SonarTRX News

2024/11/23: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2024/04/04: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/10/24: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/07/31: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/05/25: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/05/16: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/04/22: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2023/03/15: New Tutorial videos added...

A short video-tutorial for how to install SonarTRX and the licensing system (Sentinel LDK Run-time Environment) has been uploaded to the SonarTRX YouTube channel. There is also an updated video-tutorial showing basic use of the program. Please see the Tutorials page for a link to the YouTube videos.

2023/02/27: SonarTRX 23.1 Pro (x64)

A new major version (v23.1) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/11/11: SonarTRX 22.2 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22.2) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/10/20: SonarTRX 22.2 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22.2) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/09/18: SonarTRX 22.2 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22.2) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/08/07: SonarTRX 22.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/06/20: SonarTRX 22.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/04/28: SonarTRX 22.1 Pro (x64)

A new version (v22) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2022/02/03: SonarTRX 22.1 Pro (x64)

A new major version (v22) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/10/06: SonarTRX 21.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version (v21) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/08/06: SonarTRX 21.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version (v21) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/06/03: SonarTRX 21.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version (v21) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/05/02: SonarTRX 21.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version (v21) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/03/18: SonarTRX 21.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new major version (v21) is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2021/01/10: SonarTRX 20.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2020/08/23: SonarTRX 20.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2020/06/17: SonarTRX 20.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new version is now available. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2020/02/11: SonarTRX 20.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new major version (v20) is now available for purchase. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2019/08/18: SonarTRX 19.1 Pro (x86/x64)

A new major version (v19) is now available for download. The new release requires an update to the product-license on the Sentinel SL or HL key. Existing SonarTRX Pro customers, for versions 18 and prior, with an active maintenance agreement can request this update and a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2019/04/10: SonarTRX 18.1 Pro (x86/x64) - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It includes Marine Sonic related changes. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2019/02/23: SonarTRX 18.1 Pro / SonarTRX-SI - An updated version of these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It includes fixes to the Humminbird importer. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2018/10/08: SonarTRX 18.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2018/06/14: SonarTRX 17.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

2018/05/05: SonarTRX 17.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

2018/03/10: SonarTRX 17.1 Pro (x86/x64) - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

2018/01/06: SonarTRX 17.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

2017/10/28: SonarTRX Pro / SonarTRX-SI - An updated version of these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It has improvements to the Humminbird importer to support recent variations in the file format. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2017/08/29: SonarTRX 17.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It includes installer for Sentinel LDK 7.60 licensing system and an updated version of the Remote Update System utility program. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2017/06/04: SonarTRX 17.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It supports import of Humminbird SOLIX recordings, and can import additional channels from select sonar models. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2016/09/30: SonarTRX Pro / SonarTRX-GVU 16.1 - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It has improvements to the Garmin importer. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2016/05/29: SonarTRX Pro / SonarTRX-GVU 16.1 - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

2016/04/25: SonarTRX 16.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

2015/11/01: SonarTRX-GVU / SonarTRX Pro 15.1 - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It has improvements to the Garmin and EdgeTech importers. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2015/09/29: SonarTRX Pro / SonarTRX-SI 15.1 - An updated version for these editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It has improvements to the Humminbird importer. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2015/08/02: SonarTRX 15.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It makes use of the Microsoft .Net 4.6 framework that comes with Windows 10. Windows XP is not supported due to the lack of support for .Net 4.6 in that operating system. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2015/05/03: SonarTRX 15.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It includes fixes for Humminbird and Garmin file importers, and also an updated version of the Sentinel LDK Run-time environment, which supports installation on Windows 10 Technical preview. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2015/02/09: SonarTRX 15.1 - An updated version for all editions of SonarTRX

A new version is now available for download. It includes fixes and features since the October 4 release, and also relies on the Microsoft .Net 4.5.1 framework that comes with Windows 8.1. Windows XP is no longer supported due to the lack of support for .Net 4.5.1 in that operating system. The dedicated "GVU" edition supports recordings made with Garmin SideVu and DownVu. Garmin support can be added to SonarTRX Pro 15.1 via a license update for customers w/active Maintenance Agreement. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2015/01/31: SonarTRX GVU 15.1 - A new edition of SonarTRX for Garmin

