Fish Hawk X4 - User Manual

OWNERS MANUAL
MODELS X4 & X4D
Trolling without a Fish Hawk is called BOATING .

Summary

Fish Hawk Product Warranty and Coverage

Two-Year Limited Warranty

Covers defects in parts and workmanship for two years from purchase date for original owner.

Discounted Replacement Program

Offers 25% discount on new replacements for years 3-5 if product cannot be repaired.

Warranty Conditions and Exclusions

Excludes damages from improper use, lack of maintenance, accidents, or loss.

Warranty Service and Shipping

Details how to request service, owner shipping responsibility, and return shipping coverage.

Personal Records

Fish Hawk System Installation and Setup

Transducer Installation Guidance

Proper transducer mounting for optimal signal reception and performance.

Display Unit Installation and Operation

Instructions for mounting the display and basic operational controls.

Fish Hawk Probe Maintenance and Care

Probe Battery Replacement Procedure

Step-by-step guide for accessing and replacing the probe's batteries.

Routine Probe Maintenance Tips

Recommendations for cleaning, lubrication, and storage to ensure longevity.

Fish Hawk Advanced Features and Support

Bluetooth Connectivity (X4 D BT)

Details Bluetooth pairing with mobile devices and downriggers.

Troubleshooting and Service Requests

Resources for resolving issues and submitting service requests online.

Fish Hawk Accessories and Apparel

Available Accessories and Parts

Information on purchasing replacement parts and accessories.

Branded Apparel and Merchandise

Details on where to buy Fish Hawk branded hats, shirts, and hoodies.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Installation
4. Operation
5. Bluetooth® Functions (X4D BT ONLY)
6. Maintenance Features
7. Probe Maintenance
8. Warranty and Service

The Fish Hawk X4 and X4D are electronic devices designed to enhance the fishing experience by providing crucial underwater data. Primarily, they function as a temperature and speed sensor for trolling, allowing anglers to target fish more effectively by understanding the conditions at their desired fishing depth. The X4D model further extends its capabilities with Bluetooth® connectivity, enabling communication with mobile devices and Cannon® Optimum Downriggers, thereby integrating with modern fishing technology for a more connected and data-driven approach to angling.

Function Description

The core function of the Fish Hawk system revolves around its ability to measure and display water temperature and speed at depth. This is achieved through a two-part system: a probe and a display unit.

The probe is the underwater component that collects the actual data. It is water-activated and contains sensors to measure temperature and a paddle wheel to determine speed. This data is then transmitted wirelessly to the display unit. The probe is designed to be attached to a downrigger cable or similar setup, allowing it to descend to the desired fishing depth. The X4D probe, in addition to its primary sensors, incorporates Bluetooth® technology, which allows it to communicate with compatible mobile applications and downriggers. This connectivity enables real-time data streaming to a smartphone or tablet, mirroring the information shown on the dedicated display and offering additional features like a catch log.

The display unit is the interface that presents the data collected by the probe to the user. It shows surface temperature, surface speed, probe temperature, probe depth (for X4D), and probe speed. The display also indicates units of measure (e.g., °F/MPH) and has a low battery indicator for the probe. The X4D display specifically includes a "Probe Depth" reading, which is a significant enhancement for precise depth targeting. The display units are designed for easy mounting in a visible, protected location on the boat. They require a 12-volt power connection, typically wired directly to the battery with an in-line fuse.

The system's primary benefit is to help anglers understand the thermal stratification of water bodies and the preferred temperature ranges of various fish species. By knowing the exact temperature and speed at the lure's depth, anglers can adjust their trolling speed and depth to match the conditions where fish are most likely to be active. The manual provides a table of preferred water temperature ranges for various species, serving as a guide for targeting specific fish.

Usage Features

The Fish Hawk system is designed for straightforward operation, allowing anglers to quickly access and utilize critical information.

Installation:

• Transducer Installation: The transducer is a crucial component that listens for the signal from the Fish Hawk Probe. Proper installation is emphasized for optimal performance. It should be mounted nearly flush with the bottom of the boat's hull, parallel to the water surface, and in a location on the transom that avoids turbulence from the motor used for trolling. The manual provides diagrams for various boat configurations (single outboard/outdrive, single outboard with kicker motor, twin outboard/outdrive, twin inboards with mid-ship thru-hull sonar transducer) to guide placement. It's important not to cut the transducer cable, and extension cables are available if more length is needed.
• Display Installation: The display unit should be mounted in a visible and protected area. It requires a power cord connection to the boat's 12-volt battery, with a one-amp in-line fuse for safety.

