Panoptix?

[LWINCHESTER2]

The effective range will have to be determined when people get more extensive use on-the-water with them. Most brands when expressing range are referring to how far it will pick up the bottom rather than how far it can clearly show your lure or a fish which is my interpretation of range. I'm disappointed in Garmin for going out of their way to keep the technical aspects secret. It's not like we won't find out. It makes me suspicious that the hype is outpacing the actual capabilities of the unit. This was especially true for Lowrance SpotlightScan and Humminbird's 360. Kind of like politics. A speck of truth and a lot of hype goes a long way. Apparently there are at least some specific situations where the hype meets reality. With the full specifications we could reasonably predict both the range and limitations of its application. Right now, they don't want us to be able to do that. The hype encourages our imagination to expand the range beyond its capability. Their refusal to release the technical info is clearly to hide its limitations. For some of us that will limit sales rather than promote them. I told the Garmin engineer at BM Classic that I never buy these units based on promotional literature but only after carefully examining it technical specs. It's quite difficult for a unit to perform beyond its technical specifications.

[TroyBoy30]

spotlight scan is not even in the same league as 360. they shouldnt even be mentioned together in the same sentence

[jimmy7]

agreed on spotlight and 360 not the same league. :)

as far as technical specs, i like those (I am an engineer), but the proof will be in the real world experience. Most technical specs i see published are under ideal conditions and doesnt relate to real world fishing conditions

Another side note is i am very curious on how panoptix looks in weeds. Every demo i have seen has been under hardbottom conditions.

[hawgripper]

The effective range will have to be determined when people get more extensive use on-the-water with them. Most brands when expressing range are referring to how far it will pick up the bottom rather than how far it can clearly show your lure or a fish which is my interpretation of range. I'm disappointed in Garmin for going out of their way to keep the technical aspects secret. It's not like we won't find out. It makes me suspicious that the hype is outpacing the actual capabilities of the unit. This was especially true for Lowrance SpotlightScan and Humminbird's 360. Kind of like politics. A speck of truth and a lot of hype goes a long way. Apparently there are at least some specific situations where the hype meets reality. With the full specifications we could reasonably predict both the range and limitations of its application. Right now, they don't want us to be able to do that. The hype encourages our imagination to expand the range beyond its capability. Their refusal to release the technical info is clearly to hide its limitations. For some of us that will limit sales rather than promote them. I told the Garmin engineer at BM Classic that I never buy these units based on promotional literature but only after carefully examining it technical specs. It's quite difficult for a unit to perform beyond its technical specifications.

A lot of what you have mentioned is true, only the real world operation by anglers will be the real test. Like most companies the R&D can only be done to an extent. We see this in all products. They don't have thousands of engineers testing every conceivable sinario known to man. As for the technical specs, most companies keep them to what is relevant for the average consumer so there isn't pages and pages of useless information.
Do you think a comsumer cares how long the pulse width is when a mercury outboard injector is running at 5500 rpm.
At some point they have to draw the line.

[Todd Driscoll]

So far, our testing has shown that we can see fish out beyond at least 100’ ft. Maximum functional range will vary due to settings and conditions (beam width, bottom composition, incline-decline and the angle of the ducer), just to name a few.

[Todd Driscoll]

To add what I've stated above, Panoptix can definitely see out to 300 feet, but out this far fish and lures will likely be hard to see. But, you will be able to see the bottom and larger solid objects at the 300 feet range.

[Diel11]

Thank you for the information Todd. Questions if you don't mind:

1. Is the beam width adjustable? You mention that as one of the conditions, so I was wondering if you can set it.

2. Do the installation instructions tell you a way to set up the transducer angle, or is the mount notched (marked) with different angles?

3. Can the transducer run out of the water with no overheating issues (unlike CHIRP)? I know multi beam and CHIRP is different but just wondering.

4. What other adjustments are available with the Panoptix.

Really appreciate your help.

[Saiyajin]

It's definitely not cheap.

[Todd Driscoll]

Thank you for the information Todd. Questions if you don't mind:

1. Is the beam width adjustable? You mention that as one of the conditions, so I was wondering if you can set it.

2. Do the installation instructions tell you a way to set up the transducer angle, or is the mount notched (marked) with different angles?

3. Can the transducer run out of the water with no overheating issues (unlike CHIRP)? I know multi beam and CHIRP is different but just wondering.

4. What other adjustments are available with the Panoptix.

Really appreciate your help.

