I N C E P T I O N A I
  2. Sports outdoors
  3. Fishing
  4. Fishing electronics navigation
  5. Sonar transducers modules for fishing
  6. Multibeam split beam transducer arrays

Top 5 Multibeam and Split-Beam Transducer Arrays in Canada for 2025: Precision Sonar for Mapping, Biomass and Advanced Fish Tracking

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Multibeam and split-beam arrays provide wide-area coverage and precise target localization for mapping, biomass estimation, and advanced fish tracking. These arrays are increasingly used in commercial fisheries, academic research, offshore work, and recreational fishing across Canada because they deliver higher resolution seabed maps, more accurate school and target detection, and repeatable biomass estimates compared with older single-beam systems. Canadian users often choose systems that balance depth capability, frequency options (higher frequencies for fine resolution, lower frequencies for deep-water reach), ease of integration with chartplotters and autopilots, and local support for installation and calibration. Environmental monitoring, regulatory surveys, and charter operations also drive demand for rugged systems with strong software ecosystems and reliable dealer support in coastal provinces and the Arctic.

Quick Menu

1. Best Split‑Beam Precision

2. Best Multibeam Commercial

3. Best Real‑Time Broadband Imaging

4. Best 360° Coverage

5. Best Integrated 3D MFD‑Sonar

1
BEST SPLIT‑BEAM PRECISION

Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System

Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System

The Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System is a best-in-class split-beam transducer array prized for high-sensitivity target strength measurements and tight beam control, making it ideal for fisheries acoustics and scientific surveys focused on multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. It holds this position by offering robust integration within the Navico ecosystem and a comparatively lower total cost of ownership than larger commercial multibeam solutions, while delivering deeper and more consistent single-target detection than recreational imagers from Garmin and Humminbird.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Split-beam precision

  • Long-range reach

  • Split-beam precision

  • Long-range reach

Review Summary

87%

"Users praise the ES80 for precise split-beam performance and reliable target tracking in commercial and survey applications, though it's expensive and typically requires professional installation and configuration."

  • Target-separation wizard

  • High-resolution split-beam echosounder designed for fisheries and scientific surveys.

  • Target-separation wizard

  • High-resolution split-beam echosounder designed for fisheries and scientific surveys.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System is a best-in-class split-beam transducer array prized for high-sensitivity target strength measurements and tight beam control, making it ideal for fisheries acoustics and scientific surveys focused on multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. It holds this position by offering robust integration within the Navico ecosystem and a comparatively lower total cost of ownership than larger commercial multibeam solutions, while delivering deeper and more consistent single-target detection than recreational imagers from Garmin and Humminbird.

  • Split-beam precision

  • Long-range reach

  • Target-separation wizard

  • High-resolution split-beam echosounder designed for fisheries and scientific surveys.

  • Calibrated transducer options and wide frequency support for accurate biomass and target strength measurements.

  • Split-beam precision

  • Long-range reach

  • Target-separation wizard

  • High-resolution split-beam echosounder designed for fisheries and scientific surveys.

  • Calibrated transducer options and wide frequency support for accurate biomass and target strength measurements.

Order Now

$8,000-18,000 CAD

2
BEST MULTIBEAM COMMERCIAL

Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam Sonar

Furuno

The Furuno DFF3D is the market-leading 3D multibeam sonar for professional applications, offering wide angular coverage and high-resolution volumetric returns that excel in offshore survey and commercial fishing scenarios for multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. Technically superior in range and angular fidelity compared with smaller-format systems here, it commands a premium price and larger installation footprint but delivers the detailed, quantitative imaging and processing tools that Simrad, Garmin and Humminbird budget-conscious users sacrifice for simplicity or lower cost.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Real-time 3D

  • Wide-swath coverage

  • Real-time 3D

  • Wide-swath coverage

Review Summary

82%

"Reviewers report excellent multi-beam imaging and target separation with the DFF3D and note its robust build, but many mention a steep learning curve and a premium price point."

  • Structure-detail pro

  • True multibeam 3D sonar delivering wide-swath imaging for fishery mapping and habitat surveys.

  • Structure-detail pro

  • True multibeam 3D sonar delivering wide-swath imaging for fishery mapping and habitat surveys.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Furuno DFF3D is the market-leading 3D multibeam sonar for professional applications, offering wide angular coverage and high-resolution volumetric returns that excel in offshore survey and commercial fishing scenarios for multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. Technically superior in range and angular fidelity compared with smaller-format systems here, it commands a premium price and larger installation footprint but delivers the detailed, quantitative imaging and processing tools that Simrad, Garmin and Humminbird budget-conscious users sacrifice for simplicity or lower cost.

