Boat Towed Metal Detectors are to detect archeological sites, shipwrecks and other buried or submerged objects. To survey a large area boat towed metal detectors are used such as the Proton 5 Magnetometer or the Pulse 12 Metal Detectors for non-ferrous metals. In researching more localized areas hand-held underwater magnetometers or waterproof metal detectors are very useful such as the Diver Mag1 or the SAR-1 metal detector for non-ferrous metals. Sea-View Diving has a great selection of high-quality metal detectors and other underwater search equipment by JW Fishers.
Metal Detector vs. Magnetometer
If you are searching primarily for nonferrous metal (gold, silver, lead, brass, bronze, aluminum, etc.), the best piece of equipment is a metal detector (Pulse 12).
If you are searching primarily for ferrous metal objects (iron and steel), the best piece of equipment is a magnetometer (Proton 5). The advantage of using a magnetometer is that it has a much greater detection area than a metal detector.
Pulse 12 Boat Towed Metal Detector
by JW Fishers
This JW Fishers top-of-the-line boat towed pulse induction metal detector detects ferrous (iron/steel) and nonferrous (gold/silver/aluminum/ bronze/etc.) metals. With its 24-foot wide and 16-foot deep detection envelope, this detector will locate various targets, including aluminum boats, brass propellers, outboard motors, steel anchors, bronze cannons, and gold bars. One of the critical features of this detector is the control unit, which can accept inputs from 3 search coils. Using three coils instead of one lets the search team cover three times the area with the same amount of time, fuel, and manpower.
The additional Coils allow larger areas to be covered. One fish is towed directly behind the center of the boat, and the other fish are towed to each side of the boat. One, two, or three fish can be operating at the same time. When using multiple fish, each has controls and a meter on the Control Box. An alarm sounds, and the meter swings up when any of the Search Coils detects a target. Two 12-volt batteries power the complete system. An operator can attach an Altimeter to the fish to inform the operator of the distance between the fish and the bottom. Optional Tracker software displays and records all data, including boat tracking.
Optional Tracker 3 software shows the boat’s path as it moves over the search area. It includes a cascading waterfall of the Pulse 12 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 Pulse 12 readouts. When a target is detected, the line swings up on the graph. In addition to the Pulse 12 and GPS data, the boat’s speed, compass heading, and alarm setting are also displayed. The controller can display up to three fish on the screen.
Proton 5 Boat Towed Magnetometer
by JW Fishers
The PROTON 5 is a fifth-generation proton magnetometer from JW Fishers. It is a top-performing microprocessor-driven marine magnetometer detection system. The Proton 5 is the definitive detector for iron and steel targets. Its maximum range capability of 1,500 feet (450m) on each side (3,000-foot total swath) lets you search a wide area quickly and thoroughly.
It is a top-performing microprocessor-driven marine magnetometer detection system. With a one Nano-Tesla (nT) sensitivity, it has the maximum usable sensitivity for a towed proton precession magnetometer. A two-second cycle time gives a strong return signal and is fast enough to detect even small iron/steel targets. The PROTON 5 features a triaxial noise-cancelling sensor that allows omnidirectional towing without heading error or dead zone. The system is fully digitized and displays the current 5-digit measurement on an easy-to-read 6-inch LCD screen backlit for night operations. Up to 80 previous measurements are also shown graphically in a history plot on the LCD. With the optional altimeter, the distance off the bottom of the towfish is displayed. User-friendly menus allow easy configuration of all operation settings and system tuning directly from the topside control box.
The Proton 5 is a boat towed magnetometer for ferrous metals with 150 feet (~45m) of cable, cable connector, 500′ depth rated towfish, waterproof Pelican® transport case, 6in. LCD built into the control box and auto-tuning.
Proton-5 Boat Towed Magnetometer
The towfish has excellent hydrodynamic characteristics, moving smoothly through the water at tow speeds up to 10 knots. The Fish can be towed at almost any speed, but A 2-3 knot tow speed is recommended for small targets. With the optional UA-3 Altimeter, the Proton 5 can maintain a precise distance off the bottom. For deepwater towing, the Fish is towed behind the optional DDW-1 Deep Dive Wing depressor. The collapsible PROTON 5 towfish easily fits into a watertight Pelican® case. Modular construction allows easy field repair, should it ever be necessary.
Pulse 12 Waterproof Boat Towed Metal Detector
The Pulse 12 is in use by military, law enforcement, commercial, and salvage divers world wide. High sensitivity and a very large detection area make this detector an excellent choice for both commercial operations and professional treasure hunters.
Commercial Grade Construction, ability to tow up to three coils for extra large detection area, optional computer interface and software, faster towing speeds than the Pulse 10 system, and audio jack for headphones.
The Pulse 12 is backed by JW Fishers exclusive, unconditional TWO YEAR warranty.
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