General description

This high performance marine magnetometer is ruggedly built and easy to operate. The topside console has both audio and visual alarms for target detection. Connect a GPS and position coordinates with mag readout data can be captured with the optional Tracker software. The control box has an adjustable sensitivity switch that lets the operator select maximum sensitivity for open water searches or a lower sensitivity setting to work in rivers or harbors where steel structures may be nearby. A cycle time switch lets the operator choose a 2, 3, or 4 second cycle time. An adjustable audio alarm lets the operator decide how much of a change in the baseline reading will cause the alarm to fire. When searching for small targets, low alarm settings alert the operator to small changes in the readout. Higher alarm settings cause the alarm to fire only when a significant ferrous metal object is detected.

Optional Tracker 3 software shows the path of the boat as it moves over the search area along with a cascading waterfall of the mag readouts and the GPS position associated with each readout. When a target is detected, the readouts and coordinates change color so the operator can quickly see when and where a target is detected. At the bottom left of the screen is a graphical representation of the last 1 minute to 1 hour of mag readouts. When a target is detected a spike or deep V is drawn on the graph. In addition to the mag and GPS data, other information displayed are the boat's speed, compass heading, and the sensitivity setting selected by the operator.

The Tracker map can be exported as a image with a KML file to allow it to be easily overlaid on other mapping programs (as shown at the right). All data can be stored on the PC hard-drive or disk.