If it was a cesium mag, I would have no problem, but since it's a proton mag...meh. Proton mags are known for false signals, so I would be concerned about putting a buoy at every signal and wasting time. Of course, I've never used a Geometrics proton mag, so I'm not sure of the quality. If it's anything like the quality level of their cesium G-882 - which I have rented numerous times - then at least you may have a better shot at it.
Jolly man, are you keeping the unit? My very clever nephew reckons he might be able to help you with a computer recorder to use with it?
Thanks for the input, Darren.
I have not bought the thing yet, SADS, and based on Darren's recommendation, I may not.
I actually had the chance to try a much newer proton mag a few months ago with decidedly mixed results.
At the time, I was not sure if the false readings I was getting were caused by the idiot operator (me) or were due to some fault in the magnetometer.
I did not realize, as Darren says, that proton mags are known for giving false readings...
Perhaps my problems were caused by a combination of personal idiocy, faulty equipment, and the inherent instability of proton magnetometers themselves !!!
Now, were I retired and plying the largely benign, crystalline waters of the Bahamas, I would not care so much about those false signals...I would just dive them and enjoy it...
It comes to mind that at some point in the past, you were interested in acquiring a mag. The one I was considering is on Ebay for $950.00 or best offer and comes with a 90% complete spare extra console. The working console looks fairly pristine and the seller says it has only been used as some sort of display item. Who knows...it is Ebay after all...in any event the seller seems quite motivated to sell for less than $950.00...perhaps substantially less. The main problem is that the unit does not come with a tow fish. It does include two sensors, though, and I believe it would be a fairly simple matter to construct a tow fish using one of the included sensors. If you are up for a project, you might want to take a look...(the very clever nephew might come in handy).
That Nazi sub of yours is calling...
EG G Proton Marine Land Base Station Magnetometer G866 Including 2 Sensors | eBay
ftp://geom.geometrics.com/pub/mag/Manuals/866manual.pdf