How Sonar Works - Humminbird HDR 610 Installation And Operation Manual

HOW SONAR WORKS

Sonar technology is based on sound waves. The HDR 610 Digital Depth Gauge uses
sonar to determine depth directly below the transducer. Your HDR 610 Digital Depth
Gauge consists of two components: the HDR 610 sonar unit and the transducer. The
sonar unit contains the transmitter and receiver, as well as the user controls and display.
The transducer is mounted beneath the water surface and converts electrical energy
from the transmitter into mechanical pulses or sound waves. The transducer also
receives the reflected sound waves and converts them back into electrical signals for
display on the sonar unit.
Sonar is very fast. A sound wave can travel from the surface to a depth of 240 ft (70 m)
and back again in less than 1/4 of a second. It is unlikely that your boat can "outrun"
this sonar signal.
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