ARIS Explorer 3000
Equipment Type: HD Sonar
Benefits of the ARIS Explorer 3000
- Underwater structural inspections
- Ship hull inspections
- Dock and berth inspections
- Bridge pier inspections
- Dam and spillway inspections
- Pipeline inspections
- Outfall inspections
- Subsea construction monitoring
- Dredging progress verification
- Equipment positioning guidance
- Tool placement verification
- Diver monitoring
- ROV navigation support
- Port security monitoring
- Harbor surveillance
- Vessel threat detection
- Object detection
- Target identification
- Target classification
- Debris field assessment
- Search and recovery operations
- Evidence recovery support
- Environmental habitat observation
- Marine life monitoring
- Aquaculture site monitoring
- Ship hulls
- Propellers
- Rudders
- Thrusters
- Keels
- Docking berths
- Pilings
- Seawalls
- Quay walls
- Bridge piers
- Bridge footings
- Dams
- Spillways
- Intake structures
- Outfall structures
- Subsea pipelines
- Subsea cables
- Mooring lines
- Anchors
- Offshore platforms
- Wind turbine foundations
- Subsea manifolds
- Valves
- Storage tanks
- Barges
- Sunken vessels
- 55-gallon barrels
- Tires
- Debris fields
- Aquaculture pens
- Commercial maritime
- Shipping and logistics
- Port authorities
- Harbor management
- Naval defense
- Homeland security
- Border security
- Underwater construction
- Civil engineering
- Marine engineering
- Offshore oil and gas
- Offshore wind energy
- Renewable energy
- Hydropower
- Water utilities
- Wastewater treatment
- Environmental consulting
- Marine research
- Oceanography
- Aquaculture
- Commercial diving
- Subsea services
- Salvage and recovery
- Search and rescue
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ARIS Explorer 3000 High-Resolution Underwater Imaging Sonar for Zero-Visibility Conditions
When you’re working underwater, visibility isn’t just poor — sometimes it’s completely gone. Murky water, total darkness, heavy silt, or stirred-up sediment can turn even the simplest inspection into guesswork. Traditional dive teams and optical cameras struggle in these conditions, slowing down operations, increasing risk, and leaving you without the clear answers you need.
The ARIS Explorer 3000 changes that. Instead of relying on light, it uses advanced sonar imaging to “see” through zero-visibility water and deliver clear, real-time underwater visuals. That means safer inspections, faster decision-making, and greater confidence whether you’re checking a hull, monitoring divers, securing a harbor, or guiding subsea equipment into place.
Dual-Frequency High-Resolution Underwater Imaging Sonar with 128-Beam Clarity
The ARIS Explorer 3000 combines high-frequency 128-beam acoustic imaging at 3.0 MHz with dual-frequency operation (3.0 MHz and 1.8 MHz) to deliver both precision and versatility in one system.
In Identification Mode (3.0 MHz), operators achieve high-definition imaging with resolution down to 3 mm at ranges up to 5 meters—making it possible to clearly inspect fine details like propeller blades, structural cracks, or small submerged objects, even in zero-visibility water.
When broader situational awareness is needed, Detection Mode (1.8 MHz) extends the viewing range up to 15 meters, allowing teams to first locate an asset and then seamlessly switch to high-resolution imaging for close-up inspection.
This eliminates the need for multiple sonar systems, streamlines operations, and gives crews the confidence to perform accurate underwater inspections in dark, turbid, or high-sediment environments.
ARIS Explorer 3000 Compact 300-Meter Rated Underwater Sonar with Low Power Consumption
The ARIS Explorer 3000 is engineered with a compact, lightweight design and ultra-low power consumption, making it ideal for demanding subsea deployments.
Measuring just 26 × 16 × 14 cm, weighing only 1.55 kg in water, and operating at a typical 18 Watts, it integrates seamlessly with ROVs without compromising maneuverability or draining battery life.
Its 300-meter depth rating and ability to operate in extreme temperatures from the arctic to the equator ensure dependable performance in harsh marine environments.
Together, these features reduce equipment strain, prevent mission delays, and allow operators to confidently deploy the sonar in deep-water inspections, offshore energy projects, port security operations, and other critical underwater applications.
360° Sonar Positioning with the ARIS Rotator AR2
The Sound Metrics ARIS Rotator AR2 adds precise two-axis control of pan and tilt or tilt and roll to the ARIS Explorer 3000, allowing operators to aim the sonar accurately from virtually any angle.
With full 360° rotation, the AR2 enables complete imaging of the surrounding underwater environment and allows operators to adjust roll angles to capture more detailed views of structures such as ship hulls, dam faces, and the seafloor.
The system supports both manual and automated control through the ARIScope software interface, making positioning simple during live inspections.
Designed for subsea deployments, the AR2 features a 300 m depth rating, operates using the same single standard cable as the sonar, and provides flexible movement ranges for pan, tilt, and roll, giving inspection teams greater control and improved imaging coverage in complex underwater environments.
Advanced Underwater Sonar Software, Remote Focus & Spatial Awareness for Precision Inspections
The ARIS Explorer 3000 enhances underwater inspections with dynamic remote focus from 0.7 meters to infinity, ensuring consistently sharp imaging as distances change during an operation.
Its integrated compass and depth gauge provide real-time spatial awareness, eliminating disorientation in dark or zero-visibility environments and giving operators full control over sonar positioning.
Paired with advanced Windows™-based software featuring background subtraction, the system filters out environmental clutter so moving targets like divers, tools, or debris stand out clearly.
The result is faster interpretation, greater accuracy, and more confident decision-making underwater.
Contact MFE Inspection Solutions to rent or purchase the ARIS Explorer 3000 for your next subsea project.
ARIS Explorer 3000 Technical Specifications
| Operating Frequency | 1.8 MHz |
| Beam Width (two-way) | 0.3° H by 15° V |
| Source Level (average) | 195 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m |
| Nominal Effective Range | 15m @ 15°C water temperature |
| Operating Frequency | 3.0 MHz |
| Beamwidth (two-way) | 0.2° H by 15° V |
| Source Level (average) | < 195 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m |
| Nominal Effective Range | 5m @ 15°C water temperature |
| Number of beams | 128 or 64 |
| Beam Spacing | 0.25° nominal |
| Field-of-View | 30° horizontal x 15° vertical |
| Max Frame Rate (128 beams) | 4-15 frames/sec (8-15 frames/sec using 64 beams) |
| Minimum Range Start | 0.7m |
| Downrange Resolution | 3mm to 19mm |
| Transmit Pulse Length | 4μs to 24μs |
| Remote Focus | 0.7m to infinity |
| Power Consumption | 18 Watts typical |
| Weight in Air | 5.12 kg (11.0 lb) |
| Weight in Water | 1.55 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 26cm x 16cm x 14cm |
| Depth Rating | 300m |
| Data Comm Link | HomePlug 100BaseT Ethernet |
| Maximum Cable Length | 150m (500 ft)
30m (100 ft) |
| Minimum PC Requirements | Windows 7 SP1 or Higher
100BaseT Wired Ethernet (USB Adapter OK) |
| Recommended PC Configuration | DirectX 11 compatible graphics
Multi-Core CPU 8 Gb RAM 512 Mb Video RAM 64 Gb Available Hard Disk Space |
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