Forward looking echo sounders

[ianc1200]

Has anybody experience of these? What do they achieve/how accurate etc? As I understand it, two transponders are needed, but would they see lobster pots or drifting fishing nets or purely changes upcoming in the levels of the sea bed?

 

[PaulRainbow]

In shallow water, such as the East Coast it isn't going to see very far forward. Waste of time IMO.

 

[ashtead]

Might be pricey if Raymarine? Interested if cost has come down though but what’s the purpose save for not hitting rocks and watching fish swim along?

 

[snowbird30ds]

I had one on my old boat, no use on the muddy east coast but could see the "clay huts" on the bottom of Yorkshire ouse.
You can see something just before you hit it but you still hit it.
I wouldn't bother again.

 

[julians]

I thought the sole purpose of forward sonar was for seeing the detailed topology of the seabed to aid with fishing rather than as a hazard detection system, as other have said I didn't think it would give you enough warning of an impending hazard.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have one and mine has a forward that gives a display up and down but can also show side to side display.

Good for entering a rising channel or showing a narrow channel to save hitting the bottom or the side of a narrow channel

 

[Refueler]

Brings back memories of a Seismic Boat I worked ... was a converted stern trawler.

On the bridge we had the displays for the FLS (Forward Looking Sonar) and SSS (Side Sweep Sonar)

When not shooting we often played with the gear ... must have been a real advantage to the fishermen ... but other than seeing blurred blobs etc - not much use for us !

 

[oldgit]

Had one already installed in a P35.
As mentioned, not that much use on East coast mud and travelling at 25 knots, if whats underneath is sudden and hard its probably already to late .
No doubt it has its uses and admirers but the unit on the P35 was hard to calibrate and interpret and was eventually removed.
The no doubt latest versions might be much more useful ?

 

[NBs]

At least I can see my own anchor chain, the buoy lines. In fact, I use it when I'm in the archipelago, away from the official channel. There are a lot of rocks on this that may not be on the charts and it's really reliable there, I usually go under 6nm so I can react and stop.

I have platinum Echopilot fls

 

[Refueler]

If I want to see anything in the water - I have a Fishing Camera that feeds into a WiFi box ...