The Complete Underwater ROV Buyers Guide 2025

Choosing an ROV for your Industry
Packages
Enhanced 4K Camera
BRIDGE Box
BRIDGE Console
ROV GPS
Dead Reckoning

When it comes to any large purchase, it’s important to weigh out all the variables before deciding which option fits your needs the best. Purchasing an underwater ROV is no exception. Understanding each model’s subtle differences and how they benefit specific projects can be a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be.

The aim of this guide is to provide a clear overview of each Deep Trekker ROV model and package, helping you assess their features and benefits to make an informed decision that best suits your project needs.

What is an ROV?

Deep Trekker ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) are submersible, robotic vehicles, used to observe the depths of large bodies of water by operators from shore or a boat. ROV GPS PIVOT product shot Underwater ROVs are used in a variety of industries:

These underwater vehicles allow operators to capture footage during port, harbor, or vessel inspections, bring innovation to pipe inspections, locate underwater targets, and conduct water sampling or physical maintenance. By utilizing ROVs, these tasks are all able to be completed without the need for any costly divers.

Improve your offshore operations with ROVs. Find out how they can help detect potential problems and save you valuable time and money.

How ROVs Can Assist in Offshore Operations

How Much Should I Spend on an ROV?

ROVs can cost anywhere from a few thousand to several million dollars. It can be confusing to determine what is right for you with such a broad range of options. Spending more typically means adding capabilities, but does not mean it is necessarily a better fit for the job.

How much you should spend on an ROV is heavily dependent on the expected typical usage and core task functions. You can begin by evaluating the most integral functions for your project and choosing the most economical package to fit those requirements.

To create an ROV suited for industrial settings, different builds can accommodate add-ons like USBL, DVL, environmental sensors, and sonar. These features provide enhanced automation, tracking, vision, and depth features, but can come with a high cost ceiling and aren’t always required for the project at hand. Navigation packages utilizing DVL and USBL can cost $20,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on range and precision, while implementing sonars can range from $6,000 to $300,000.

Simple inspections in still water may not need these high end features, and would better benefit from lower cost basic packages, designed for getting underwater visuals quickly and easily.

There are different categories of Remotely Operated Vehicles:

Mini and micro class ROVs are swimming cameras that are great options for fast and effective eyes underwater. These can range from a few thousand dollars to $40,000 depending on the sophistication of the model and add-ons.

Inspection and Observation Class ROVs differentiate by equipping more advanced sensors, samplers, and tools, to expand into industrial applications. Their prices can range between $15,000 and $250,000.

C550d Sonar mounted on PIVOT ROV

Light Work Class and Work Class ROVs are large, crane deployed ROVs, typically with great depth capabilities (thousands of meters), powerful manipulator arms capable of construction, welding, and more. These ROVs are best suited for heavy industrial use, and range from $250,000 up to millions of dollars, and often require specialized operation training, heavy support equipment, and vessels.

Avoid letting a high price suggest quality, or assuming that the lowest price will get the job done. Establishing the right budget starts with clearly defining the expected outcomes for the job at hand. When it comes to underwater ROVs, price is just one of many factors to consider.

There's no need to choose between cost and quality. We can help you narrow the budget range by talking to our ROV team

Considerations When Choosing an ROV?

ROVs are incredibly versatile tools, capable of a wide range of tasks. Because of this, there are a variety of features and add-ons that can be extremely beneficial for some industries, yet lackluster for others. The best ROV for the job is dependent on variables like the intended tasks, portability, average currents, water clarity, and depth requirements.

Intended Tasks

Evaluate what features are most important to your industry’s daily tasks. ROVs are capable of equipping add-ons such as environmental sensors, thickness gauges, positioning systems, sonar, cleaning tools, and more. Identify what is needed for your particular project, and then select the most cost effective, appropriate model and package to fit those needs.

Portability

Depending on the amount of travel or operational maneuvering, such as carrying an ROV to the top of a water tank, it’s important to consider the form factor of an ROV. Mini ROVs can fit into a single case for air travel as a checked bag, and are light enough to be carried while climbing a ladder. Larger observation or work class ROVs may come with additional features, but could be completely unusable for remote work environments.

operator walking with case

ROV Control Through Current

Still water environments like water tank inspections will have little to no current, making it ideal for mini ROVs to conduct inspections. For offshore or high current situations, more advanced observation class models are required for enhanced control through stronger currents.

