Update on where to find the software updates for Active Target. This week Lowrance moved the location of all software updates for Active Target. Prior to now you had to select "Transducer" under the software update device list to find the Active Target updates. Active Target is now listed on the Device List, so now chose "Active Target" in the drop down menu (not to be confused with Active Imaging").
Thanks for sharing. I updated mine this morning but I couldn’t find anywhere what issues are fixed other than this yellow wire issue.. how can I find out what other fixes are provided in this version?
You are welcome. Nothing has yet been published on other fixes, though it may be coming. You will also see that under the Active Target menu, other options, there is a menu choice for "Stop Sonar" on the .59 software.
Yes, turning off your main switch will turn off Active Target, but it also turns off all your other electronics. There will be times you will want to turn off only the Active Target box but keep your other electronics powered up while out on the water (to save power, and to save the transducer from pinging when not needed, etc.). I highly recommend wiring the Active Target red wire to your boat's main power switch, but wire the yellow wire to an accessory switch. This gives you the flexibility to shutoff power to your Active Target independent from your other electronics. Hope that makes sense.
@@marcmarcantonio Yes it does thanks Marc. Glad you mentioned that because I’m only going to run one 9” up front and there will be times when I only run my 2d. Thanks again 👍
Hi Marc .. thanks for your input .. I’ve just bought a second hand AT 1 but there is something wrong in the wiring .. have joined the red and yellow .. connected to fuse box but I think I need a switch of some sort .. AT works but I can’t turn it off .. module stays on when I turn the sounder off .. do you have any ideas? Cheers Steve
Steve, just take the yellow wire from the Active Target box and attach it to a switch that has 12 volts running to the other side of the switch. Make sure you have updated the software in the Active Target 1 to the latest software (22.1) which you can download from lowrance.com. You will then be able to turn off the Active Target when not using it.
I don’t understand why you would release a product that wasn’t complete. Installing my AT this week thanks to your help Marc. I think this will be my last lowrance purchase unfortunately.
Thanks for the detail, it really helped with the software install. But I'm confused on the physical part. The installation manual shows two examples: 1. the two yellow wires are connected directly together (no switch, no connection to power) and 2. Only the yellow wire from the AT module is switched from power source (and what happens to the yellow wire from the graph?) Thanks for any help you can provide.
The yellow wire coming from an HDS unit is a wake up wire used to turn on accessories when connected to the HDS yellow wire. In this way when the AT yellow is connected to the HDS yellow, when you first power on (or turn off) the HDS unit, the AT comes on at the same time since it is awakened by the HDS unit. I don't like this arrangement with the AT, because you always have to have the HDS unit on to see AT; and if you want to turn off AT to save power you then can't use your HDS unit. The yellow wire from the HDS unit is just left not connected (taped up) when not used with an accessory like AT or 3D StructureScan.
@@marcmarcantonio So your switch is between the HDS unit yellow wire and the AT yellow wire, not separate power to a switch and then to the AT yellow wire? Thanks
Thanks Marc. I separated my yellow and red, putting the yellow on a switch. It turns on and off just like you would expect. There is a time delay for the AT to start up after being shut off but not a problem. That tip on the software of waiting when it says 100% was great. I would have exited out. Thanks.
Hey Marc I just purchased the active target one and currently have it running on the new software 23.3 but the module will not turn off is there any way for me to get the old software update? I know it’s been 2 years so the chance is slim. Any help is greatly appreciated.
That is not the fault of the software. All of the last 3 software updates for AT1 allow the yellow wire to shut off the AT1 box. Is your yellow wire on a separate switch?
@@marcmarcantonio hmmmmmm interesting I have my AT going to my elite fs directly yellow to yellow, red to red and black to black hoping that when I turn on and off the elite, AT will follow suit.
@prohushdarakeo That is why you can't shut off your Active Target. The way you have it wired, you have to shut off your graph that is tied to its yellow wire to shut off your Active Target. Put your AT yellow wire on a separate switch like in my videos.
@@marcmarcantonio yea that’s what I want it to do but it won’t do it… lol I want it to be on when my Elite unit is on and go off when I turn off my Elite. My only purpose for my Elite FS is just for the Active Target.
Does the update turn off the AT when you switch to regular sonar on the graph? Or if you switch the graph to standby mode will it shut off, or do you still have to manually turn a switch of to shut down the AT transducer..
You have to turn off the switch (yellow wire) to stop the AT box. You can go to the AT menu to stop the transducer, but the box will still be drawing power. Switching to regular sonar does not stop the AT Box. Only killing power from the Yellow Wire (or the red wire) will stop the box from being powered.
I don't know the answer...I don't believe your Gen2 will have the processing power to handle Active Target, but this is a guess on my part. Sorry I don't know.
