Optimum and Optimum TS Networking and Compatibility (2020-Present)

Updated October 01, 2024 15:08

Right from the box, the Cannon Optimum downrigger is designed to wirelessly connect with other Optimum downriggers to share critical trolling information across up to four networked downriggers. This network of downriggers not only allows anglers to see real-time information from anywhere in the boat but also enables the wireless control of multiple downriggers at once with the touch of a button.

Optimum Compatibility

The Optimum downrigger can be networked to one Humminbird fish finder to display data and control downrigger operation. Be sure that your compatible Humminbird and Optimum have the most up-to-date software installed. The Optimum downrigger is compatible with all Humminbird SOLIX® models and select second and third generation networking HELIX® models Click here for the Humminbird Compatibility Chart.

The Optimum can also be connected to:

up to 3 other Optimums
the Fish Hawk™ 4XD Bluetooth system
the Cannon® Transducer
the Cannon Mobile App.

The Optimum is not compatible with:

Digi-Troll 4, 5 and 10 because they do not support wireless networking capabilities.

Click the button below or scroll down for step by step instructions for Pairing and Networking your Optimum.

Optimum Networking

The network works by designating one Master downrigger that is paired with all additional equipment through a wireless network. This network includes up to 3 additional Optimum downriggers, a mobile device, the Fish Hawk X4D System and a Cannon transducer. Any one of the Optimum downriggers in the network can be designated as the Master downrigger. The Master downrigger is the central communication hub for the network in which all devices are paired to. Complete the “Installing the Optimum” and “Battery & Wiring” sections of the Optimum and Optimum TS Product Manual before setting up the Cannon Optimum downrigger wireless network. Carefully read the information below about how the network functions and then continue to the following sections to pair the additional equipment to the network to set it up for proper control.

The Master Downrigger

The Master downrigger is the Optimum downrigger on the system that is designated to be the central communication hub for the wireless network. Running multiple lines is easier than ever, because complicated wiring is a thing of the past. You can network up to four Optimum downriggers wirelessly. Any downrigger that is added to the network is paired directly to the Master downrigger. The Cannon transducer is plugged into the Master downrigger. The Master downrigger is also paired with the Mobile Device and the Fish Hawk X4D system. The Master downrigger is used to control the communication between the equipment on the network. For example if the downrigger received a software update from the Cannon app, the Master downrigger will communicate the update to any Client downrigger it is paired with. In networks where only one downrigger exists, it will automatically become the Master downrigger if any of the other equipment is connected or paired to it. There cannot be two Master downriggers in a network.

The Client Downrigger

Any downrigger that is paired to the Master downrigger is a Client downrigger. The network can support up to three Client downriggers. The Client downriggers receive information from the Master including software updates from the Cannon app and sonar or probe information from any paired equipment. The network will be interrupted if any additional equipment, besides the Master downrigger are paired to a Client downrigger. Any Client downrigger in the network can be controlled on the Mobile Device paired to the network through the Cannon app.

The Cannon Transducer

The Cannon Transducer is the only wired piece of equipment in the Network. The Cannon transducer should only be plugged into the Master downrigger. It delivers sonar data that is displayed on the downrigger Color LCD. The Cannon transducer gives downriggers the ability to use the Bottom Tracking feature and contributes valuable trolling information to the Network. Plugging the Cannon Transducer into any downrigger in the network other than the Master downrigger will interrupt the network.

A Mobile Device

With the Cannon app on your mobile device, you’ll have trolling data at your fingertips and total control of your Optimum downriggers from anywhere on your boat. It even keeps your Optimum software up to date. The Cannon app will only work with Bluetooth® enabled Cannon downriggers. Be sure that you download the correct app as other apps will not work with your Cannon Optimum or Optimum TS downrigger. Launching the app when it is not paired with the Cannon will allow you to try it in Demo Mode. The first time the app is launched, you must agree with the disclaimer in order to continue. Become familiar with the app screens in order to understand how to operate your downrigger(s) with the Cannon app. The Mobile Device should be paired with the Master Downrigger.

The Fish Hawk X4D System

Every Optimum downrigger integrates wirelessly with Fish Hawk X4D System to give you the critical info you need to troll successfully. This system provides the true running depth and speed of your weight, the temperature at the weight, plus surface temperature and speed. Within the wireless Network, the Fish Hawk should only be paired with the Master downrigger.

