CAST ™

Application
Mobile App User Guide
Patent http://www.airmar.com/patent.html

for DST810 Multisensor

D-19219-rev.1 101321-rev.1 04/08/20

 Copyright © 2020 Airmar Technology Corp. All rights reserved.

All Rights Reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied,
transmitted, disseminated, downloaded, or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without prior written
consent of Airmar. Airmar hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual and of any revision of
this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to print one copy of this manual
or any revision hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual or revision must contain the
complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this
manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
Airmar reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in the content without obligation
to notify any person or organization of such changes. Visit the Airmar website at www.airmar.com for current
updates and supplemental information concerning the use and operation of this and other Airmar products.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

WARNING……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................3
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................4
GETTING STARTED .........................................................................................................................................................4
NAVIGATING AIRMAR CAST APP ...................................................................................................................................5
INITIAL CONNECTION TO YOUR AIRMAR SENSOR .....................................................................................................5
GENERAL USE NOTES .................................................................................................................................................6
DEVICE DATA PAGE—DST810 SMART TRIDUCER ......................................................................................................6
INFORMATION PAGE .................................................................................................................................................7
Customization ........................................................................................................................................................7
Units.......................................................................................................................................................................7
NMEA 2000® PAGE ....................................................................................................................................................8
OFFSETS PAGE .........................................................................................................................................................10
SPEED CALIBRATION ................................................................................................................................................11
Basic Speed Correction ........................................................................................................................................12
SOG Method ....................................................................................................................................................12
Distance Method .............................................................................................................................................13
Heel‐Corrected Speed Calibration .......................................................................................................................15
SOG Method ....................................................................................................................................................15
Distance Method .............................................................................................................................................16
Advanced Speed Calibration Table ......................................................................................................................18

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 WARNING

Navigation Aid Only – The Airmar® CAST ™ app is intended only as a

navigational aid and must never be considered a replacement for caution,
sound judgement and proper navigational skill. It is used to configure and
display navigational data from individual sensors. The user is responsible
for the accuracy of the data used to calibrate the connected sensor. Only
official government charts and NTMs contain all necessary information
for safe navigation. As always, the captain is responsible for their prudent
use and safety of passengers and crew.

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INTRODUCTION

The Airmar CAST app is a mobile application that allows you to connect to
your Airmar Smart TRIDUCER. You can view data, adjust the outputs,
program offsets, and calibrate your device.

CAST app communicates directly with your Airmar DX900+ or DST810

Multisensor; it receives only the data output by the sensor, not all
network traffic.

GETTING STARTED

CAST app is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded
from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

1. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android)

2. Search “Airmar” and download the free Airmar CAST app.
3. Ensure Bluetooth® is enabled on your device. CAST app uses
Bluetooth Low Energy, which does not require pairing. The app
will automatically search for devices within range, so there’s no
need to open your device’s Bluetooth menu.

4. Open the Airmar CAST app.

All compatible Airmar devices within range will be displayed on the

device list. Select your device from the list to connect.

Note: Make sure you’re as close as possible to the device while trying to
connect. The Bluetooth antenna in a DST810 is near the printed cap, but
there are many things on a boat that can attenuate a Bluetooth signal.
Large objects like fuel tanks or bulkheads can affect the signal strength.
Water will also block a Bluetooth signal, so make sure the device isn’t
submerged.

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NAVIGATING AIRMAR CAST APP

INITIAL CONNECTION TO YOUR AIRMAR SENSOR

Once powered on, the DST810 will broadcast an announcement message

without any further input. Simply open the Airmar CAST app on your
phone or tablet to see a list of devices within range. There is no need to
“pair” with the device.

The device search page in the app will show a list of the available sensors.
If you have never connected to a specific sensor before, it will be noted
by its model, such as DST810, with an icon to show sensor type. If your
phone or tablet has connected to an available sensor before, it will
display your customized friendly name and the serial number in the tile.
See page 7 for more information on customization.

Note: Trying to make the initial connection to your device in a crowded

area, such as a marina, can be difficult. Make sure you’re connecting to
your device and not a nearby sensor that is also powered on. If multiple
sensors are present on the Device Search page, move to a less crowded
location to perform the initial connection.

Tap your sensor on the list to start the connection. The first time you
connect, the app will ask you to enter the last three digits of the device’s
serial number. The serial number can be found on the warranty label
affixed to the cable near the sensor. If the label is not readily accessible,
the serial number is available on the NMEA 2000 network through a
connected MFD or instrument display.