  • Real-time 3D

  • Wide-swath coverage

  • Structure-detail pro

  • True multibeam 3D sonar delivering wide-swath imaging for fishery mapping and habitat surveys.

  • Seamless integration with Furuno MFDs and navigation systems for operational workflows at sea.

  • Real-time 3D

  • Wide-swath coverage

  • Structure-detail pro

  • True multibeam 3D sonar delivering wide-swath imaging for fishery mapping and habitat surveys.

  • Seamless integration with Furuno MFDs and navigation systems for operational workflows at sea.

Order Now
From 6637.32$
3
BEST REAL‑TIME BROADBAND IMAGING

Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34

Garmin

The Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34 delivers near-real-time high-frame-rate multibeam-style imaging tailored to sportfishing, providing exceptional close-range target clarity and turnkey integration with Garmin chartplotters for multibeam and split-beam use cases. Financially and operationally it undercuts professional multibeam arrays like Furuno while offering more immediately actionable live imagery than many recreational alternatives, though it trades off long-range coverage and the absolute target-strength precision available from Simrad split-beam and Furuno multibeam systems.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Live-target clarity

  • Instant fish-view

  • Live-target clarity

  • Instant fish-view

Review Summary

90%

"Anglers overwhelmingly praise the Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34 for real-time, high-resolution forward and down imaging that makes fish-targeting intuitive, though range limits and cost are common complaints."

  • Seeing fish dance

  • Real-time forward and down imaging with high frame rates for immediate target and structure identification.

  • Seeing fish dance

  • Real-time forward and down imaging with high frame rates for immediate target and structure identification.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

The Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34 delivers near-real-time high-frame-rate multibeam-style imaging tailored to sportfishing, providing exceptional close-range target clarity and turnkey integration with Garmin chartplotters for multibeam and split-beam use cases. Financially and operationally it undercuts professional multibeam arrays like Furuno while offering more immediately actionable live imagery than many recreational alternatives, though it trades off long-range coverage and the absolute target-strength precision available from Simrad split-beam and Furuno multibeam systems.

  • Live-target clarity

  • Instant fish-view

  • Seeing fish dance

  • Real-time forward and down imaging with high frame rates for immediate target and structure identification.

  • Portable transducer and mounting options with low-latency display on Garmin chartplotters.

  • Live-target clarity

  • Instant fish-view

  • Seeing fish dance

  • Real-time forward and down imaging with high frame rates for immediate target and structure identification.

  • Portable transducer and mounting options with low-latency display on Garmin chartplotters.

Order Now
From 2469.99$
4
BEST 360° COVERAGE

Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging

Humminbird

Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging is a cost-effective omnidirectional scanning array built for anglers who need full 360° situational awareness around small to medium boats, delivering MEGA-level detail at short ranges for structure and fish-holding areas relevant to multibeam and split-beam transducer array use. Compared with Garmin and Raymarine it provides broader near-field coverage for a lower price, but it lacks the long-range multibeam depth resolution and split-beam target-strength accuracy that commercial-grade systems from Furuno and Simrad provide.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Full-circle imaging

  • MEGA-detail focus

  • Full-circle imaging

  • MEGA-detail focus

Review Summary

84%

"Users like MEGA 360 for its full-area coverage and strong target discrimination at close ranges, but many call out the heavy power draw, mounting complexity, and high price."

  • 360-awareness booster

  • Full 360-degree real-time imaging around the boat for comprehensive situational awareness.

  • 360-awareness booster

  • Full 360-degree real-time imaging around the boat for comprehensive situational awareness.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging is a cost-effective omnidirectional scanning array built for anglers who need full 360° situational awareness around small to medium boats, delivering MEGA-level detail at short ranges for structure and fish-holding areas relevant to multibeam and split-beam transducer array use. Compared with Garmin and Raymarine it provides broader near-field coverage for a lower price, but it lacks the long-range multibeam depth resolution and split-beam target-strength accuracy that commercial-grade systems from Furuno and Simrad provide.

  • Full-circle imaging

  • MEGA-detail focus

  • 360-awareness booster

  • Full 360-degree real-time imaging around the boat for comprehensive situational awareness.

  • MEGA imaging resolution provides clear structure and fish returns at typical recreational ranges.

  • Full-circle imaging

  • MEGA-detail focus

  • 360-awareness booster

  • Full 360-degree real-time imaging around the boat for comprehensive situational awareness.

  • MEGA imaging resolution provides clear structure and fish returns at typical recreational ranges.

