Status of Mega-Live: Product Images of Prototypes?

[fischbear]

Since some more websites have been starting to list Mega Live, I found one, that has a high resolution image of the transducer. Strangely, the main part of the transducer doesn't look like the injection molded part one would expect. It shows clear milling marks over the whole surface:
https://humminbirdshop.nl/index.php?...id=443&lang=nl

The attached pole mount looks fine though. I see two options here: Humminbird has commissioned the worst mold maker around, or the image that is currently used shows a (likely dummy) prototype. If that's the case, and they use such early stage mockups, I'm not surprised, no screen captures have been posted so far. Therefore, I predict that the release will be delayed (blame it on Covid), availability in the beginning will be low and their might be issues related to hasty release, if they indeed release this before autumn next year.
What do you think? Has anybody see or heard from somebody who has seen actual footage of it in action?

[SLYDoggie]

My guess is a mock-up. If you look closely at the shiny part on the top rear, it doesn't appear to be a separate part at all but just milled from the same block as the rest of it. Also, the mount itself does have a typical injection molded look rather than a milled look.

Not sure what real difference it makes though. With a March planned release date (best case), and likely an availability date in mid to late summer (best case), I'm sure they are still working out the bugs and finalizing the actual release product.

[fischbear]

The two parts could well be joined. If I interpret the shape correctly, it's a typical multibeam setup with transmitting transducer (the semi-circle) and receiving array (the slim flat part). That's actually quite nice. They could even run it at dual frequency. And - if they are honest about it being "Mega" - the resolution should also be nice. I would like to point out the similarities to this thing here:
https://www.blueprintsubsea.com/page...php?PN=BP01042

In the best case, these videos give us an impression of image quality. It's probably not quite es high resolution and not quite as fast refresh, but in principle that's the current limit of this type of technology.
Interestingly, it also limits the surprises that Humminbird can have up its sleeve. There won't be a real 3D function like to original Panoptix PS30, for example.

[bmwnc2]

All speculation but interesting.
if mega live looks anything like that oculus dimthingy I’d be ok with it!

[Wayne P.]

The two parts could well be joined. If I interpret the shape correctly, it's a typical multibeam setup with transmitting transducer (the semi-circle) and receiving array (the slim flat part). That's actually quite nice. They could even run it at dual frequency. And - if they are honest about it being "Mega" - the resolution should also be nice. I would like to point out the similarities to this thing here:
https://www.blueprintsubsea.com/page...php?PN=BP01042

In the best case, these videos give us an impression of image quality. It's probably not quite es high resolution and not quite as fast refresh, but in principle that's the current limit of this type of technology.
Interestingly, it also limits the surprises that Humminbird can have up its sleeve. There won't be a real 3D function like to original Panoptix PS30, for example.

Specs show 512 beams.

[Nabbster]

I think it's quite safe to say that now we know where the tech has been licensed :) But I guess Humminbird has only partially copied that tech as unfortunately I don't think they will be using that 2100kHz frequency quite yet

[MichAngler]

WOW

First I hope that price is wrong for the pre order of the mega live 2199 EURO = $2633

Next the blueprint subsea Oculus videos are real nice
This transducer works with windows why don’t we have this already?
Oculus Imaging software (Windows 7/8/10)
If mega live could provide image quality like that I’d be happy

[SLYDoggie]

The two parts could well be joined. If I interpret the shape correctly, it's a typical multibeam setup with transmitting transducer (the semi-circle) and receiving array (the slim flat part). That's actually quite nice. They could even run it at dual frequency. And - if they are honest about it being "Mega" - the resolution should also be nice. I would like to point out the similarities to this thing here:
https://www.blueprintsubsea.com/page...php?PN=BP01042

In the best case, these videos give us an impression of image quality. It's probably not quite es high resolution and not quite as fast refresh, but in principle that's the current limit of this type of technology.
Interestingly, it also limits the surprises that Humminbird can have up its sleeve. There won't be a real 3D function like to original Panoptix PS30, for example.

Wow, that's some impressive live imaging.

[MichAngler]

Wow, that's some impressive live imaging.

Exactly!
Sets the bar higher than I expected
If HB’s mega isn’t this good they better buy this system and slap their name on it!

[Royt]

WOW! Unbelievable, looks like it could be based off this.

[bobcoy]

There is only one that shows a range more than 10m. The one at 20m is a pontoon boat image The shape of the transducers is very similar. Probably the same tech. The school of fish is video like, but very small range. I am also anxious to see HB's version. Bob

[akaslyguy]

I'm REALLY hoping it is able to compete with the current livescope and not just something with less image quality just to get a product out on the market. I hope they step up to the plate and hit a homerun.

Reading some posts and conversations from others... they bring up concerns about the quality not being there without a black box to help with processing power and such. Speculation of it being more like panoptics (if that's what the first version was called) than livescope because of the look of the transducer and lack of a black box. I sure hope it's on par with livescope. I can't wait for some images/videos and more hard information to start showing up.

[Sammiew]

It would benefit Humminbird and it’s dedicated brand users to get this product on the market with the least issues as possible. Nothing like pushing a product before it’s ready to be on the market. Nobody wins in that situation.

[bmwnc2]

They already have people jumping to garmin, they know this,
I think the bar is high, and that’s a good thing for consumers :)

[franktank009]

I think it's safe to assume that the oculus transducer is pretty much what hb is releasing. The hb flyer touted more coverage. Hopefully they can do a bit better than 130 degree coverage with 20 degree width as I believe these are what livescope is running (not 100% sure). Also really hoping that hb work with the mega+ will give us better range with the mega live transducer running at 1.2mhz. I believe this will be quite a bit better than garmin's lovescope.

[alpine4x4]

There is only one that shows a range more than 10m. The one at 20m is a pontoon boat image The shape of the transducers is very similar. Probably the same tech. The school of fish is video like, but very small range. I am also anxious to see HB's version. Bob

Yup very short range, I can get very similar images on my Livescope at those short ranges in clear water with large targets like that. The key is clarity at range beyond that 30ft wall which is where I see images degrade and it becomes harder to track a bait. Beyond 60ft is where it really starts to show its limitations.

[Wayne P.]

I think it's safe to assume that the oculus transducer is pretty much what hb is releasing. The hb flyer touted more coverage. Hopefully they can do a bit better than 130 degree coverage with 20 degree width as I believe these are what livescope is running (not 100% sure). Also really hoping that hb work with the mega+ will give us better range with the mega live transducer running at 1.2mhz. I believe this will be quite a bit better than garmin's lovescope.

The leaked info shows 150' for MEGA LIVE.

The MEGA frequency has LESS range than lower frequencies no matter what the application is.

[franktank009]

The leaked info shows 150' for MEGA LIVE.

The MEGA frequency has LESS range than lower frequencies no matter what the application is.

I think most understand that higher frequencies provide shorter ranges. But hb did increase the 1.2mhz effective range from the original mega to the mega+. My comment was hoping that hb work with the mega+ would allow for longer ranges when using the 1.2mhz frequency than livescope currently has.

[cevans]

[ddement]

I think it's safe to assume that the oculus transducer is pretty much what hb is releasing. The hb flyer touted more coverage. Hopefully they can do a bit better than 130 degree coverage with 20 degree width as I believe these are what livescope is running (not 100% sure). Also really hoping that hb work with the mega+ will give us better range with the mega live transducer running at 1.2mhz. I believe this will be quite a bit better than garmin's lovescope.

The oculus transducers start at close to 20K and go up from there.