Forward sonar options

[Seevee]

I believe this has been discussed before a bit, but would like to get updates as this technology is rather new.

Seems like there's two choices for the small boater crowd (Sea Ray owners)

Garmin Panoptix and the Simrad Forward Scan.

They have similarities and look interesting, but very few reviews. Is anyone using one of these and can comment?

How well do they work?
Do you use them for grounding avoidance? Navigation, or fishing?
Any install issues?
And what do you use to display the information?

Thanks

 

[dwna1a]

I have a good friend with the Simrad. He loves it! He does a good deal of fishing over in the York River, he says its great for getting up close to areas he would have never gone into.

If or when Raymarine comes out with one I will be adding it!

 

[Seevee]

I have a good friend with the Simrad. He loves it! He does a good deal of fishing over in the York River, he says its great for getting up close to areas he would have never gone into.

If or when Raymarine comes out with one I will be adding it!

Sounds good. Have you gone with him to see how it works? My use is for avoiding grounding and exploring uncharted waters.

 

[b_arrington]

I was told that Garmin forward sonar only works up to 5 MPH. That pretty much limited the utility to me.

 

[Graham@BOEmarine]

Hi Everyone.
Here at BOE MARINE we have installed both the Forwardscan and the Panoptix.
Both systems work great.
The Forwardscan operates at a distance of 8 times the depth forward.
10ft depth = 80ft out. Two boat lengths on a forty foot SeaRay.
Displacement speeds is where these forward looking Sonars excell, giving you ample time to stop.
All in all a great bit of kit and a great safety aid.
Better than knowing the depth where you have just been.
Contact us at BOE and we can discuss your needs.

 

[Bob & Sue]

+1 on BOE's statement.

I've been onboard 2 boats equipped with the 76** series chartplotter 1 was a test boat setup for a demo to the USCG & Homeland Security it had a 7614 chartplotter with Panoptix fwd looking PS31 & Panoptix PS30 Down looking. The performance & views with playback are incredible the max mph with FWD PS31 is 20mph not because of it's capability but where it's mounted the waves could move it and change it's angle. I believe Garmin is coming out with a new design for mounting from what I was told by the Garmin rep.

The other boat had a 7616 chartplotter with a PS30 down looking fishing boat it was just being sea trialed before going up to the Bering Sea for the salmon season last year (it was built at our marina) the PS30 down looking is amazing to watch a full 360* scan of live moving fish under your boat. After the sea trial they added a PS60 thru hull & were going to use the PS30 for backup on another chartplotter.

If you haven't seen a demo of these do it (not at WM find a certified Garmin rep who knows what he's talking about) if your willing or can spend that much on a transducer, at least call BOE to discuss it's advantages & disadvantages.

 

[Graham@BOEmarine]

BOE MARINE has put a great Bundle together on the Forwardscan Sonar.

SIMRAD BUNDLE PRICE $2149
Simrad NSS9 EVO2 MFD (remanufactured)
Forwardscan Sonar
Long stem
1-⅞” hull thickness @ deadrise angles up to 28 degrees
Cable length 30’
NMEA 2000 Starter Kit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second NSS9 EVO2 MFD (remanufactured) $1249
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call BOE MARINE for details, and further savings on the Forwardscan Sonar.

 

[Billfletcher]

Check out Hull Truth also. There are quite a few threads on forward scan, mostly by fisherman.

 

[dwna1a]

Sounds good. Have you gone with him to see how it works? My use is for avoiding grounding and exploring uncharted waters.

NO! Look into what Jim and the folks at BOE are saying. I have a Ray setup and will wait and hope they follow Simrad

 

[Adios Dinero]

NO! Look into what Jim and the folks at BOE are saying. I have a Ray setup and will wait and hope they follow Simrad

I talked to a Raymarine rep at a boat show a while back and according to him Raymarine will not offer forward scan due to licensing issues.