1
How Sonar Works
Sonar technology is based on sound waves. The500 Series™ Fishfinder uses
sonar to locateand define structure, bottom contour and composition, as well
asdepth directly below the transducer.
Your 500 Series™ Fishfinder sends a sound wave signal and determines
distance by measuring the time between the transmission of the sound wave
andwhen the sound wave is reflected off of an object; it then uses the reflected
signalto interpret location, size, and composition of an object.
Sonar is very fast. A sound wave can travel fromthe surface to a depth of
240ft (70 m) and back again in less than 1/4 of a second. It is unlikely that your
boatcan “outrun“ this sonar signal.
SONAR is an acronym for SO und and
NAvigationRanging. Sonar utilizes precision
sound pulses or “pings“ which are emitted
intothe water in a teardrop-shaped beam.
The sound pulses “echo“ back from objects
in the water such as the bottom, fish, and
other submerged objects. The returned
echoes are displayed on the LCD screen.
Each time a new echo is received, the old
echoesare moved across the LCD, creating a
scrollingeffect.
HowSonar Works