Marine Echosounder

The marine echosounder EP1221X with 12 INCH  high-brightness TFT color LCD display offers an easy-to-read depth sounding in various modes.

Features:

• Choice of 50 kHz or 200 kHz Frequency (Menu Selectable)
• 600-2000 Watt RMS Transceiver
• 12″ Color TFT LCD Display with Wide Viewing Angle
• Memory Storage and Recall of Depth Data for last 12 Hours
• Digital Interface for Radar, VDR, ECDIS, and other Navigational Equipment
• Minimum Depth Readings: 0.3m
• Compliant With IMO Standards MSC.74(69) Annex 4

Shallow water alarm (Depth Alarm)
An alarm sounds when the seabed is lost due to reduced detection or out of range settings.

FAQ

 

 

01. I already have a depth sounder on my multi-function display. Why do I need a separate IMO unit?

Because that MFD depth reading is for fishing or curiosity. The IMO unit is for navigation – it has to work when your main display crashes, keep a log of soundings, and trigger audible shallow alarms that surveyors actually sign off on. Plus, class rules want a dedicated display that doesn't share processing power with radar or charts.

02. The spec says "compliant with MSC.74(69) Annex 4." What's that mean for me on watch?

It means three things you'll notice:

The depth reading updates at least once per second, not once every few seconds like cheaper sounders.
It shows depth below keel and below transducer separately.
There's a record of past soundings for the last 12 hours – surveyors ask for that.
Also, the shallow alarm has to be adjustable down to 0.5 meters. Recreational sounders often won't go that low.

03. I run a tug that goes backwards a lot. Will the depth reading get confused? 

No. The transducer is fixed to your hull, so "forward" doesn't matter. But one real issue: if your transducer is near the bow and you're pushing a barge, the barge can block the sound wave. Mounting location matters more than anything. We'll help you choose – typically midships or aft on pushboats.

04.What's the transducer install like – can I just glue it inside the hull?

On a steel hull, no. IMO rules require a through‑hull or a dedicated tank for an in‑hull mounting. Gluing to steel doesn't work anyway – the acoustic coupling fails. For fiberglass, a properly bedded in‑hull transducer is allowed, but you lose about 10‑15% of depth range. Through‑hull gives full performance but yes, you drill a hole.

05. Do I need a separate display or can I route it to my existing bridge monitors?

You get a dedicated 10" or 12" daylight‑viewable display with the kit – that's the IMO requirement. But it also outputs depth data via NMEA 0183 to your plotter or integrated bridge system. Most operators keep the dedicated display for redundancy, then mirror to the main monitors if they want.

06.How often do I need to calibrate it for actual draft changes?

You enter your draft manually when loading. That's it. The unit subtracts draft from measured depth to show depth under keel. Some crews forget to update draft after loading bunkers or cargo – then the reading drifts off and they blame the sounder. Set a routine: update draft every watch change.

Optional Transducers

200kHz.1KW

50kHz.1KW

200kHz.2KW

 

Transducer placement checklist (for steel hulls):

At least 1/3 of hull length from the bow.
Not near sea chests, thruster tunnels, or rudders.
Not behind a bilge keel or strake.
If you have a bow thruster – go aft of it. If you have two thrusters – call us.
Cabling truths:

Run the transducer cable in its own conduit if you can – not with radar, not with engine sensors.
If you must cross power cables, cross at 90 degrees.
Leave a service loop at the transducer end. When you eventually replace the transducer, you'll thank yourself.
Display mounting:

Within easy view of the conning position – but not in direct overhead sunlight.
Below the wheelhouse roof overhang if possible.
At night, the backlight should dim to near‑zero. If yours doesn't go low enough, tape a piece of red film over it.
Operation – things manuals skip

Alarm management:
The shallow alarm exists to annoy you. That's the point. If you silence it without checking depth, you've defeated the safety device. Train every watch officer to acknowledge alarms by looking at the display, not just pressing the mute button.
 

Maintenance – low effort, high payoff

Monthly (takes 5 minutes):

Listen to the transducer ping (put a screwdriver against the hull near it, ear on the handle). A clear tick means it's working. A raspy or intermittent sound means air or growth.
Test the shallow alarm. Lift a bucket over the transducer (in a drydock) or use the simulator function. Don't wait for a real shoal to find out it's silent.
Yearly:

Inspect the hull penetration for corrosion or weeping.
Run a performance check against known depth – a mooring with a published bathymetry or a lead line. If the unit reads more than 5% off, recalibrate or send it in.
Every 5 years:

Factory recalibration is recommended but not legally required for most flags. If your vessel trades to Australia or New Zealand, their marine inspectors sometimes ask for calibration records.
The bottom line (pun intended)

This echo sounder won't win awards for fancy graphics. It will sit on your bridge, look slightly boring, and one day when you're approaching an uncharted shoal in poor visibility, it will scream at you before the chart shows anything wrong.

That's the application. Everything else is just drilling holes and running cables.

Need help with your specific vessel?
Send us a photo of your hull profile (from drydock or haulout) and your current transducer location. We'll tell you if you're good to go or about to drill a hole you'll regret. No generic flowcharts – just an engineer who's done this on everything from pushboats to research vessels.

Welcome to Nantong Saiyang Electronics
we are very glad to offer you our own products.
Our company name is Nantong Saiyang Electronics Co., Ltd., and our brand is Marinelite.
Nantong Saiyang Electronics is a professional manufacturer mainly engaged in R&D, production, sales and service of marine navigation equipment and underwater ultrasonic detection equipment.
we have knowledgeable marine electronic & navigation equipment technician he knows very well do smart & sharp work with honesty.
we are supplying and exporting all kinds of marine navigation equipment and underwater ultrasonic detection equipment since last 20 years worldwide.

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