The last few years I've been doing some bathymetric survey work with a Trimble R12i and a Seafloor Systems Sonarmite. I'm not real happy with the Sonarmite. We rent them which can be cheap but is also a pain. Setup and Bluetooth connectivity can be a pain. Last week we used one that simply didn't log 80% of the depths it should have and we'll have to redo the work.

Anybody have experience using higher end fishing sonar for survey quality mapping? Or an industry contact for someone that does? Gunny, I'm hoping this is in your bag of tricks. The Trimble gear has NMEA0183 output capabilities.

I'd ask on the marine electronics page at THT.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum-19/

You sure the nmea is 0183? 2000 has been the standard for a while now. Anything running 0183 is probably pretty old tech.

Has anyone spoken with Gunny lately? Hadn't seen him around.

Pm me. We can discuss rigs. This is what we do for part of our work.

I didn't commit the whole user manual to memory but I read up on it a few weeks back. I don't think this is a part of the Trimble interface that sees a lot of use. It might do both.

OnlyForNow said:

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Pm me. We can discuss rigs. This is what we do for part of our work.

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I don't keep a subscription. Do you have an email address?

No spaces

Sent you an email. You can take it down.

I believe I've found a path for this using a Garmin Echomap unit, my Trimble GNSS setup, and some third party post processing software. I'll report back after I've had a chance to do some testing.

Also bumping for Gunny's input as I've seen him around this weekend.

I saw your post. I have no experience with what you're trying to do. However I have a great working relationship with the Texas Garmin factory rep. I sure don't mind giving him a call and getting you two guys hooked up. PM me with a contact for you, email etc. and I'll call him right away. Glad to help anyway I can sir.
I'll say this… he knows his stuff and I'm sure he will help you as he's a good man.

That's exactly what I was hoping for. I have a lot of mapping and remote sensing experience but little to no sonar experience especially with modern consumer/pro-consumer fish finding tech. And I already determined that the Garmin Marine Support line isn't going to be much help. I do realize I'm trying to do something a little outside of their target market.

I don't have a star so I can't PM you. Can you send me an email to .......?

Thanks!

Got it if you want to delete.

Sent you a couple of emails. Hope you have got them. I talked with my Garmin colleague today about you. He said to give you his cell and call him. I sent that to you by email just a bit ago.
Let me know how it goes.
G.

I got them! Thanks. I'll give him a call.

Another successful TexAgs hookup…

Sounds good.

Drop me a GPS cord. if you find any unmarked wrecks within 80 miles of the coast?

Or if you find that missing B52, you'll be a legend.

I got ahold of your contact. He confirmed I'm on the right track and is going to look into some NMEA 0183 to 2000 networking that should boost my precision and productivity.

Thanks!

Good deal. No thanks needed sir, but you are more than welcome.