Marine Magnetics BOB Survey Software 8.5.1.668 Latest 2026 (Best Magnetometer Data Acquisition)
Summary
BOB Survey Software is the control and data acquisition software for Marine Magnetics’ BOB (Battery-Operated Overhauser) magnetometer, a marine gradiometer used for underwater surveys, UXO detection, pipeline and cable location, and archaeological investigations. If you are new to marine magnetometer surveys, you will quickly discover that raw magnetic data is useless without proper logging, navigation integration, and quality control.
BOB Survey Software solves this problem by providing a complete interface for real-time data display, navigation integration (GPS), data logging, playback, and export to industry-standard formats (XTF, CSV, Geosoft, SonarWiz). For a beginner, this means you can focus on flying the magnetometer sensor, not managing data files.
The software is designed for hydrographic surveyors, geophysicists, marine archaeologists, environmental consultants, and UXO clearance teams. It works with Marine Magnetics’ BOB Overhauser sensor and standard marine GPS receivers (NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000). BOB Survey Software is famous in the marine survey industry for its simplicity and reliability. Unlike complex geophysics processing packages, BOB is designed for field operations, real-time data quality control, simple logging, and straightforward playback.
First Impression
When you first launch BOB Survey Software, the installer is small (under 50MB) and completes in under one minute. The software is Windows-based (10 and 11, 64-bit) and requires a USB connection to the BOB sensor or a simulator mode for training.
The main window is clean and functional. The real-time data graph fills most of the screen, showing magnetic field strength (nanoTesla, nT) versus time or distance. A smaller navigation window shows the vessel track and magnetometer fish position. Status indicators show GPS fix (latitude, longitude), sensor depth, and data logging status.
For beginners, the most important element is the data logging button (green “Record” icon). Click it, and the software starts saving data. The file is automatically named with date and time. You cannot lose data by forgetting to save.
What makes a strong first impression is the real-time quality control. If the magnetic data is noisy (high gradients), the graph shows it immediately. If the GPS loses fix, the software stops logging and alerts the operator. If the sensor is too deep or too shallow, the display warns. This immediate feedback prevents useless surveys, you know something is wrong before you finish the line, not after post-processing.
BOB Survey License Proof
Main Editing Workspace
The BOB Survey Software workspace is organized for real-time acquisition, not post-processing editing.
- Real-Time Data Graph: It displays magnetic field values as they are acquired. The Y-axis is magnetic field (nT). The X-axis is time or distance (with GPS). The graph auto-scales as data is collected. Color-coded bands help visualize anomaly amplitude.
- Navigation Window: It shows the vessel position and survey track. The magnetometer fish position is offset from the vessel based on cable length and layback. The operator can monitor line spacing and coverage in real-time.
- Status Panel: It displays sensor health (temperature, battery voltage), GPS status (fix, HDOP, number of satellites), and logging status (file name, data count). Critical alerts (loss of GPS, low battery) appear in red.
- Control Toolbar: It contains buttons for Record, Stop, Pause, Playback, and Settings. There is no complex menu structure the essential functions are one click away.
Unlike post-processing software, BOB Survey Software has no editing tools. You do not filter, correct, or interpret data here. You acquire it cleanly and let dedicated processing software (SonarWiz, Geosoft Oasis montaj, MAGNETO) handle analysis.
Important Settings
- Navigation Source is the most important setting. Configure the GPS serial port, baud rate, and NMEA sentence types (GGA, GLL, RMC, VTG). Test the connection before starting the survey. The software displays “No GPS” if the connection fails.
- Sensor Offset defines the position of the magnetometer fish relative to the vessel GPS antenna. Enter cable length, layback, and depth offset. The software calculates the true position of the sensor for navigation display and export.
- Data File Format determines compatibility with post-processing software. XTF (Extended Triton Format) is the industry standard for marine magnetometer data. CSV is human-readable for spreadsheets. Geosoft (GRD) is optimized for Oasis montaj. Choose XTF unless you have a specific requirement.
- Recording Parameters control how data is saved. Set the maximum file size (e.g., 100MB) to create manageable files. Enable auto-file creation when size is reached. Configure the output directory with sufficient disk space.
- Display Settings adjust how data appears on screen. Set the magnetic scale (e.g., 50nT per division), time/distance scale, and anomaly thresholds for color-coding.
Daily Usage Experience
In daily practice, it is one of the first applications launched and the last closed.
- Before the survey: Connect the BOB sensor and GPS. Launch BOB Survey Software. Verify GPS fix (wait for 3D differential fix). Check sensor status (temperature, battery). Configure the output file directory. Set recording parameters.
- Starting a line: Drive to the start of the survey line. Click Record. The software begins logging data. The real-time graph shows magnetic field values. The navigation window shows the vessel position.
- During the line: Monitor the real-time graph for anomalies. Note any significant magnetic features (potential targets) in the field log. Check GPS status periodically. Adjust sensor depth if needed (the software displays current depth).
- Ending a line: At the end of the line, click Stop. The software closes the data file and starts a new file if auto-file creation is enabled. Drive to the next line. Click Record.
- After the survey: Review the data file list. Playback data to verify quality. Export to XTF for processing. Archive raw files with the project documentation.
Performance During Projects
It is lightweight and stable. The software uses minimal CPU (under 5% on modern hardware) and memory (under 200MB). It runs reliably on field laptops with modest specifications.
Data Logging Speed: The software logs at the sensor acquisition rate (typically 1-10 Hz). There is no data loss even at maximum rate. The file writing occurs in the background and does not interrupt acquisition.
File Size Limits: A 100MB XTF file contains approximately 1-2 hours of data at 5 Hz recording. The software creates new files automatically when the size limit is reached. There is no file size limitation in the software itself.
GPS Integration: The software buffers GPS data to ensure alignment with magnetic data. Even with momentary GPS dropout, the software continues logging and marks the missing data. When GPS returns, logging resumes.
Stability: The software runs for 10+ hours continuously without crashing. Autosave prevents data loss in the unlikely event of power failure. The software recovers gracefully from sensor disconnection (reconnect and resume logging).
Helpful Tips
- Test your GPS connection before leaving the dock. Launch BOB Survey Software, connect the GPS, and verify NMEA sentences are visible in the status panel. No GPS data during the survey is wasted time and fuel.
- Use a differential GPS (DGPS) or RTK GPS for sub-meter positioning. Standard GPS (5-10 meter accuracy) is insufficient for target relocation. The software logs whatever position is provided, garbage in, garbage out.
- Monitor sensor depth continuously. The Overhauser sensor works best at a specific depth (typically 5-10 meters). Too shallow: wave noise. Too deep: reduced sensitivity. The software displays depth in real-time.
- Record a “mag spike” test before each survey. Swing a steel plate or pipe near the sensor. The software records a distinct magnetic anomaly. This verifies the sensor is working and sensitivity is appropriate.
- Use playback mode to review data immediately. After finishing a line, switch to playback mode and review the magnetic data. If the quality is poor (excessive noise, missing GPS), repeat the line while still on site.
- Backup data files daily. The software writes to the laptop hard drive. Copy files to an external drive or cloud storage at the end of each day. Field laptops can fail.
- Document configuration settings. Take screenshots of the Settings dialog. If the laptop fails, you can reconfigure a replacement quickly.
Better Alternatives
| Software | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BOB Survey Software | Real-time data logging, GPS integration, XTF export | Field acquisition with Marine Magnetics BOB |
| SonarWiz | Processing, target detection, mosaicking | Post-processing and interpretation |
| Geosoft Oasis montaj | Geophysical mapping, 3D inversion | Advanced geophysical analysis |
| MAGNETO | Marine magnetometer processing | UXO detection, pipeline surveys |
| Generic data logger | Free, flexible | Technical users, custom solutions |
| Manual logging | No software cost | Single-point surveys only |
Why Choose BOB Survey Software Over Generic Loggers? BOB understands marine magnetometer data. It knows Overhauser sensor parameters, applies correct scaling, and writes XTF files that post-processing software expects. Generic loggers require manual format configuration.
Why Choose BOB Survey Software Over Post-Processing Packages? BOB is for acquisition, not analysis. It is lightweight, runs on field laptops, and focuses on real-time quality control. Post-processing packages are for the office, not the boat.
Closing Opinion
Marine Magnetics BOB Survey Software 8.5.1.668 is the essential field tool for marine magnetometer surveys. For beginners, it eliminates the complexity of raw data logging and GPS integration. The real-time quality control prevents wasted surveys. The XTF export ensures compatibility with industry-standard processing software.
The software is not a post-processing package. It does not filter, interpret, or classify anomalies. It does one thing well: it acquires clean, well-formatted magnetic data with accurate navigation. For that purpose, it is the best tool available for Marine Magnetics BOB users.
For any hydrographic surveyor or geophysicist using Marine Magnetics BOB equipment, it is not optional it is the only software designed for the sensor. The free trial allows testing with the simulator mode. The full version is reasonably priced for professional survey use. Your survey data quality starts with acquisition. BOB Survey Software ensures that foundation is solid.
