Side Imaging for SI virgins

Razorbill RIBs · 18 March 2010, 16:51

I've looked through the forum for side imaging sonar, but was looking for some advice.....

We usually dive known sites and have accurate co-ords (our own I hasten to add, not from the UK Hydrographic office, at least three of our regular sites are well out compared to the data held by UKHO!). We use a basic depth sounder also.

However, we are keen to get out and try to find a few of the lesser known sites /wrecks..as listed in an old book we have recently obtained....

I guess we ned to go the side imaging route, but we will be on a budget....

Does anyone have a reccomendation (having used it themselves) for what we should start with.....we can always upgrade as we improve.....

We would like to download info to PC also if possible....but not essential.

Second hand would be a good option too...if anyone has upgraded themselves.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

diverdad · 30 March 2010, 19:59

Hi Dan, I am in the market for something similar.
A friend of mine has bought the Humminbird Side scan sonar but has had issues with the transome mounted transducer, (interference from the engine).

I had a look at the lowrance stuff at the boat show last year in Southampton, it looks pretty good but I think if you are going to do it, then you have to go for a high spec unit with a towfish.

Personally I am trying to persuade the missus we need to aquire a reson seabat multibeam sonar.......I am still working on that!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmRYPwWWOUU

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Lee

Miller · 30 March 2010, 22:31

Have you looked at the starfish sonar?..I think its still made and is a towable one

chewy · 30 March 2010, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

Have you looked at the starfish sonar?..I think its still made and is a towable one

I think he'll be looking at either transom mounted of thru hull.

Channel Ribs · 31 March 2010, 09:09

Hi Dan,

Have you seen Karlt's posts on here? He has an excellent set up and really knows his stuff.

We are also thinking of adding advanced sonar to our video surveying capacity, at the moment we are looking at the Lowrance Structurescan system which is very keenly priced indeed.

There is a depth limitation to the systems that use a hull mounted transducer, about 50m, any deeper and you need a tow fish (paravane).

The Lowrance set up allows you to take screen grabs and save them to SD card.

Edit: Be aware that downscan is subtly different to sidescan and that wreck images may be better.

Miller · 31 March 2010, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I think he'll be looking at either transom mounted of thru hull.

I have a humminbird 797 transom mounted on my boat, its a bit hit and miss with regards to quality....I probably havent got it set up quite right but the manual is huge!

I had quite good pics of the Elk in Plymouth Sound at just under 30m but it got confused going over the JEL which starts at about 8m.

You have to be going dead slow as not to disrupt the signal from what I can make out.

Simon B · 31 March 2010, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

I have a humminbird 797 transom mounted on my boat, its a bit hit and miss with regards to quality....I probably havent got it set up quite right but the manual is huge!

I had quite good pics of the Elk in Plymouth Sound at just under 30m but it got confused going over the JEL which starts at about 8m.

You have to be going dead slow as not to disrupt the signal from what I can make out.

Miller,

Can you post a pic of the Elk scan, that would be very interesting.

Razorbill RIBs · 31 March 2010, 15:26

Sorry all!!!

I posted this a while ago and thought it had died a death....didn't see it in new posts either for some reason.....

I wil have a review of all the products listed.....thanks again....

Dan

diverdad · 31 March 2010, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

Miller,

Can you post a pic of the Elk scan, that would be very interesting.

Yes, can you please post a scan of the Elk please?
I have not dived it in 12 years and I would like to see how it is looking at the moment.
(I also want to see how your imaging looks)!!

Thanks

Lee

Miller · 31 March 2010, 22:27

I wish, I didnt save it, was just amazed I got it to work! It only looks like a rowing boat from above though!

Channel Ribs · 01 April 2010, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Worth

I guess we ned to go the side imaging route, but we will be on a budget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diverdad

Hi Dan, I am in the market for something similar.

Lee and Dan, I have been researching some prices for our own installation...

Lowrance HDS 5x is the cheapest and comes with broadband sonar as standard but also accepts Structurescan for down and side scan to 50m depth. 409.00 GBP

Lowrance Structurescan with 16m of cable. 455.00 GBP

Miller · 01 April 2010, 16:56

so is that £864 in total for sidescan?doesnt seem bad

Razorbill RIBs · 01 April 2010, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

so is that £864 in total for sidescan?doesnt seem bad

Cheers Martin

Now how do i sell this to the wife as 'neccesary' equipment....agree with Miller though, not as painful as i'd feared.....

Dan

Channel Ribs · 01 April 2010, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Worth

agree with Miller though, not as painful as i'd feared

I know, we are in exactly the same place! Been looking at detailed and reproducible sonar set ups for a while and all the prices seemed to hit 2k just for talking to a rep.

Although there are reports that El stole the design from Hb. Vague enough for the lawyers?