Some would have that philosophy, but not my recommendation. I think it is always good to keep up with all updates. There may be other features in this update that fixes bugs not advertised. I also recommend putting your red wire on your boat's main power that is switched off after using your boat, and connecting the yellow wire to its own switch. The reason to hook it this way is because you will always be in the habit of turning off your main power when done fishing, so you won't accidentally leave your Active Target powered on overnight, which could kill it. The yellow wire on its own switch allows you to conserve power while fishing and when not needed.
Upgraded the software and the yellow wire from the hds live unit doesn’t seem to function properly. My active target stays powered when yellow wires are connected and screen if off.
It will work, but why not use the yellow wire to the switch? The red wire powers the AT so why reduce its power with the added resistance of a switch? Whereas the yellow wire is simply a wake up and sleep wire, so the switch resistance won't affect the performance of the AT.
Marc, Lowrance owes you some gratitude at a minimum. Your Utube post saved me as far as finding the yellow wire update. It’s a damn shame it’s that hard to find a update to make a product perform like it’s supposed to. I have spent a lot of money on Lowrance products over the years and let’s just say I’m very disappointed in their support! Thanks again for your post!
In case anyone missed my Active Target unbox and install video, I connect the Active Target yellow wire directly to an accessory switch on my Ranger dash board. The red and black wires from my Active Target box are connected to my main power and ground. Power is killed to the red wire whenever the main boat power is switched off after fishing. Power can be killed to the Active Target while fishing to save battery power by turning off the yellow wire accessory switch. I do not connect anything to the HDS unit's yellow wire. My 3D StructureScan is wired the exact same way on a separate accessory switch.
Great instructional video. Although, I wasn’t having the same issue, your explanation of how to do the download was very helpful.
Glad it helped. Thank you for watching!
Great job explaining Marc..
Glad you liked it
Update on where to find the software updates for Active Target. This week Lowrance moved the location of all software updates for Active Target. Prior to now you had to select "Transducer" under the software update device list to find the Active Target updates. Active Target is now listed on the Device List, so now chose "Active Target" in the drop down menu (not to be confused with Active Imaging").
Well done, thanks for the detailed step through!
You are welcome; thank you for watching!
Thanks for sharing. I updated mine this morning but I couldn’t find anywhere what issues are fixed other than this yellow wire issue.. how can I find out what other fixes are provided in this version?
You are welcome. Nothing has yet been published on other fixes, though it may be coming. You will also see that under the Active Target menu, other options, there is a menu choice for "Stop Sonar" on the .59 software.
Thanks for sharing mate - great tuition as well !
My pleasure!
Great Video Marc
Thank you!
Marc just turning off your big red main switch in the battery compartment won’t turn that power drain off ?
Yes, turning off your main switch will turn off Active Target, but it also turns off all your other electronics. There will be times you will want to turn off only the Active Target box but keep your other electronics powered up while out on the water (to save power, and to save the transducer from pinging when not needed, etc.). I highly recommend wiring the Active Target red wire to your boat's main power switch, but wire the yellow wire to an accessory switch. This gives you the flexibility to shutoff power to your Active Target independent from your other electronics. Hope that makes sense.
@@marcmarcantonio Yes it does thanks Marc. Glad you mentioned that because I’m only going to run one 9” up front and there will be times when I only run my 2d. Thanks again 👍
Hi Marc .. thanks for your input .. I’ve just bought a second hand AT 1 but there is something wrong in the wiring .. have joined the red and yellow .. connected to fuse box but I think I need a switch of some sort .. AT works but I can’t turn it off .. module stays on when I turn the sounder off .. do you have any ideas? Cheers Steve
Steve, just take the yellow wire from the Active Target box and attach it to a switch that has 12 volts running to the other side of the switch. Make sure you have updated the software in the Active Target 1 to the latest software (22.1) which you can download from lowrance.com. You will then be able to turn off the Active Target when not using it.
@@marcmarcantonio Thanks Marc .. yep was good to see how to download software for AT .. have done that .. cheers Steve
I don’t understand why you would release a product that wasn’t complete. Installing my AT this week thanks to your help Marc. I think this will be my last lowrance purchase unfortunately.
Glad to help
Thanks for the detail, it really helped with the software install. But I'm confused on the physical part. The installation manual shows two examples: 1. the two yellow wires are connected directly together (no switch, no connection to power) and 2. Only the yellow wire from the AT module is switched from power source (and what happens to the yellow wire from the graph?) Thanks for any help you can provide.
The yellow wire coming from an HDS unit is a wake up wire used to turn on accessories when connected to the HDS yellow wire. In this way when the AT yellow is connected to the HDS yellow, when you first power on (or turn off) the HDS unit, the AT comes on at the same time since it is awakened by the HDS unit. I don't like this arrangement with the AT, because you always have to have the HDS unit on to see AT; and if you want to turn off AT to save power you then can't use your HDS unit. The yellow wire from the HDS unit is just left not connected (taped up) when not used with an accessory like AT or 3D StructureScan.
