of a split screen ...................................................................................................109
16.18 What is the A-Scope? ..........................................................................................................................110
16.19 Show/hide the A-Scope .....................................................................................................................111
16.20 Change the ratio of the A-Scope.....................................................................................................111
17 How to interpret the sounder screens 112
17.1 What are fish arches? ..........................................................................................................................112
17.2 Problems with fish arches?................................................................................................................112
17.3 How to recognize different types of fish ......................................................................................113
17.4 How to recognize and avoid shadows..........................................................................................113
17.5 How to recognize the type of bottom...........................................................................................113
17.6 How the water depth and scroll speed affect the history ......................................................113
17.7 Factors that affect the echo strength ............................................................................................114
18 Change the sounder range and gain 115
18.1 What is gain?..........................................................................................................................................115
18.2 Change the gain setting.....................................................................................................................115
18.3 What is the gain threshold? ..............................................................................................................116
18.4 Change the gain threshold ...............................................................................................................116
18.5 What is auto range and range shift? ..............................................................................................117
18.6 Turn the auto range on or off...........................................................................................................117
18.7 Change the range shift.......................................................................................................................118
18.8 Change the range.................................................................................................................................118