You will only need to verify the serial number on the first connection. If
you connect from another device or delete and reinstall the Airmar CAST
app on your phone, you’ll need your serial number again, so be sure to
record and save it if the label isn’t readily accessible.

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GENERAL USE NOTES

Many values in the Airmar CAST app can

be adjusted by the user. Any value that is
underlined can be adjusted. Tap the
value to open the keypad and make an
adjustment or delete the existing value.

When entering table

values, tap the cell
value to open the
keypad and make an
adjustment. Tap the
heading of the row or
column to adjust the value in
the cell or delete the row or column altogether.

To enter a negative value using the keypad, enter the

value as a positive number first, then tap the “+/‐“
button in the lower left corner to change the sign.

DEVICE DATA PAGE—DST810 SMART TRIDUCER

Once connected to your device, the CAST app will display the data
available from the device. The DST810 will display Depth (below
transducer), Speed (speed through water), and Temperature (water
temperature). A single tap anywhere on the screen will change the view
from graphic to text.

By default, attitude (heel and trim) output is turned off.

A data field that displays “‐“ is either disabled or is not returning a valid
value. If Depth does not display a number, ensure the urethane face of
the sensor is in contact with the water. If the water depth is greater than
the maximum range of the sensor, no depth will be returned and “‐“ will
be displayed.

The speedometer view will show an initial range of 0 – 15 kn (this range

will be adjusted based on the units selected). As the speed increases, the
range of the speedometer will automatically adjust to ensure the speed is
always easily readable.

Note: If a positive depth offset has been saved to the sensor, the CAST
app will display “Depth Below Surface.” If the offset saved has a negative
value, the CAST app will display “Depth Below Keel.” See the Offsets
section on page 10 for more information.

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INFORMATION PAGE

Select the Information tab to display information on the connected

device.

The serial number is unique to the connected device.

The part number is the Airmar part number for connected device.

The currently‐installed firmware version is displayed next. Take note of all

firmware versions for any technical inquiries.

CUSTOMIZATION
The first time you connect to your DST810, the device will be displayed
simply as “DST810” in the search menu. This display name can be
adjusted using the “Customize” button.

Select the icon displayed on the heel/trim gauge and enter a “Friendly
Name” for the DST810. This name, along with the device’s serial number,
will be stored on your device. The next time you connect to the device,
the menu will show the device using the Friendly Name and the device’s
serial number.

Note: The serial number and Friendly Name are stored locally in the
Airmar CAST app, not within the sensor. If you connect to the sensor using
a different smartphone, the Friendly Name will not be displayed until you
connect and name the device. Entering a Friendly Name will not affect
names already saved on other smartphones.

UNITS
Once connected to a device, you can adjust the display units by tapping
the gear icon at the top right corner of the screen. Units for
speed, depth, temperature, and distance can be selected individually. For
example, speed can be displayed in miles per hour while distance is
displayed in nautical miles, or vice versa.

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NMEA 2000® PAGE

The NMEA 2000 page displays all the PGNs the connected device is
capable of supplying to the network.

By default, each item will display the name of the PGN and the NMEA
2000 PGN number. If the PGN is disabled, “Off” is displayed. If the PGN is
enabled, the output rate will be displayed.

Output rates are shown as a number of PGNs per unit time. For example,
if the Water Depth (128267) PGN displays “1/sec,” the PGN is enabled
and will be output to the network one time each second. If “2/min” is
displayed, the PGN will be output to the network two times per minute,
or once every 30 seconds.

Use the “arrow” button on the right side of each item to expand it and
enable/disable or adjust the output rate.

The switch at left will enable or disable the PGN output.

The dropdown menu at right will allow you to adjust the PGN output
rate.

Note: Changing the PGN output or output rate will not change the
internal data calculation rate.

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Disabling a PGN using the switch will prevent data from being sent to the
network, but it will not prevent the sensor from calculating a value
internally.

For example, disabling the Depth (128267) PGN will prevent depth
information from being provided to the network, but it will not stop the
sensor from pinging for depth.

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OFFSETS PAGE

Offsets can be programmed for Depth, Temperature, and Trim, and Heel.

An offset is an additive value. Setting an offset will add to (or subtract

from if the offset is negative) the value measured by the sensor. The
unadjusted value measured by the sensor is listed as “Raw.” Tap the
underlined “Offset” value to adjust the offset. Enter a negative value to
subtract from the raw value or a positive number to add.