A new version of SonarTRX is now available for purchase. The "GVU" version supports SideVu and DownVu recordings made with Garmin sonars. Contact Support for more info: support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2014/10/04: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. This update improves on robustness of Lowrance *.sl2 importer. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing e the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2014/08/28: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. This update address issues with the layback correction causing along-track gaps in the generated mosaic images. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2014/04/11: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. Same as March 8 release, but fix is now also part of SonarTRX Pro. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2014/03/08: SonarTRX-LSS 13.1 Maintenance release - beta

A new maintenance release is now available for download. This update supports import from *.sl2 Lowrance HDS Gen2 files with no sidescan data. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/12/05: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. This update supports import of older Humminbird recordings. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/10/01: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. This update is most useful for customers who purchased SonarTRX after September 15, 2013, and provides updated installation/licensing instructions - with details on how to move SL-type license keys between computers. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/08/15: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. Fixes to Imagenex YellowFin importer only affects SonarTRX-Pro. Fixes to activation process affects trial mode use only. Updates to Licensing system affects use SonarTRX on Windows 8. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/06/29: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release is now available for download. Changes to Lowrance SL2 importer only affects SonarTRX-LSS Pro and SonarTRX-Pro. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/06/08: SonarTRX-LSS 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release of SonarTRX-LSS is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/04/26: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release of all 3 product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2013/02/20: SonarTRX 13.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release of SonarTRX Pro / SonarTRX Pro (x64) and SonarTRX-SI is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2012/12/02: SonarTRX 12.1 Maintenance release

A new maintenance release of all product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2012/10/01: SonarTRX Pro (x64)

A new 64 bit version of SonarTRX Pro has just been released. When purchasing SonarTRX Pro or SonarTRX Pro (x64), the license includes the ability to run both versions. Customers with a SonarTRX Pro license (32 bit) with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link for the 64 bit version by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2012/08/03: SonarTRX 12.1 Maintenance release

2012/07/12: Beam Angle Correction feature

SonarTRX 12.1 has a new Beam Angle Correction feature (BAC) useful for ballancing out the brightness and contrast of the slant range corrected images. To illustrate some of SonarTRX's basic image correction and BAC, here are some images recorded from a kayak, in an area of water depth 15 feet The track-distance of each image is about 200'.

Example 1: Images that includes the water column (i.e. No Slant Range Correction)

The image to the left is based on the original uncorrected data from the Humminbird recording and has a slightly lower contrast. The image to the right has been corrected to maximize contrast, but no adjustment has been made for the weaker signal from large beam angles.

Standard images with water column - with or without basic correction.

Example 2: Slant Range Corrected (SRC) images.

The image to the left is corrected to maximize contrast. There is a large drop in brightness at higher beam angles. The image to the right has undergone Beam Angle Correction to even out the brightness and bring out additional details at far ranges. (A high contrast setting was selected to bring out as much detail as possible from the far ranges.)

Slant range corrected images - without and with Beam Angle Correction.

Close-up of example target on the seabed

The images below are close-up details of one of the targets in the corresponding SRC image above. The image to the left has a lower contrast and a slight drop in brightness from top to bottom. The image to the right (w/BAC) has a higher contrast and more even brightness top-to bottom of the image.

Closeup of Targets from SRC images - without and with BAC.

2012/07/09: SonarTRX 12.1 released

The 12.1 release of all 3 product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

The new version of SonarTRX use parallel processing (w/multiple CPU's) to process multiple sonar channels simultaneously. The new Beam Angle Correction (BAC) feature allows for better quality slant range corrected images. In addition, the SI and LSS versions of SonarTRX now includes the same altitude tools as the full version of SonarTRX. (This allows for better control of the altitude used for slant range correction.)

2012/05/15: Position errors of marked targets due to heading differences

When marking targets visible on sidescan data from the Humminbird/Lowrance sonars, it is important to keep in mind that the boat heading (and normally the transducer heading) is not necessarily the same as the "Course Made Good" (CMG) based on GPS positions.

