Hawk Eye Depth Gauge Install with pic.

[kustomkarl]

This is the installation I promised to post about the Hawk Eye Depth Finder.
The dimensions of the unit are 2” diameter and 1.75” deep. It uses a polarized Liquid Crystal. It comes with a white or black face plate and ring that are interchangeable. The preferred method to install is in dash or a special mounting unit for above dash is available. The Hawk Eye also comes with a cover to protect the face of the gauge. This unit will read from 1.0 to 200 ft deep. It has an alarm that you can set for the upper depth or the lower depth you desire. You can shut it off quickly when it sounds, by pressing the buttons on the face. The alarm signals are audible, red LED or blinking LCD icons. The transducer is included also that can be mounted on the transom or it can be glued inside the Hull of the boat. The transducer has 30 ft. of cable. It has a frequency of 200 KHZ
The unit is a simple 3 wire install. Install time approximate 1.5 hrs not counting cure time of epoxy//needs 12 hrs fully cure.

Here is the list of tools you will need to perform the install.
1) Tape measure
2) Power Drill gun
3) 2” hole saw drill (red in picture)
4) Pencil or marker
5) 5.5 mm socket w ¼ ratchet and extension
6) Pair of cutting pliers
7) 4 plastic ties
8) Wire connectors for power and ground connectors
9) 2 part clear epoxy, slow cure (pic7)
10) Piece of 80 grit sand paper//no picture

This install is on my 1997 Challenger Model 5603

I have enclosed pictures of the tools required. (Pic#1) Notice in the picture the green disc. This is what I drilled out of the dash to fit the depth finder in.

First consider where you want to mount the depth finder. Use the tape measure to measure the open area. I used the ring for the face of the depth finder to determine the exact location, measured it with the tape measure and mark the center of the position to drill the hole with the pencil or marker. I opened the console and unscrewed the bottom cover (5.5mmSocket) (Pic#2) Check for any wires or obstructions. The area was clear and I could route the power and ground with other wires from Tach. and Speedo. I also checked for open room for transducer plug end which there was plenty. (Pic#3) I wanted to mount between the 2 other gauges. I ran the transducer plug end from the Hull of the boat along side the steering cables and control cables up to the front storage compartment with out any problems. Remove the storage box for install. Use stiff piece of wire like a coat hanger if you need to help run the transducer plug end. Sorry no picture. Remove the top cover over gauges shown in (Pic 4) to allow room to drill hole for gauge. Use 5.5mm socket again from access from the cover in (pic2) Now use 2” hole saw and cut out the hole in the plastic be careful and go slowly, as it is very thin. Install the face plate color you want.



Assemble gauge in hole, tighten the supplied bracket on back and pull wires through the grommet in bottom of cover. (Pic 3) Leave the fuse assy. for gauge in top section of cover. Cut the rubber grommet with the cutting pliers and run the transducer wire to the gauge through the 2 holes and plug into the gauge.(Pic3)



Run the Black and Red wire from the gauge with other wires and connect to a power source that is active when the motor has ignition.(Pic5) If you run it to say the blower it will be active all the time and run the battery down. I chose the power and ground of the fuel gauge as it has enough amps to run the depth gauge and it was in the area. Use the plastic ties to keep bundled up and orderly.(Pic 6) re-assemble all panels, install storage box.

Ok almost done now, I have the location of the transducer already set so look at the pictures and mount it to the hull and your done. Here is how; scuff the fiberglass with 80 grit sand paper to make the surface the size of the transducer smooth. Mix the 2 part epoxy following the directions on package.(Pic7) Surface must be dry and clean. Mix it on cardboard or similar. You’ll need enough to cover both surfaces. Again be sure to follow directions for cure times. Have the wire out the top flat side down with point of transducer facing the front of the boat.(Pic8+9) Stick it down with a twisting motion to remove bubbles and let dry. If the transducer doesn’t stay put use duct tape to help secure it. Now it’s all done look at the job and enjoy.
Finished project (Pic 10)
Boat slow speed (Pic 11)
Boat at speed (Pic 12)

[seadoosnipe]

O.K...You got me all excited about this project and your talking about looking at all the pix. I'm looking really hard and I don't see them. Then at the bottom, you say pix to come soon.
That's like watching one of those shows on t.v. that is getting really good, then goes off, and you hear the guy say, "continued tomorrow"!....:rofl:

[kustomkarl]

more pics cont..

