Forward facing sonar?

Seevee

Member
Dec 3, 2015
238
St. Pete, FL
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2004
Engines
4.3 Merc Twins, Alpha One, Kohler 5kw
This topic has been beaten up in the past, but would like to explore what's available for a forward facing sonar for a small cruiser today. Goal if only to avoid grounding in shallow water. Would love a unit that could look out ahead of the boat, perhaps 50 feet or even less and tell me the bottom depth. Would also be nice to have a down looking mode, too, to eliminate my depth finder.

What's out there?

This is for s 280 Sundancer in shallow water, Florida west coast.




 
I to am thinking of doing this on my 30' and for the same reasons. But how do they work and where would I place the transducer?
 
I have a friend with one on his boat, and seems to work quite well but a much older unit.

Some of the transducers have an angle on them, not sure what's currently available. I called Garmin and the only ones they had were for fishing and were attached to a pod that you lowered into the water. Wouldn't work for our application. I'm surprised they didn't have more available.

With our shallow water would be a great asset, especially motoring in uncharted waters, which I do a LOT.

I've got a few feelers out there and will report if I get any good responses.
 
I had a unit years ago called--interphase forward scanning sonar----it also functioned as a regular down facing sonar/fish finder, both from the same thru hull transducer. Not sure if it is still manufactured, it did work good for showing shoaling conditions.
 
My 1979 26 Weekender had a Data Marine depth sounder that claimed to look 30 seconds ahead. It did seem to do the job. Not sure if the company is still round, and I don't hear much about forward looking sonars any more. Maybe this is built into the software today and manufacturers don't talk about it for some reason?
 
You might take a look at Garmin's DownVu sonars. Here are some screen shots from the one I have on my Whaler.
DSCN2012_zps2dbac598.jpg


DSCN2003_zps8c7f07a5.jpg


DSCN2000_zps4a3f56db.jpg


IF these shots don't keep you out of trouble you're either (a) going to fast in shallow water or (b) not paying enough attention to your total surroundings.
 
I am looking to purchase a Simrad NSS evo2 with a forward scanning sonar. The forward scan transducer is $700, so not cheap. Garmin has one too, but the transducer is $1500. They work well apparently only when going slow, <10?, they only see about 10x depth, so if depth is 8', only see 80' in front. If you are doing 25, not much reaction time.


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I am looking to purchase a Simrad NSS evo2 with a forward scanning sonar. The forward scan transducer is $700, so not cheap. Garmin has one too, but the transducer is $1500. They work well apparently only when going slow, <10?, they only see about 10x depth, so if depth is 8', only see 80' in front. If you are doing 25, not much reaction time.


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Todd,
In uncharted waters, I'd be keeping the speed down to perhaps 3 knots, so 80ft would be more than enough. At 25 on plain, I'd want a good chart and depth finder.
Both the Simrad or Garmin would work, just looking for reviews from folks that have them.

GoFirst,
Downview looks good, but I don't see where it gives you much info in front of the boat. There's also a side vu, and a side view by Hummingbird... but doesn't solve the problem.

Also there's Echo Sounder, seems like more popular in Europe ranges from $2 to $10K, with 10K way overkill for a 280 Dancer. Don't have any references on them, but looking.
 
Todd,
In uncharted waters, I'd be keeping the speed down to perhaps 3 knots, so 80ft would be more than enough. At 25 on plain, I'd want a good chart and depth finder.
Both the Simrad or Garmin would work, just looking for reviews from folks that have them.

GoFirst,
Downview looks good, but I don't see where it gives you much info in front of the boat. There's also a side vu, and a side view by Hummingbird... but doesn't solve the problem.

Also there's Echo Sounder, seems like more popular in Europe ranges from $2 to $10K, with 10K way overkill for a 280 Dancer. Don't have any references on them, but looking.
The Garmin DownVue doesn't help a bit looking forward, but it does clearly show what's happening beneath you and if you see the bottom rising up you know you're going to be in trouble soon.

If they see ahead 10X what the depth is and you're in 8' of water that's looking ahead 80'. At 7kts you're moving about 11 feet per second. That only gives you about 7 seconds to bring your boat to a dead stop. If you factor in reaction time of about 1.5 seconds that only leaves about 5.5 seconds to bring your boat to a dead stop. I don't know about you but my boat won't stop that fast even if I could (a) recognize the problem and (b) react to the problem in 1.5 seconds.

I start to get REAL nervous when I'm in less than 10' of water and will go aground in about 5' (I have a draft of about 4'). I try to stay away from skinny water.
 
The Garmin DownVue doesn't help a bit looking forward, but it does clearly show what's happening beneath you and if you see the bottom rising up you know you're going to be in trouble soon.

If they see ahead 10X what the depth is and you're in 8' of water that's looking ahead 80'. At 7kts you're moving about 11 feet per second. That only gives you about 7 seconds to bring your boat to a dead stop. If you factor in reaction time of about 1.5 seconds that only leaves about 5.5 seconds to bring your boat to a dead stop. I don't know about you but my boat won't stop that fast even if I could (a) recognize the problem and (b) react to the problem in 1.5 seconds.

I start to get REAL nervous when I'm in less than 10' of water and will go aground in about 5' (I have a draft of about 4'). I try to stay away from skinny water.

Gofirstclass,

Like I mentioned, you go SLOW when in uncharted waters, not 7 kts. And taking a 55 ft inboard in that shallow is probably not a good idea. I'm running a 28 ft with IOs and in 3 ft of water all the time.
 
I found this thread from 2016.

Does anyone have any thoughts or updates on the status of forward looking sonar technology in 2018? Is the forward looking technology sufficient identify a potential unseen hazard?

My analog Raymarine system took a big dump this weekend, so I am evaluating upgrade options. Thanks for your thoughts.

Bryan
 
No, Garmin and Lowrance both have a forward scanning sonar but it is limited on distance and would not be a safe measure at speeds above idle. Best to get a Good chart plotter with a Navionics card. You can highlight depth areas and turn on a shallow water alarm if you get in water less than your selected depth.
 
A few comments....

I research all three options for smaller boats for forward scanners. Simrad, Garmin and Echo Pilot.

Overall, gut feeling the Echo Pilot 2D is the best. Their cheaper version "may" not get the job done and the upscale 3D version is $10K and not affordable for a small boat.

Garmin seems to cater their forward scanner to the fishing crowd, but does say it's good for avoiding grounding.. but at $1600, the Echo Pilot is probably a better deal.

I bought the Simrad Forward Scan because I put in a Simrad package and it's fair at best. I've operated for some 50 hours on the boat and still trying to tweak it and figure out how to get the best from it.

At times it show the bottom ahead clearly and pretty much matched the Simrad Sonar charts, and at times it shows nothing.

Down scan, fish finders and ordinary depth finders and low water warnings to NOTHING to show you what's ahead, but the warning may give you enough time to slow down before you hit something.

From what I know now, I'd probably pass on the Simrad and go for the Echo Pilot Platinum. It's made in Europe which is a major disadvantage for service, but the reviews are great. Simrad service has been poor and most of the techs know little about their forward scan.

If one has a really expensive boat, perhaps they could justify the $10K price of the 3D Echo Pilot.

If you have a reasonably sized boat are really run aground on rocks the price could easily run into the thousands.... for for thought.
 
Third Edition, I just picked that unit up and ran it this weekend in my dink. Very impressed. I am going to spend some time this summer mapping areas that I like to cruise in, getting some real world soundings.
 

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