VEXILAR FISH SCOUT UNDERWATER CAMERA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL Contents Vexilar — Pioneers in Marine Electronics Introduction Fish Scout Features About Your Fish Scout Fish Scout Camera Camera Mounting Options Battery and Charge Indicator Location Battery Charging Instructions Soft Pack Features Fish Scout Operation Fish Scout Camera LED Lighting DTD Operation Calibrating Your DTD Display Ice Fishing & Open Water Use D-130 Battery Status Indicator Fish Scout Care & Specifications Vexilar Accessories Trouble Sho
VEX I L A R — PIONEERS I N MAR I N E E L EC T R O NIC S Established in 1960, Vexilar, Inc. has been a leading innovator of marine electronics in the sport fishing industry for over 50 years.
I N T RO D U C TION F ish S cout F ish S cout D ouble V ision Congratulations, and thank you for purchasing a Fish Scout, Fish Scout Double Vision, Fish Scout Double Vision without sonar or one of our Fish Scout systems with DTD (Depth, Temperature and Direction). All Fish Scout systems are basically the same in operation, so this Owner’s Manual will cover all current Fish Scout camera systems.
FI SH S C O U T FEAT U RES • FS2000DT: Sony 1⁄4” CCD Super HAD 90 degree camera performs like two separate camera systems in one. You will receive a high definition color image when light conditions permit or it automatically shifts to black and white mode if you are in low light conditions. • FS800: CMOS7959 (color) 90 degree camera. It too will automatically shift to the black and white mode if in low light conditions.
ABO U T Y O U R F IS H SCO UT The Monitor The Fish Scout features a high resolution 1414 by 234, 7 inch LCD with two viewing options, a 16:9 wide screen monitor display or the more traditional 4:3 perspective for close-up viewing. Your Fish Scout gives you a bright, sharp and clear view under most conditions, but if the water is stained, dirty or has a lot of suspended materials, the viewing WILL BE limited. The daylight viewable display should not require a sun shield for most outdoor viewing.
you turn on your monitor in cold weather it will flash red & green when the internal sensor on the heating element detects the monitor temperature is below -4°F degrees. The red light will continue to flash until the heating element has heated up the monitor enough to give you the best image possible. The heating cycle will vary, but can take up to five minutes for the light to stop flashing. This is normal on very cold days.
the pre-wired video-out RCA plug. The yellow video output jack located on the rear of the monitor makes it possible to add an external monitor such as a big screen TV or a video recording devise. Remember, not all camcorders have an AV-IN option so be sure to check your camcorder before you head out on the water. The camera and power cables have a custom-built waterproof and sealed connector. It is critical you unscrew the connector Unscrew to Separate before trying to disconnect.
The camera incorporates a custom designed zinc cast waterproof housing. The amount of weight in this camera housing is balanced and designed to give you good camera control while still-fishing or trolling. The housing WILL fill with water, to make for better balance in the water. It is normal for water to drain out of the housing for a few seconds when it is removed from the water. The optional tail fin (included) screws into position in the back of the housing.
Battery Charging CHARGE AFTER EACH USE 1 Amp Digital Automatic Charger (model V-410 / 1 Amp) 1. Allow the battery to warm up before charging. This makes it easier for the charger to charge the battery and the battery is more accepting of a charge. 2. Plug the charger into a wall outlet, verify that it is operating by noting the illuminated RED light. 3. Connect the charger to the Easy Charge Jack attached to the unit.
SOF T PA C K FEAT U R E S Your Fish Scout system comes standard with a soft pack carrying case. This case is an important part of your viewing system. The soft pack has some innovative features to protect your display system, so be sure to keep the front padded door over your screen when not in use. Sharp impacts on a LCD display will damage your monitor, so protect it at all times. The camera/cable pouch is another innovative feature on your Fish Scout.
Double Vision Rear-Mount Pouch Option Double Vision Side-Mount Pouch Option The Fish Scout Soft Packs provide essential protection for the monitor as well as additional storage for the cable and camera with a separate snap-on pouch. • Front Cover Flap: On the Fish Scout camera-only systems the front access doors actually roll upwards and secures into position.
FI SH SC OU T OPER ATI O N Like all Vexilar products, the Fish Scout has been assembled and tested before shipment. After removal from the packaging, locate the Master Power Switch at the rear of the unit and turn it “ON”. The Battery Status Indicator will turn on and display the current level of battery charge. It is always a good idea to check the charge in your battery periodically whenever it is not in use to prevent battery damage.
