SonTek M9 ADCP
The SonTek M9 is an advanced all-in-one Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) designed for high-accuracy discharge measurement and bathymetric surveying. Combining the proven durability of the award-winning RiverSurveyor-M9 with the flexible bathymetric capabilities of the HydroSurveyor-M9, the M9 delivers exceptional performance across a wide range of hydrological and environmental applications.
Built for flexibility and ease of use, the M9 automatically adapts to changing water levels, varying flow conditions, and complex velocity structures, eliminating the need for manual adjustments during extreme events or challenging survey conditions.
When paired with HYPACK Environmental Mapping software, the SonTek M9 becomes a complete solution for integrated discharge and bathymetric data collection.
Award-Winning ADCP Technology
The SonTek M9 from SonTek is trusted by leading water monitoring agencies worldwide and is recognised as one of the most advanced ADCP systems available.
As the first ADCP to utilise multiple acoustic frequencies alongside SonTek’s exclusive SmartPulseHD® technology, the M9 delivers highly accurate, high-resolution measurements across a wide range of water depths — from shallow streams to deeper rivers and reservoirs.
Key advantages include:
Multi-frequency ADCP technology for improved measurement coverage
SmartPulseHD® for enhanced data quality and accuracy
Automatic adaptation to changing hydraulic conditions
Reliable operation across shallow and deep water environments
Integrated discharge and bathymetry capability in one system
Hydrology Applications
The SonTek M9 is ideal for a broad range of hydrological monitoring applications, including:
Discharge measurement
Index velocity calibration
Flow and volume verification
Ground-truthing discharge models
Habitat assessments
Watershed flux and loading studies
High-definition velocity profiling
Bathymetric Applications
The M9 also offers powerful bathymetric survey capabilities, making it a valuable tool for:
Reservoir surveys and capacity estimation
Bathymetric volume calculations
Velocity mapping
River reconnaissance surveys
Sediment flux detection
Longitudinal river surveys
Geomorphology studies
One System. Maximum Flexibility.
By combining hydrological and bathymetric capabilities into a single rugged platform, the SonTek M9 provides unmatched flexibility for water professionals who require accurate, efficient, and reliable field data collection.
Whether measuring discharge, mapping riverbeds, or analysing sediment movement, the SonTek M9 delivers the performance and confidence needed for critical water monitoring applications.
Velocity Measurement |
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Profiling Range (Distance) | 0.06 to 40 m, environmentally dependent |
Accuracy | Up to +/- 0.25% of measured velocity; ±0.2cm/s |
Profiling Range (Velocity) | ± 20 m/s1 |
Resolution | 0.001 m/s |
Number of Cells | Up to128 |
Cell Size | 0.02 to 4 m |
Transducer Configuration | Nine (9) transducers; Dual 4-beam 3.0 MHz/1.0 MHz Janus at 25º slant angle; 0.5 MHz vertical beam echosounder |
Depth Measurement |
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Range | 0.20 to 80 m |
Accuracy | 1% [0.02% with a full water column sound speed correction] |
Resolution | 0.001 m |
Discharge Measurement |
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Range with Bottom-Track | 0.3 to 40 m |
Range with GNSS/GPS | 0.3 to 80 m, extrapolated beyond 40 m |
Computations | Internal |
Internal Recorder Size | 8 GB |
Bathymetry Measurement |
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Range | 40 m (skew beams) to 80 m (vertical beam) |
Velocity Profiling Range | ± 10 m/s |
Computations | Software |
Temperature Sensor |
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Resolution | ± 0.01° C |
Accuracy | ± 0.1° C |
Compass/Tilt (Solid State Type) |
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Range | 360° |
Heading Accuracy | ± 2° |
Pitch/Roll Accuracy | ± 1° |
Power/Communications (No Telemetry) |
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Input Voltage | 12 - 18 VDC |
Communication Type | RS232 direct |
GNSS/GPS Communication | RS232 serial input |
Max Data Output Rate | 1 Hz |
Internal Sampling Rate | Up to 70 Hz |
Physical Properties |
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Depth (Pressure) Rating | 30 m |
Operating Temperature | -5 to 45° C |
Storage Temperature | -10 to 70° C |
Weight in Air | 2.3 kg |
Weight in Water | -0.6 kg |
Power Communications Module (PCM) |
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Communication Type | 2.4 GHz radio |
Battery Type | Standard AA batteries2 |
Average Duration | 8 hours of continuous use (6 hours with RTK) |
Radio Range3 | Standard (10 dBm) - High (22 dBm) |
Base to Rover | 1000 m - 3000 m |
PC/tablet to Rover | 400 m - 1500 m |
GNSS/GPS Options |
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SBAS GNSS Horizontal Accuracy5 | <1.0 m |
RTK GNSS Horizontal Accuracy5 | <0.02 m |
RTK GNSS Vertical Accuracy4,5 | <0.04 m |
Additional Notes 1Please contact SonTek for accuracies better than 1%, or velocities >10 m/s. 2Standard AA batteries are defined as alkaline or NiMH rechargeables, with a diameter up to 14.5mm. 3High power may not be available in all countries; all ranges with default 2 dBi antenna and line-of-sight. 4Requires absolute RTK solution. Only available with HYPACK software. 5Depends on multipath environment, antenna selection, number of satellites in view, satellite geometry, and ionospheric activity.