Frequently Asked Questions (Faq's) - Interphase Proble Operation Manual

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
What is the difference between the Probe and Sea
Scout?
The Probe and Sea Scout scan forward of the boat, but
sweep a single beam (12 degree cone angle) in different
directions. The Probe beam sweeps vertically, from the
surface to the bottom (directly under the boat). The Sea
Scout sweeps the 12degree beam from side to side (45
left to 45 right).
Imagine swinging your arm from straight down by your
side, then up pointing at the horizon. You have just
imitated the Probe sweeping pattern.
Now, instead of sweeping your arm up and down, point
your arm at the ground about 12 feet in front of you. Now
sweep your arm from right to left at the same slight
downward angle. You have just imitated the sweeping
pattern of the Sea Scout! The Sea Scout beam angles
down about 20 from the transducer (about 30 feet deep
for each 100 feet of range).
The Probe display will show both bottom and suspended
targets directly in front of the boat. You simply point the
boat where you want to see. The display will show any
targets distance and depth.
The Sea Scout will display suspended targets only, but
will tell you their direction from your boat and their
distance from you. You must estimate the depth of any
targets ahead.
Which one of the products do I need?
For suspended targets ahead (bait fish, salmon, albacore,
etc.) your product is the Sea Scout.
For both suspended targets and a view of the bottom
ahead (collision avoidance, scuba, bottom fish, search/
rescue, ice fishing) you need the Probe.
How wide is the scanning beam?
The phased array scanning beam on all Interphase
scanning sonar operates with a 12 degree cone angle
beam. This means that the diameter of the beam at 100' is
about 15' wide. The transducer operates at
approximately 200 kHz. The beam has many unique
characteristics which allow increased resolution as well
as increased ranges.
How powerful (watts) are the Phased Array Sonar
units from Interphase?
Phased Array Sonar does not operate in the same way
that traditional marine sounders work. Interphase has
combined high-tech software with ultrasound technology
from the medical field and newly released military
ultrasound technology. Interphase' s ultrasound
technology is now pending patent approvals. It operates
on approximately 420 watts (RMS tested at the transducer
or 3,200 watts peak to peak) but is channeled through
eight (8) separate elements and the signal is phased via
our software.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All sonar sounders, if more than
200 watts RMS, have a limited use in shallow water (less
than 10' from transducer to bottom). In most cases, the
need to see forward occurs when traveling from deeper to
shallower depths. Forward scanning is possible but
limited when the water is less than 10' deep. Some clutter
on the screen will occur in shallow environments.
What type of transducer is needed and what does it
look like?
The transducers for both Probe and Sea Scout are
available in transom or thru-hull configurations. If you
are operating an inboard, you must use the thru-hull.
Remember that you are measuring ahead from the
transducer, therefore, placing it as far forward as
possible will provide you with greater forward range.
The thru-hull transducers are slightly smaller than a
tennis ball and extremely hydrodynamic (they pass
through water in a streamlined fashion).
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