FLS Platinum Engine – Forward Looking Sonar
The EchoPilot FLS Platinum Engine is a “Black Box” system which enables any Chartplotter, Multifunction Display, or PC with a video input to become a fully functional 2D color Forward Looking Sonar (FLS).
Forward Looking Sonar provides the captain, entering strange harbors or difficult anchorages, the extra safety of the being able to see the seabed and any underwater obstructions ahead in real-time. Piloting unfamiliar or poorly charted waters, especially at night, becomes less stressful.
EchoPilot’s patented Real-time Forward Looking Sonar uses an electronically controlled array to scan the seabed from straight ahead through 90° to straight down, like an underwater radar; the whole screen updates continuously. If the boat turns towards an obstruction or bank this will appear immediately on the screen, and will disappear as quickly when the boat turns towards safer waters, unlike steered transmit phased array system offered by some other manufacturers which may take a considerable time to update a full 90° sector.
Owners have the option of having EchoPilot FLS Platinum’s output displayed at the helm only, or additional EchoPilot Video Interface Boxes may be ‘daisy chained’ to run 2 displays at different locations, each with its own keypad.
Easy installation involves a single, retractable transducer and a short cable leading to a transmitter box. The proximity of the transmitter box enhances performance and reduces noise. A simple Ethernet type cable, which may be extended from the standard 12m up to 100m, takes the display signal to a ‘Video Box’ with a remote keypad.
The keypad operates the sonar part of the display without the need to use the plotter or radar controls of the display. Composite Video and S-Video output are provided, along with all cables needed to attach to most video displays, marine or domestic.
The FLS Platinum is provided with a Bronze Skin Fitting. To accomodate any type of boat and hull type customers also have the option of getting a Steel or Aluminum Skin Fitting.