If the boat is pointing into the wind or strong current in order to stay on track, and the marked targets are far away from the track, this error may be large. The image below illustrates this:

Angle Errors

The boat (and the transducer) is pointing to starboard by 20 degrees relative to CMG.
The Brown image is calculated based on the assumption that the transducer is aligned with CMG.
The Blue images are based on a "pointing angle" of 20 degrees (i.e. you point the vessel 20 degrees into the wind/current in order to stay on track of the survey line)

In essence: When marking a target, keep in mind the heading of the boat relative to CMG and remember that the position of the targets may need to be adjusted for this heading error. If making the marks on the sonar during the survey, it is important to also make a mark at the track-line, since that is the "point of rotation" for this correction. The extent of the search area can then be increased to account for uncertainties in the transducer-angle.

If the boat is drifting while recording, the difference between CMG and the heading of the boat may be very large, and even completely flipped 180 degrees (...drifting backwards). In that case, if you targets are marked at a certain range, the marks may even be interpreted as being on the WRONG side, since there is no available information about the actual heading of the transducer. (i.e. everything is based on the CMG from the GPS)

The SonarTRX images can be corrected for a constant heading differences for a given batch of image-tiles. This is done from the Mosaic creation dialog.

2012/03/16: SonarTRX 10.14 released

The 10.14 release of all 3 product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2012/02/10: SonarTRX 10.13 released

The 10.13 release of all 3 product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2012/01/26: SonarTRX 10.13 beta released

**2011/12/31: Support for DeepView files (*.dvs)**

An updated version of SonarTRX 10.12 is now available with support for DeepEye 340 sonarfiles by DeepView (*.dvs). For more information, please contact support@sonartrx.com

2011/12/23: SonarTRX v10.12 released

Version 10.12 of all 3 products has been released. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2011/11/13: New product: SonarTRX-LSS

The new version of SonarTRX, dedicated to Lowrance sonars has just been made available online. SonarTRX-LSS v10.11 supports both *.sl2 and *.slg sonar recordings.

The full version of SonarTRX (v10.11) also includes support for these file types.

Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com

2011/11/7: Coming soon: SonarTRX-LSS, for Lowrance StructureScan sonars

In the works is a new version of SonarTRX that suports Lowrance *.sl2 files. The new product will be called "SonarTRX-LSS", and will be priced similar to the corresponding product for Humminbird sonars (SonarTRX-SI)

2011/10/26: SonarTRX v10.10 released

Version 10.10 of both product versions (SonarTRX and SonarTRX-SI) have been released. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2011/10/20: Sea-Technology lists SonarTRX in September 2011 products section

http://www.sea-technology.com/products/2011/products0911.php

2011/11/15: SonarTRX 10.9 released

The 10.9 release of both product-versions is now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2011/8/9: Recent sales of SonarTRX / SonarTRX-SI

Examples of new clients:
  - A Geo-Science company in Washington (SonarTRX)
  - A California based group providing UXO services (SonarTRX)
  - A university in Greece (SonarTRX-SI)
  - A maritime dive-contractor in India (SonarTRX)

2011/8/6: SonarTRX 10.8 released

The 10.8 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

Cursor status and measure information and mini map

The cursor status information is shown below the view. Differential values are shown in brackets. The birds-eye map in the lower-left corner provides information about the location of cursor and active tile with respect to the trackline of the sonar recording. The location of the "page" (group of image tiles) currently loaded in the viewer is shown as the gray portion of the trackline.

SonarTRX 10.8 also has support for importing XTF files with ship and sensor positions in UTM coordinates. The sonar data can be also be corrected during import by specifying a set of default TVG parameters. (These two features only applies to SonarTRX Pro, not SonarTRX-SI Pro)

2011/7/6: SonarTRX 10.7 released

The 10.7 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

SonarTRX 10.7 includes features to merge SonarTRX sidescan image tiles into larger geo-referenced master images. You then have the option to create a single high resolution image of any portion of the recording, or to create a lower resolution "back-drop" image and very high resolution image tiles for areas of particular interest to you. It also contains several other usability enhancements.

