Understanding Install Depth on Garmin LiveScope LVS32 and LVS34

Install Depth is a setting on Garmin LiveScope that adjusts how the unit interprets the depth of your transducer in the water. While it may seem like a small adjustment, getting it right can help you see your bait land, track fish near the surface, and ensure that depth readings are accurate. However, overdoing it can introduce unwanted reflections from the water's surface, making the image harder to interpret.

What Does Install Depth Do?

Install Depth tells your LiveScope how far below the waterline your transducer sits. This affects the sonar display by shifting the water surface within your screen.

• Slightly Increasing Install Depth: Helps you see your lure splash down and track its movement right from the moment it hits the water.
• Too Much Install Depth Adjustment: Can cause reflections from the surface to appear, creating false returns and cluttering the screen.

When Should You Adjust Install Depth?

While it’s not a setting you need to change frequently, small tweaks can make a big difference in certain situations:

• To See Your Lure Land More Clearly: Increasing Install Depth slightly moves the surface into view, allowing you to track your bait from the moment it enters the water.
• When Fishing Shallow or with Topwater Baits: Raising Install Depth helps you spot fish breaking the surface or following surface lures.
• If Depth Readings Seem Off: If your transducer is mounted lower on a pole or turret, adjusting Install Depth ensures your displayed depth is more accurate.

The Trade-Off: Better Bait Tracking vs. False Reflections

While increasing Install Depth helps in certain scenarios, going too far can create problems:

• Seeing Too Much of the Surface: If you increase Install Depth too much, you might start picking up reflections off the water, making it harder to see real fish and structure.
• Distorted Depth Readings: If you exaggerate the setting, the numbers on your screen might not match the actual depth.
• Not Necessary for Deep Water: If you’re fishing deeper than 20 feet, adjusting Install Depth has little impact.

Practical Tips for Setting Install Depth

1. Increase Slightly for Bait Tracking: A small bump (1-3 feet) can help you see your lure land, but don’t overdo it.
2. Watch for Surface Reflections: If you start seeing extra clutter from the water surface, dial it back.
3. Keep It Default for Deep Water Fishing: No need to adjust if you’re primarily fishing below 20 feet.
4. Make Small Changes First: Instead of drastic adjustments, move it up in 1-foot increments and observe the results.

Final Thoughts

Install Depth is a simple but powerful tool for improving lure tracking and surface visibility. However, be careful not to raise it too much, or you’ll start picking up reflections from the water’s surface, which can create unnecessary clutter. A small tweak can make a difference, but keeping it moderate ensures a clean, accurate sonar image.

Pair Install Depth along with Pitch Angle to get the best settings to see your lure land.