Furuno introduces two new searchlight sonars

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(CAMAS, Wash.) — Furuno has introduced the CH500 and CH600 searchlight sonars, offering high-definition targeting on a 12.1-inch XGA (1,024 by 768) display. Both of these all-new sonars are optionally available in a black box configuration, giving users the freedom to utilize the display of your choice.

These new searchlight sonars incorporate exciting new features and advancements. Quick Gain Control, which adjusts the "power" of the echoes you see on screen, applies the changes you make to even the existing echoes. With this new feature, you can see changes to the echoes on-screen instantaneously, instead of having to wait for new returns to appear. Quick Gain Control is invaluable when the fish are moving fast and you need to make quick adjustments to boost the returns.

The CH500 and CH600 can complete an entire 360-degree circle in about three seconds. With selectable scanning steps from 6- to 24-degrees, you can select the scanning speed you need for your conditions. Use the 24-degree sweeps when the boat is moving fast to have a quick view of what's around you, and when you see something interesting, slow the boat and dial the sonar down to 6-degree scanning sweeps to get a more detailed view of your surroundings.

The CH500 and CH600 include a built-in stabilizer to compensate for pitch, heave and roll, which means no more losing important echoes in rough seas. While the CH500/600's built-in stabilizer compensates for sea effect, higher capability motion sensors may still be fit for those who venture out in really big water.

Eleven display modes are selectable to optimize the sonar for any situation, including combined-display modes that deliver a whole new level of versatility. Full- and half-circle horizontal and vertical scans, down-sounder and A-scope displays, and a unique history scan that shows past data are combined into useful presentation that can be selected in seconds. You can even distinguish between different types of targets with an upgraded audio mode, capable of delivering different audio "pings" depending on what kind of target is being detected. This is an incredibly useful feature that allows the operator to perform other tasks without ever missing a sonar target.

For more information, visit www.furuno.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff