Airmar R111C-LH 2kW CHIRP In-Hull or Pocket-Mount Transducer
Airmar R111C-LH 2kW CHIRP In-Hull or Pocket-Mount Transducer — Product description
Airmar's 2kW CHIRP-ready Low + High dual-band transducer, configurable for in-hull (shoot-thru) or pocket-mount installation on solid-fiberglass hulls. The low element CHIRPS from 38 to 75 kHz for deep-water tracking to 8,000 feet, the high element CHIRPS from 130 to 210 kHz for sharp shallower-water resolution and fish-arch detection. 10-by-19-degree beamwidth, bare-wire pigtail, plastic transducer body.
The R111LH is Airmar's 2kW CHIRP-ready Low + High dual-band transducer in the in-hull or pocket-mount configuration. The element family is the same as the R111LM (Low + Medium) and R111LHW (Low + High-Wide) variants, but the LH designation specifically pairs the deep-water low band with a narrow-beam high element. The low element CHIRPS from 38 to 75 kHz with the 19-degree port/starboard by 10-degree fore/aft beamwidth. The high element CHIRPS from 130 to 210 kHz with the same 10-by-19 beam geometry. That's a tighter beam than the LHW (Low + High-Wide) variant gives you and a higher frequency band than the LM (Low + Medium) variant. The narrow high beam is the right pick when you want sharper fish-arch separation and better target detail at shallower depths rather than wide-area coverage.
Maximum depth on the low band runs to 8,000 feet under ideal conditions, which is enough for canyon-edge work and most offshore deep-drop applications. The high band's higher frequency keeps target detail sharp at moderate depths where the low band would start to blur. Total usable bandwidth across both elements gives a modern CHIRP-capable sounder enough range to dial the optimal frequency for whatever depth and target you're working on. The CHIRP-ready dual-band design also pays off when you set the sounder to sweep the low band on one channel and the high band on a second channel, displaying both simultaneously on the chartplotter. The low channel shows you the deep-water picture. The high channel shows you the high-resolution shallow picture.
The installation flexibility is the second defining feature of this SKU. The R111LH supports both in-hull (shoot-through-hull) mounting and pocket-mount installation, depending on the boat's hull geometry. The in-hull tank bonds to the inside of a solid-fiberglass hull and the acoustic signal shoots through the hull material itself. The pocket-mount configuration sits in a fabricated pocket on the outside of the hull with the acoustic window facing the water directly. Both installation styles require a solid-fiberglass hull. Cored fiberglass hulls (with foam, balsa, or other core material between the fiberglass layers) are not recommended for either configuration because the core disrupts the acoustic signal path. The in-hull mounting supports hull deadrise from 0 to 25 degrees. The pocket-mount installation is hull-geometry dependent and may handle different deadrise ranges depending on how the pocket is fabricated.
The transducer body is plastic (urethane potted) rather than the heavier metal-faced housings you'd find on some other thru-hull transducers in this power class. That's intentional. The in-hull and pocket-mount configurations don't require the structural strength of an externally-protruding thru-hull stem, and the plastic housing is lighter, cheaper to manufacture, and easier to bond into the install location. The bare-wire pigtail terminates without a connector, so you wire directly to the sounder module's input terminals. This is the right configuration when you're hardwiring to a Airmar Marine Network sonar black box (like the GSD 26) rather than plugging into a chartplotter's built-in sonar port.
One critical install note. The R111LH ships with installation instructions that must be followed carefully. The in-hull tank installation requires permanent bonding to the hull interior with epoxy fillets, which is effectively irreversible once cured. The pocket-mount installation requires fabricating or having a pocket cut into the hull, which is also permanent. Both installations are haul-out jobs and should be done by a marine electronics installer with experience on shoot-through and pocket-mount transducer work. A bad install on either configuration produces poor sonar performance even though the transducer is mechanically sound. We can recommend an installer in your area and confirm the right configuration (in-hull vs pocket-mount) before you commit to the install. The California Prop 65 warning is on the documentation regarding chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. Warranty service goes through Airmar directly.
Key Features
- CHIRP-ready dual-band Low + High transducer with 2 kW power rating
- Low element: 38 to 75 kHz, 19-by-10-degree beamwidth, deep-water tracking
- High element: 130 to 210 kHz, 10-by-19-degree narrow beam for fish-arch resolution
- Maximum depth 8,000 feet on the low band
- Configurable for in-hull (shoot-through) or pocket-mount installation
- In-hull mounting supports hull deadrise 0 to 25 degrees
- Solid-fiberglass hulls only (cored hulls not recommended)
- Plastic (urethane potted) transducer body for in-hull or pocket configuration
- Bare-wire pigtail for direct connection to Airmar Marine Network sonar modules
- Compatible with Airmar GSD 26 and similar high-power CHIRP sounder modules
- Depth and water temperature sensing built in
- Patented Xducer ID auto-detect technology
- Installation instructions included, follow carefully to avoid hull damage
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Airmar reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
In-hull and pocket-mount transducer installs are permanent. Tell us your hull layup (solid fiberglass only), your boat make/model, your planned Airmar sounder module, and whether you want in-hull or pocket-mount configuration. We'll confirm the R111LH is the right pick versus the LM or LHW variants of similar elements, and we can recommend an installer for the bonding work.