[kustomkarl]

Here are the 2 missing pictures #7 and #10

[kustomkarl]

Bump......

[JoeZ]

Hey that's a killer writeup Karl

[seadoosnipe]

Yeah,.........and it even looks good!...Now, if I want my boat to look good, I got to put one in mine too!.......:)

[kustomkarl]

Hey that's a killer writeup Karl

Thanks JoeZ, I even learned to do the pictures correct for next time ...so they arn't so spaced in the threads. Kinda write and add per post.

[seadoosnipe]

*bumpity*bumpity*bump!

[kustomkarl]

Bump...it still takes a bump and keeps on working...

[seadoosnipe]

Thanks for spotting the Hawkeye on ebay for a really cheap price and sending me the link. I was able to get my bid in with under 30 minutes to spare.
Now, I'll be reading your post so that I don't have to do the trial and error thing on the transducer to find where it works best!
Thanks again for the heads up on it Karl!..........
BTW, will that allow me to go any faster and keep up with your new twin engine 4-TEC, or will I still be eatin your salt spray?

[kustomkarl]

I ordered one for my speedster too, so you'll have to look for more horse power elsewhere. I might want to replace my clarion CD/AM/FM in the speedster for one that has a remote controller I can install on driver side. The stereo is on the passenger dash. Would you be interested? I haven't used it yet it is model 255,/ with detachable face. Let me know.

[seadoosnipe]

I'll be puttin mine in the next couple days....can't wait!

[kustomkarl]

Let me know if you get stuck or need some advise.

[seadoosnipe]

I'll let you know. Like I said, I'm just gonna put it down on the hull till I can test it for the best location........I think I'm gonna get my fuel gage working first. Then look at that XP speedo I've seen on ebay............chow

[ScubaDoo]

Kustomkarl, when you install your depth finder post some pictures on locations for the transducer in your new 200speedster.

[kustomkarl]

Ok, will do. I think I will do it tomorrow or Sunday If I have enough water under the lift. The cold weather pulled out all the water From the ICW and the channels.

[derek]

make sure the transducer is located on part of the hull that is in the water at full speed. if there is air under it it is trying to read altitude. if it is on a bracket at the rear of the hull, there is always air under it.

[kustomkarl]

Bump.....again

[robin savell lloyd]

This is the installation I promised to post about the Hawk Eye Depth Finder.
The dimensions of the unit are 2” diameter and 1.75” deep. It uses a polarized Liquid Crystal. It comes with a white or black face plate and ring that are interchangeable. The preferred method to install is in dash or a special mounting unit for above dash is available. The Hawk Eye also comes with a cover to protect the face of the gauge. This unit will read from 1.0 to 200 ft deep. It has an alarm that you can set for the upper depth or the lower depth you desire. You can shut it off quickly when it sounds, by pressing the buttons on the face. The alarm signals are audible, red LED or blinking LCD icons. The transducer is included also that can be mounted on the transom or it can be glued inside the Hull of the boat. The transducer has 30 ft. of cable. It has a frequency of 200 KHZ
The unit is a simple 3 wire install. Install time approximate 1.5 hrs not counting cure time of epoxy//needs 12 hrs fully cure.

Here is the list of tools you will need to perform the install.
1) Tape measure
2) Power Drill gun
3) 2” hole saw drill (red in picture)
4) Pencil or marker
5) 5.5 mm socket w ¼ ratchet and extension
6) Pair of cutting pliers
7) 4 plastic ties
8) Wire connectors for power and ground connectors
9) 2 part clear epoxy, slow cure (pic7)
10) Piece of 80 grit sand paper//no picture

This install is on my 1997 Challenger Model 5603

I have enclosed pictures of the tools required. (Pic#1) Notice in the picture the green disc. This is what I drilled out of the dash to fit the depth finder in.

