Doc's Advanced Electronics Tutorials - Session 2

**Lowrance Advanced Electronics Series: Parts 1,2 & 3 are just part of a continuing series in the Walleye In-sider.

Session 2
Reviewing Chart Logs

Why should we save digital chart recordings? I had this option on my Lowrance for 3 years and never used it because I didn’t understand how it would help me. One day, I recorded some chart recordings for my electronic seminars and bingo, the light went on. I now have another tool to help me visualize the lake bottom and find new fishing spots.

In session 1, I went over how to log (record) chart data for later review. Here I will explain how to play it back in ways which are useful. First we will replay the recordings on your Lowrance unit with the split screen as shown in example 1.

Now for some detailed instructions on how to play the recordings on your Lowrance unit.
Our last session demonstrated how to log chart data (record sonar graphs) and save a chart to the MMC card. First, place that card in the card tray. Then find the saved chart by opening the Sonar Chart Logging window. You can refer to session 1 for details on opening the Sonar Chart Logging window shown in example 2.

Now use the right arrow button to highlight the Browses Files and press ENTER. The window demonstrated in example 3 appears.

We named the chart recording chart1 in session 1, so let’s find it. It is not in example 3 as this is a Lowrance 2 card holder model. Press the right arrow to view the second card as demonstrated in example 4.

You will be looking for Chart1.slg. Use the down arrows to highlight this chart, press ENTER and the window in example 5 appears.

Press the down arrow key to highlight PLAY, press ENTER and the chart plays as shown in example 1.

As the recording plays it leaves a trail on the plotter screen and displays the graph on the sonar screen. You can use the zoom, change sensitivity, and other settings while it plays. If you see fish or a drop off of interest, you can save a waypoint by pressing the waypoint button twice and return later to investigate.
I like to review sonar graph recordings with a Navionics map displayed on the plotter screen, because it is helpful to match the sonar recording to the depth contours. Refer to example 1.

If a part of the trail is interesting, you can save it. A great example would be to save the part of the trail through a hazardous area so that you have a permanent trail to follow each year. This will be demonstrated in detail in Session 3.

The recording can also be reviewed on the SonarViewer. This is a software program that plays the charts on your computer.

In order to review your recordings on the SonarViewer, you have to load MapCreate to your computer if you haven’t before. MapCreate comes on a CD with Lowrance GPS models and the SonarViewer is loaded with MapCreate. Please refer to your manual for instructions. It only takes a few minutes to load. If your computer experience is limited, ask your children for help. Most school age children have computer experience. If you do not have MapCreate you can download the SonarViewer free from www.lowrance.com. Call their Customer Service if you need help at (800) 324-1356. I use them when I am stumped.

After MapCreate is loaded you will find SonarViewer in the Lowrance file shown in example 6.

Now follow these steps.
1. Open SonarViewer
2. Attach the USB MMC/SD card reader to the computer
3. Place the card you recorded the chart on in the reader
4. L click file
5. L click open chart
6. Find your card reader under my computer and open it. Example 7 is what it looks like on my computer. Removable disc (E :) is my card reader. When I open (E :) example 8 appears.

7. Select a file ending in .slg as this a chart log
8. Your recording will appear
9. L click the single right arrow and it will play
10. Have fun

This software allows you to pause, fast forward, zoom, change the sensitivity, and many other tools. The most important tool is the pop up box shown in example 9.

I have placed the cursor on a fish and the longitude and latitude are displayed. It also displays time, day, and year of the recording. Amazing! You can write down the coordinates, place them in your GPS as a waypoint, and drive to the spot.

There is no manual for the SonarViewer but there is a Tip of the day box that gives some instruction. This box will pop up when you open SonarViewer or you can L click the help menu to find it.
If you have trouble with the SonarViewer and lose the picture, shut down SonarViewer, open it again, and open your chart again to start fresh. Lowrance Customer Service is an excellent source for further information.

These tools are complicated but I have found them to be very useful in finding new fishing spots. The winters are long in Minnesota, so share your summer fishing memories with your friends on the SonarViewer. Even better is viewing your friend’s and your recordings so you can double the information. Of course you must be careful what you share!

In my Lowrance Instructional DVD part 2 I have a chapter on using the SonarViewer in more detail.