SETTING UP AND USING SONAR > UNDERSTANDING SONAR

Transducer Coverage

The area covered by the transmitted sound waves is determined by the cone angle of the transducer and the water depth. The wide cone angles (40°) associated with low frequencies (50 kHz) provide a large coverage area for finding fish within a coverage width that is approximately 2/3 of the water depth. However, this also means that wide cone angles produce less bottom detail and resolution. As shown in the drawing on the near right, the 40° cone angle produces a coverage area of approximately a 20-foot diameter circle at a 30- foot depth.

The narrow cone angles (10°) associated with the high frequencies (200 kHz) provide better bottom resolution and crisper detail, but cannot show a large coverage area for finding fish. The 10° cone angle provides a coverage width that is approximately 2/10 of the water depth. As shown in the drawing on the far right, the 10° cone angle produces a coverage area of approximately a 6-foot diameter circle at a 30-foot depth.

Dual frequency mode combines both frequencies to get the best coverage area and contour/depth readings.

Coverage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depth

 

 

Diameter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coverage

 

 

 

Depth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diameter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40° Cone Angle (50 kHz)

10° Cone Angle (200 kHz)

GPSMAP 296 Pilot’s Guide

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