US Radar integrates Garmin GPS technology into its ground-penetrating radar systems

US Radar Inc., Matawan, New Jersey, a manufacturer of subsurface imaging systems, has announced it has enhanced its ground-penetrating radar (GPR) systems with a major upgrade of its global-positioning system (GPS) software module and the integration of Garmin GPS technology into US Radar’s most popular ground-penetrating radar systems.

The company’s GPS software now incorporates a split-screen view that can simultaneously display real-time radar-mapped imagery of the job site alongside the user’s choice of maps from public sources such as Google Earth or OpenStreetMap, or from proprietary mapping sources, including site plans or as-built plans. US Radar’s split-screen capability provides an enhanced, real-time context for plotting and analyzing subsurface data.

Operators can also combine radar and map data and export it into AutoCAD or ArcGIS software—while they’re on the job site, the company adds.

“The combination of these powerful new features in our GPS software module with the integration of Garmin GPS technology into our subsurface imaging systems provides important added value to our customers, whether they are mappers, surveyors or locating contractors,” says Matt Keys, US Radar system engineer. “Field generation of radar-data maps in real time significantly increases the productivity and time-saving benefits of our GPR units.”

Keys says US Radar chose to integrate Garmin GPS technology with its systems because of Garmin’s superior performance in dense urban environments and areas with significant tree cover. On US Radar’s popular Quantum Imager and recently introduced Q5C models the Garmin GPS antenna is integrated within the US Radar antenna.

In addition to its enhanced GPS software, US Radar also recently introduced Version 5.0 of its Seeker acquisition software, automating several key capabilities to help assure even greater accuracy when using US Radar systems. US Radar’s Seeker acquisition software is included with each of the company’s GPR units.

US Radar is a leading manufacturer and distributor of surface-penetrating radar, also known as ground-penetrating radar, systems. Current models include the Quantum Imager – the world’s first triple-frequency GPR device – and the Q5C model that delivers US Radar’s SmartGain digital clarity at a list price just over half that of most competitive units.