CHCNAV HQ-400 Multi-Beam Echosounder
The HQ-400 integrates sonar, temperature, attitude and positioning sensors in one compact, portable multibeam for river and lake topography, reservoir volumes and hydrometrics.
The built-in, calibration-free IMU is ready on power-up, saving about half the preparation time, and it drops straight onto the Apache 4 series USVs.
Key features
- High-resolution data – 512 beams (max 1024) for detailed topography.
- High-precision positioning – Built-in IMU and GNSS; PPK supported.
- Calibration-free – Pre-calibrated IMU saves ~50% setup time.
- Versatile functions – Roll stabilization, near-field focusing, water-column imaging.
- Software ecosystem – EasySail on Android and CMS on PC.
- Compact and portable – 12.5 cm cube for USVs and small boats.
At a glance
- 512 beams, up to 1024
- 140° swath
- 60 Hz ping rate
- 10 mm depth resolution
- 0.03° roll/pitch post-processed
- 25 W average power
Supplied, installed and supported by LATNET in Calgary. Contact us for pricing.
- Authorized CHCNAV dealer in Canada
- Setup, training & local support from our Calgary geomatics team
- Shipped across Canada from Calgary
- See it before you buy – live demo available
Technical Specifications
HQ 400 Multi-Beam Echosounder
CHCNAV HQ-400 – integrated multibeam in a 12.5 cm, 2.7 kg cube
The HQ-400 integrates sonar, temperature, attitude and positioning sensors in one compact, portable multibeam for river and lake topography, reservoir volumes and hydrometrics.
The built-in, calibration-free IMU is ready on power-up, saving about half the preparation time, and it drops straight onto the Apache 4 series USVs.
Ready to measure out of the case
No complex wiring: GNSS with PPK support, IMU and sound velocity are built in, keeping data stable even with poor satellites or waves. EasySail controls acquisition on Android and CMS processes the results on PC. See how single-beam, multibeam and ADCP surveys work in our 3D animations.
Why choose the HQ-400
High-resolution data
512 beams (max 1024) for detailed topography.
High-precision positioning
Built-in IMU and GNSS; PPK supported.
Calibration-free
Pre-calibrated IMU saves ~50% setup time.
Versatile functions
Roll stabilization, near-field focusing, water-column imaging.
Software ecosystem
EasySail on Android and CMS on PC.
Compact and portable
12.5 cm cube for USVs and small boats.
512 beams across a 140° swath
Equal-angle and equal-distance modes with 1.6° × 1.8° resolution capture detailed underwater topography for precise mapping and volumes.
IMU, GNSS and sound velocity built in
Built-in attitude and temperature sensors compensate roll, pitch and yaw; RTK, PPK and (regional) PPP positioning keep results reliable in poor GNSS or rough water. In Alberta, RTK corrections can come from the LATNET RTK network over 4G.
Measure on power-up
The pre-calibrated IMU removes field calibration, and modular quick installation on the Apache 4 series gets you surveying sooner.
From acquisition to results
CMS for PC and EasySail for Android provide intelligent surface filtering, noise removal and flexible displays; optional Qinertia PPK refines trajectories. At 2.7 kg it suits manned boats and small USVs alike.
Compare CHCNAV echosounders
Single-beam sounders measure one depth under the boat; multibeam sounders map a full swath of the bottom on every pass.
| D270 | D390 | D60 | HQ-400 | HN-400M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Single-beam | Single-beam, all-in-one PC | Dual-frequency single-beam | Integrated multibeam | Dual-frequency multibeam |
| Frequency | 200 kHz | 200 kHz | 200 kHz + 33 kHz | 400 kHz | 400 / 550 kHz |
| Depth range | 0.15–200 m | 0.15–300 m | 0.2–250 m / 0.8–1000 m | 0.2–150 m | 0.2–200 m |
| Accuracy / beams | ±1 cm + 0.1% D | ±1 cm + 0.1% D | ±1 cm + 0.1% h (200 kHz) | 512 beams (1024), 140° | 512 beams, 145° (6× depth) |
| Motion sensor | Temp. sensor | Serial inputs | IMU 100 Hz | Built-in IMU + GNSS | INS, 0.03° roll/pitch |
| Weight | 0.84 kg + 2.15 kg | 4.7 kg | 1.2 kg + 4 kg | 2.7 kg | 3.5 kg |
| Best for | Boat or USV, cross-sections | Manned boats, one screen | Soft bottoms, deep or turbid water | Full-coverage rivers and lakes | Ports, dredging, turbid water |
| D270 | D390 | D60 | HQ-400 | HN-400M |
Where it works
River and lake topography
Full-coverage bathymetry.
Tailings ponds
Volumes from a USV.
Port terminals
Berth surveys.
Channel dredging
Before/after surveys.
CHCNAV HQ-400 technical specifications
| Depth range | 0.2–150 m (25 °C fresh water; 0.2–100 m and waves < 0.5 m recommended in seawater) |
|---|---|
| Depth resolution | 10 mm |
| Swath | 140° |
| Beams | 512 (maximum 1024) |
| Survey mode | Equal angle and equal distance |
| Resolution (across × along) | 1.6° × 1.8° |
| Ping rate | 60 Hz |
| Frequency | 400 kHz ± 20 kHz, CW |
| Features | Real-time roll stabilization |
| Pulse length | 20 µs – 2 ms |
| Depth rating | 50 m |
| IMU | Built into sonar, 200 Hz (max 1000 Hz) |
|---|---|
| Methods | RTK, PPP (BDS PPP-B2b regions), PPK (Qinertia, extra cost) |
| Heading | 0.1° @ 2 m baseline |
| Roll / pitch | 0.05° real time · 0.03° post-processed |
| Position | 0.8 cm + 1 ppm RTK · 0.6 m SBAS · 1.2 m single |
| Heave | 5 cm or 5% |
| Surface sound velocity | 1375–1900 m/s, ±0.02 m/s |
| Power | 18–36 V DC (24 V typical) or 100–240 V AC; 25 W average |
|---|---|
| Interface | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Sonar | 125 × 125 × 130 mm, 2.7 kg |
| Deck unit | 125 × 125 × 42 mm, 0.5 kg |
| Temperature | Working –10 to +60 °C · storage –20 to +70 °C |
HQ-400 FAQ
Is the HQ-400 easy to install?
Yes – it is a single integrated unit with a calibration-free IMU and modular mounts for the Apache 4 series.
Does it work in poor GNSS?
The built-in IMU keeps data stable, and PPK post-processing can recover accuracy after the survey.
What power does it need?
18–36 V DC or 100–240 V AC, about 25 W.
HQ-400 or HN-400M?
The HN-400M adds a second 550 kHz frequency, a 145° swath and a 0.03° INS for turbid or demanding water.
Get the HQ-400 from LATNET
Add the HQ-400 to an Apache 4 or your survey boat – supplied and supported by LATNET in Calgary.
Request a quoteAll hydrographic productsHQ-400 Multi-Beam Echosounder
Compact and powerful system designed for high-resolution bathymetric and hydrographic surveys.
