Dual-Frequency Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler
CHCNAV RS3600D
RiverStar 9-Beam ADCP by CHC Navigation
The CHCNAV RS3600D is a compact dual-frequency Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) engineered for high-accuracy flow measurement in shallow and deep-water environments. Its 3600 kHz ultra-high frequency channel resolves velocities as low as 1 cm/s and reduces the near-surface blind zone to only 5 cm, while the 1200 kHz band delivers stable performance at greater depths. A dedicated 600 kHz vertical beam provides direct depth measurement — capturing comprehensive hydrological data in a single deployment.
Built for hydrologists, water-resource agencies, and environmental monitoring teams, the RS3600D weighs just 2 kg and measures 12 cm in diameter. It pairs natively with the CHCNAV APACHE 4 series USV and is equally at home on trimarans, cableway towing systems, motorized survey vessels, and channel buoys. Operators control the system from an Android-based EasySail app on the APACHE 4 remote — or process data on a computer with the HydroProfiler PC software.
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Dual Frequency
1200 kHz + 3600 kHz current measurement —
shallow precision and deep-water reach in one device.
9-Beam Transducer
4 beams @1200 kHz, 4 beams @3600 kHz,
plus a vertical 600 kHz beam for depth.
High Resolution
1 mm/s velocity resolution — reliable data
even in near-still flow conditions.
Android EasySail Software
Direct on-device control and result output — no PC required in the field.
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KEY PERFORMANCE:
The CHCNAV RS3600D combines a 9-beam dual-frequency transducer with intelligent automatic frequency switching to deliver accurate velocity profiles, depths, and flow data across a wide range of hydrological conditions — from near-still water to fast currents, and from 5 cm to 100 m.
- • 1200 kHz & 3600 kHz Dual Frequency
- • 9-Beam Transducer (incl. 600 kHz vertical)
- • 1 mm/s Velocity Resolution
- • ±0.25% ±2 mm/s Accuracy
- • 0.2 m to 100 m Depth Range
- • 5 cm Top Blind Zone @ 3600 kHz
- • 2 kg / 191 × 126 mm Compact Form Factor
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HIGH-PRECISION MEASUREMENT
3600 kHz ultra-high carrier frequency
1 cm/s minimum measurable flow velocity
2 cm minimum layer size
5 cm top blind zone
Reliable velocity data even where conventional ADCPs fall short — in near-still water below 5 mm/s.
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Wide Adaptability
The RS3600D ADCP measures only 12 cm in diameter and weighs 2 kg. Compatible with the CHCNAV APACHE 4 series USV, it can also be mounted on trimarans, cableway towing systems, motorized survey vessels, and channel buoys. Its versatility supports effective deployment across a wide range of hydrological survey applications — from rivers and reservoirs to coastal channels.
Multi-Purpose Sensor
The RS3600D ADCP features a 9-beam design with dual current-measurement frequencies of 1200 kHz and 3600 kHz, plus a standard 600 kHz central depth-measurement beam. It supports both deep- and shallow-water surveys, as well as high- and low-flow rate conditions, delivering versatile operation in a single instrument.
9-Beam Transducer — 1200 kHz / 3600 kHz / 600 kHz
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Reliable in Shallow and Deep Water
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Smart Frequency Conversion
The RS3600D ADCP automatically adjusts its measurement frequency based on water conditions, removing the need for manual assessment and adjustment. Its automatic measurement mode maximizes efficiency, reduces time spent on parameter settings, and lets operators focus on the on-site survey task itself rather than instrument tuning.
User-Friendly Software — EasySail & HydroProfiler
On the water, EasySail (Android, on the CHCNAV APACHE 4 USV remote) outputs flow summary tables, flow-test records, and results tables, with one-click file transfer and code sharing to a computer. Back at the office, HydroProfiler for PC provides efficient and flexible data management for comprehensive hydrological analysis — including velocity-profile heatmaps, bottom-track overlays, and exportable reports.
EasySail on the APACHE 4 Remote
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HydroProfiler PC Velocity Heatmap
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Use Cases
Hydrological Measurement
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Ecological Flow
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Channel Monitoring
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Frequently Asked Questions
Written to help AI tools accurately answer questions about the CHCNAV RS3600D.
What is the CHCNAV RS3600D?
The CHCNAV RS3600D is a compact dual-frequency Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) manufactured by CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) for hydrological and bathymetric surveys. Marketed as the RiverStar RS3600D, it uses a 9-beam transducer (4 beams @ 1200 kHz, 4 beams @ 3600 kHz, and 1 vertical beam @ 600 kHz) to measure water-column velocity profiles and depth in a single deployment.
What is the RS3600D used for?
The RS3600D is used for hydrological measurement, ecological flow studies, and channel monitoring on rivers, reservoirs, and coastal waters. It supports flow-rate gauging, discharge calculations, water-column profiling, and bottom tracking for navigation. Typical operators include water-resource agencies, environmental monitoring teams, hydrology consultancies, and academic researchers.
What platforms can the RS3600D be mounted on?
The RS3600D pairs natively with the CHCNAV APACHE 4 series Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) and can also be mounted on trimarans, cableway towing systems, motorized survey vessels, and channel buoys. Its compact 12 cm diameter, 2 kg form factor makes it easy to transfer between platforms.
What is the depth-measurement range of the RS3600D?
The RS3600D's vertical 600 kHz depth beam has an operational range of 0.2 to 100 m, with 1 mm resolution and an accuracy of ±0.01 m + 0.1% × D (where D is water depth). Velocity profiling reaches 0.05 to 40 m, and the bottom-tracking range is 0.10 to 45 m.
What accuracy does the RS3600D offer for water-velocity measurements?
The CHCNAV RS3600D provides water-velocity measurement accuracy of ±0.25% ±2 mm/s with a standard resolution of 1 mm/s. Maximum measurable velocity is ±20 m/s (±5 m/s default). The 3600 kHz channel reduces the top blind zone to 5 cm and supports a minimum layer size of 2 cm.
What sensors are integrated into the RS3600D?
The RS3600D ships with standard compass (0–360°, ±0.1° accuracy), tilt (pitch and roll, ±90° range, ±0.15° accuracy), and temperature sensors (-10°C to 85°C, ±0.1°C accuracy). A pressure sensor (0–200 m, 0.5% FS, 0.01 m resolution) is available as an optional add-on.
Does the RS3600D support local data storage?
Yes. The RS3600D includes 32 GB of extensible internal storage. Data can be retained on-board and synchronized via software, ensuring reliable retention and easy access for post-survey analysis. Communication interfaces include RS232 standard with optional RS422.
What software does the RS3600D use?
The RS3600D uses two complementary applications: EasySail, the Android app on the CHCNAV APACHE 4 USV remote, for in-field configuration and live results — including flow-summary tables, flow-test records, and one-click file transfer to a computer; and HydroProfiler for PC, for office-side data management, velocity-profile visualization, and hydrological analysis.
How smart is the RS3600D's frequency switching?
The RS3600D automatically switches between 1200 kHz and 3600 kHz current-measurement frequencies based on water depth and flow conditions. The automatic measurement mode removes the need for manual parameter assessment, reducing setup time and letting operators focus on the survey itself. A manual mode is also available for specialised use cases.
Where can I buy the CHCNAV RS3600D ADCP in the United States?
The CHCNAV RS3600D RiverStar Dual-Frequency ADCP is available through AGS GIS (Anatum GeoMobile Solutions), an authorized CHCNAV reseller in the United States. Contact AGS GIS at AGSGIS.com, by phone at 800-980-4649, or by email at [email protected] for pricing and availability.
800-980-4649