For example, if the keel extends 1 foot deeper than the face of the
transducer, enter a value of ‐1 as a depth offset to display “Depth Below
Keel.” 1 will be subtracted from every depth measurement taken by the
sensor before it is sent to the network. Every device on the network will
see the adjusted depth below keel.

Temperature offsets work similarly to depth offsets.

Heel and trim can be calibrated using an offset as well. The offset in
degrees is added to the raw value from the sensor.

If no offsets have been programmed (0 degrees for both heel and trim),
the app will prompt you to calibrate the sensor. This can be done in one
of two ways.”

To automatically calibrate heel and trim, make sure the boat is relatively
stationary. Press and hold the circle marked “Hold to Calibrate.” The app
will begin to calculate an average pitch and roll reading over 10 seconds
and an orange bar will display the progress. Once the bar flashes green,
the average reading for both heel and trim will automatically populate
the offset fields and the sensor should read approximately 0 degrees
under “Value” for both heel and trim. Remember, the calculation uses an
average, so any movement over the measurement period will impact the
final number.

Alternatively, the values can be manually programmed. For example, if

the raw heel value is 17.8 degrees, entering an offset of ‐17.8 will result
in a reported value of 0 degrees.

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SPEED CALIBRATION

Unlike offsets, which are additive, basic speed compensation values are
entered as percentages and are multiplicative. A 10% speed
compensation will result in a 10% increase in the reported speed across
all values.

For example, a 10% speed compensation will result in an output of 11 kn

(+1 kn) when the paddlewheel measures a raw value of 10 kn and an
output of 22 kn (+2 kn) when the raw measured value is 20 kn.

The water flow profile under the hull of your boat has a large affect on
the reading of the speed sensor. Many variables, including the shape of
the hull, the roughness of the surface, the position of strakes, etc. will
change the attached flow profile. See the transducer’s installation guide
for information on where to install the sensor in the hull to ensure
accurate speed and depth performance. Even when the sensor is
correctly installed, it’s important to calibrate your paddlewheel at its
installation location and under normal use to make sure it delivers the
best possible performance.

Calibrating speed by traveling a known distance is a common method of

calibration, but the start and end points are typically fixed to the ground
and a single run does not take into account the movement of the water
current.

Calibrating directly to raw GPS speed over ground can also result in an
inaccurate calibration. If the boat is traveling in a 3 kn current in the
direction of movement, the GPS SOG will be 3 kn faster than the actual
speed through water.

The Airmar CAST app allows you to quickly calibrate speed and correct for
current. You can also correct the speed calibration for changes in the flow
beneath the hull that occur when the boat is heeled over to one side or
the other.

There are several methods of speed calibration using the CAST app.

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BASIC SPEED CORRECTION
The simplest way to calibrate speed is a single point percentage offset.
This type of calibration applies a fixed percentage correction to every
reading from the paddlewheel.

Navigate to the Speed Calibration tab. By default, the speed calibration is

set to “OFF.”

Enable the “BASIC” speed calibration.

If the desired percentage adjustment is known, you can simply enter it

into the Compensation field.

If you would like the app to calculate the correct percentage adjustment
for you, tap the wizard icon.

CAST app can calculate the percentage using one of two methods.

 SOG: Speed through water is calculated using a GPS reference

speed over ground.
 Distance: Speed through water is calculated using travel time
over a known distance such as a measured mile.

SOG METHOD
The SOG method allows the app to calculate your average speed over
ground using the internal GPS in your smart device. You can also
manually enter an average value from an external source.

Bring the boat up to calibration speed. This is the speed where you want
the greatest accuracy in your speed reading and will be different for each
boat.

Once traveling at a relatively constant speed and direction, tap the

“Primary” button. The app will count down as it calculates an average
indicated speed from the paddlewheel and an average GPS SOG.

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Once complete, the average for each value will be shown and the
“Primary” button will change to “Reverse.”

Turn the boat 180 degrees and bring it back to approximately the same
speed used in the primary direction. You don’t need to hold exactly the
same speed from the primary run, but the closer, the better. Maintain a
consistent speed and direction.

Tap “Reverse” and wait for the app to count down while the average
speeds are calculated. The second run in the opposite direction allows
the app to calculate the speed of the current in the water and remove it
from the calibration.

Once complete, the app will display the calculated percentage

adjustment. Tap “Apply” to save the value.

The speed correction value has now been calculated and saved to
memory in the DST810. It will be applied to all speed values sent to the
network and transmitted wirelessly to the app. All devices connected to
the NMEA 2000 network will display the adjusted value.

The value can be manually adjusted by tapping the value on the Speed
Calibration screen.

