HI!
As I understand, the new sounder models with Structure scan 3d are actually multibeam sounders.
Does SL3 data format export multibeam (point cloud) data from sounder units and how can we use those data in RM?

That is yet unknown, until someone cracks the SL3-format.

We have had some conversations with Navico, and at some point we are hopeful that they will find a way for us to use the data. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks!

Some facts:
* As fas as I know structure Scan 3D lacks pitch and roll compensation which means that any rolling will make the seabed all messed up!

* It lacks sound speed compensation, both real time and applying sound speed profiles in post process.
You need real time sound speed close to the sensor for angle calculations.
You need sound speed profile to do ray tracing and compensate when the sound is bent by different sound speeds in the water column due to temp and salinity.

* Don't expect a range of more than 5-6 times the water depth on each side, after that the noise level goes up.

The current leader in Swath sonars is edgetech 6205, a lot cheaper than a multibeam but still really expensive!
www.edgetech.com/products/bathymetry/620...try-side-scan-sonar/

To get a survey boat equipped with that you probably need to find around 100 000 euros ;)
That includes the Swath sonar, MRU (gyro), sound speed profiler, gps compass, RTK GNSS and survey software.

/hakan

Hakan is spot on there. All the manufacturers hype their equipment so much nowadays, and the equipment's functioning and limitations are far beyond the level of understanding of the majority of normal everyday users. You will see wonderful promo sidescan shots of underwater bridges etc, taken in crystal clear flat water with no noise from motors or boat movement, no pitching,no rolling, no sonar smearing as the vessels head moves, just perfection. I frequently answer questions from folks asking me why their GPS shows them to be half way up piers, or why a sonar waypoint isnt in the same place twice, and why cant they see the depth 40m to stbd on their sidescan ?......a lot simply want to know why their image doesnt look the same as the ones on the web.

I wish the producers would start to lay out the limitations of their equipment as well as the, undoubtedly huge, benefits and advances.

T

In that case of using it to dredging opperations and documenting depth this will be plenty?

I'm patently waiting for an easy, live easy to use sonar package to use, imo panoptix live vu 3d looks like the deal, but only seen the videos from dealers and we went on a big mistake trusting the dealers videos.....

What is the price on a system like the 6205 ish?

possible to be using reefmaster still with it?

Sincerly Steffen