Operating SONAR units 50 KHz and 200 KHz Simultaneously

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Author Topic:   Operating SONAR units 50 KHz and 200 KHz Simultaneously

kwik_wurk posted 03-30-2009 11:59 PM ET (US)
Is it possible to run two separate fish finders using two separate transducers operating at different frequencies, one at 50 KHz the other at 200 KHz? I have never tried it, and I am well aware of the noise that can come from other boats with fish finders when they get close.
Don't ask me why I would ever do this, because I don't have a good answer.
jimh posted 03-31-2009 07:56 AM ET (US)
The answer to this, I think: it depends.
Operating two SONAR units simultaneously, one using 50-KHz and the other 200-KHz, may be possible, but the nature of the two SONAR devices would have a great deal of influence. The frequencies are separated by a 4:1 ratio, but the response of the SONAR receivers may be quite broad. The 200-KHz unit might be sensitive to echoes from the 50-KHz unit, and vice versa.
If using typical recreational SONAR units, there won't likely be any synchronization between the two devices. The transmit pulse of one unit may occur at a time when the other unit is listening for echoes. The signal level of the transmit pulse is likely to be very much stronger than the bottom echo or any target echoes, so it would likely interfere.
I can't offer any practical experience. I have seen some smaller fishing boats which have two sounders on them, so I imagine there must be some potential for running them simultaneously. Perhaps one of our readers who is an avid fisherman and has more than one sounder aboard can give us some real world experience.
Tollyfamily posted 03-31-2009 02:11 PM ET (US)
Yes, I have been doing this for years. I have a 50 KHz unit at my lower helm and a dual frequency unit on my bridge set at 200KHZ. The transducers are 12" apart on either side of my keel and they work great.
Dan
kwik_wurk posted 04-01-2009 01:02 PM ET (US)
Good to know, thanks.
I am buying a boat that has a Lowrance X126DF; and I want to install a Garmin 545s that I have sitting in a box.
I am trying to decide if I should take the X126DF out (and sell it) or leave it as a dedicated FF device and screen.
From what I can tell both products have equally powered transducers. The screens are slightly different and in favor of Garmin.
However I wonder if the underlying sonar technology makes one product superior to another. -- People speak highly of Lowrance sonar and fish finding products. But most people I have talked to use the high end stuff, not the middle market stuff (as in X126DF).
I guess that's another topic.

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Author	Topic: Operating SONAR units 50 KHz and 200 KHz Simultaneously
kwik_wurk	posted 03-30-2009 11:59 PM ET (US) Is it possible to run two separate fish finders using two separate transducers operating at different frequencies, one at 50 KHz the other at 200 KHz? I have never tried it, and I am well aware of the noise that can come from other boats with fish finders when they get close. Don't ask me why I would ever do this, because I don't have a good answer.
jimh	posted 03-31-2009 07:56 AM ET (US) The answer to this, I think: it depends. Operating two SONAR units simultaneously, one using 50-KHz and the other 200-KHz, may be possible, but the nature of the two SONAR devices would have a great deal of influence. The frequencies are separated by a 4:1 ratio, but the response of the SONAR receivers may be quite broad. The 200-KHz unit might be sensitive to echoes from the 50-KHz unit, and vice versa. If using typical recreational SONAR units, there won't likely be any synchronization between the two devices. The transmit pulse of one unit may occur at a time when the other unit is listening for echoes. The signal level of the transmit pulse is likely to be very much stronger than the bottom echo or any target echoes, so it would likely interfere. I can't offer any practical experience. I have seen some smaller fishing boats which have two sounders on them, so I imagine there must be some potential for running them simultaneously. Perhaps one of our readers who is an avid fisherman and has more than one sounder aboard can give us some real world experience.
Tollyfamily	posted 03-31-2009 02:11 PM ET (US) Yes, I have been doing this for years. I have a 50 KHz unit at my lower helm and a dual frequency unit on my bridge set at 200KHZ. The transducers are 12" apart on either side of my keel and they work great. Dan
kwik_wurk	posted 04-01-2009 01:02 PM ET (US) Good to know, thanks. I am buying a boat that has a Lowrance X126DF; and I want to install a Garmin 545s that I have sitting in a box. I am trying to decide if I should take the X126DF out (and sell it) or leave it as a dedicated FF device and screen. From what I can tell both products have equally powered transducers. The screens are slightly different and in favor of Garmin. However I wonder if the underlying sonar technology makes one product superior to another. -- People speak highly of Lowrance sonar and fish finding products. But most people I have talked to use the high end stuff, not the middle market stuff (as in X126DF). I guess that's another topic.