A mini ROV like the DTG3 or PHOTON can handle currents up to 1-2 knots for general inspection tasks, providing reliable control in moderate conditions. For currents between 1-3 knots, the increased power of the PIVOT or REVOLUTION allows for effective maneuvering and stability.

However, it’s not just the size or power alone of the ROV that determines its ability to work in current. An ROV that utilizes sensor fusion will maximize its positioning capabilities through its intuitive software. Just like people, ROVs can work smarter, not harder.

Water Clarity

Orange Force Marine murky water deployment

Ideally, an imaging sonar would be on every ROV. It’s an incredibly helpful tool for most missions as it helps identify large objects from distances up to 120m (394 ft), and provides clarity on objects through murky water. The reality is that imaging sonars can cost upwards of $20,000 or more, making it a significant investment. To make sonar more accessible, Deep Trekker recently introduced the C550, a capable and affordable sonar priced at $10,000. Of course, not every project or application needs a sonar to be effective. In clear water, or if operations are in an enclosed area where it is easy to get visual references (such as under the hull of a ship or in a water storage tank), then you can likely conduct a successful mission without sonar.

Learn more about what sonar is and its many uses. Read about its applications, technologies, principles, and more.

Sonar Systems: All You Need to Know

Depth Rating

Working at depths? Always check the ROV depth rating before committing to a purchase. If the main goal of an ROV is to inspect or retrieve deep sea assets like seismic nodes, ensure that the depth rating is adequate for the mission. Deep Trekker offers models rated to depths of up to 305 meters, with standard tethers to 400 meters and special fiber optic tethers up to 2 kilometers long. Reach out to us with your specific project needs and we can help find the right tethers configuration. For extreme depths, large work-class ROVs are capable of reaching up to 11,000 meters.

Choosing the Right ROV for Your Industry

Family Photo Updated(photon)

Aquaculture

Typical usage within aquaculture includes net and mooring inspections and maintenance, mort pushing, and environmental sampling. Simple inspections can be completed with a basic mini ROV setup, but adding USBL positioning or Heading/Depth Sensors will help provide location information for points of interest. This creates a more robust inspection system and cuts down on dive times by offering exact positioning on breaches or other points of interest.

A grabber arm can also be implemented for object retrievals, or be used to utilize tools like net patch kits, mort diggers, or water quality sensors to build a dissolved oxygen profile. The DTG3 or PHOTON Package and PIVOT Smart are commonly used as a cost effective ROV solution for these tasks.

UCO Boat aquaculture fish farm

Infrastructure (Civil Engineering)

For dam, intake, bridge, and piling inspections, it’s important to understand the typical operating water clarity. If the water is relatively calm and clear, a general visual inspection can be completed using a mini ROV such as the DTG3 or PHOTON.

If these inspections require more significant structure detail, or are being conducted in challenging environments (High current / murky water), it may be beneficial to purchase a more powerful ROV with sonar functions. The DTG3 and PHOTON Package or PIVOT Expert with M3000 sonar are most commonly purchased for civil engineering applications.

step 4 our process aerial infrastructure photo

Energy

For Nuclear Power, internal tank inspections are often in clear water. Due to the inherent potential hazards when working with nuclear energy, having a precise visual is integral. Implementing high quality zoom cameras and enhanced 4K cameras are the key to successful nuclear inspections. Deep Trekker’s REVOLUTION ROV equipped with a 4K camera and zoom lens is a popular system for these types of inspections.

For Hydroelectricity, inspecting intakes or sluice gates for proper function may just require a basic visual. Mini ROVs such as the DTG3 and PHOTON can accomplish the inspection and can be the preferential option for working in tight spaces. Some dams with higher flow and murkier water conditions would be better suited for the more powerful REVOLUTION or PIVOT equipped with sonar. The DTG3 and PHOTON Package or PIVOT Expert with M3000 sonar are the most commonly purchased models for Hydro.