@@marcmarcantonio So your switch is between the HDS unit yellow wire and the AT yellow wire, not separate power to a switch and then to the AT yellow wire? Thanks
Thanks Marc. I separated my yellow and red, putting the yellow on a switch. It turns on and off just like you would expect. There is a time delay for the AT to start up after being shut off but not a problem. That tip on the software of waiting when it says 100% was great. I would have exited out. Thanks.
@@morganswisher1937 No; you attach the AT yellow wire to a switch that has power to it. I do not connect to the HDS yellow wire at all.
Great video! Very informative.
Thank you!
Very helpful video
Thank you!
Hey Marc I just purchased the active target one and currently have it running on the new software 23.3 but the module will not turn off is there any way for me to get the old software update? I know it’s been 2 years so the chance is slim. Any help is greatly appreciated.
That is not the fault of the software. All of the last 3 software updates for AT1 allow the yellow wire to shut off the AT1 box. Is your yellow wire on a separate switch?
@@marcmarcantonio hmmmmmm interesting I have my AT going to my elite fs directly yellow to yellow, red to red and black to black hoping that when I turn on and off the elite, AT will follow suit.
@prohushdarakeo That is why you can't shut off your Active Target. The way you have it wired, you have to shut off your graph that is tied to its yellow wire to shut off your Active Target. Put your AT yellow wire on a separate switch like in my videos.
@@marcmarcantonio yea that’s what I want it to do but it won’t do it… lol I want it to be on when my Elite unit is on and go off when I turn off my Elite. My only purpose for my Elite FS is just for the Active Target.
Is that a 12v switch or 24?
12 volt switch.
Does the update turn off the AT when you switch to regular sonar on the graph? Or if you switch the graph to standby mode will it shut off, or do you still have to manually turn a switch of to shut down the AT transducer..
You have to turn off the switch (yellow wire) to stop the AT box. You can go to the AT menu to stop the transducer, but the box will still be drawing power. Switching to regular sonar does not stop the AT Box. Only killing power from the Yellow Wire (or the red wire) will stop the box from being powered.
@@marcmarcantonio thanks man, this really helps me out
Will HDS gen2 work with live target update
I don't know the answer...I don't believe your Gen2 will have the processing power to handle Active Target, but this is a guess on my part. Sorry I don't know.
Right now I do not have mine wired to a switch. Will this turn my Active Target off if I turn my Live off if they are wired together?
Yes, it will, but I recommend moving the AT yellow wire to a switch so you can turn it off to save power, and still be able to use your HDS unit.
I wired my black box with yellow and red combined on a fused switch. Maybe no reason to do the .59 update in my case?
Some would have that philosophy, but not my recommendation. I think it is always good to keep up with all updates. There may be other features in this update that fixes bugs not advertised. I also recommend putting your red wire on your boat's main power that is switched off after using your boat, and connecting the yellow wire to its own switch. The reason to hook it this way is because you will always be in the habit of turning off your main power when done fishing, so you won't accidentally leave your Active Target powered on overnight, which could kill it. The yellow wire on its own switch allows you to conserve power while fishing and when not needed.
Huge help here!!!
Glad it helped you!
Upgraded the software and the yellow wire from the hds live unit doesn’t seem to function properly. My active target stays powered when yellow wires are connected and screen if off.
What software is on your Active Target? Both need to be on 23.3 as of November 12, 2023. It is better to connect the AT yellow wire to a switch.
What happens if you hook the red wire to a switch instead of the yellow?
It will work, but why not use the yellow wire to the switch? The red wire powers the AT so why reduce its power with the added resistance of a switch? Whereas the yellow wire is simply a wake up and sleep wire, so the switch resistance won't affect the performance of the AT.
I’m finding out from Lowrance that this fix does NOT work on FS units!!!! They are still working on a fix. :(
It does also work on the FS units now.
thanks!
Welcome!
Marc, I can't find the download online. Can you link it?
The update is listed under "Transducer", not under HDS and not under Active Target.
downloads.lowrance.com/software/index.html?r=4290
Marc, Lowrance owes you some gratitude at a minimum. Your Utube post saved me as far as finding the yellow wire update. It’s a damn shame it’s that hard to find a update to make a product perform like it’s supposed to. I have spent a lot of money on Lowrance products over the years and let’s just say I’m very disappointed in their support! Thanks again for your post!
Lowrance is THE WORST with customer service and support. Great video Marc, thank you!
Hey, thanks. Just wiring up my new fs9 active target, this helped. Will check out your other vids. Subscribed. Cheers from Australia. PP
Awesome, thank you!
In case anyone missed my Active Target unbox and install video, I connect the Active Target yellow wire directly to an accessory switch on my Ranger dash board. The red and black wires from my Active Target box are connected to my main power and ground. Power is killed to the red wire whenever the main boat power is switched off after fishing. Power can be killed to the Active Target while fishing to save battery power by turning off the yellow wire accessory switch. I do not connect anything to the HDS unit's yellow wire. My 3D StructureScan is wired the exact same way on a separate accessory switch.
Morgan Swisher