Operation:

• Power On/Off: The display is turned on by pressing the power symbol button.
• Settings Adjustment: Screen settings are accessed via the "SET" button. Each press advances to the next field, and UP/DOWN arrow buttons are used to adjust values. Changes are saved by pressing the power symbol button once.
• Backlight Control: The screen backlight can be enabled by pressing the UP arrow and turned off by pressing the DOWN arrow. There are three brightness levels for visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Factory Reset: If necessary, the display can be restored to factory settings by holding the "SET" button while turning the display on. The display will cycle through fields and stop on a reset screen, indicating completion when decimal points flash and numbers turn to zeros.
• Probe Battery Installation: The probe requires four high-quality AA batteries. Users must unscrew the battery cap, remove the battery holder, pay attention to polarity when installing batteries, and then reinsert the holder and thread the cap on finger-tight. A "LO BAT" indicator will appear on the display when the probe's batteries need replacement.

Bluetooth® Functions (X4D BT ONLY):

• The X4D BT model offers Bluetooth® connectivity to communicate with current mobile devices and Cannon® Optimum Downriggers.
• A free Fish Hawk Mobile App is available on the App Store and Google Play. This app mirrors the Fish Hawk Display on a mobile device, providing the same real-time data.
• The mobile app also includes a "catch log" feature, allowing users to record details of fish caught, which can be valuable for tracking patterns and improving future fishing success.

Maintenance Features

Proper maintenance of the Fish Hawk system, particularly the probe, is essential for ensuring its longevity and accurate performance.

Probe Maintenance:

• Condensation Prevention: After each fishing day, the cap at the end of the probe should be loosened to allow any natural condensation inside the battery compartment to dry. This prevents corrosion, which can damage the electronics.
• Paddle Wheel Maintenance: The axle clips against the paddle wheel arbor should be pressed tight daily. This ensures the paddle wheel spins freely and accurately measures speed.
• Battery Holder Connection: Users are advised not to disconnect the battery holder from the probe, as this could potentially damage the internal connections.
• O-Ring Lubrication: Annually, a light coat of lubricant should be applied to the O-rings to maintain their sealing integrity. Over-lubrication should be avoided.
• Long-Term Storage: For extended periods of storage, the batteries should be removed from the battery holder, and the probe should be stored with the cap off to prevent battery leakage and allow for complete drying.
• Water Activation: The probe is water-activated. To maximize battery life, it's recommended to dry or remove the protective silicone bumper on the front of the probe after each use.

Warranty and Service:

• Two-Year Warranty: Fish Hawk Systems are guaranteed against defects in parts or workmanship for two years from the date of purchase for the original owner.
• Discount Coverage Beyond Two Years: If a product cannot be repaired in years three, four, or five, the original owner can purchase a new replacement product at a 25% discount.
• Conditions: The warranty does not cover repairs due to improper use, failure to maintain, accidents, or loss.
• Registration: Products must be registered at fishhawkelectronics.com/register within 60 days of purchase to be eligible for warranty and discount coverage.
• Requesting Service: Warranty service requests can be submitted through a specific form on the fishhawkelectronics.com website.
• Shipping: The owner is responsible for shipping products back for warranty service, while Fish Hawk Electronics covers the cost of return shipping within the two-year warranty period.
• Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting information is available on the fishhawkelectronics.com website, and chat support and messaging are also provided for assistance.

The Fish Hawk X4 and X4D systems are comprehensive tools designed to provide anglers with critical underwater data, enhancing their ability to locate and catch fish by understanding and adapting to the aquatic environment. With robust features for data acquisition, display, and connectivity, coupled with clear maintenance guidelines, these devices aim to be reliable companions for serious anglers.

Fish Hawk X4 Specifications

General

Display Type	LCD
Power Source	4 AA batteries
Sonar Type	Single Beam
Temperature Sensor	Yes
GPS	No
Weight	1.5 lbs
Depth Range	300 ft
Wireless Range	300 ft