For Offshore Wind, inspections are essential to ensure the safety and functionality of turbine foundations, monopiles, and subsea cables. Regular checks of these critical components are necessary to prevent corrosion, structural damage, and marine growth that can impact performance. The PIVOT or REVOLUTION are commonly deployed to inspect the monopile base, scour protection, and cable entry points. With advanced stabilization, sonar, and 4K UHD cameras, these ROVs can navigate strong currents, providing detailed visuals of welds, bolts, and areas prone to biofouling - helping offshore operators maintain turbine integrity and extend asset lifespan.

Preventing Interruption of Service

Search & Recovery (SAR)

Target Search and Identification missions are far more effective with an imaging sonar. Having an ROV that can also tilt the sonar is a huge advantage, and Deep Trekker ROVs offer a distinct advantage by allowing operators to tilt the sonar, enabling them to adjust angles and optimize the field of view for any scenario. However if budget constraints are an issue, an ROV without a sonar is still a helpful tool for missions, as it still provides a method to quickly deploy eyes underwater.

Sonars for search and rescues

Beyond the search and verification of a drowning victim or evidence thrown overboard, ROVs can also assist with victim recovery. Using an ROVs grabber claw, the operator can latch onto and retrieve the target by pulling back on the tether. The ROV pilot also has the option to place a carabiner with a line onto the target. For more sensitive retrievals, teams can also have the ROV hold in place on the target, and deploy divers to follow the tether down for extraction.

The REVOLUTION or PIVOT Expert with M1200 are excellent ROV options for SAR missions. The M1200 sonar offers high quality imagery at ranges up to 30m (98ft). Experienced operators do not identify targets from further than 30m away from the target. This vindicates the limited range of the M1200 in comparison of the M750 and M370 sonars, since the tradeoff is enhanced clarity for superior identification. The interlocking jaws (small and large) are also useful add-ons for victim recoveries, as they are better suited for sensitive retrievals in comparison to the teeth of the grabber claw.

A comprehensive overview to help you find the ideal ROV for your next mission. Learn about the benefits of using Deep Trekker's robots for search and recovery.

SAR Buying Guide: Which ROV Package is Right for Your Next Mission

Commercial Diving

Vessel Inspections, Ship Husbandry, and Naval Damage Control are all common uses of ROVs in commercial diving. Whether it’s for emergencies, security, or maintenance, the first consideration during ship hull inspections is the strength of the opposing current. Mini ROVs may struggle in currents that observation ROVs such as the REVOLUTION and PIVOT can handle. Sonar can be a beneficial add-on for murky water conditions, or on larger ships to identify large defects or welded foreign objects.

ROVs are an effective method to add or enhance streams of business for a dive company, as some of their customers may prefer the ensured safety of ROV inspection. Having an ROV on hand provides more diverse service options to offer and market.

Many projects for commercial dive teams require pre-inspections, bid surveys to evaluate the project budget, or can benefit from having an extra set of eyes for dive monitoring. A simple mini ROV like the DTG3 or PHOTON can be a useful asset in this case.

ROVs can also be used to identify unexploded ordnance and mines underwater. Using an ROV that has an imaging sonar is key, similar to SAR. These missions can cover long distances, so utilizing USBL for position tracking and autopilot functionality is extremely helpful. The PIVOT NAV and REVOLUTION NAV with M750 imaging sonars are most popular in these cases, due to the long distance sonar capabilities and in-depth navigation features.

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Common packages differ depending on the desired scenario of the inspection:

For quick easy inspections: DTG3, PHOTON Package or PIVOT Smart.
For thorough inspections: REVOLUTION with M3000 Imaging Sonar, Cygnus Thickness Gauge, CP Probe.
Bonus tool: MAG Crawler with M3000 Imaging Sonar is an excellent tool for hull inspections, since it is attached to the surface it is inspecting, it remains unaffected by strong currents, making it an ideal complement to an ROV.

Deep Trekker offers a comprehensive lineup of ROVs to suit all of the above industry tasks on nearly any budget. With predesigned packages plus customizable add-ons, it’s easy to build the perfect ROV to fit your specific needs.

