Nortek’s Generation 2 Vector velocimeter is a game-changer for marine researchers, packing high-resolution current measurement and turbulence capture into a sleeker, smarter package. This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a reimagining of a 25-year-old workhorse, designed to tackle modern challenges in oceanography and sediment transport.
The legacy Vector, introduced in 1999, set the standard for acoustic Doppler velocimeters. But the new Generation 2 model takes it further, with a smaller form factor, lower power consumption, and a suite of features that expand its versatility. The standout? An echosounder mode that lets researchers image structures in the water column—critical for studying sediment transport or seabed changes.
Nortek has also streamlined deployment with multiple battery canister options, eliminating the need for internal batteries. This flexibility means researchers can tailor power solutions to their specific needs, whether they’re working in shallow coastal waters or deep-sea environments. The addition of an interface box is another smart touch, allowing the instrument to communicate via both Ethernet and serial using a single cable—simplifying setup and reducing clutter.
But perhaps the most reassuring upgrade is the LED that blinks at the user-defined sampling rate while collecting data. It’s a small detail, but it’s a big deal for researchers who want peace of mind during deployment. And with modern electronics and broadband processing, the Generation 2 Vector delivers improved precision for a given power consumption, making longer deployments possible without draining batteries.
This isn’t just about better specs—it’s about enabling more ambitious research. The echosounder mode, for instance, opens new avenues for studying sediment dynamics, which is crucial for understanding coastal erosion, dredging impacts, and even climate change effects on marine ecosystems. And with its compact size, the Generation 2 Vector can now reach places its predecessor couldn’t, like tight spaces in coral reefs or narrow channels.
Nortek’s Generation 2 Vector is more than an upgrade—it’s a toolkit for the next generation of marine research. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in current measurement and imaging, it’s set to become an indispensable asset for oceanographers, sedimentologists, and environmental scientists alike.