LED Button Light Sensor Turns the camera’s LED On, Off, and with + and — buttons, controls brightness. Minus Button Used to adjust the menu setting lower. Menu Button Access and exit the display menu. Plus Button Power Light Used to adjust the menu setting higher. Power Button Turns the camera On and Off Turning “ON” Your System To turn “ON” the Fish Scout, press the Master Power Switch located in the back of the carrying case to the “ON“ position.
the keypad of the monitor. (Note: if you wait too long before selecting an adjustment, the menu screen will time out and disappear). To change between on-screen adjustment choices (brightness, contrast, color, perspective and reset), continue to press the menu key. The selected on-screen adjustment will be highlighted on the LCD screen. To change the settings within a selected menu, use the UP and DOWN arrows located on the far right of the digital keypad.
Low Battery Operation Alerts Your Fish Scout system offers two ways to keep track of battery condition. Your D-130 digital battery status indictor on the back side of your unit gives you a working status of your battery whenever it is connected. It is critical to note that while your D-130 may drop to zero, your camera system may still operate. This is because your D-130 is programmed to tell you that 11 volts is zero and very near the actual run time remaining on your system.
DTD (Depth Temperature and Direction) Camera Use This great option gives the user the ability to use Swiss digital sensor technology to tell you the depth of the camera, the temperature of the water the camera is at and the direction the camera is pointing under the water. This information graphic will be on screen inside a round graphic in the lower right corner of the monitor.
Calibrating Your DTD Display Located under and behind your monitor/TV is a small box called the Calibration Switch Box with two short cables, one coming out of each end. The box is firmly mounted to your system base. If you bypass this Calibration Switch, your monitor will work perfectly, but the DTD display information will not be shown on the lower right portion of the monitor.
Reading Your DTD Display There are three items listed inside your display circle and are very easy to understand. The top numbers represent the direction the camera is pointed. It will first state the bearing based off a true north heading. This function is used to give you a very exact camera direction.
The Fish Scout also includes a Down-Viewing hook on the back of the camera tail fin that allows you to point the camera straight down. Now in some situations, you can fish in the same hole and have the camera suspended just below the surface and you can watch the fish from a “top-down” perspective. Viewing Tip: If you are looking to watch your lure while fishing, for ease of use, it is always best to do this near the bottom where you can find your lure relating to the bottom.
The D-130 Battery Status Indicator Digital Battery Status Indicator A unique battery fuel gauge that recognizes both the discharge and charge cycle of your battery. It will sense the current charging condition of the battery, display the percentage of remaining capacity and display a charge trend arrow... ( or ). The D-130 will continue to measure capacity and trend as long as it is connected to the battery.
Caring for Your Fish Scout Important - Turn the Master Power Switch OFF during extended storage periods to avoid excessive draining of the battery. Remember to recharge after each use, as well as monthly during extended storage period. Clean the display screen and camera lens using a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water and a soft cloth towel. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners on the display or damage may result. Clean the display housing, camera body and cable with a mild detergent.
ACC E SS OR IES Ultra Pack Carrying Case Only This portable case has all the features. Upgrade your older system or build a custom new system. Pro Pack II Carrying Case Only The latest generation of our most popular portable carrying case. Genz “Blue Box” Carrying Case Only A solid carrying case for your Vexilar flasher or other electronics. BC-100 Soft Pack for the Genz Pack Encloses and protects the system. Offers Velcro sealable access locations and side pocket storage.
Tri-Beam Ice-Ducer Gives you the option to select from a wide 20° beam, a mid 12°, or a narrow 8° beam angle. Switch included. TB0033 Pro Mount Offers a swivel action and quick removal for your flasher or other electronics. It’s durable and economical. Digital LCD Battery Status Indicator Shows the current level of charge as a percentage with charge or discharge mode indication. FL Digital Depth Indicator Gives depth and battery voltage. Works with any FL Series flasher. DD-100 SMC001 A.C.E.
TRO U B L E S H O O T ING Red light on, no monitor or camera. Check your battery status indictor, if your camera will turn on, your D-130 will still tell you how much power you have in your battery. In low power situations, the red light may be on, but there is not enough power to display an image. Flashing Red & Green light when I turn the system on. This is normal to let you know the auto heating element has been engaged. Any time the heating element is on, the red & green light will flash.
SE RV I C E A ND S U PPO R T If you find that you need help, please contact us. Have ready the model number and, if possible, the serial number of your product. Please be sure to read this manual thoroughly first. Address Vexilar, Inc. 6667 West Old Shakopee Road, Suite 101 Minneapolis, MN, 55438-2622 Telephone (952) 884-5291 Email service@vexilar.com Web Site www.vexilar.
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