First consider where you want to mount the depth finder. Use the tape measure to measure the open area. I used the ring for the face of the depth finder to determine the exact location, measured it with the tape measure and mark the center of the position to drill the hole with the pencil or marker. I opened the console and unscrewed the bottom cover (5.5mmSocket) (Pic#2) Check for any wires or obstructions. The area was clear and I could route the power and ground with other wires from Tach. and Speedo. I also checked for open room for transducer plug end which there was plenty. (Pic#3) I wanted to mount between the 2 other gauges. I ran the transducer plug end from the Hull of the boat along side the steering cables and control cables up to the front storage compartment with out any problems. Remove the storage box for install. Use stiff piece of wire like a coat hanger if you need to help run the transducer plug end. Sorry no picture. Remove the top cover over gauges shown in (Pic 4) to allow room to drill hole for gauge. Use 5.5mm socket again from access from the cover in (pic2) Now use 2” hole saw and cut out the hole in the plastic be careful and go slowly, as it is very thin. Install the face plate color you want.



Assemble gauge in hole, tighten the supplied bracket on back and pull wires through the grommet in bottom of cover. (Pic 3) Leave the fuse assy. for gauge in top section of cover. Cut the rubber grommet with the cutting pliers and run the transducer wire to the gauge through the 2 holes and plug into the gauge.(Pic3)



Run the Black and Red wire from the gauge with other wires and connect to a power source that is active when the motor has ignition.(Pic5) If you run it to say the blower it will be active all the time and run the battery down. I chose the power and ground of the fuel gauge as it has enough amps to run the depth gauge and it was in the area. Use the plastic ties to keep bundled up and orderly.(Pic 6) re-assemble all panels, install storage box.

Ok almost done now, I have the location of the transducer already set so look at the pictures and mount it to the hull and your done. Here is how; scuff the fiberglass with 80 grit sand paper to make the surface the size of the transducer smooth. Mix the 2 part epoxy following the directions on package.(Pic7) Surface must be dry and clean. Mix it on cardboard or similar. You’ll need enough to cover both surfaces. Again be sure to follow directions for cure times. Have the wire out the top flat side down with point of transducer facing the front of the boat.(Pic8+9) Stick it down with a twisting motion to remove bubbles and let dry. If the transducer doesn’t stay put use duct tape to help secure it. Now it’s all done look at the job and enjoy.
Finished project (Pic 10)
Boat slow speed (Pic 11)
Boat at speed (Pic 12) yellow wire conecters in photo 5 I have seen to many problems with so I quit useing them. I hate to say I end up cutting wires to make a beter conection. the problem takes about 1 month to a couple of years to show up. but normaly within the first year. :hurray:

[kustomkarl]

I just used the yellow and red clips for the photos. I solder and shrink wrap everything before it hits the water. These clips are just temporary to see everything is working.

Karl

[Seachallengermn]

Hi Karl,

How is the Depth Finder working for you? Any problems so far?How much did you pay for it?

I belive I found the same one for $99.99 + S&H ( Is this a Good Deal??)

http://www.fishfinderdiscounts.com/product/15818

Let me know....

Thank you once again !!!!

[kustomkarl]

Thats too much...go to e-bay...it sells for like 54.00 plus shipping comes to like 62.00 delivered. The company is in Orlando Florida, NorCross Marine Products. It retails from them direct for like $106.00 go to E-Bay...
I have one in my 200 speedster too...I love it.

Karl

[seadoosnipe]

As for the position, if your putting it in the Challenger, the pix and mark ups that Karl has listed is all you need. I printed his material in the post and put it in just like he said and wham!.......it worked perfect. He went through all the trials and tribulations of finding the right spot, I just got the "freebie" lesson as to where to put it. To bad he put that in the forum........I'd had gladly paid him for the "secret" to keep me from spending a day trying to figure it out................:rofl:

[Seachallengermn]

Muchas Gracias for the information !!!!!

You guys ROCK :cheers:

I will post pictures as soon as i get my depth finder installed.

[kustomkarl]

So Light...keep us posted on you install Post some pictures when you get a chance.

Karl

[Donnie1]

more pics cont..

This looks like something I want to do to my Speedster. If I'm reading it right, and this is a stupid question, there is no drilling into the hull for the transducer, it reads through the hull?

[kustomkarl]

Yes, that is correct. Use the tranducer that is supplied and epoxy( 2 part epoxy) it in the inside of the hull.