Discover how combining divers and ROVs maximizes efficiency, safety, and effectiveness in underwater operations. Learn the strengths of each and how they work together.

Commercial Divers and ROVs: The Ultimate Underwater Duo

What’s the Difference Between Deep Trekker ROVs?

Deep Trekker’s ROV lineup includes the DTG3, PHOTON, PIVOT, and REVOLUTION.

Deep Trekker ROV Family Deployment

The DTG3 is a mini observation-class underwater ROV built to deploy rapidly and quickly conduct visual inspections in underwater environments. Its lightweight design provides exceptional portability, but limits its power and feature capabilities, such as DVL sensor upgrades or an integrated tool platform. It operates using a three thruster design, meaning the operator will have to manipulate the pitch or yaw for vertical and lateral movements. The DTG3 is an excellent affordable option for simple underwater inspections.

The PIVOT and REVOLUTION are true observation class ROVs. Engineered with carbon fiber and stainless steel, the REVOLUTION delivers dramatic power, enhanced capabilities and inspiring performance in harsh conditions. The PIVOT offers a similar design to the REVOLUTION, but its scaled down size provides improved portability and maneuverability in tight spaces. Both models utilize six vectored thrusters to complete vertical and lateral movements, and come integrated with rotating tool platforms capable of carrying out a variety of tasks.

The PHOTON is a small-sized micro-ROV with the six thruster stability of the larger ROVs. The PHOTON is not the ideal platform for a large number of add-ons, and limits some of the features such as the ability to rotate the sonar or grabber like you can on the PIVOT or REVOLUTION, but still provides users with a capable experience in a smaller package and lower price.

REVOLUTION

The REVOLUTION ROV is the most powerful, intelligent, and stable ROV in the Deep Trekker lineup. Its six vectored thrusters provide unmatched control in harsh underwater conditions, and when combined with its 305m depth rating, makes it ideal for complex deep ocean missions.

The integrated camera and grabber arm can rotate up to 260 degrees. This wide range of view means seamless transitions of focus points. The pilot can look up during a hull inspection, rotate to scan a wall, pan along the seafloor, or get the best angle to manipulate an object, all without changing the ROVs position.

A favorite feature of many operators is the rotating capability when adding an imaging sonar. With this ROV add-on, you can adjust the angle to sweep targets and get precise viewing angles. Because of its stable design and vertical thrusters which enable lateral movements, the REVOLUTION provides excellent performance with USBL and sonar.

You can also rely on extended battery operating time from a full charge. Thanks to the quick-change battery system, it's also extremely easy to perform field battery changes in well under a minute.

"When everything was said and done, all three forebay inspections were completed 100% satisfactory, were done safer and faster, and with the innovation of using the REVOLUTION ROV vs. divers, has the ability to save my company millions for the investment of a few thousand into an ROV." - Thomas Griner, Operations Officer, Nuclear Power Facility, Midwest USA

Comparing the REVOLUTION ROV Packages

*All packages come equipped with Buoyancy Weights, Chargers, Operator Manual

REVOLUTION BASE PACKAGE

The REVOLUTION Base package includes the BRIDGE integrated controller + SD Card. The ROV comes equipped with the 260 degree rotating camera head and grabber, LED floodlights and a 10cm laser scaler for accurate estimations of object sizes. The base package includes a battery set as well as a spare set to efficiently swap for extended missions.

The batteries take just 30 seconds to change and one and a half to three hours to recharge, meaning virtually endless power if you ladder charging between uses. If you prefer constant direct power, there is a direct power option for the REVOLUTION as well as the PIVOT ROVs.

The REVOLUTION Base package also includes a 300m tether on a tether reel but can be upgraded to 1 kilometer or more. To bring it all together, two rugged pelican carrying cases are included to house the whole system; providing excellent portability for such an advanced system.

REVOLUTION NAV PACKAGE

The REVOLUTION NAV package takes everything in the base package and adds advanced piloting capabilities with USBL and DVL sensors. These sensors enable the ability to track the ROV on a map, log points of interest, draw a trail, plan missions, and even deploy autonomous routes with the Mission Planner feature.

