Sonar manufacturer WESMAR has announced the introduction of a new sonar, the HD860 series, with Precision Beam Stabilisation, after four years of intensive design.
“The value of this advancement cannot be overstated,” said company President Bruce H. Blakey. “It is a giant step forward in the ability to find fish at greater distances, closer to the surface and closer to the bottom, and keep them on the sonar screen even in rough weather.”
The Precision Beam Stabilisation places control right at the transducer. It uses an electronic gyro including a dedicated computer module with highly refined software mounted directly on the sonar transducer. The computer is constantly correcting for pitch and roll wherever the beam is scanning. Unlike other sonar that uses sensors mounted on the vessel to stabilise, WESMAR says its technology provides far more efficient ‘precision stabilisation’ of the sonar beam.
“Without electronic stabilisation, even slight movements of the beam can be significant, at long ranges the beam can possibly move hundreds of feet up and down, making fish location difficult especially at longer ranges, explained Mr Blakey. By limiting this bounce, the effective sonar range is extended, and a wider search area can be achieved, saving fuel and increasing catch.
WESMAR offers this system with a 6, 8 or 10-inch transducer. Other significant features of WESMAR’s HD860 include:
Digital Link: Long interconnect cable runs are always subject to noise and low sonar performance. In the HD860 a digital link between the sonar electronics near the transducer and the computer console in the wheelhouse eliminates noise - for maximum sonar performance and extreme picture clarity.
Searchlight Advantage: The company claims that no sonar has better directivity than WESMAR's searchlight technology. One hundred per cent of the transducer surface area points in the same direction, giving a narrow and focused beam. Dispersed fish or hard to mark fish are detected clutter free.
Profile Scan: In depth sounder mode, scan a swath and view the bottom below and on both sides of the vessel. Sounders only mark under the vessel and not to the sides, missing an enormous amount of bottom information. In the profile mode bottom coverage is 6 to 10 times greater than traditional sounders.
Heavy-duty Transducer Hoist: WESMAR’s heavy duty design is the result of almost five decades of sonar design experience. It moves up and down quickly - four seconds up or down out of harm’s way - should underwater conditions change quickly. Two down positions and automatic shut down for safety. The 10 inch model has a long-stroke hoist option an advantage only WESMAR provides.
The following screen options are available:
Split Screen: Forward scan on top, port starboard bottom profile on lower half. Each screen has its own controls to maximise target detection.
Full Screen Sonar: Detect targets all around the vessel.
Split Screen/Dual Monitor: One monitor shows split screen with bottom history on the top half and profile on the lower half with depth displayed in the center of the screen.
Sounder: Full screen sounder with or without fish lupe will operate with the hoist up or down.