Karl

[Lee]

Hey Karl,Did you install the depth finder in your speedster yet? I want to put one on my sportster but theres no room for the guage on my dash.Is there room on yours? I was looking at their surface mount but it looks so tiny.

[kustomkarl]

Lee, my speedster came supplied with a blank in the dash to add the guage, and the wiring was ready to just plug in.

Karl

[rexsteiner]

I ordered one for my speedster too, so you'll have to look for more horse power elsewhere. I might want to replace my clarion CD/AM/FM in the speedster for one that has a remote controller I can install on driver side. The stereo is on the passenger dash. Would you be interested? I haven't used it yet it is model 255,/ with detachable face. Let me know.

are you going to get another clarion? i have a wired remote that i just took out i'd sell ya dirt cheep.

[scooper77515]

Is that the DF1000D that you have installed in my boat? I need to download the instructions to figure out what the buttons are for, and maybe make it not beep so often. I assume it is warning me of shallow water:confused:

Works great, by the way. Saved me once in Key West. Thought we were in the channel at 8 and 10 feet and all of a sudden 3.2 feet and I threw it in reverse and got the heck out of there!!!

[kustomkarl]

Scott, I have the instruction booklet here...forgot to give it to you ...I'll send it in the mail. You can't shut off the beeps..I called the mfg...that's the only things that drives me nuts. PM me your address...its done...

Karl

[97speed]

Wow, I just joined this forum and had just recieved my hawkeye depth gauge from ebay yesterday and now see this on install in my 97 sppedster-can't ask for more than that-oh, don't worry I will as I have lots more ?? :)

[rexsteiner]

Scott, I have the instruction booklet here...forgot to give it to you ...I'll send it in the mail. You can't shut off the beeps..I called the mfg...that's the only things that drives me nuts. PM me your address...its done...

Karl just fill the holle on the back with black permatex. Quiets it down to a light beep and so much more tolerable.

[kustomkarl]

I have one on my 200 speedster too, and it beeps with the same rhythm of the DESS...I keep doing a double take of all the beeps every time, thinking it is going to throw a code. :ack:

Karl

[scooper77515]

it beeps with the same rhythm of the DESS...I keep doing a double take of all the beeps every time, thinking it is going to throw a code

EXACTLY!!! That is what bothers me.

It is nice when it beeps to warn you of shallow water, but it is the startup beeping that irritates me.

But, I can live with it. The functionality of this gauge FAR outweighs the irritation of the beep.:cheers:

[kustomkarl]

I thought the same thing, that it out weighed the beeping...

[rexsteiner]

before and after

[kustomkarl]

Nice set up...

[rexsteiner]

Thats too much...go to e-bay...it sells for like 54.00 plus shipping comes to like 62.00 delivered. The company is in Orlando Florida, NorCross Marine Products. It retails from them direct for like $106.00 go to E-Bay...
I have one in my 200 speedster too...I love it.

Karl

if you get it from the company you get a niftey beer....uh... pop coozie too:cheers:

[kustomkarl]

The e-bay store is cheaper..I paid like $60.00 to my door...retails 109.00 plus tax and frt.:ack:

Karl

[rexsteiner]

:rant:dang! i cant find the site anymore where i got it. it came right from norcross along with the coozie and a bunch of coupons like 25% off my next purchase and i payed $65 plus shipping. did you get that stuff too?

found it. >>> (http://www.shopnorcrossmarine.com/servlet/the-21/Factory-Recertified-HawkEye%C2%AE-In-dsh-Dash/Detail)

[kustomkarl]

Yes, from e-bay I have bought 2 in the past 4 months. I bet like 20 people have got them because of me.

[mjchevyss1]

I cant find the Hawk eye on ebay for less then 90$.. Ill keep looking cant wait to do this mod.

[cspeer]

Karl, great post and thanks for all of the information. I have wanted to install a finder this since I got my boat last year. I have an 07 Challenger 180......my question is about the transducer location in the engine compartment....any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

[kustomkarl]

I would look for the cleanest area that is in front of or besides the jet pump. The easiest way to find a good spot is to install the guage, and have the transducer sitting in the hull of the doo, where you think you want to mount it. Use 80 grit sandpaper and scuff the fiberglass of the hull location so it is smooth. Then fill the boat with water till the transducer is under the water while setting in location. See if it shoots through the Hull in that location. The water acts as a seal between the transducer and the fiberglass Hull. If it doesn't shoot through the Hull try another spot. When it picks up real good, clean the spot and dry it real good and apply the 2 part slow cure, clear epoxy.
Every model seadoo is different.

