JW Fisher Proton 5 Magnetometer

The JW Fisher PROTON 5 is a fifth-generation proton magnetometer from JW Fishers. 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 that is backlit for night operations. Up to 80 of the previous measurements are also displayed 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. An adjustable audio alarm lets the operator decide how much of a change in the baseline reading will cause the alarm to fire.
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.
The base system includes a 200-foot depth rated towfish, 150 feet of Kevlar reinforced tow cable, and a topside control box. Optional USB data output and Tracker 3 software are available, which allow the mag readout to be displayed on a laptop computer, along with GPS position coordinates. The target position is displayed and recorded on the computer. An optional Microsoft Surface ® tablet can be mounted in the control box lid, eliminating the need for a separate laptop computer making it a streamlined package.