A Humminbird Fish Finder

Optimum downriggers wirelessly network together giving you control of all of your downriggers with push of a button. They connect with your Humminbird® fish finder and your mobile device for total control and to display trolling data. When paired with a Humminbird fish finder, the Optimum can use a Humminbird connected transducer as the source for the Bottom Tracking feature. With the One-Boat Network™, your advanced fishing gear does more than work together. It starts talking to each other wirelessly, to help you find, stay on and land more fish.

Pairing a Device to a Single Downrigger

Cannon offers an app that can be used to control and update the Cannon downrigger using a Bluetooth® enabled device. The Cannon app is available for download on iOS devices through the Apple App store or Android devices through the Google Play store. The Cannon app can be used to control the downrigger using a device that is paired to the downrigger with a Bluetooth connection. Before pairing the device with the downrigger, the Cannon app should first be successfully downloaded. You can confirm that the app was successfully downloaded by opening it on your device. The Cannon downrigger will only be able to pair with one Bluetooth enabled device. It is recommended to review the "Connecting the Downrigger" section of these instructions to understand how the technology works together and understand how downriggers function in a network. If you are pairing a device to a single downrigger, it will automatically become the Master downrigger. If pairing to a series of downriggers, determine which downrigger will be the Master downrigger and then follow steps below and only work with the Master downrigger during this pairing process. The Master downrigger will be referred to as the BT Master.

Download the Cannon app on the device you intend to pair with the downrigger. After downloading the app, open it to make sure the download was successful.
1. Apple iOS
2. Android
Once the opening screen launches, the app on your device will display a Pairing Guide. The guide will help you pair your Cannon downrigger.
Turn the Master Cannon downrigger "on", by pressing the Power button on the keypad.
Once the downrigger is powered "on", return to the device and select "Continue" from the Pairing Guide screen in the app.
The Cannon app will begin the pairing process by helping to determine which downrigger is going to be assigned the Master downrigger.
1. From the Pairing Guide, an option to Assign a BT Master will appear on the device.
2. Select "Yes, Pair to BT Master" to continue.
From the Pairing Guide on the device, select "Bluetooth Settings". The Cannon app will redirected your device to its Bluetooth settings. Turn Bluetooth on the device “on”, and keep your device on the Bluetooth screen.
Return to the downrigger being paired to the device. On the downrigger keypad, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings Menu on the Color LCD.
From the Settings Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.
From the Bluetooth Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the Pair Phone option. Press the Right button to select it.
When Pair Phone is selected, it brings up the Pair Phone screen on the Color LCD. Press the Right button on the downrigger keypad to select "Pair Phone". This puts the downrigger in Pairing Mode.
Once in Pairing Mode, the downrigger will display "Pairing Phone...". Return to the mobile device and scan for new Bluetooth devices. If on an Android device, select the Scan button to begin the process on your device. On an iOS device, as soon as the Bluetooth menu is opened, the scan starts automatically. When the Optimum is recognized by the device, it will appear on the device list. Select the Optimum or Optimum TS from the list of available devices.
Once selected on the device list, the downrigger will send a 6 digit passkey to the device.
Check the device to make sure that the pass code on the downrigger Color LCD matches the pass key on the device. Confirm the passkey on the mobile device.
When the pass key is confirmed on the mobile device, the downrigger Color LCD will confirm that the connection was successful.
In order for the device and your Optimum to stay connected, Bluetooth needs to remain "on". Once the device is paired with the Optimum, the device will connect and begin communicating with each other. When the Optimum is paired to the device and communicating with it, the Cannon app will automatically recognize that the downrigger is paired.
If the pair is unsuccessful, return to the Pair Phone menu on the downrigger and put the downrigger and the device into pairing mode again at the same time and repeat the process.

Updating App and Downrigger Network

Any updates to the Optimum downrigger will be made through the Cannon app from a paired Mobile Device. If the downrigger is not connected to a device, refer to the "Pairing a Device to a Single Downrigger" section in these instructions. Before updating the downrigger, check for updates to the Cannon app on the Mobile Device by looking for updates on iOS devices through the Apple App store or Android devices through the Google Play store. Any updates to the Cannon app need to be completed before continuing to check in the app for updates to the downrigger software. Be sure that the downrigger is paired and communication with the Mobile Device and that all downriggers are powered "on". When updating a downrigger that is paired to other downriggers, it is best to send the update to the Master downrigger. The Master downrigger will push the update to the paired Client Downriggers it is networked with.

