What is a side scan transducer?

Side-scan uses a sonar device that emits conical or fan-shaped pulses down toward the seafloor across a wide angle perpendicular to the path of the sensor through the water, which may be towed from a surface vessel or submarine, or mounted on the ship’s hull.

How do side scan sonars work?

The side scan sonar creates an image of the bottom using sound waves. While this can look like a picture, the image depends on the interaction of the sound waves with the bottom. The system uses the time of the return to compute a distance, and then displays the intensity of the return in a shade of gray.

How does a side scan transducer work?

How does it work? As the ship moves along its path, the transducer array sends out signals on both of its sides, sweeping the seafloor like the fan-shaped beam of a flashlight. Side scans search at constant speeds and in straight lines, allowing the ship to map the ocean bottom as it travels.

Where can a side scan sonar be mounted?

Side scan sonar transducers may be towed from a surface vessel or mounted on the ship’s hull. The intensity of the acoustic reflections from the seafloor of this fan-shaped beam is recorded in a series of cross-track slices.

Does side scan show fish?

Trying to decipher what kind of fish you’re seeing on your fishfinder? A side-by-side view of traditional and scanning sonar shows how scanning sonar (right side) reveals the telltale marks of striped bass 20 feet below the boat. The hardest part in catching pogies (menhaden) is finding them.

Are side scans worth it?

Side imaging is an extremely effective tool and is well worth the extra cost. Side imaging allows you to scan huge areas quickly, find key spots, structure, baitfish or even the fish you are targeting. The difference between down imaging and side imaging.

What are the four uses of side scan sonar?

1.2. 2 Side-Scan Sonar

What is the difference between side scan sonar and multibeam sonar?

Thanks to sophisticated beam-focusing technology, MBES are able to produce accurate surveys even in shallow water. In contrast, interferometric sonars usually operate using only a single beam per transducer (one beam to port and one beam to starboard). For each range, they measure the sum of all returns on each side.

Is Side Imaging worth the extra money?

What’s better Lowrance or Humminbird?

Humminbird clearly outperforms Lowrance when it comes to innovation. Humminbird were the first to come out with 360 degree SONAR and Side Imaging, too. Models like the Helix-5 available for less than $500 and deliver crisp, clean side imaging SONAR readings.

What are the various side imaging transducers?

What are the mounting options for the various Side Imaging transducers? There are three mounting options for the side imaging transducer.

Are there any sonar transducers that work with DownScan?

Get the best of CHIRP sonar and DownScan on one screen with the exclusive FishReveal™ Smart Target view that helps you easily recognize fish from structure and cover on high-detailed DownScan images. Active Imaging is available in 3-in-1 (CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan) and 2-in-1 (SideScan and DownScan) transducers.

How tall is the StructureScan 3D sonar transducer?

Super-Wide, High Definition Scanning The StructureScan 3D module and transducer offer super-wide SideScan sonar coverage, reaching up to 180 metres (600 feet) to each side of your boat. High-definition scanning delivers detailed 3D imagery, plus enhanced performance in classic SideScan and DownScan Imaging™ views.

What am I looking at with side imaging scan?

With the best side imaging fish finders, natural structures, automobiles, submerged wreckage boats, and even schools of baitfish, will all show up in clear and clean detail. In addition to this, you can run your side imaging in both fresh and salt water; in deep and shallow water that is as low as three feet. What am I looking at with Side Imaging?