Select your product to confirm this information applies to you
Panoptix LiveScope Ghost Trees or False Returns
Interference on the Panoptix LiveScope transducer can cause false returns on the sonar display, sometimes called a ‘ghost tree’. This can be caused by a physical cabling issue or require an adjustment in the LiveScope settings.
Inspecting transducer and cable installation
If the LVS32 transducer is installed on a cable steer trolling motor, the transducer cable may have been damaged by the motor's rotation. To check whether this is the case, increase the LiveScope depth range on the chartplotter and rotate the transducer.
Mirrored or 'kaleidoscope' images are usually caused by a broken wire in the twin transducer cables. To avoid this, create a large enough gap for the cables to move without stretching or tearing, especially around bending areas. Avoid over-tightening the cables when fastening them to a pole or trolling motor. Do not use zip ties to fasten the cable. We recommend soft hook-and-loop self fasteners.
Examples of LiveScope returns with damaged cables
If the cable is broken, the bottom return will be mirrored as shown below:
When using an LVS32 transducer in Perspective View, a broken cable may intermittently cause sections of the image to move in opposite directions when the vessel moves or the transducer is rotated.
To troubleshoot cable issues on the transducer:
Inspect the gap between transducer cables for any visible damage to the black casing
Check that there is a wide enough gap between the cables to allow the transducer to be fully rotated
The installation instructions recommend a gap of at least 4 inches (10 cm) above and below the split portion of the cable
The gap must be centered on the rotating joint
Check that the transducer can rotate in both directions without being pulled
Both cables must clear the motor's rotation joint
Check that the cable is not fastened too tightly to the trolling motor or pole, if either is in use
It is not recommended to use zip ties or cable clamps, which may damage the cable
If there is high tension in the cable, adjust the size of the gap as indicated above.
If the cable has been damaged, the transducer will need to be replaced. Contact Product Support for additional information.
NOTE: Physical damage is not covered under warranty.
Adjusting LiveScope settings on the chartplotter
If hardware issues on the transducer have been ruled out, adjusting the LiveScope settings on the chartplotter may help to improve the returns.
To access the LiveScope settings on the chartplotter:
From the home screen, select Sonar / Panoptix depending on the device
Select Panoptix LiveScope
Select Menu
Select Sonar Setup
The following settings can be adjusted:
Noise Reject
Noise Reject settings have the following effects:
Off: Noise rejection is disabled, showing the most raw signal from the transducer
This can result in increased interference
Low: Removes trolling motor noise and interference from other sonar sources
Medium: Removes trolling motor noise, interference from other sonar sources, and bottom artifacts
This is the recommended Noise Reject setting
High: Smooths out the picture and more aggressively hides artifacts
Examples of returns with Noise Reject disabled
Examples of returns with Noise Reject set to Medium
Ghost Reject
Ghost Reject shifts some power from the downward-looking elements of the transducer to the forward-looking elements. This lessens the effect of phantom rays and objects appearing on-screen due to signals bouncing off of bottom and being incorrectly reflected at the transducer. This is especially useful in shallow water with a hard bottom.
To adjust Ghost Reject
From the LiveScope screen, select Menu
Select Ghost Reject
Set Ghost Reject to Low, Medium, High, or Off depending on current needs
Examples of returns with Ghost Reject set to Off, Low, Medium, and High
Gain
Gain adjusts the sensitivity of the sonar receiver. It is recommended to set the chartplotter to automatically adjust the gain.
To adjust the gain:
From the LiveScope screen, select Menu
Select Gain
Select Auto
The lower the gain is set, the less prominent the 'starburst' from the transducer will appear. Higher gain settings may show more interference. The gain can be manually adjusted if necessary.
TVG
TVG, or Time Varying Gain, can be adjusted to suppress clutter or 'noise' near the surface, which can help to reveal targets.
To adjust the TVG:
From the LiveScope screen, select Menu
Select Sonar Setup
Select TVG
Adjust the TVG to the best level for the current water conditions
AHRS
AHRS, or the Attitude Heading and Reference System, uses sensors to automatically detect the LiveScope transducer orientation. It is recommended to enable AHRS.
To enable AHRS:
From the LiveScope screen, select Menu
Select Sonar Setup
Select Installation
If AHRS is set to 'Off', select AHRS
Select Use AHRS to change the setting to 'On'
Select Orientation
Select Auto
See the device's owner's manual for steps to calibrate the compass to use AHRS.
If the LiveScope view continues to show interference after checking for cable damage and adjusting the settings, contact Product Support.