FLS

[mrplastic]

I'm considering fitting Forward looking sonar to my Doral. I've read the June report on this in MBM but wondered if anyone out there has any practical long term experience with this technology. How straightforward was it to fit and set up or do you get an engineer to do the job? Has anyone had any particularly good service from a supplier of this system...who are they!
CLP

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[Artie]

I have an F.L.S. I bought the best - "Gold" - It was fitted when the boat was built. Never had a good display from it in fact I was very disappointed until one day I happened to use it as a solo instrument and had nothing else switched on. The display was superb! I found out that the normsl downward transponder interferred with the F.L.S.. I rang the manufacturers to see if the frequency could be changed to stop this interference and it could only be done with a "Bronze"
Moral - the best is'nt always the best.
Anyway it's a point to remember.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Artie makes a good point. I have a FLS on my boat and it has been useless, to be honest. Wrong in terms of stating the depth at that point and a very limited forward looking 'picture'
I contacted Echopilot, who are the manufacturers of the unit and the only thing they suggested was that there was interference from the other echosounder on my boat and I should switch it off but, since the other echosounder is a Tridata unit showing the speed log as well, switching it off is not an option
Having said this, I believe Echopilot are a reputable company and, before you buy, it would be a good idea to talk to them about the details of your installation

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[martynwhiteley]

When I added a Garmin FF to my boat, the documentation clearly warned of potential interferance with any other sounder, and sure enough the oem depth sounder will not function with the FF on. (Interestingly however the FF will still work ok with the depth sounder on!).

Is it not possible to isolate just the depth part of the Tridata? Perhaps by installing a simple isolation in the transducer cable.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

I had a fishfinder on another boat which worked fine with the echosounder on. I suppose I could rig up a switch to isolate the Tridata signal but, frankly, I'm not convinced that a FLS is an essential bit of kit. With detailed charts and a good chartplotter, you're going to know where the shallow water is, anyway

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[martynwhiteley]

I thought one of they're main plusses was warning of semi-submerged shipwrecked containers etc. But I suppose finding six numbers is still more likely, and would it give you much warning at 25 knts?

(Guess the Phantom 40 didn't have FLS!)

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Have a look at the Echopilot website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.echopilot.com>http://www.echopilot.com</A> and the demo Solent trip in the FLS section. All the pictures seem to be at 0 knots so I wonder whether the FLS would give any warning whatsoever of a submerged object at 25knots and I cant remember whether it has an alarm function anyway

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