Hi.
Have anyone tried to use ping echosounder horisontal? Wil this work.
I have tried to follow anchore chain from floating dock to anchor with bad visibility. I need some sort of sensor for help me with this type of job.
Hi @Fjosen -
While you can use the Ping sonar pointed horizontally, you’re not likely to get a return off a chain - it is a 25 degree conical beam! This means that only large surfaces will provide a return that gives a valid range.
The Ping360 on the other hand should pick up the chain, depending on how big it is, and let you position the vehicle relative to it. The best possible sonar for the job would be the Sonoptix Echo, which would provide essentially an acoustic vide-stream of what is in front of the ROV!
Will the SonoPtix work with the BlueROV2? The SonoPtix does not come up as an option when going through the shopping menu online. I want the best sonar unit I can get to use with the BlueROV2. I am piecing together my list of all items I want to buy. I want to buy everything I could need in one shot.
Hi @Coffin -
Welcome to the forums!
Yes, the Sonoptix Echo works with the BlueROV2 - it requires an ethernet switch to be installed and communicate with your control computer. It may not be listed on the BlueROV2 page, but it and the ethernet switch can be added to your cart!
Hi Tony,
I am trying to piece together everything I need.
Does this list look complete?
| Item | Qty | Description | Price per | Total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueROV2 | 1 | Acrylic - 100Meter | $4,900.00 | $4,900.00 | BlueROV |
| BlueROV2 Heavy Kit | 1 | Extra Vertical Thrusters | $900.00 | $900.00 | BlueROV |
| Fathom ROV Tether | 1 | 300 meter (984 feet) | $2,330.00 | $2,330.00 | BlueROV |
| Lumen Subsea Lights | 1 | 4-(Pre-connected Sets) | $770.00 | $770.00 | BlueROV |
| Fathom Spool | 1 | Tether cable spool | $920.00 | $920.00 | BlueROV |
| XBOX Controller | 1 | main controller | $52.00 | $52.00 | AMAZON |
| Sonoptix Echo Multibeam Imaging | 1 | Sonar Unit | $8,950.00 | $8,950.00 | BlueROV |
| Ethernet Switch | 1 | Needed to for add-ons | $185.00 | $185.00 | BlueROV |
| Newton Subsea Gripper | 1 | pincher-gripper arm | $720.00 | $720.00 | BlueROV |
| Blue ROV Spares Kit | 1 | spare thruster and parts | $385.00 | $385.00 | BlueROV |
| Batter Power Cable Set | 1 | Cables | $80.00 | $80.00 | BlueROV |
| Lithium Ion Battery | 4 | LI Battery 18AH | $425.00 | $1,700.00 | BlueROV |
| Battery Charger | 1 | LI Battery charger | $196.00 | $196.00 | BlueROV |
| Xt90 to EC5 Connectors | 2 | battery Adapters | $11.39 | $11.39 | AMAZON |
| MNN Portable Monitor | 1 | portable monitor | $49.99 | $49.99 | AMAZON |
| Highwings HDMI Cable | 1 | 6.6’ HDMI cable | $6.11 | $6.11 | AMAZON |
| Sabrent USB Hub | 1 | usb 3.0 powered hub | $16.99 | $16.99 | AMAZON |
| HP Pro Book Laptop | 1 | 16" laptop | $799.00 | $799.00 | AMAZON |
| TOTAL: | $22,971.48 | ||||
| from blue: | $22,088.00 |
Hi @Coffin -
I don’t see a list or a link if you intended to include one!
My list showed up.
Also, is there training? I had heard from a diver that he had training on the BlueROV2 but I don’t see that mentioned currently in the forum.
How much water current (in knots) can the BLUEROV2 fight against? I guess you can tip it and then get more thrust from the Heavy extra thrusters but still there should be a rated value so I know it can handle where we want to use it.
Hi @Coffin -
The list showed up - it wasn’t visible at first.
It looks complete to me - although you don’t need the battery power cable set and those XT90 to EC5 adapters? Unless they are just intended as spares?
Blue Robotics does not have a formal training curriculum, but the operations guide has all the information you need!
You’re right. Thank you. I will add that. I’ll drop the battery power cables.
Did you see my question about water current?
How much water current (in knots) can the BLUEROV2 fight against? I guess you can tip it and then get more thrust from the Heavy extra thrusters but still there should be a rated value so I know it can handle where we want to use it.
Hi @Coffin -
The BlueROV2 product page lists the maximum speed under Technical Details, and also in the data sheet. This value, 1.5 m/s, means that if the current is stronger than 3 knots, you’re not going to be able to make forward progress. This is a best-case maximum speed - as more tether is in the water the ROV has to overcome more drag, so a more realistic practical limit for current speed is about 1 meter per second, about 2 knots.
You seem to be editing your responses so things show up after the initial post!
Tilting the ROV forward does not increase the speed - the vertical thrusters keep the vehicle nice and level, allowing the horizontal thrusters to maximize the efficiency of their application of power.
I haven’t been on this type of forum in a long time. I do appreciate your help.
Blue Robotics prioritise providing public resources (including guides, software documentation, and this discussion forum), but several of our distributors do offer hands-on training if you prefer that 
I suspect the closest we’re likely to get to dedicated training would be an operation simulation suite to cover common applications, challenges, and advanced sensor usage, but currently our simulation tools are mostly just for basic testing (though it can be very fun to drive a simulated ROV around).
Hey Daniel, I see the Sonoptix Sonar unit is backordered. Do you have any insight on it’s availability
or should I just plan on a different Sonar unit for this year?
EDIT: Ok, I’m nervous. I just found a reference to the Sonoptix manufacturer in another post and the link just goes 404. "Go to Sonoptix, as the device manufacturer.
Hi @Coffin -
Nothing to be nervous about - Sonoptix simply updated their website - the contact us link on their page (that is visible at the link you shared) is split into support and sales.) It’s unrealistic to expect a company to find all links on the internet that may be broken, especially deep in forum posts! Blue Robotics has shipped hundred of Echo units to happy customers!
The sonar should be back in stock by May 15th, more units are shipping to us today.