Understanding Pitch Angle on Garmin LiveScope LVS32 and LVS34

Pitch Angle is a setting on Garmin LiveScope that adjusts the tilt of your sonar image when stabilization is turned off. If your screen is rocking back and forth or if a flat bottom appears slanted, adjusting Pitch Angle manually helps level out the display.

What Does Pitch Angle Do?

Pitch Angle corrects the sonar image when the transducer isn’t perfectly level. This can happen due to:

• Boat movement in waves – If your screen is rocking, Pitch Angle adjustments can stabilize it.
• A transducer that isn’t mounted perfectly level – Even a small tilt in your mount can make the bottom appear slanted.
• Fishing in calm, flat-bottom areas – If a truly flat bottom is displaying as an incline or decline, Pitch Angle can correct it.

When stabilization (AHRS) is turned off, Pitch Angle is the only way to manually fine-tune the sonar display.

When Should You Adjust Pitch Angle?

Pitch Angle is not something you adjust often, but it can be useful in specific situations:

• If the Bottom Appears Slanted When It Should Be Flat – Find a flat bottom area and adjust Pitch Angle until the bottom is level.
• When Your Screen is Rocking in Rough Water – Adjusting Pitch Angle can help keep the display stable when stabilization is off.
• If Using a Manual Pole or Turret – Some independent mounts don’t stay perfectly level, requiring small Pitch Angle corrections.

How to Adjust Pitch Angle Correctly

1. Find a Flat Bottom Area – A sandy or muddy bottom is best to avoid misleading contours.
2. Turn Off Stabilization (AHRS) – This allows Pitch Angle to be adjusted manually.
3. Adjust Until the Bottom is Horizontal – Make small changes until the bottom appears level across the screen.
4. Test While Stationary – If the bottom stays flat, the adjustment is correct.

The Trade-Off: Stability vs. Real-Time Adjustment

• Too Much Pitch Angle Can Overcorrect – If you adjust too far, the bottom may tilt in the opposite direction.
• Doesn’t Work Well if the Bottom is Naturally Uneven – Only adjust when you know the bottom should be flat.
• Best Used for Stationary Fishing – If you’re moving, changes in depth can make adjustments seem unnecessary.

Practical Tips for Adjusting Pitch Angle

1. Only Adjust When Necessary – If the screen looks fine, don’t change it.
2. Use a Flat Area for Reference – Avoid adjusting Pitch Angle in rocky or uneven terrain.
3. Make Small Adjustments – A little goes a long way.
4. Remember It Only Works When Stabilization is Off – If AHRS is on, it will override manual Pitch Angle settings.

Final Thoughts

Pitch Angle is a simple but important setting for keeping your LiveScope image level when stabilization is turned off. If your sonar display tilts in calm water or rocks in rough conditions, a quick Pitch Angle adjustment can fix it. Just be careful not to overdo it, or the bottom may look artificially sloped in the other direction.