[PSUBS-MAILIST] Forward scanners

[Alec Smyth via Personal_Submersibles]

Hi Alan,

I made multiple attempts to use an Interphase Vista, which sounds a lot
like what you're describing, but was never able to make anything of what I
saw on the display and ended up getting rid of it. Technically I suppose it
worked, but I could not interpret the images. I know far better ones are
available now, but if what you're looking at is an Interphase, I would
suggest it might be worth while going for the next step up price-wise.

Best,

Alec

On Wed, Oct 8, 2014 at 5:55 AM, Alan James via Personal_Submersibles <
personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:

> Has anyone had any experience or know anything about forward scanners.
> I'm reading.....Without moving parts, the ForwardScan transducer is more
> akin to a conventional sounder that has been tipped on its side. Its
> effective range is about eight times the actual depth, up to about 160 feet
> ahead of the boat. It includes a built-in shallow depth alarm with
> parameters set by the user. In deep water, this is great for detecting
> rocks and pinnacles. Of course, if you are operating in shallow waters such
> as the Bahamas or portions of the Chesapeake the eight-to-one ratio begins
> to work against you.
> This seems to indicate that if you are cruising 5ft off the bottom or
> closer in a submarine, you won't get much warning for collision avoidance
> from the alarm settings These would just pick up on the bottom 5ft below
> rather than an obstruction coming off the bottom in the distance. Can these
> be mounted so the angle of the beam runs parralel to the sea bed, pointing
> more up than down? Or do I leave as is & forget about the alarm function.
> Am I just as well off buying a fish finder & mounting that forward facing?
> Regards Alan.
>
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