SonTek Products
Current Speed and Direction
Inspired by the need for a simple way to measure water velocity and level in open channels
Inspired by the need for a SIMPLE way to measure water velocity and level in open channels, the SonTek-SL (affectionately known as the Side-Looker or "SL") has earned worldwide acceptance as a long-term monitoring solution. Now, with two new (3G) models turbo-charged by our proprietary SmartPulseHD®, the SonTek-SL features accessories, mounting options, software, and a variety of integration formats to ensure it fits your application.
Designed specifically for side mounting on bridges, canal walls, or riverbanks, the SL's SLEEK, low-profile housing makes installation easy. With three models to choose from, the SL can be used in channels as small as you can jump across to rivers as wide as the Amazon. Ultra narrow beam widths combined with unmatched side lobe suppression provide the SUPERIOR acoustic directivity necessary for achieving maximum horizontal range free of interference from surface or bottom boundaries.
A new perspective to the notion of measuring open channel hydraulics
NEW! rQPOD Remote Boat Surveying Package
The RiverSurveyor S5/M9 systems just keep on getting better! Our engineers continue to improve and build upon the award-winning technology, with features to include:
- No tagline/tape measure required: With RiverSurveyor Stationary Live, automatically measure distance between stations with DGPS or RTK GPS equipped systems.
- Manual configuration: Now you can set blanking distance, cell size and number of cells for moving boat measurements.
- Real-time QA/QC warnings: Know when there could be a problem before there is one.
- Zipped files: New and improved compression and auto-decompression, providing faster access to large amounts of data.
- Sample filter: Remove your random velocity outliers with ease!
The patented and award-winning RiverSurveyor®, S5/M9 systems give a new perspective to the notion of measuring open channel hydraulics. Using SonTek's exclusive SmartPulseHD®, multiple acoustic frequencies are fused with precise bandwidth control for the most robust and continuous shallow-to-deep discharge measurements ever. A deterministic microcontroller expertly apportions the proper acoustics, pulse scheme, and cell size to get the highest definition possible so you can focus on the measurement, not the instrument setup. The system even has a vertical beam for precise channel definition and it's all designed to work intuitively.
And just like the name implies - SmartPulseHD (just like your TV) lets you see the clearest velocity picture possible with cell sizes down to 2 cm.
Exclusive 5-beam depth sounding device
NEW! rQPOD Remote Boat Surveying Package
INTEGRATED WITH HYPACK® [Learn more] The HydroSurveyor is a system designed to collect bathymetric, water column velocity profile, and acoustic bottom tracking data as part of a hydrographic survey. The two key components of the system are the HydroSurveyor Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP®) platform, and the powerful, yet user-friendly, data collection software. With the HydroSurveyor platform, SonTek is able to offer an exclusive 5-beam depth sounding device, with built-in navigation, full water column velocity (currents) profiling, full compensation for speed of sound (with the CastAway-CTD), and integrated positioning solution.
Exceptional value for near shore deployments
The Argonaut-XR offers exceptional value for near shore deployments in less than 40 m of water. Designed specifically for mounting on the bottom of a river, channel, or harbor, the XR features a special mode that automatically adjusts one of its measurement cells for changing water level. Its small size, rugged build, and flexible system architecture make the XR attractive for both real-time operation and autonomous deployments.
The first handheld castable instrument that provides instantaneous profiles of temperature, salinity, and sound speed
Designed for coastal profiling, the CastAway-CTD® incorporates a 6-electrode conductivity cell, coupled with a fast response thermistor to provide highly accurate, high resolution CTD measurements to depths of 100 m. Now Integrated with HYPACK!
NOW AVAILABLE: The CastAway-CTD educational curriculum with emphasis on ocean chemistry for use by high school and university level instructors who wish to provide students:
- The theory behind SALINITY: why is the ocean salty and how is salinity measured?
- What is the Law of Constant Proportions and how does it apply to salinity?
- Hands-on CastAway field activity emphasizing proper scientific data collection procedures;
- Post-field work analysis of CastAway data and comparisons to global ocean temperatures and salinity data-sets available online;
- Conservative and non-conservative elements;
- Residence Time worksheet for tracers;
- and more!
>> DOWNLOAD LESSON PLAN (CastAway-CTD serial number required)