Overview

The Garmin Panoptix PS70 is a thru-hull live sonar transducer that shows fish and structure moving in real time beneath the boat. It reaches down to 1,000 ft and refreshes the live view at a minimum of 10 frames per second, with a 120-degree by 8-degree beam that covers a wide slice of the water column.

It transmits at 800 watts and runs on 10 to 35 Vdc, which fits both 12V and 24V systems, with a 7.5A fuse in the kit. The stainless steel thru-hull body can be installed with a fairing block for hull deadrise angles up to 20 degrees or set into a dedicated hull pocket. It supports cored fiberglass, solid fiberglass, and metal hull installations when mounted with the appropriate isolation hardware.

Key features

• Live sonar imagery up to 1,000 ft below the surface, with a minimum refresh rate of 10 frames per second
• Wide 120-degree by 8-degree beam for covering more water under the keel in a single view
• 800-watt multi-beam phased-array sonar output for deep-water returns
• Sonar modes: LiveVü Down, traditional sonar, triple-beam traditional sonar, and RealVü 3D historical scanning
• True Motion 3D returns follow the vessel course over ground for a more intuitive 3D history view
• Image stabilization sensor helps keep the picture readable when the boat is moving in rough water
• Thru-hull mounting with fairing block support up to 20 degrees deadrise, plus dedicated pocket mounting support
• Garmin Marine Network connection, with an included adapter for older RJ45-style network ports

Variants

This product is offered in multiple configurations, depending on whether a fairing block is supplied with the transducer.

The difference between the variants is the fairing block inclusion. Other installation, power, and network requirements are the same for the PS70 transducer itself.

• 010-02768-10: Fairing block not included. This configuration is typically used for dedicated hull pocket installs or builds where a matched fairing solution is already in place.
• 010-02768-00: Fairing block included. The fairing block is shaped to the hull angle (up to 20 degrees deadrise) so the transducer face sits aligned to the waterline.

Compatibility and system integration

The PS70 connects to a compatible Garmin chartplotter over the Garmin Marine Network and also needs a dedicated DC power feed. The network lead uses a smaller connector style and includes an adapter for chartplotters that still use the older RJ45-style marine network port.

On the electrical side, it accepts 10 to 35 Vdc input, which covers common 12V and 24V boats. Plan your power run with the included 7.5A fuse protection and keep the wiring route clear of high-heat areas and heavy-current bundles that can introduce interference.

Installation and placement

Because this is a thru-hull transducer, placement is about clean water flow. A spot that stays in non-turbulent water at speed matters more than being perfectly centered, so avoid mounting behind strakes, steps, fittings, intake or discharge ports, and anywhere that aerates the water.

The installation path can be either fairing-block or pocket mounting. Fairing-block installs cover hull deadrise angles up to 20 degrees and use an anti-rotation fastener to keep the transducer aligned. Pocket installs keep the outside profile cleaner, while still maintaining the correct forward alignment for the sonar beam.

Sonar views and on-board use

The PS70 supports live down-looking views for watching bait and targets move, plus traditional sonar for arches and separation. Triple-beam traditional sonar shows port, starboard, and directly under the boat in a split view, and RealVü 3D historical scanning builds a 3D history of where the boat has been.

This is a strong fit for crews that fish deep water and want live feedback when setting up on marks, tracking bait pods, or staying on structure during offshore runs. It is also useful for boats that move through changing bottom quickly, where image stabilization helps keep the picture readable when conditions are not flat.

Maintenance and care

Like any thru-hull sonar, performance depends on keeping the face clean. Regular wipe-downs with mild detergent and a soft cloth help prevent growth from building up and softening the returns.

If anti-fouling paint is used around the installation area, use a water-based type and avoid ketone-based coatings. When cleaning, avoid solvents and avoid pressure washing the transducer face.

What’s included

• PS70 thru-hull transducer
• Stainless steel thru-hull mounting hardware
• Power cable
• Network cable (40 ft) with network adapter
• 7.5A fuse (kit)
• Documentation