Open the Cannon app on the Mobile Device.
From the app, open the Menu by pressing the Menu button. The Menu button is found in the upper left corner of the app.
From the Menu, select the Software Update option.
In the Software Update screen, the app will identify if an update is available. It will also list all downriggers in the network and what version of software they contain. If an update is identified, it will display a "Download" button. Select the update button to Download the update to the Cannon app.
If the update to the Cannon app contains a software update for the Cannon Optimum downrigger, the Software Update screen will then display a "Transfer" button. Double check that the Optimum downriggers are powered on and all connected to the network.
Selecting the "Transfer" button will transfer the software update for the Optimum to the downrigger.
Both the Cannon app and the downrigger will alert that the software update is transferring to the downrigger.
When the update has completed transferring to the downrigger(s), the downrigger(s) will reboot. The Master downrigger will communicate the update transferred from the Cannon app to all paired Client downriggers.

Pairing Two Downriggers Together

If your boat is set up with multiple downriggers, it is possible to pair up to 4 downriggers together in a network to share information and control the downriggers from a single device. Building a network requires pairing each downrigger with the Master downrigger and allows much of the data to be viewed across the network. Each downrigger paired to the Master downrigger is a Client downrigger. The Master downrigger will be the downrigger in the network that is paired to a device, and is able to be connected to a transducer or Fish Hawk X4D System. To pair two downriggers together follow the instructions below.

Determine which downrigger will be the Bluetooth Master. Turn both Cannon downriggers "on", by pressing the Power button on the keypad of each downrigger.
Then on both downriggers, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings Menu on both Color LCDs.
From the Settings Menu on both downriggers, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.
From the Bluetooth Menu on both downriggers, use the Down button to scroll to the Pair Downrigger option. Press the Right button to continue.
Both the Master and Client downrigger will display an Assign a BT Master on the Display Screen.
From the downrigger that will be assigned to the BT Master, select "No, Don't Know" by pressing the Right button.
From the Client downrigger, use the Down button to scroll to the "Yes, Pair to BT Master" option. Press the Right button to continue.
On the BT Master downrigger, the Color LCD will follow several on-screen prompts outlining criteria for the BT Master/Master downrigger. They include:
- The BT Master shares data to all the other downriggers in the network.
- An optional Fish Hawk probe can only be paired to the BT Master.
- The Cannon mobile app can only be paired to the BT Master.
- Cannon Transducer can only be connected to the BT Master.
  Press the Right button to read and continue through these message screens.
The final screen will ask, "Which downrigger do you want to assign as the BT Master?" Press the Right button to select "This downrigger".
On the Master downrigger, a Pair Downrigger screen will be on the Color LCD. Press the Right button to select it. The Color LCD will bring up a "Pairing Downrigger...." message. The Master downrigger is now actively trying to pair with the Client Downrigger.
On the Client downrigger, a Pair to BT Master screen will be on the Color LCD. Press the Right button to select it. The Color LCD will bring up a "Pairing Downrigger...." message. When this message displays, the Client downrigger is actively trying to pair to the Master downrigger.
Both downriggers will stay in Pairing Mode for 30 seconds. When they successfully connect, both downriggers will display a Connected message.
You can also confirm that the downriggers have paired to each other by finding them on the Device List under the Bluetooth menu. The Master downrigger will appear on the Device List with a box around the Bluetooth icon.
To pair additional downriggers to the Master downrigger, repeat the process with the Master downrigger and the new Client downrigger to be added to the network.

Pairing The Master Downrigger To A Fish Hawk

Pairing a Fish Hawk™ X4D System to your Master downrigger will allow your downrigger to display true running depth and the speed of your weight, the temperature at the weight, plus surface temperature and speed. The Fish Hawk must be paired with the Master downrigger. To pair a Fish Hawk, follow the steps below:

Make sure the Master downrigger is turned "on", by pressing the Power button on the downrigger keypad.
Power on the Fish Hawk X4D Display. Once powered on the Display will continuously transmit and wait for another device to be connected.
On the Master downrigger, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings menu on the Color LCD.
From the Settings Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.