DISTANCE METHOD
The distance method of speed calibration will not make use of GPS.
Instead, you’ll travel a known distance at a relatively constant speed. The
app will calculate the average speed traveled using the time required to
cover the known distance. It will also calculate the average indicated
speed from the paddlewheel and compare the two.

Note: Calibration using a known distance requires both an accurate

measurement between two reference points and an accurate time to
travel between them. The shorter the distance between points, the more
potential there is for error in the measurement. A minimum distance of
one statute mile is recommended for a distance‐based speed calibration.

Select the “Distance” button.

Enter the known distance between two points in the units indicated.

Bring the boat up to calibration speed. This is the speed where you want
the greatest accuracy in your speed reading and will be different for each
boat.

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When you pass the start point, tap “Start.” The app will begin counting in
seconds.

When you pass the end point, tap “Stop.” The number of runs will
increase by one and the calculated speeds will be shown.

The number of runs already completed will be shown as “Completed

Runs.” “Total Time” is a count of the total number of seconds for all runs.
“Run Speed” shows the average recorded paddlewheel speed on the last
run, while “Speed” shows the overall average. “Run Correction” is the
correction factor calculated on the previous run, and “Correction” is the
overall average correction factor calculated.

Follow the same process for additional runs. If you would like to throw a
run out, tap “Discard Run” once complete and try again.

Note: If you’re performing the calibration in a location where a significant

current may be present, make sure to perform an even number of runs
with half in one direction and half returning in the opposite direction, as
close to 180 degrees as possible. This will ensure the calculated average
accurately accounts for the current.

Once complete, tap “Apply” to save the value.

The speed correction value has now been calculated and saved to
memory in the DST810. It will be applied to all speed values sent to the
network and transmitted wirelessly to the app. All devices connected to
the NMEA 2000 network will display the adjusted value.

The value can be manually adjusted by tapping the value on the Speed
Calibration screen.

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HEEL‐CORRECTED SPEED CALIBRATION
Note: Make sure the attitude PGN is enabled on the NMEA 2000 page.
Once enabled, make sure the sensor has been calibrated with the boat
stationary. Refer to the Offsets Page section for more information about
calibration of the attitude sensor. Heel‐corrected Speed Calibration and
the Advanced Calibration Table cannot be used without attitude enabled.

Changes in heel angle of the boat while underway can affect the speed
calculated by the paddlewheel. The DST810 can store calibrations at up
to two different angles on each side in addition to the standard
calibration. In order to apply a speed calibration at more than one angle,
the advanced table must be used.

As the heel angle of the boat changes, the sensor will shift from one
curve to the next, interpolating between them.

For example, if a 15% compensation is applied at 10 degrees of heel and

a 5% compensation is applied at 0 degrees, the sensor will apply a 10%
compensation at 5 degrees of heel.

Heel‐corrected Speed Calibrations are applied using a similar process as

the Standard Calibration. However, the nature of the process prevents
making runs in opposite directions. For this reason, it’s important to
perform the calibration in slack water.

Begin the calibration by selecting the wizard icon on the Heel‐corrected

Speed Calibration window. Like the Standard Calibration, the Heel‐
corrected Speed Calibration can be performed using two methods.

 SOG: Speed through water is calculated using a GPS reference

speed over ground.
 Distance: Speed through water is calculated using travel time
over a known distance such as a measured mile.

SOG METHOD
The SOG method allows the Airmar CAST app to calculate your average
speed over ground using the internal GPS in your smart device or
manually enter an average value from an external source.

Bring the boat up to calibration speed. This is the speed where you want
the greatest accuracy in your speed reading and will be different for each
boat.

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Choose the angle at which you would like to perform the calibration.
Make sure you can maintain the angle of heel entered in both directions;
the same angle is used for both port and starboard. The app will
automatically recognize a port or starboard tack; there’s no need to
specify the run, only to maintain as close to the selected angle as
possible.

Once traveling at a relatively constant speed, direction, and heel angle,

tap the “Primary” button. The app will count down as it calculates an
average indicated speed from the paddlewheel and an average GPS SOG.

The app will not prompt for a second run as this is often not possible. It’s
important this calibration be run in slack water.

Once complete, the app will display the calculated percentage

adjustment for the side to which the boat was heeled. Perform the same
process again to add a calibration for the opposite side, and keep in mind
the two will frequently be different. Tap “Apply” to save the value.

The speed correction value has now been calculated and saved to
memory in the DST810. It will be applied to all speed values sent to the
network and transmitted wirelessly to the app. All devices connected to
the NMEA 2000 network will display the adjusted value.

