Topic: SAR versus a 1198CV SI Unit

[George]

OK Guys

I live next to Lake Eufaula in Porum, OK and I am thinking of purchasing and donating a new 1198c unit for the local volunteer fire company.  Is there a reason why I should consider a SAR unit?

I would appreciate your advise.

George

[nediver]

George I wasn't aware HBird made a "SAR" unit; If I'm wrong how does it differ from my 1197?

Also as a forum member you would know that if they want to use it for body location they will have a difficult to impossible time in deeper water. A towed system would be best of course but that's big money as you also know.

I've found lots of different things as an HBird owner and diver, no bodies yet though I've looked. Bodies are your classic soft target, and that's in fresh water. Saltwater here in New England (I'm in both all the time) is even more aggressive about consuming a body.

If they go for it you might be a good guy to do some inital training with them on it.

[George]

nediver

Yes, there is an SAR unit, and I would like to know the difference.  The lake is almost 100 feet in some areas, but is mostly below 50 ft. 

George

[nediver]

George I Googled "Humminbird and SAR" and got this:

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=169.0

Based on that post, there is no bona fide SAR version; One minor minor change you can read about at the link above.

[Roddy]

Grorge, There are a few of us on this that have used Humminbird units for SAR. A Humminbird will work a Tow Fish helps it work deeper and better.

Bigger is better! The bigger the screen the better. And a lot of $$$$$$!

As a user of a few MFG brands of Side Scan I can say that each has its own limits.

On the water training and lots of it!!!!!!

Search the web there are some low to mid price range units out there.

Roddy

[sonar2000]

Originally HB offered a SAR unit in the 1197. However the only difference in the standard 1197 and the SAR 1197 was the plate that covered the SD card slots. The SAR unit simply said SAR. Internally there is no difference in the two units..
HB discontinued the SAR offering.
HB for SAR: It takes training and training and training. Which mean lots of water time.
It will all be up to the operator as to its effectivness.
50 feet or less of water, unless a quality towfish is made. Side range is best at about 50 feet or less..
Setting grids is most important.
Settings are very important.
A body is not hand, feet and legs. The display is similar to logs.
If the bottom is flat and without any other items it may stand out. If you have stumps, logs, vegetation or other debris it gets quite difficult to find the body.
Large objects like watercraft, vehicles airplanes do standout better than a body.
It depends a lot of the direction approached and can change with direction.
The upfront time is spent learning that which is normal for the lake and then determining that which appears to be abnormal.
This mean many hours of scanning..
I am sure the department will appreciate the donation, but it will be their responsibility to learn to use it and the times it is effective and the times the situation is beyond the units capability...Which means knowing mutual aid with different offerings.
Every sonar has it good points and its limitatiions...
Chuck 

[George]

Thanks Chuck

This is what I was looking for.  It may be that I just donate the money to them for them to use for whatever is needed. 

As most know volunteer fire companies do not have access to a lot of money, since I am too old to volunteer as a fireman, I have made several donations over the past year.  I want to do what is best for them and to keep them safe.  We live on a 102,000 acre lake and it is wooded all around.  There are lots of trailers in the area and they are constantly being called out for brush and trailer fires.  Next week I am cooking dinner for the first responders.

George

[sonar2000]

Thanks George for you kindness and community support.
There are fire departments who have so much money they cant spend it.
 There are also those who dont know what money is and need all the help they can get just to pay gas for the call response.
Tools are just a part of the needs and it is best to provide the service you can with priorities.
Lake response is a concern but for the families of missing folks if the departmenmt just does not have the money, time or people, then learning who in mutual aid has can be the needed help.
Submeged boat, vehicles or aircraft  are recoveries best handled by commercial operations. Especially since OSH has rules and guideliines.

Not all departments are big city funded nor do all departments compete equally for federal grants. It takes community folks like you who appreciate what is done and offer the help that you can give.
Something you could do, George,  is to work with the local FD and make your boat, sonar and knowledge for use in the event of a missing person or another object of equal interest.
In fact there are a lot of fishermen who could help with just a little nod in the right direction to change from fishing mode to search mode.
Fishermen do know how to read the bottom and generally know the normal dispaly for the area.

Thanks George for your generosity and good will.

Chuck

[ITGEEK]

That's very nice of you George.
The world needs more like you.

[Humminbird_Greg]

That's very nice of you George.
The world needs more like you.

+1