Raymarine MFD Fishnder Sonar Guide

Raymarine produces a full range of sonars and an array of transducers. In this guide we explain the different technologies used in Raymarines Sonars helping you select the right sonar and transducer for your application.

How Sonar works - All Raymarine fishfinders operate using Sonar. Technologies - Digital, CHIRP, DownVision. Frequency and Power - Determines the depth a sonar can reach. Transducers - Selecting the correct transducer. DownVision - View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like clarity. Built-in DownVision - a68 and a78 come with DownVision in built. Network DownVision - CP100 brings DownVision to a, c, e, and gS Series MFDs Digital Sonar - Sonar using conventional Dual frequency transducers Built in Digital Sonar - Many of Raymarines MFDs have Sonar in built. Network Digital Sonar - CP300 Brings Digital Sonar to a, c, e, and gS Series MFDs
CHIRP Sonar - Built for the offshore angler that demands the best

Network CHIRP Sonar - CP450 Brings CHIRP Sonar to a, c, e, and gS Series MFDs Warranty - 2-3 year return to base and Onboard warranty available.

How Sonar Works

Sonar SOund Navigation And Ranging is a technique that uses sound propagation to detect under water targets.

All Raymarine fishfinders operate using Sonar. A sound wave is produced by a transducer connected to a fishfinder and is sent through the water. At the transducer the wave is narrow, however as it penetrates deeper, the sound wave spreads forming a cone shaped beam. When the sound wave encounters something within this beam, it bounces back to the transducer. By measuring the very small amount of time between when the sound wave was sent out and when it bounces back your fishfinder calculates the distance of the object below the boat. If the signal doesnt encounter anything along the way, it reaches the bottom. Soft bottoms like mud and weeds tend to absorb the signal. Hard bottoms such as rock reflect a stronger signal back.

Technologies

DownVision, Digital, CHIRP

Digital Sonars use the more conventional Dual frequency transducers producing two cone shaped beams. The depth of an object is calculated by the time the transmitted pulse takes to return. CHIRP Sonars use multiple frequency transducers which produce cone shaped beams. It still has a pulse, but within that pulse, it uses a range of frequencies. Instead of 50 kHz, it starts at 40 kHz and increases incrementally to 75 kHz before the pulse ends. To measure depth of an object it looks at which frequencies the target excites. DownVision Uses a Dual Channel CHIRP transducer producing two beams one cone shaped and the other a narrow elliptical beam. The combination and some clever processing produces almost 3D like Images.

Frequency and Power

Determines the depth a sonar can reach.

Sound waves are absorbed by water Salt water absorbs sound waves at a greater rate than fresh water. The lower the frequency of the sound wave the less it will be absorbed by water. The greater the power of the pules the deeper the sound wave will travel. Frequency wins over power when it comes to depth. As a general rule conventional 83/200 kHz transducers are used for fresh water applications and 50/200 kHz are used for salt water applications. CHIRP transducers by the nature of the way they work deliver greater power but the frequency is still critical when it comes to selecting depth range.

Transducers
Why so many different types?

Selecting the correct transducer for your boat you should consider the following. Mounting Options -If any air that passes over the transducer it will not work. Transom Mount transducers Suitable for boats with outboards and outdrives. In-hull transducers only suitable for GRP boats do sacrifice some performance. Through-hull flush transducers Tilted element may be required depending on hull shape. Through-hull with fairing blocks offer the best performance, especially at higher speeds Transducer material Plastic housings are recommended for GRP or metal hulls. Stainless Steel housings are recommended for steel or aluminium hulls. Bronze housings are recommended for GRP or wood hulls. Matching Transducer to Sonar Power of the transducer needs to be matched to the power output of your fishfinder. DownVision transducers only work with DownVision sonar units. Transducer Frequency Select the correct frequency for the depth and type of water you intend to use it in.

DownVision
View the world beneath your boat with the photo-like clarity.

Unlike conventional imaging sonars that transmit a single frequency with each pulse, DownVision uses CHIRP technology to transmit across a wide spectrum of sonar frequencies with each pulse the result is much higher resolution, photo-like sonar images. Depth performance to 180m Optimum fresh water conditions

Built in DownVision
Some Raymarine MFDs have DownVision built in. Plug in the correct transducer and your MFD will become a fully functional DownVision Sonar.

