Forward looking sonar

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by sailbleu, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. sailbleu
    Joined: Mar 2012
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    Location: Belgium

    sailbleu Junior Member

    Does anyone have a FLS installed ?
    If yes , are you happy with is ?

    Thanks
    Regards
     
  2. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    sailbleu,

    Yes.

    Extremely.

    -Tom
     
  3. murdomack
    Joined: Jun 2007
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    Location: Glasgow

    murdomack New Member

    I installed one four or five years ago, It definitely works. It won't stop you running into a rock or reef at full speed, but it gives a clear picture of what you are heading for if you are feeling your way in to somewhere new.
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. sailbleu
    Joined: Mar 2012
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    Location: Belgium

    sailbleu Junior Member

    Could you please tell if it interacts (read : negatively interferes) with other sounders like raytheon/raymarine ??
    Meaning , are the frequencies different ,

    Thanks
    Kind regards
     
  5. MikeJohns
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Australia

    MikeJohns Senior Member

    Not great if it's to stop collisions with rocks and reefs. In reality in say 10' of water you are very likely to hit a rock if you rely on these devices. You'll collide just seconds after the alarm goes off certainly long before you can even put the engine into reverse.

    In murky water feeling your way at low speed into a narrow channel it's marginally useful. I don't know anyone who has one who would bother with them again for shallower water . A dinghy and a lead line or dipping pole are more useful IMO.

    They are also notoriously hard to setup to get sensible results and hard to interpret.

    So depends on what you want it for really.
     
  6. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Agreed, a good bow watch is superior but they can be hard to find.

    Again, it really depends what you want to use it for...

    -Tom
     

  7. salty john
    Joined: Mar 2012
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    Location: UK

    salty john New Member

    I had one for three years, taking in a couple of transits of the US east coast ICW and a trip through the Bahamas and T&C. I couldn't say it contributed anything to earn its keep - by the time it 'saw' anything in shallow water you were on it.
     
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