Quick Facts
| Positioning Technology | Homing Pinger / Pinger Receiver |
| Applications | Diver navigation, instrument recovery, underwater location
marking |
| Components | Pinger (transmitter) and pinger receiver |
| Maximum Range | Up to 1.3 km (Sport), Up to 300 m (Scout) |
| Depth Rating | 300 m |
| Transmitter
Battery Life | Up to two weeks (Sport), 50 hours (Scout) |
| Indicators | LED signals indicate direction and approximate distance to transmitter |
| Cost | Very
low cost but effective system |
The chief attractions of these devices are ease of use, low cost and operational reliability due to their simplicity. Both systems consist of two components, a transmitter (pinger) and a receiver. Using the indicators on the receiver, a diver can easily return to any location or object marked with a transmitter. To aid in the return to a boat, the transmitter may be lowered from the boat or attached to the anchor line. To serve as a distress beacon, the transmitter can be carried by a diver, to be activated when an emergency occurs. A diver can carry transmitters, then use them to mark underwater object or locations for a later return. Any number of receivers can be used with one transmitter, allowing a group of divers to use the system.