Order Now
From 1610.72$
5
BEST INTEGRATED 3D MFD‑SONAR

Raymarine AXIOM 2 Pro RVM Sonar

Raymarine

The Raymarine AXIOM 2 Pro with RVM sonar combines high-resolution CHIRP and multibeam-capable imaging into an integrated multifunction display platform optimized for performance recreational users and prosumers working with multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. It occupies a balanced position between value and capability—offering a more polished, display-centric user experience than Humminbird and Garmin while remaining more affordable and less specialized than Furuno or Simrad commercial-grade arrays, making it attractive to buyers seeking strong imaging plus navigation integration.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • RealVision clarity

  • CHIRP deep-penetration

  • RealVision clarity

  • CHIRP deep-penetration

Review Summary

83%

"Owners appreciate the AXIOM 2 Pro's clear RealVision-style sonar imagery and tight chartplotter integration, while some report occasional software glitches and note the overall high cost."

  • Underwater mapping ace

  • RealVision 3D multibeam imaging combined with CHIRP and DownVision for layered sonar views.

  • Underwater mapping ace

  • RealVision 3D multibeam imaging combined with CHIRP and DownVision for layered sonar views.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Raymarine AXIOM 2 Pro with RVM sonar combines high-resolution CHIRP and multibeam-capable imaging into an integrated multifunction display platform optimized for performance recreational users and prosumers working with multibeam and split-beam transducer arrays. It occupies a balanced position between value and capability—offering a more polished, display-centric user experience than Humminbird and Garmin while remaining more affordable and less specialized than Furuno or Simrad commercial-grade arrays, making it attractive to buyers seeking strong imaging plus navigation integration.

  • RealVision clarity

  • CHIRP deep-penetration

  • Underwater mapping ace

  • RealVision 3D multibeam imaging combined with CHIRP and DownVision for layered sonar views.

  • High-resolution touchscreen Axiom Pro displays provide simultaneous charting and sonar visualization.

  • RealVision clarity

  • CHIRP deep-penetration

  • Underwater mapping ace

  • RealVision 3D multibeam imaging combined with CHIRP and DownVision for layered sonar views.

  • High-resolution touchscreen Axiom Pro displays provide simultaneous charting and sonar visualization.

Order Now
From 6530.66$

How multibeam and split-beam arrays work and why research supports them

Multibeam and split-beam transducers use focused acoustic beams and beamforming to characterize targets and seafloor structure. Multibeam sonars sweep many narrow beams across a swath for high-resolution bathymetry and backscatter mapping. Split-beam systems use phase and amplitude differences across a small array to compute precise bearing and strength of individual echoes, which is essential for biomass estimation and single-target tracking. Peer-reviewed and institutional studies, as well as operational surveys by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and university oceanography groups, demonstrate that these technologies improve detection rates for fish schools, reduce positional uncertainty, and enable quantitative backscatter analysis when systems are properly calibrated.

Multibeam surveys provide denser bathymetric coverage per pass, reducing survey time while improving seabed detail compared to single-beam approaches.

Split-beam methods allow for accurate target strength and angle-of-arrival calculations essential for biomass estimation in fisheries acoustics.

Comparative studies show improved school detection and tracking with real-time imaging sonars for shallow to mid-depth recreational and scientific applications.

Frequency selection matters: higher frequencies give finer resolution but shallower range; lower frequencies penetrate deeper but with coarser detail.

Calibration, sound speed profiling, and proper mounting dramatically affect quantitative accuracy, as documented in academic and government survey protocols.

In the Canadian 2025 market, multibeam and split-beam arrays are a strong choice for anyone needing accurate seabed maps, reliable biomass estimates, or live target tracking. The top picks here — Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System, Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam Sonar, Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34, Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging, and Raymarine AXIOM 2 Pro RVM Sonar — cover a wide range of needs from commercial and research surveys to high-performance recreational imaging. For most commercial and research users in Canada who need a balance of quantitative capability and robust field support, the Simrad ES80 Split-Beam System stands out as the best overall choice on this list, while the Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Plus LVS34 and Humminbird MEGA 360 are excellent for anglers seeking real-time imaging. We hope you found the information you needed; you can refine or expand your search using the site search to compare specifications, dealers, or installation options.

Discover More
  • Transom Mount Transducers
  • In-Hull Transducers
  • Through-Hull Transducers
  • CHIRP Processing Modules
  • High-Frequency Imaging Transducers
  • Low-Frequency Deep-Water Transducers

Copyright © 2025 InceptionAi Inc.

Trademark Policy

Articles

About Us

Contact Us

Careers

Sitemap