Airmar TM165HW Wide-Beam Depth Sounder Transducer
| Brand | Airmar |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | TM165HW |
| Operating Frequency Range | 150–250 kHz |
| Beamwidth | 30° (average) |
| Maximum Power Output | 600 W |
| Maximum Depth Rating | 152 m |
| Temperature Sensor | Integrated |
| Hull Material Compatibility | Fiberglass, Metal, Wood |
| Recommended Vessel Length | ≤25 ft (≤8 m) |
| Weight | 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) |
| Housing Material | Plastic mounting bracket included |
| Xducer ID® Technology | Yes |
Overview
The Airmar TM165HW is a high-frequency, wide-beam echosounder transducer engineered for precision depth measurement and enhanced target resolution in shallow-to-moderate water environments. Based on pulse-echo ultrasonic principles, the TM165HW emits acoustic energy across a continuous 100 kHz bandwidth (150–250 kHz), enabling simultaneous optimization of bottom contour fidelity, water column target discrimination, and lateral coverage. Unlike conventional narrow-beam transducers—whose angular resolution limits detection of off-center fish or structural features—the TM165HW’s patented 30° average beamwidth delivers uniform acoustic illumination beneath the vessel, significantly increasing spatial sampling density without sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio. This architecture is particularly effective in applications requiring real-time bathymetric mapping, fishery resource assessment, and navigational safety in coastal, estuarine, and inland waterways.
Key Features
- High-frequency operation (150–250 kHz) ensures superior resolution in depths up to 152 m, with exceptional sensitivity to small targets and fine bottom texture.
- 30° average beamwidth provides up to three times the lateral coverage area compared to standard 200 kHz transducers (e.g., B75H), reducing blind zones and improving detection probability for mid-water aggregations.
- 600 W peak acoustic output power supports robust signal penetration in turbid or thermally stratified water columns.
- Integrated NTC thermistor delivers calibrated water temperature readings synchronized with depth data, supporting density-corrected sound velocity compensation.
- Low-profile, hydrodynamic housing minimizes drag and cavitation at speeds up to 40 knots, maintaining consistent beam geometry and echo integrity.
- Xducer ID® technology enables automatic transducer recognition and configuration by compatible chartplotters and fishfinders, eliminating manual setup errors and ensuring optimal parameter alignment per frequency band.
- Plastic mounting bracket system accommodates flush-mount, through-hull, and transom installations on fiberglass, aluminum, and wood hulls—compliant with ABYC E-11 and ISO 8846 marine electrical safety standards.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TM165HW is designed for deployment on vessels ≤8 m LOA and operates within internationally recognized sonar frequency allocations for recreational and light-commercial echosounding. Its mechanical and electrical interface conforms to NMEA 2000 (IEC 61162-3) and analog CHIRP-ready protocols. The transducer meets EMC requirements per EN 55022 Class B and environmental durability standards per IEC 60529 IP67. While not certified for GLP/GMP-regulated bathymetric surveying, its performance characteristics align with ASTM D6460 (Standard Guide for Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Use) and NOAA Hydrographic Survey Specifications for preliminary reconnaissance mapping.
Software & Data Management
When paired with NMEA 2000–enabled multifunction displays (MFDs) or CHIRP-capable fishfinders, the TM165HW outputs raw echo data streams including depth, temperature, and return amplitude metadata. Vendor-agnostic software platforms—including SonarLog, MaxSea TimeZero, and OpenCPN with appropriate plugins—can ingest and post-process this data for contour generation, target classification, and time-series analysis. The Xducer ID® interface supports firmware-updatable parameter profiles, allowing dynamic switching between optimized settings for depth-only mode, fish-targeting CHIRP sweeps, or dual-frequency interpolation. Audit trails of configuration changes are retained onboard in non-volatile memory, satisfying basic traceability requirements under ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7 for instrument calibration status monitoring.
Applications
- Recreational and charter fishing operations requiring broad-area fish detection and real-time bottom profiling.
- Small-vessel navigation in uncharted or dynamically changing shallow-water environments (e.g., river deltas, coral reef approaches).
- Environmental monitoring programs assessing benthic habitat structure, submerged aquatic vegetation extent, and sediment transport patterns.
- Academic field studies involving mobile sonar transects for ichthyoplankton distribution or near-bottom current interaction analysis.
- Pre-survey reconnaissance prior to high-resolution multibeam acquisition, reducing total survey time and cost.
FAQ
Is the TM165HW compatible with non-Airmar CHIRP fishfinders?
Yes—provided the host unit supports analog CHIRP input or NMEA 2000 PGN 128267 (Depth, Temperature), the TM165HW functions without proprietary lock-in.
Does it require a separate temperature sensor?
No—the transducer integrates a calibrated NTC thermistor; no external probe is necessary for concurrent temperature-depth correlation.
Can it be installed on metal hulls without signal attenuation?
Yes—its broadband design and optimized acoustic impedance matching enable effective coupling on aluminum and steel hulls when installed using recommended epoxy bonding or wet-mount techniques.
What is the minimum operating depth for reliable bottom tracking?
The TM165HW maintains stable bottom lock down to 0.6 m in freshwater at 200 kHz, assuming proper installation and absence of surface turbulence or air entrainment.
Is Xducer ID® supported by all modern MFDs?
Xducer ID® is natively supported by Garmin GPSMAP, Raymarine Axiom, and Furuno TZtouch series units released after 2019; legacy devices may require firmware updates or manual configuration.