1. The beam on LiveVu is adjustable in the installation menu from 10, 20, or 40 degrees. The RealVu beam is automatically sized based on the sweep speed setting.



2. Because of the AHRS in the transducer, the angle is not critical. The transducer just adjusts the image depending on the install. 60 degrees for forward is recommended, so more vertical than 45 but not straight up and down.


3. Yes, the transducer can be run out of the water. It has an internal temp sensor and will automatically pause the Panoptix sonar if it gets too hot or too cold.


4. Most conventional sonar settings like range, gain, color gain, noise rejection, palette, etc.
There is an install depth that allows you to adjust how deep the transducer is in the water. This will adjust the surface water line up and down.
The transmit angle in LiveVu modes will allow you to manually steer the beam port/starboard on the forward model and fore/aft on the down model. For instance if you want to scan around looking for a target's peak amplitude to know exactly where it is.
Also, the LiveVu modes have a trails setting, similar to radar trails that shows previous echo returns in another palette color that fades out over time.
The 3D scanning modes allow you adjust the scan rate for a more detailed slower scan or a faster blockier scan.
The 3D modes allow you to select how often the palette colors repeat since they tell you target depth. This allows you more fine resolution to see small depth changes or more absolute depth with no repeats.

[Diel11]

Wow, excellent information. One more thing. I know the transducer has two cables coming out of it, one ethernet and the other is what, power? Do you know how many elements the transducer has in there by any chance? Thank you very much for your time and help.

[LWINCHESTER2]

Now we are getting somewhere. Thanks to Diel11 for asking the right questions and Todd for answering them.
Technology: multi-beam phased array scanning sonar
Frequency: 417
LiveVu: adjustable beam 10,20, and 40 degrees.
heat/cold protection sensor
adjustments for range, gain, color gain, noise rejection, palettes, etc.
Range: max 300 ft, effective ~100 ft maybe more

You've said it shows fish moving towards and away from the boat. Ok, got it. What if the fish are moving left to right at the same distance away from the boat?. What would that look like?

[Todd Driscoll]

Wow, excellent information. One more thing. I know the transducer has two cables coming out of it, one ethernet and the other is what, power? Do you know how many elements the transducer has in there by any chance? Thank you very much for your time and help.

Yes, the two cables are Garmin Marine Network and power cable.

[Diel11]

Thank you again for your help.

[hays47]

Ok I got a question for the crew. My present set up is Echomap 70 S with a GCV 10 Box. Would the Panoptix just network connect to the GCV10 ? I am also assuming that Garmin would have an update disc in package. That would enable the 70S to display the Panoptix. Much like when I installed the GCV 10.

At this point in time I am only interested in the down vu panoptix ducer. This will work with only one panoptix ducer right ?

[Diel11]

My understanding is that yes, you will be able to connect it to the GCV10. I saw on the Garmin website that included in the box of the PS30 or PS31 is an update card. And yes, you can have either or both.

[hays47]

Thanks for the info. I may start to dream now.

[Rail Dawg]

Question guys:

Can Panoptix spot stumps that are at "propeller height" so I could avoid them in tight areas?

Thanks.

[MonteSS]

I was ready to order and realized you need two $1500 transducers if you want down and foward :(

And BTW you can still run the standard 2d/down/side transducer too.

[Todd Driscoll]

I was ready to order and realized you need two $1500 transducers if you want down and foward :(

And BTW you can still run the standard 2d/down/side transducer too.

That is true regarding both Down and Forward. If both are cost-prohibitive and this is going on a bass boat, I'd recommend prioritizing the Forward on the trolling motor.

[dabigkahuna]

Just learned about Panoptix and am super excited to learn more about it. Not for fishing, but instead for Search And Recovery operations. We took a long look at Humminbird 360 but never pulled the trigger. Now with Panoptix in the wings it looks like we made the right decision. I can think of a couple ways that this new tech could be really helpful.

I couple questions I hope you can answer:

1. What is the minimum system we would need to use Panoptix (Forward looking only)? Besides a display unit (such as the GPSMAP 741) and a sonar transducer, is there anything else required?

2. The two cables on the transducer I understand are for power and the "Garmin Network". What are the power requirements/power draw for the transducer? What is the maximum length for the "Garmin Network" cable?

What I'm hoping is that I'm able to mount the transducer in a remote location (maybe 100+ feet away from the display) and in order to avoid voltage drop, have a separate 12vdc power supply near the transducer.