How To Use Sonar Explorer

Sonar Explorer is a personal sonar for navigating in the dark. It works by transmitting a series of ultrasonic pulses then listening for echoes. From the time taken for an echo to bounce back from an object it can work out the distance to the object.

To use Sonar Explorer, hold the board by the battery at chest height with the ultrasonic transducers pointing away from you. Rotate the board to point in different directions to look for obstacles around you.

Sonar Explorer scans for objects that are within a range of about 1m. A sequence of high-pitched pings indicates that an object is in range. The rate of pings relates to the distance to the object, the faster the pings the nearer the object.

If the pushbutton is held down, Sonar Explorer will scan for objects up to 3m. Low-pitched pings indicate an object between 1m and 3m. The length of pings relates to distance, the longer the pings the farther the object.

If no object is within range then Sonar Explorer will periodically click.

To save your battery, Sonar Explorer will go to sleep when it is not being used (but it is a good idea to remove the battery anyway when you will not be using it for any length of time). Press the pushbutton to re-awaken it.