Raymarine Transducers

Raymarine Transducers Resources and Information

A sounder is a type of navigation unit that uses sonar technology to find the depth of a body of water or to visualize and locate underwater objects. Sounders are essential to the function of fishfinders and chartplotters. Transducers work in conjunction with sounder modules. They send out and receive ultrasonic signals to gather important data like depth and structure. This data is then transmitted to a display to assist the boat operator with navigation. 

Looking for more marine products? Check out our selection of Boat Accessories, Parts, and Products, or Boating Electronics and Navigation. Or browse the broader category of Transducers and Sounder Modules. 

Raymarine Transducers FAQs

What is a marine transducer? 

In simple terms, a transducer receives a signal of type, and converts it into a different type of signal. Marine transducers typically transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. These signals find the depth of a body of water and the shape of underwater structures, locate fish, and more. Upon receiving the return ultrasonic signal, the transducer converts the information into electrical pulses it then transmits to an electronic display to assist with navigation or fish location. 

What is a marine sounder module? 

A marine sounder works in conjunction with a transducer to send ultrasonic signals through the water. The sounder module keeps track of how many sound pulses are sent out in a given period of time and how quickly they’re returned. This information allows the sounder module to determine the distance soundwaves travel, thereby gauging depth. It can also use this same method to determine the shape of an object of geographic structure under the water. 

What does a chartplotter do? 

The chartplotter’s job is to show you where you are in the water and to help you navigate to where you are going. That sounds a lot like the GPS in your car, right? Yes and no.

While the chartplotter is run by a GPS similar to what is used within on-land devices, there are additional factors at play on the water, so the functionality and ability to process large volumes of complex data is vital. If the size and structure of the body of water you’re navigating is small and uncomplicated, you can simply type in a destination and a route will be generated for you to follow. However, on larger bodies of water with more complexity, you will likely need to enter waypoints and build a custom route.

Like the GPS in your car, a chartplotter uses GPS or GNSS data to measure bearing, speed, and direction to successfully navigate your route. However, the chartplotter begins to differ from the GPS in your car as you start considering its tracking and route navigation capabilities. A critical element that you must navigate while in the water is the underwater structures that can obstruct your route.

Structures like reefs, sandbanks, wreck sites, and other hazards must be avoided. A chartplotter’s ability to generate detailed electronic charts is another area in which this device differentiates itself from other navigational tools. A marine chartplotter will produce two types of charts: a raster chart, which is basically a scanned version of a paper chart; and a vector chart, which is composed of lines, points, and polygons using information pulled from a database. Vector charts are more dynamic, use less memory, and are more user-friendly than raster charts. In addition to being powerful navigational tools, many of these devices include fish finder functionality that detects sound waves underwater and uses the signals to project an image onto the screen to enable anglers to spot schools of fish in the depths.

How do I select the best chartplotter for my boat?

Offshore boating in the ocean or on the Great Lakes demands a higher functioning chartplotter. As mentioned above, if you primarily boat in small, inland areas, a basic chartplotter will likely serve you well. If your boat offshore, you will need to select a unit with greater processing speeds, the ability to easily download updated charts, and the capability to integrate with other tools and systems within your boat.

Generally speaking, smaller screens work well in smaller boats. Similarly, operators of larger boats will likely need a considerably larger screen since they will probably be situated at a greater distance from the chartplotter given the need to manage multiple interfaces.

Most chartplotters can be bracket mounted, which gives you a lot of flexibility. But be sure that the unit you select can be mounted so that it is visible from appropriate angles and can be protected from water—both waves and weather.

Chartplotters vary tremendously in price, from $150 to thousands of dollars. The type of boating you do and the bodies of water you boat on will determine what kind of chartplotter you need (what you want is another question). If you boat on fairly small inland lakes, a chartplotter robust enough for a transatlantic crossing is simply not necessary. However, if you will be boating on large bodies of water, you will need to spend more to ensure you have an instrument powerful enough to facilitate safe boating and ease of navigation.

Whether you select a fairly inexpensive chartplotter or a very expensive unit with all the bells and whistles, make sure that the unit is easy to operate and understand. The following is a selection of chartplotters that are popular among the PartsVu community. Given the diversity within the PartsVu community—from offshore boaters to fishermen who frequent smaller inland lakes—there is a significant diversity of needs. This range is represented within the units featured.

What are the most popular Raymarine fishfinders? 

The RVX1000 offers all of the sonar performance and features of Raymarine Axiom Pro in a remotely mounted black box sonar module. With Raymarine’s award winning RealVision 3D sonar technology, CHIRP Side and DownVision, plus a high powered 1kW dual channel CHIRP sonar, the RVX1000 is a versatile sonar solution for both inshore and offshore fishing.

Professional CHIRP Sonar Module

Engineered for serious anglers, the CP570 sonar module bring best-in-class target separation and high resolution CHIRP sonar imagery to Raymarine multifunction displays. Using a wide spectrum of frequencies and greater sensitivity the CP570's advanced CHIRP transceiver can see through dense schools of baitfish, identify thermoclines, and simultaneously target desired game fish.

Rated for offshore use and rough conditions, the CP570 intelligently filters out unwanted noise while producing high resolution fish targets and reliable bottom tracking.

For the professional angler the CP570’s two fully independent sonar channels deliver faster target identification and up to 4kW of combined output power.

CHIRP Sonar Module

Engineered for serious anglers, the CP470 sonar module bring best-in-class target separation and high resolution CHIRP sonar imagery to Raymarine multifunction displays. Using a wide spectrum of frequencies and greater sensitivity the CP470's advanced CHIRP transceiver can see through dense schools of baitfish, identify thermoclines, and simultaneously target desired game fish.

Rated for offshore use and rough conditions, the CP470 intelligently filters out unwanted noise while producing high resolution fish targets and reliable bottom tracking.

CP370 - Digital Sonar Module

The CP370 delivers exceptional clarity, sharper fish targets, and automatic operation using Raymarine’s next-generation ClearPulse™ digital sonar processing.

The CP370 boasts up to 1,000 watts of power and operates at 200kHz for inshore and 50kHz for offshore fishing.

ClearPulse™ signal processing intelligently manages the CP370 sonar parameters in all conditions so anglers can spend more time fishing and less time adjusting the sonar.