Raymarine MFDs with built in DownVision a Series 5.7 Chartplotter with DownVision Sonar (a68) a Series 7 Chartplotter with DownVision Sonar (a78) Transom mount and Through-hull with fairing block transducers are available.

Raymarine direct connect DownVision transducers CPT-100 Transom Mount Transducer CPT-110 Plastic Through-hull with fairing block transducer CPT-120 Bronze Through-hull with fairing block transducer

Network DownVision
Raymarine DownVision can be displayed on any a Series, c Series, e Series or gS Series MFD using a CP100 Sonar Module connected on Raynet.

The CP100 with Raymarines latest generation multifunction displays. From the compact a Series to the flagship gS Series the CP100 brings underwater vision in resolutions up to 1280 x 800 pixels. See our Raymarine MFD Guide for more details and a full product range Raymarine CP100 CHIRP DownVision Sonar Module Transom mount and Through-hull with fairing block transducers are available.

Raymarine CP-100 DownVision transducers CPT-100 Transom Mount Transducer CPT-110 Plastic Through-hull with fairing block transducer CPT-120 Bronze Through-hull with fairing block transducer

Digital Sonar
Using conventional 50/200 kHz Dual frequency transducers

Conventional imaging sonar with large selection of transducers Depth performance 600w up to 900m Optimum fresh water conditions Depth performance 1kW up to 1,500m Optimum fresh water conditions

Built in Digital Sonar

Some Raymarine MFDs have Digital Sonar built in. Plug in the correct transducer and your MFD will become a fully functional Digital Sonar.

Raymarine MFDs with built in Digital Sonar 600w Raymarine Raymarine Raymarine Raymarine Raymarine Raymarine Raymarine a67 5.7 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder a77 7 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder c97 9 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder c127 12 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder e7D 7 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder e97 9 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder e127 12 inch MFD with Built-in Fishfinder

Transom mount, Through-hull and in-hull transducers are available.

Raymarine direct connect Digital Sonar Transducers See full range of 600w 50/200 kHz Transducers

Network Digital Sonar

Raymarine Digital Sonar can be displayed on any a Series, c Series, e Series or gS Series MFD using a CP300 Sonar Module connected on Raynet.

The CP300 Digital sonar module is for anglers looking to step up to more power and offshore performance. Using Raymarines exclusive digital ClearPulse sonar processing technology the CP300 intelligently adjusts every sonar variable automatically and eliminates unwanted noise from the display. The result is accurate, easy to interpret fish targeting and bottom imaging. See our Raymarine MFD Guide for more details and a full product range Raymarine CP300 Digital Sonar Module Raymarine CP300 Digital sonar module is compatible with a broad range of 600W and 1000W transducers

See full range of 600w 50/200 kHz Transducers See full range of 1000w 50/200 kHz Transducers

CHIRP Sonar
Built for the offshore angler that demands the best.

CHIRP sonar technology goes beyond high definition sonar and delivers increased resolution, enhanced fish targeting and deeper depth performance. Easily identify and separate baitfish from predators, using Raymarines exclusive CHIRP sonar processing.

Network CHIRP Sonar

Raymarine CHIRP Sonar can be displayed on any a Series, c Series, e Series or gS Series MFD using a CP450 Sonar Module connected on Raynet.

TruZoom mode for a precise magnified view of fish targets, bottom structure and baitfish without any loss of resolution seen with traditional sonar. Fast Pulse Rate with 80 pulses a second and enhanced shallow water and high-speed operation. Dual CHIRP channels 2 independently adjustable channels (two sonars in one). Each channel can be customised to specific frequency bands along with independent manual and auto adjustment settings.
See our Raymarine MFD Guide for more details and a full product range Raymarine CP450 CHIRP Sonar Module

A Large range of transducers can be connected to the CP450 Low, medium and high frequencies for excellent performance at all depths From 25kHz to 255kHz with additional mid-band frequency support in the 75kHz to 130kHz range.

Low, medium and high frequencies for excellent performance at all depths supports CHIRP transmissions from 25kHz to 255kHz with additional mid-band frequency support in the 75kHz to 130kHz range. See full range of 600w CHIRP Transducers See full range of 1000w CHIRP Transducers

Warranty

2-3 year return to base and Onboard warranty available.

Raymarine Sonar units come with a standard limited warranty that can be extended to three years at no extra charge. To get Raymarines full onboard warranty your Sonar needs to be Installed / Commissioned by a Certified Raymarine Dealer.