World’s
Smallest ROV Gains Positioning System, Meets Needs of Search and
Rescue
Desert Star Short Base
Line (SBL) positioning system provides reliable positioning for
thorough underwater searches
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Exton, PA, May 28, 2002 – VideoRay LLC announced today, with
Desert Star Systems LLC of Marina, California, that the world’s
smallest tracking system is now available for the 8-pound VideoRay
Pro II ROV (remotely operated vehicle). The Desert Star Short Base
Line positioning system is ideal for tracking ROVs and divers because
of its accuracy of positioning – ROV distance is measured
to an accuracy well below one meter and directional accuracy is
+/- 0.6 degrees with 40 foot transducer spacing. The integration
of the Desert Star Pilot system with the VideoRay advances the VideoRay
as a trust-worthy tool for search and rescue in deep, shallow, and
turbid waters; for dive boat captains in search of new sites; and
for commercial work in open waters, reefs, pipelines, and underwater
structures.
Smaller than a soda can and weighing even less, the transponder
is simply plugged in to any VideoRay Pro II. The transponder works
with three “over the side” transducers placed in the
water. A surface station (with Windows operating system) computer
running DiveBase positioning software supports the navigation by
retrieving and displaying positioning information relative to the
transducers. Connecting a GPS receiver and heading sensor to the
system can obtain absolute positions. The Desert Star Pilot system
can be set up on the VideoRay in minutes.
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Side view of VideoRay
Pro II equipped with Desert Star Pilot Tracking System mounted
on top, and Imagenex Onboard Sonar on bottom of submersible.
(click for
high resolution photos) |
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Top view of VideoRay Pro II equipped with
Desert Star Pilot Tracking System mounted on top, and Imagenex
Onboard Sonar on bottom of submersible.
(click
for high resolution photos) |
“Together, the VideoRay and the Desert Star Pilot provide
a reliable tool for long, methodical explorations underwater,”
says Marco Flagg, CEO of Desert Star Systems LLC. “The Desert
Star Pilot system gives the pilot of the VideoRay the confidence
of knowing where the ROV is located, so he can be more adventurous
in unknown terrain.”
“Since we first launched the VideoRay, we have been striving
to build an ROV that search and rescue teams would find invaluable
and affordable,” says Scott Bentley, president of VideoRay.
“We have reached that goal with the integration of the Desert
Star Pilot, and we are look forward to learning of the search and
rescues made possible through our combined technologies.”
The Desert Star Pilot system for the VideoRay Pro II is priced
at $9,995.000 (USD)
VideoRay also recently integrated the Imagenex 851 scanning sonar
with its ROV. The sonar guides the VideoRay to targets until it
is close enough to visually identify them, making search and recovery
possible in low visibility waters. The Imagenex 851 features a very
small transducer to image targets from the viewpoint of VideoRay
and captures data digitally on a laptop computer for easy playback.
Contact: Desert Star Systems LLC • 761 Neeson Rd. #9 •
Marina, CA 93933 • tel. 831-384-8000 / fax 831-384-8062 •
E-mail - desertstar@desertstar.com
• www.desertstar.com
Contact VideoRay LLC • 400 Eagleview Blvd. • Exton,
PA 19341 USA • Phone: (610) 458-3000 • FAX: (610) 458-3010
• www.videoray.com
### All brands and product names are trademarks
of their respective owners.
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