New SIMRAD long range, high-definition sonar launches at Danfish International
Simrad, the undisputed leader in the world of Sonar technology for the professional fishing market introduced a new, cutting-edge Sonar at the DanFish International exhibition in Aalborg, Denmark, 17-19 October 2007. The SX90, for both purse seiners and trawlers was a show stopper for skippers looking for next generation technology, guaranteed to improve catches.
The SX90 is a low frequency, high-definition, long range Sonar that utilizes two high-end computers to process data from the transducer, making it the most powerful Simrad Sonar ever released, and by this definition, the most powerful professional fishing Sonar on the market by far.
The SX90 transducer is identical to the highly regarded Simrad SP90 Sonar transducer. With the extra computing power provided by the SX90 dual computers, Simrad has been able to make every single element in the transducer individually controllable. The transducer elements, of which there are 256, generate an impressive 8.2 Gbit of data per second enabling unique control of beams and beam forms.
"We have had great success with the SP90 and we believe the new SX90 will be even more popular, especially after the high levels of interest we received at DanFish." says Mads Dahl, Sales Director, Simrad. "We have tested the new SX90 Sonar on several Norwegian vessels for some time now. The feedback is fantastic and the customers were extremely satisfied with the incredibly long range and the ability of the SX90 to show detailed bottom hardness. Whereas other manufacturers' Sonars show bottom and fish marks in red the SX90 has a much more dynamic range in the picture to clearly detect small variations of bottom hardness."
Though an excellent performer at shorter range, the Simrad SX90 sonar is specially designed for vessels where range is criteria No. 1. The transducer element is designed for maximum performance from 20 kHz to 30 kHz and each of the 256 elements is connected to its own transmitter and receiver. With the large data capacity in the dual computer signal processor there are several unique possibilities for beam forming.
Three different vertical beam widths, single or dual vertical view and 180° tiltable vertical view are available. At 30 kHz operating frequency, the vertical beam width is only 6,7°. Simrad's transceivers have traditionaly used FM technology for filtering away unwanted reverberation (disturbance echoes) from surface and bottom, making fish echoes easier to detect under difficult conditions. Simrad has taken this further with the SX90 by introducing Hyperbolic FM with even better discrimination of echoes. This new technology also provides longer ranges than standard FM transmissions.
The Simrad SX90 Sonar offers unique features such as full circle beam stabilization for easier fish detection in poor weather and 11 different Sonar operating frequencies to avoid interference from other Sonars. It also offers user settings, picture memories, resizable windows, three target tracks and/or marks, off centre, zoom-functions and dual ranges.
Software options are extended range and scientific output. The SX90 uses Simrad's well known Sonar operator panel and interface and a choice of LCD monitors and installation trunks as hardware options are available.
"We continue to develop our Sonars in order to make use of the best technology available. The improved performance offered by the SX90 is affordable, especially as SP90 users can benefit from a straightforward upgrade. The unmatched range and higher definition of the SX90 will, put simply, improve your catching abilities and help to make better use of your time at sea," says Mads Dahl.
Further information from:
Thor Barhaugen
Simrad
Tel: +47 33034014
Fax: +47 33034140
E-mail: thor.barhaugen@simrad.com
www.simrad.com
Saul Trewern
Saltwater Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669 244
Fax: +44 (0) 1202 672 221
saul.trewern@saltwatercoms.com
www.saltwaterpr.com