Sonar log export and mapping software?

Kushtaka

Hello,

I occasionally do hydroacoustic mapping, and have been using my Lowrance unit (HDS gen2) lately and like it. I also have a humminbird sidescan unit. I don't do much mapping without sidescan any longer.

I'm interested in whether anyone has any experience with software that can take my sonar log and export it for viewing and use in a GIS system, anywhere from ARC (shapefiles) to Google Earth (kml, kmz) exports would work.

I realize that Lowrance has the insight tool, but that just makes maps that go back to my sonar, or get viewed on a website. Same with navionics sonarchart.

Navico (lowrance) has a second, proprietary software package called BioBase that is prohibitively expensive and I now favor a useful tool called SonarTRX.

If anyone knows of anything, especially something opensource I would appreciate the lead. Otherwise, perhaps a lively discussion will ensue!!

tomherrick · Guest

I haven't done any nautical mapping in about three decades, but did contract work for DoD and NOAA in the days of manual mapping. I have a home use license for ArcMap and their stipulation is that I can't make money or use it for my day job work. I always like learning new stuff and might get a kick out of acquiring appropriate public-domain base map data for the area you're working in and figuring out how to import and project the sounding data you're collecting. I don't know of Sonar TRX and am not in a position to acquire costly software just now, but would be interested in giving the data import/conversion a shot.

This has caught me at a good moment as I'm off work recovering from a total knee replacement. Other than a lot of PT, I don't have much to do and this could be cool. I'll PM you with my email address so we can take this further without boring the masses...

Kushtaka · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:15 pm Post subject:

Can't pass that offer up!!

I have to check with my boss regarding the proprietary nature of our data, but this is depth soundings, nothing else, so not really very sensitive!

I'll check back in with you soon!

Aurelia · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:59 pm Post subject:

I have not used any of the new consumer marine data capture options, but I do run a diverse GIS group and might of use if you run into any technical snags in your testing. It looks like the garmin unit I have can record for use in Garmin Home port software and export at least to Google earth. I have not tried that yet but maybe I should test it on the next outing.

Greg