Clearing the Downrigger Network

Once a device or downrigger is paired to a Optimum, it will remember them, even if the device or downrigger are not actively communicating with the downrigger they are paired with. In some cases, it may be necessary to clear the memory of the Master downrigger and forget any paired devices and downriggers on the Fish Hawk. To do this, use the Settings menu on the Master downrigger. Devices on a Cannon network may include the Fish Hawk 4XD System, another downrigger, or a paired device. Restoring the network on the downrigger is helpful when creating a new network or assigning a new Bluetooth Master. Restoring the network helps to clear everything that is paired all at once. If you wish to clear only one specific paired item on the network, use the instructions for "Forgetting a Device, Fish Hawk or Downrigger on a Downrigger" section of these instructions.

Turn the Master downrigger "on", by pressing the Power button on the keypad.
On the downrigger keypad, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings Menu on the Color LCD.
From the Settings Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.
From the Bluetooth Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the Restore Network option. Press the Right button to continue.
Once selected, the downrigger Color LCD screen brings up a Restore Network screen. Use the Right button to Confirm that the downrigger should forget all devices on the network.
The downrigger will flash a message Network Restored to confirm that all devices and downriggers were deleted from memory.

Clearing the Master Downrigger from the Client Downrigger

It may be necessary to remove a Client downrigger from the network. This can be accomplished without interrupting the rest of the network simply by removing the Master downrigger from the Client downrigger. This may be helpful when moving one Client downrigger to a different network, or replacing one downrigger in an existing network with a new one.

Turn the Client downrigger "on", by pressing the Power button on the keypad.
On the downrigger keypad, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings Menu on the Color LCD.
From the Settings Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.
From the Bluetooth Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the Forget BT Master option. Press the Right button to continue.
Once selected, the downrigger Color LCD screen bring up a Forget BT Master screen. Use the Right button to Confirm that the downrigger should forget the Master downrigger.
The downrigger will flash a message Downrigger Removed to confirm that it was deleted from memory.

Forgetting a Downrigger on a Device

Once an Optimum is paired to a device, it will remember the downrigger, even if the device and the downrigger are not actively communicating. In some cases, it may be necessary to clear the memory of the device and forget any paired downrigger. To do this, use the Bluetooth settings on the device.

Open the Bluetooth settings on the device.
A list of paired devices will appear. The appearance of the list from an Android to an iOS
device will look different.
1. On an Android device, select the Settings icon next to the device in the list of Paired Devices. When the next screen appears, find the option to Unpair the device and select it.
2. On an iOS device, select the “i” icon next to the device in the list of My Devices. When the
  next Screen appears, find the option to Forget this Device and select it.
Once the device is unpaired or forgotten, the device is no longer paired or communicating with the device and will not be visible to the Cannon app or the device.

Forgetting a Device, Fish Hawk or Downrigger on a Downrigger

Once a device is paired to a Optimum, it will remember the device, even if the device and the downrigger are not actively communicating. This is also true for two downriggers paired together or a downrigger paired to a Fish Hawk X4D System. In some cases, it may be necessary to clear the memory of the downrigger and forget any paired devices or downriggers. To do this, use the Settings Menu on the downrigger.
NOTICE- To remove a specific device.png

Turn the downrigger "on", by pressing the Power button on the keypad.
On the downrigger keypad, press the Menu button twice to bring up the Settings Menu on the Color LCD.
From the Settings Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the item listed Bluetooth. Press the Right button to open the Bluetooth Menu.
From the Bluetooth Menu, use the Down button to scroll to the Device List option. Press the Right button to continue.
From the Device List, select the device, Fish Hawk or downrigger that the downrigger should forget. Use the Down button or the Up button to scroll to it in the list. Use the Right button to select it.
Once selected, the downrigger Color LCD screen will bring up a Forget Phone, Forget Fish Hawk or Forget Downrigger screen. Use the Right button to Confirm that the downrigger should forget the equipment selected.
The downrigger will flash a message Phone Removed, Fish Hawk Removed or Downrigger Removed to confirm it was deleted from memory.