Super high imaging is possible with equipment like Oculus.
Looking into the crystal ball of marine electronics
By Brad Wiegmann
Future of multi-beam sonar and underwater fishing cameras
Garmin, Lowrance and finally Humminbird have all now released their version of phased array scanning sonar (a.k.a. live-imaging sonar or LIS) in forward/down/wide viewing sonar in real time. It seems impossible for this technology to get any better, but wait. What the future has forthcoming is even more unbelievable, lifelike real-time imaging.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves of how great this would be for anglers. Truth is they already have technology and products that produce lifelike imaging. Oculus Multibeam Sonar and KONGSBERG Mesotech are used for hull inspections, location tracking, sonar for law enforcement and police rescue operations and provide additional safety by monitoring divers. They are also capable of producing high resolution imagery in low or zero visibility conditions.
These are heavy, large products that are extremely expensive. Also right now these units require 12 – 32 Volts DC depending on the model, making existing units impractical for anglers.
So why even talk about these real-time, high-definition imaging sonar products?
Because if I’m looking at them to see what these products are capable of doing don’t you think Garmin, Lowrance and Humminbird are to?
The next, great version of LIS will surely incorporate some of the features Oculus and KONGSBERG recognize as standard technology. You can expect higher quality, distortion-free imaging at possibly at ranges up to 600+ feet. The new units may also have wider scanning area of 180 degrees without stitching boundaries or ghost trees. Similar to down/side imaging the units could possibly have dual-frequency models.
Transducer size and shapes will change. You might even have 3 or more transducers on the trolling motor shaft or separately mounted on an over-the-side mounts similar to a live-sweep mount. It is possible the transducer will be gelled into the hull of a fiberglass boat.
Underwater Fishing Cameras
It is also only a matter of time before one of the major trolling motor companies have built-in underwater fish camera. Companies like Aqua-Vu and MarCum already have stand-alone products that produce real-time viewing. Anglers can see real-time video with Aqua-Vu Multi-Vu HD Pro, a turnkey sonar or TV to camera adapter system with a LCD or compatible sonar unit.
Anglers aren’t sitting on the fence when it comes to LIS. They either love LIS or they hate it.
Even with the advancements of “usable and affordable” technology the fishing tournament community will at some point set limits to what anglers can have on their boat. I would expect that no remotely-operated-device or remote-stationary-transducer will be allowed.
Rest assured, however, changes are coming and we can only wait to see what’s next.
(From Springdale, Arkansas, Brad Wiegmann is a professional photographer, videographer and outdoor writer published in dozens of print and electronic media outlets all across the nation. He is also a well-known guide, podcaster and social media influencer. Learn more about Wiegmann and his lengthy experience and expertise at BradWiegmann.com.)