Karl

[scooper77515]

Since we are talking about depths, what is the shallowest I can drive in?

A couple weeks ago, the local bayou was a little low, and most of it was at 4-6', and at one point, at about 35 mph, I hit a spot that said 2.5'. I turned it around and slowly got out of that area toward deeper water.

Not sure if it was a shallow spot, or a sunken tree or something, but 2.5' was a little to close for comfort for me.

Muddy silt bottom, few rocks. Nothing got sucked up.

Anyway, I am very happy with the quick response the Hawkeye gives me. I think it takes 2 readings a second :confused:

[vilord]

We have a 12" draught, right? So piloting in water over solid concrete (i'm thinking of a canal) we could go through about 13 or 14" of water?

I'm also interested in scooper's question about a good depth to avoid sucking up muck :)

[kustomkarl]

If your at an idle it is a safe depth to be at least 18 inches deep. If your at speed you should be ok at least 24 inches. Anything less than that, you be suckin yuck!

Karl

[xrider]

Im gonna need a small child to install my transducer in there. there is no room to get under the hull at all, unless im mister fantastic and can strech my arms. well see when I try to install it.

[kustomkarl]

It should mount in the engine bay area, near the jet pump assy just off center.

Karl

[porsche4me]

Not a SeaDoo - but it was my second Jet boat 1st was an Ultranautics JetStar #2 Bayliner REFLEXX 14 footer - now I am on #3 a 1800 Challenger year 2000 with the Merc V6 -

[Dans97challenger]

Great write up for sure. I just ordered one on ebay. Everything is in austrailian money though. I am waiting for Norcross to call me back about that before I give them my credit card#.

[gordo240]

Just wondering if you have had any issues with bad readings when transducer is reading through the hull.
Just so I am clear there is no drilling the hull to mount the transducer either?
Thanks for the post-really good info. - it is always nice to know how deep it is when you are cruising?
Has anybody had any experience with the GPS/DepthFinder units?
Keep up the good work!

[Dans97challenger]

There is no drilling. Check out the pics he has. He just glued it to the hull with epoxy.

[kustomkarl]

The transducers is just epoxied to the bottom. If you use a depth finder gps unit it is a slower sounder unit. This depth finder is a great unit running at top speed. Mine works great in my 200 speedster at 55+ mph, uness the silt on the bottom is too soft to return a signal.

Karl

[seadoosnipe]

Here is the link that leads to the Hawk eye depth finder through ebay. I installed mine last year and love it!....it's a great addition to my Challenger and has kept me from running in water too shallow for my boat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HawkEye-In-Dash-Depth-Finder-2-In-Dash-Sonar-Sounder_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1222Q7c66 Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp328 6Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem220304429770QQitemZ22030442 9770QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

[Dans97challenger]

I am going to do the same thing you did Snipe. My Speedo doesn't work anymore either and my mechanic said the guage was fine and the pickup was fine it was the MPEM that wasn't working right. I am not replacing an $1800 computer just to get my speed. I will remove the speedo and put it in there and buy a GPS for speed.

[wjeffmoore]

karl,
you said that your doo was prewired? i want to do this install which wires do i need to use?

[macrylinda1]

Thanks for spotting the Hawkeye on ebay for a really cheap price and sending me the link. I was able to get my bid in with under 30 minutes to spare.
Now, I'll be reading your post so that I don't have to do the trial and error thing on the transducer to find where it works best!
Thanks again for the heads up on it Karl!..........
BTW, will that allow me to go any faster and keep up with your new twin engine 4-TEC, or will I still be eatin your salt spray?

I ordered one for my speedster too, so you'll have to look for more horse power elsewhere. I might want to replace my clarion CD/AM/FM in the speedster for one that has a remote controller I can install on driver side. The stereo is on the passenger dash. Would you be interested? I haven't used it yet it is model 255,/ with detachable face. Let me know.