Lowrance HDS-5 Fish Finding Sonar and GPS for South African use. 1... Not for use in this area contact local reselling agent. 2... Unit does not accept metric settings (metres, Celcius). PS: Unit was purchased directly from USA by myself... and local agents are not very supportive.

Lowrance HDS touch how to use the overlay function ...

? 2:35
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH3AeC-jmo0
Oct 2, 2012 - Uploaded by Walleye 101 TV Lowrance HDS touch how to use the overlay function. Walleye 101 TV ... how you fish. GPS & Sonar instructional DVD on allLowrance Units at:

Sounds like you do not have your transducer connected.
You will know it is working if you have a bottom sounding. If you have a bottom sounding (depth reading) and it is correct then you may have to fine tune the finder to see the fish.
I have the same finder on my boat. http://njsaltfish.com/index.php/captainsfocus?sid=61

If you turn on the "fish I.D. mode" in your sonar options then you will be able to turn on the fish alarm as well. Lowrance HDS 5x Gen2 Fishfinder
This a link to a pic file for your owners manual.
Go to page 67 to, see how to access and enable/disable alarms for your unit.

Mark 5X is sonar only no GPS, so navigation is out.I would suggest you start by running the unit with factory presets to get started as you get used to using it. There some great training videos on YouTube for beginning to understand how to read your new sonar system.

Water depth should show automatically on your sonar page.
if it does not then either you have selected "stop sonar" under your sonar options or you have opted to turn off the depth displayou so the numbers don't show up.
if you areally viewing your GPS or split screen sonar/GPS page, sometimes the depth display is not visible on these pages unless you specifically instruct the unit to display it.
Lowrance HDS 5 Gen2 Fishfinder GPS Chartplotter
Here is a link to Lowrance where you can download a pic version of the operators manual.
Go to page 11 "overlay data" this will give you a step by step of how to add data or readouts to different screens.

Check the mounting and cable connection of the transducer on the stern. If loose will tilt during movement, in reverse wakes from the prop. CAREFULLY check unit during these conditions. The transducer needs to be completely submerged. Good Luck.

You can download the user manual for this unit from this links.

http://www.lowrance.com/Downloads/Manuals/

http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/LOWRANCE/HDS-5-_E

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Lowrance-HDS-5-GPS-manual/id/23603ag817/t/2/