Go for split screen and use bottom lock on one side. That's what I do to find good ground to dive.

 need bottom lock on....once i figured out my sounder and was guided through understanding what its showing me.....increased my catch rates incredbily.

I don't use zoom at all I find it distorts to picture to an extent and other than making it larger isn't really showing you more.

Range is ideally what you want to adjust. When looking at the bottom in say 55m depth set the lower range to 60m and upper range to 40m so you're only looking at 20 metres of water (15 actually - try 60 and 30 etc. if want to see a little more water), across the screen. it will show a lot more than zoom will. Give it a try and see the difference.
Bottom lock can also be handy (is similar to setting ranges)at times but I mostly just set the upper/lower ranges.

Cheers

bottom lock is just a setting that keeps the bottom "locked" on one part of your sounder. no matter what ground you go over it will display a flat bottom but with clear showings of bait and fish sitting in those holes that I sometimes might miss especially out deep. pretty handy imo

Going on memory as haven't used bottom lock for quite a while but as per dreamtime bottom lock is useful for showing fish etc. close to or on the bottom but doesn't not show you the bottom contour/structure which is why I set the upper lower ranges. That way you still see what structure your over but are spreading the picture over a larger area of the screen (thus showing more detail).

I have a HDS5 with structure scan so generally already have it split between sounder and side scan so split/screen not really viable. Will be getting another 5 to run structure on a separate screen in the near future but will still prefer not to go split screen anyway.

Cheers will go with just range and see how it works out

I use bottom lock :)

Left shows the bottom 4mts and right shows the whole depth.

Bottom lock depth varies depending on what depth you are in.

Cheers mate.

All we caught on that particular spot was Skippy.

Next time I'm on the boat I can get the settings if you like?

That would be nice thanks!

 This is what I love about this site. I have just been educated again, can't to get out now for a fiddle with the unit ;)

Here is how my unit is set up.

I'm not saying this is the best set-up by all means, but it's how I have it set currently for fishing in around 15 to 30mts.

Most important thing to do is set your transducer up first in the settings. Your transducer type should be on a silver sticker on the lead plugging into the back of your unit.
Go into menu-sonar-installation and pick your transducer in there and then save.

My transducer:

Then in no particular order these are the other settings I run:
Auto Sensitivity
Frequency - 200kHz (for shallow water)
Ping Speed - Max
Sonar options - Split - Bottom Lock
Palette - 14 (I like 14 it looks a little more like the real colours)
I also run fish ID and Beeps, but end up turning the bloody beeps off after a while, they will drive you mad! Fish ID is handy at first to learn what you are looking at.
Noise Rejection - Low
Surface Clarity - Off (optional, I found it mad little difference in shallow water?)
Scroll Speed - 5 (I like it fairly fast)
Fishing Mode - General Use or Shallow Water

Sensitivity Auto -4%

Sensitivity Colorline 75%

Hope this helps a bit, like I said I'm not saying this is how you must set it up, I'm still learning every time I go out and hope others can add a few pointers too!

Cheers

What a great effort you put in!  Thanks very much.

I basically just turn it on and have split screen with bottom lock on one side.

I will put more effort into set up.  THANKS!!!

Gonna have a few beers in me boat tonight and play  :)