Technical specifications
| Title | Airmar R111C-LH 2kW CHIRP In-Hull or Pocket-Mount Transducer (Bare Wires) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Part Number | R111C-LH |
| Brand | Airmar |
| UPC | Not assigned |
| Type | In-hull (shoot-through) or pocket-mount CHIRP dual-band transducer |
| Frequency Band | Low + High |
| Low Frequency | 38 to 75 kHz |
| Low Frequency Beamwidth | 19 degrees port/starboard, 10 degrees fore/aft |
| High Frequency | 130 to 210 kHz |
| High Frequency Beamwidth | 10-by-19 degrees |
| Maximum Depth | 8,000 feet |
| Power Rating | 2 kilowatts |
| Hull Type | Solid fiberglass only (cored hulls not recommended) |
| In-Hull Deadrise Compatibility | 0 to 25 degrees |
| Pocket-Mount Deadrise | Installation-dependent |
| Housing | Plastic (urethane potted) |
| Connector | Bare wire (no connector) |
| Compatible Sounder | Airmar GSD 26 and similar high-power CHIRP Marine Network sounder modules |
| Additional Sensing | Depth and water temperature |
| Auto-Detect | Patented Xducer ID technology |
| Installation | Permanent (in-hull tank or pocket fabrication, both haul-out jobs) |
Frequently asked questions
What does LH mean?
Low + High frequency bands. The low element CHIRPS from 38 to 75 kHz for deep-water tracking. The high element CHIRPS from 130 to 210 kHz for sharper resolution at shallower depths and fish-arch detection. Pairing both in one transducer lets you cover deep and mid-range applications without swapping hardware.
Should I install it as in-hull or pocket-mount?
Depends on your hull geometry and how the boat is built. In-hull (shoot-through) is the simpler install: the transducer tank bonds to the inside of the hull and the acoustic signal shoots through the hull material. Pocket-mount requires fabricating a pocket on the outside of the hull but typically gives slightly better acoustic performance because there's no hull material between the transducer face and the water. Most owners go with in-hull because the install is less invasive.
What hull types work with this transducer?
Solid fiberglass only. Cored fiberglass hulls (with foam, balsa, or other core material between the fiberglass skins) are not recommended because the core disrupts the acoustic signal. Aluminum and steel hulls also won't work because the metal absorbs and scatters the signal. For cored or metal hulls, the thru-hull variants of similar Airmar transducers are the right alternatives.
What sounder module do I need?
A 2 kW (or higher) Airmar CHIRP-capable sounder module on the Marine Network, typically the GSD 26 or a comparable high-power Airmar sounder black box. The chartplotter on the same network displays the sonar data. The transducer wires directly to the sounder module's input terminals via the bare-wire pigtail.
How deep can it actually see?
8,000 feet on the low band under ideal conditions. Practical depth depends on bottom hardness, thermocline activity, and aeration around the transducer. In-hull installations typically lose 10 to 15 percent of effective depth compared to a thru-hull of the same element because the signal passes through hull material.
What's the difference between LH and LHW?
Beam geometry on the high band. The LH variant uses a narrow 10-by-19-degree high beam. The LHW (Low + High-Wide) variant uses a constant 25-degree wide beam across the high band. LH is the right pick when you want sharp fish-arch separation and tight target detail. LHW is the right pick when you want maximum under-boat coverage to find more fish per pass over a fishing area.
What's the difference between LH and LM?
Frequency bands. LH covers 38-75 kHz low plus 130-210 kHz high. LM covers 38-75 kHz low plus 80-130 kHz medium. LH gives you higher resolution at the high band end. LM gives you mid-range coverage that bridges the gap between deep-water and shallow-water work. For boats where most fishing happens at extreme depths plus shallow-water inshore work, LH is the right configuration. For boats where most fishing happens in mid-depth range (200 to 1,500 feet), LM is often more useful.
Is the install reversible?
No. Both in-hull tank installation and pocket-mount installation involve permanent bonding to the hull. Removing the transducer later requires grinding off the bonded material, which damages the gelcoat or interior finish. Pick the installation location carefully because once it's in, it stays.
What's the install process?
Haul-out, hull preparation, transducer bonding (in-hull) or pocket fabrication (pocket-mount), and cable routing back to the sounder module. A marine electronics installer with shoot-through or pocket-mount transducer experience is the right person for the job. The installation instructions in the box must be followed carefully to avoid damaging the hull or producing poor sonar performance.
What's the warranty?
Standard Airmar transducer warranty. Coverage details are in the documentation. The California Prop 65 warning applies. Warranty service goes through Airmar directly.