One of these features is the ability to preview the sonar data, and define clips for later import by visually selecting the time-ranges, as shown in this screen capture:

Sample from the new SonarTRX View and edit interface

The image below illustrates the use of a large "Master Image" backdrop (in this case, a 36 Megapixels geo-referenced PNG image), combined with a single image-tile from the Down Imaging Channel of a Humminbird sonar recording. The Master Image above was generated by by SonarTRX based on 30 "traditional" SonarTRX image tiles (15 from each of the two sidescan channels)

Master Image combined with single (Humminbird Down Imaging) image tile

2011/6/15: Recent sales of SonarTRX / SonarTRX-SI

Examples of new clients:
  - A professor at a University in Queensland Australia (SonarTRX-SI)
  - An underwater ecology survey company in Spain (SonarTRX)
  - A distributor for Oceanographic equipment in Japan (SonarTRX)
  - A universtity in Germany involved with Water management (SonarTRX-SI)
  - An underwater archaeology group in Louisianna (SonarTRX-SI)

2011/5/11: SonarTRX 10.6 released

The 10.6 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2011/5/2: Recent SonarTRX improvements

When importing SonarTRX image tiles into GIS programs for assembly and merging into larger mosaics of the survey area, it is important to minimize any "seams" between adjacent image-tiles. The sample below illustrates recent improvements in that regards. The seams in the right side sample are barely visible.

Image Mosaic Improvements

The above sample images were generated with Manifold GIS, after importing 14 tiles from both starboard and port sidescan channels. No slant range correction was applied.

The sub-division of sonar data into image-tiles makes it easier to "mix and match" tiles from several passes over a survey area. As of version 10.5 of SonarTRX, the tiles can be cropped at a certain range, providing additional flexibility when assembling a mosaic of the survey area. The sample below illustrates this feature and how it can be used to avoid overlapping background imagery.

Cropping of image tiles at certain sonar range

2011/4/21: SonarTRX 10.5 released

The 10.5 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.

2011/4/21: Recent sales of SonarTRX / SonarTRX-SI

Examples of new clients:
  - A major research institute for fishery sciences in China (SonarTRX-SI)
  - A geo-science corporation in Canada (SonarTRX)
  - A senior Scientist with US Geological Survey (USGS) (SonarTRX-SI)

2011/3/26: SonarTRX 10.4 released

The 10.4 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes. We have received great feedback from our users, and would like to thank them for their help making SonarTRX a better product.

The sample image below is a "hybrid view", where the vertical down-imaging channel is "folded up" to the surface and displayed instead of the starboard side imaging channel. The vertical and horizontal extent of the bottom features can then be easily measured. The images were generated using different color schemes.

Google Earth View

The information "pop-up" window (in Google Earth Pro) contains detailed information about each tile, including sonar altitude:

Google Earth View

2011/3/17: Scandinavian SonarTRX representative

We are glad to have Glenn Knudsen, with Gasss-Tech (Norway) as our representative for the Scandinavian-speaking countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Gasss-Tech will provide support and assistance regarding SonarTRX licensed products.

Please see the complete list of representatives with contact information on our about us page.

2011/3/2: SonarTRX-SI, a great seabed mapping tool for kayak with Humminbird sonar

If you would like to learn more about how you can use SonarTRX to create images of the seabed in your fishing or diving area, please check out the recent article and video by dizzybigfish.co.uk. (They use a Humminbird 900-series Side Imaging sonar on an Ocean Kayak.)

http://dizzybigfish.co.uk/amazing-side-imaging-tool-view-your-sonar-images-in-google-earth/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KONkmb2ds-4

2011/2/16: SonarTRX on the Hobie community forum

Here is a link to a forum entry with some samples of what can be generated with SonarTRX:

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=33777

2011/2/12: SonarTRX 10.3 released

The 10.3 release of both product-versions are now available for download. Existing customers with an active maintenance agreement can request a download link by emailing support@sonartrx.com. Please see the Support page page for the latest release notes.