The value can be manually adjusted by tapping the value on the Speed
Calibration screen.

DISTANCE METHOD
The distance method of speed calibration will not make use of GPS.
Instead, you’ll travel a known distance at a relatively constant speed. The
app will calculate the average speed traveled using the time to cover the
known distance. It will also calculate the average indicated speed from
the paddlewheel and compare the two.

Note: Calibration using a known distance requires both an accurate

measurement between two reference points and an accurate time to
travel between them. The shorter the distance between points, the more
potential there is for error in the measurement. A minimum distance of
one statute mile is recommended for a distance‐based speed calibration.

Select the “Distance” button.

Enter the angle at which you would like to calibrate and the known
distance between two points in the units indicated.

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Bring the boat up to calibration speed and the selected heel angle. This is
the speed where you want the greatest accuracy in your speed reading
and will be different for each boat.

When you pass the start point, tap “Start.” The app will begin counting in
seconds.

The number of runs already completed will be shown as “Completed

Runs.” “Total Time” is a count of the total number of seconds for all runs.
“Run Speed” shows the average recorded paddlewheel speed on the last
run, while “Speed” shows the overall average. “Run Correction” is the
correction factor calculated on the previous run, and “Correction” is the
overall average correction factor calculated.

Follow the same process for additional runs. If you would like to throw a
run out, tap “Discard Run” once complete and try again.

Note: If you’re performing the calibration in a location where a significant

current may be present, make sure to perform an even number of runs
with half in one direction and half returning in the opposite direction, as
close to 180 degrees as possible. This will ensure the calculated average
accurately accounts for the current.

Once complete, tap “Apply” to save the value. The app automatically
detects the direction of heel and populates the correct field.

The speed correction value has now been calculated and saved to
memory in the DST810. It will be applied to all speed values sent to the
network and transmitted wirelessly to the app. All devices connected to
the NMEA 2000 network will display the adjusted value.

The value can be manually adjusted by tapping the value on the Speed
Calibration screen.

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ADVANCED SPEED CALIBRATION TABLE
Note: The advanced speed calibration table will override any other
programmed speed corrections. It will not be added on top of the existing
speed calibration. Before switching to the advanced calibration table,
make sure to carefully quantify the performance of the sensor without
any corrections in place.

The Advanced Speed Calibration Table allows fine adjustment of speed

correction over multiple speeds and angles.

Up to two angles per side can be selected.

Up to 10 non‐zero speeds can be added to the table.

Note: When using the advanced calibration table, make sure the highest
speed in the table is the fastest speed the vessel will typically achieve. If
the speed exceeds the largest value in the table, the sensor will apply a
linear correction of the same slope. This can lose accuracy quickly if the
last speed is very low. It’s important the table include the entire range of
achievable speeds regardless of the number of individual points.

To use the advanced speed calibration table, first

switch speed calibration to “Off.”

Either manually or using 3rd party software, collect

the difference between indicated speed and actual
speed through water at each calibration point.

The table is organized with speeds shown as

columns and heel angles shown as rows. Each cell is
the speed correction (in units of speed, such as
knots, mph, etc.) applied to that specific heel angle
and speed combination.

Enable the Advanced Speed Calibration Table on the

Speed Calibration Tab. Expand the table to the desired number of rows
and columns. Input the differences measured previously. For example, if
at 0 degrees of heel and 8 kn indicated speed the actual speed through
water was measured at 8.5 kn, enter 0.5 in that cell. If the actual speed
through water was measured at 7.5 kn, enter ‐0.5 in that cell.

Make sure to fill out the table completely. Remove any unused rows and
columns by selecting the heading and tapping the X. The advanced table
does not adjust the basic speed calibrations; it is a standalone method of
speed calibration that overrides the others. Inaccurate indicated STW will
result if the table is not completely filled in.

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Make sure to save a record of the table as entered. Because the
advanced speed settings override all others, the table will be deleted if
you return to the Basic Calibration settings. The table will need to be
reentered if you return to the Advanced Calibration Table.

The speed calibration tabs will not appear when the device is in
landscape mode—turn back to portrait aspect to display the tabs and exit
the advanced calibration.

Note: Make sure to keep a record of the data in the advanced table. As
long as the table is active, the data are saved to memory in the DST810. If
the Advanced Speed table is disabled by switching back to Basic or Off,
the data in the table will be permanently deleted.

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www.airmar.com

Copyright © 2020 Airmar Technology Corporation. All rights reserved.

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