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Glossary
Grayscale The use of varying shades ofgray to represent thestrength of thesonar signal
on the display. Traditionally, the strongest sonar signals are represented in black, and
progressively weaker signals are represented in progressively lighter shades of gray.
Noise The 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. ManyHumminbird® products have aNoiseFiltermenusetting thatallows the user
to clear the screen of noise that is difficult to eliminate (also, see Troubleshooting).
Pixels The “picture elements“,or small squareblocks,thatmake up the imageon theLCD.
Measured as a vertical by horizontal number (i.e. 640V x 320H), this key specification
typically indicates the quality of resolution. In fishfinders, the total resolution (vertical
multiplied byhorizontal)is often less importantthanthe “Vertical Pixel“ resolution because
a greater number of vertical pixels provide finer resolution of targets detected by sonar.
Sonarinformation on thehorizontal axis canvarygreatly, depending onboat speed and the
Chart Speed setting.
Power Output The amount of sound energy emitted into the water by the transducer’s
transmitter.PoweroutputismeasuredusingeitherRMS(RootMeanSquare)orP-T-P(Peak-
to-Peak) measurement systems. Either method is acceptable, but it is important when
comparing power outputs, to make sure that the same measurement system is being used
for both outputs, because P-T-P numbers are 8 times higher than RMS numbers. Greater
power output allows the sonar signal to penetrate through weeds and thermoclines, reach
deeper depths and operate more effectively in noisy environments, such as when the boat
is running at high speed.
Pulse Width (Pulse Length) The length of time that a sonar sound burst is transmitted
into the water. Shorter pulse widths provide better target separation, but cannot travel to
great depths. Longer pulse widths provide better depth penetration, but result in poorer
target separation. Humminbird® varies pulse width based on depth to optimize both target
separation and depth performance. See Target Separation.
Second Return Describes the appearance of a second sonar return below the primary
sonar return (bottom contour) at exactly twice the true depth. The second return is caused
by the same sonar energy bouncing off the bottom once, rebounding to the water surface
and thentravelingbackdown to thebottom tobe reflected again.Second returnsaremore
common in shallow water and over hard bottoms; it is possible to see a third sonar return
under some circumstances. The second return provides useful information to help
determine bottom hardness, as areas with harder bottoms will generally create a second
return.Thesecondreturncanbeusedasaguide tosetSensitivity wheninshallowerwater.