Forward looking sonar

Blue Sunray

Blue Sunray

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Garmin's recent announcement of the Panoptix PS51-TH has got me interested as it looks like it (with a suitable sonar unit) might be more better for the average boater than others which seem to be optimised for fish finding. I'm a little surprised it isn't more common and would be like to hear of other's experience and thoughts on the subject.
 
Elecglitch said:
Garmin's recent announcement of the Panoptix PS51-TH has got me interested as it looks like it (with a suitable sonar unit) might be more better for the average boater than others which seem to be optimised for fish finding. I'm a little surprised it isn't more common and would be like to hear of other's experience and thoughts on the subject.
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I have the Simrad 2D forward looking sonar both in the wheelhouse and the fly bridge. I keep it on the whole time and watch it constantly when going into shallow water. It's not always easy to read as it flicks from one reading to the next constantly but I do believe it kept me off the rocks at least once so I wouldn't be without one.
But I do wish I'd known about the 3D versions before my purchase. By the way I have dedicated screens for it.
 
I had an Echopilot unit on my yacht and found it less useful when in shallow water. If you think about it, it cannot see very far ahead. Very good for approaching a coral reef from ocean depths.
 
I also have an echo pilot as well as a Raymarine fishfinder. I can only run one at a time as they apparently work on the same frequency and interfere with each other. Something to watch out for if you are buying one.
 
FLS on a fast moving boat will show you a hazard the same time you hit it. In shallow water I found it useless. At very low displacement speeds it can assist probing (i.e. anchorage, etc), but thats about it.
 
Thank's for the replies, the Panotix that I mentioned above makes it clear that it only works up to 8 knots which is fine for me as I'm a bit of plodder in general and especially near hazards. I've read the PBO review but the conclusion I'm reaching is that (surprisingly to me at least) it doesn't seem to have caught on with may people as a NavAid.
 
I've got one on Eos and in the 9 years of ownership have only switched it on a few times to see if it works, and have never used it at sea. Fairly useless piece of kit imho.
 
I put one on my previous boat when cruising around the Med, I thought it would be useful to see ahead when exploring anchorages, the reality was very dissappointing it was next to useless from a practical information point of view; it will be intersting to hear if this generation of technology has improved things.
 
You have to use it for its intended purpose. Planing along at speed is not its purpose although it still works well as a depth gauge. If you anchor in shallow water and you very gently made your way then they are very helpful. Having your wife up front looking into the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea you may not think the sonar is worth it, but in the absence of either what are you going to rely on?
 
Bouba said:
Having your wife up front looking into the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea you may not think the sonar is worth it, but in the absence of either what are you going to rely on?
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Polarized sunglasses, and helming from the flybridge.
In the med, that's more than enough to see where you are going! :cool:
 
MapisM said:
Polarized sunglasses, and helming from the flybridge.
In the med, that's more than enough to see where you are going! :cool:
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Helming from the wheelhouse with its side door gives me instant access to the anchor, it takes a bit longer from the fly and a back an forth trip could take too long. The Forward sonar is not a panacea or perfect technology it's just another tool in the box
 
I had an echo pilot FLS on a boat I used mostly on rivers - very useful, as rivers are generally not charted very well or at all.
I tried it out at sea but rarely used it as the sea is well charted and buoyed etc.
 
kashurst said:
I had an echo pilot FLS on a boat I used mostly on rivers - very useful, as rivers are generally not charted very well or at all.
I tried it out at sea but rarely used it as the sea is well charted and buoyed etc.
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We have Finland's rocky Shallow Waters, well-marked fairways are well-mapped, but I have a lot of walking in the archipelago my ways. Also, note that the rock mark on the map is 63 m in the sea and questons how many rocks is 63x63m areas, so nice to see in front of the cloudy water.
 
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DavidMcMullan said:
I had an Echopilot unit on my yacht and found it less useful when in shallow water. If you think about it, it cannot see very far ahead. Very good for approaching a coral reef from ocean depths.
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With full respect, ... - I think, it's time to erase these ancient technology opinnions ... 2 0 1 8 .
 
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