Glossary | Sonar Terms |
Fish Arch: A Fish Arch is the apparent "arch" that appears on the display when any object moves through the sonar cone. The arch results from a gradual decrease in distance to an object as it moves into the sonar cone. The distance to an object changes due to the conical shape of the sonar beam, which causes the distance to be greater at the edges of the beam than at the center of the beam. When this distance change is graphed on the display, an arch appears.
Fish ID+™: Fish ID+™ is a Humminbird® feature that uses advanced sonar processing algorithms to determine if a detected object is likely to be a fish. When the sonar signal from an object meets strict parameters, the unit draws a Fish Symbol (or icon) and the digital depth of the target. On DualBeam and DualBeam PLUS™ units, fish detected in the narrow center beam are shown as shaded symbols, and fish detected in the wider beam are shown as hollow symbols.
Fish Symbol: A Fish Symbol is the graphic that is displayed on the screen when Fish ID+™ determines that a sonar return is likely to be a fish. See Fish ID+™.
Freeze Frame: Freeze Frame is a Humminbird® feature that pauses the sonar scrolling so that the image on screen can be studied with greater detail. See Instant Image Update.
Frequency: Frequency is a measure of the number of sound wave cycles per second of a sound impulse transmitted underwater. A typical frequency for fishfinders is 200 kHz, which offers a good balance of performance under many conditions. Lower frequencies, such as 50 kHz, are capable of penetrating to greater depths, but with less resolution. Higher frequencies, such as 455 kHz, offer greater resolution, but are limited in depth performance. Humminbird® uses a variety of frequencies that are optimized for specific applications.
Grayscale: Grayscale is the use of varying shades of gray to represent the strength of the sonar signal on the display , and is a very intuitive method of presenting information. Traditionally, the strongest sonar signals are represented in black, and progressively weaker signals are represented in progressively lighter shades of gray.
Grayscale, Inverse: Inverse Grayscale is a Humminbird® feature that reverses the correlation of sonar signal strength and the shade of gray typically used to represent it. The strongest sonar signals are represented by "white", and progressively weaker signals are represented in progressively darker shades of gray. While somewhat
Instant Image Update: Instant Image Update is a Humminbird® feature that updates all the sonar information on the display when Sensitivity and a variety of sonar settings (Bottom View, Range, etc.) are modified. This differs from the traditional functionality that only updates the new sonar information collected after the setting change. Instant Image Update permits more accurate
Maximum Depth Menu: The Maximum Depth Menu is a Humminbird® feature that optimizes performance based on the maximum operational depth set by the user. Many Humminbird® units can operate across a very broad depth range (up to 2500 feet) which causes the unit to "look" up to that full depth under some circumstances. Due to the speed of sound in water, this can result in less responsiveness because the unit has to wait for a longer period of time to receive the sonar signal. When the Maximum Depth menu is set to a lower value, the unit only looks up to the setting, which increases the responsiveness of the unit. This is an important feature for anyone operating in shallower depths!
Noise: Noise is unintentional, external sound waves that interfere with the optimal operation of sonar. Noise appears as random "dots" on the display, and is caused by a variety of sources. Electrical noise (from trolling motors, bilge pumps, VHF radios) typically manifests as a consistent dot pattern. Electrical noise can be isolated by selectively turning on and off other electrical devices to determine the source. Often
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