This means, with the NAV package, operators can navigate to set targets and perform pre-programmed routes, allowing the pilot to focus on the camera and sonar feeds instead of operation.

On top of this, these sensors have the capability to enable ‘auto-depth’ from the seafloor, as well as produce GPX and CSV files to house location data during operation. The NAV package also includes a service parts kit and an extended two year warranty for a complete, comprehensive experience.

REV with USBL (NAV Package)

REVOLUTION RECON PACKAGE

The REVOLUTION RECON package takes the NAV package to the next level. This package enhances shallow water inspections with dead reckoning, automatic station holding, and advanced navigation tools like the 2-jaw manipulator, SensorPod+, A50 DVL, and ROV GPS for precise underwater operations.

The RECON package allows pilots to track the ROV’s position, leaving trails and marking points of interest, which is especially beneficial in murky waters or strong currents.

The RECON package also includes a service parts kit and an extended two year warranty like the NAV package.

REVOLUTION SAR PACKAGE

The REVOLUTION SAR Package is a fully equipped ROV solution offering police, fire departments, and other emergency services advanced sonar, rotating grabber, and superior stabilization for efficient and precise underwater search and recovery operations.

This fully loaded ROV setup is the ultimate choice for marine units, offering unmatched power, precision, and versatility for search and recovery missions. Equipped with advanced 260 degree rotating sonar and grabber head, Mission Planner software, and superior stabilization features, it delivers reliable performance in the most challenging underwater environments.

The SAR package also includes an extended two year warranty.

PIVOT

The perfect balance between size and power. The PIVOT maintains an impressive six thruster design powered by swappable lithium ion batteries, and 305m depth rating just like the REVOLUTION. Unlike the REVOLUTION, the PIVOT’s overall body size is 13.4% smaller, and cuts its weight down to 37lbs, compared to the REVOLUTION’s 57lbs.

The camera and tool platform on the PIVOT operate on separate rotating fields, with the camera able to rotate up to 220 degrees for a wide viewing range to complete a multitude of tasks. The 97 degree rotating tool platform gives pilots the advantage of flexible imaging options and convenient tool manipulation from a stable position. Due to its similarities in control and stability to the REVOLUTION, the PIVOT also provides excellent performance with USBLs, DVLs and Imaging Sonars.

"After tracking the first year of ROV use, Foss realized an astounding actual and measurable impact of saving/earnings of a total of $135,650, which was DOUBLE original predictions." - Amanda Dayton, Shipyard Manager, Foss Maritime Company

Comparing the PIVOT ROV Packages

PIVOT Smart Package

The PIVOT Smart package includes the BRIDGE integrated controller + SD Card. The ROV comes equipped with: the 220 degree rotating camera head, six precision thrusters, and LED floodlights to illuminate your targets.

The Smart package comes with a 100m tether on a reel and one battery for immediate operation. You will also receive two rugged Pelican carrying cases to house the entire system for enhanced portability. The Smart package is the ideal basic setup for visual inspections in higher current conditions while maintaining a lower total cost.

PIVOT Expert Package

The PIVOT Expert package includes everything listed in the Smart package, and adds the 97 degree tilting tool platform. The tool platform is capable of housing a variety of add-ons, and comes included with a grabber claw as part of the package. Upgrading to the Expert package provides a 150m tether instead of the standard 100m and includes a spare battery set for quick swaps to maintain power on extended missions.

PIVOT NAV Package

The PIVOT NAV Package is the most comprehensive package offered for the PIVOT. On top of everything included in the Expert package, it adds the same USBL and DVL sensors that enable the advanced navigation features of the REVOLUTION NAV.

USBL and DVL sensors enable you to track the ROV on a map, log points of interest and a trail, plan missions, and deploy autonomous routes via mission planner. These sensors also have the ability to produce comprehensive GPX and CSV data for reports. With the NAV package, you will also receive a service kit, 300m tether and two year extended warranty for peace of mind.

PIVOT NAV package

PIVOT RECON PACKAGE

The PIVOT RECON Package, similar to the REVOLUTION RECON package, provides dead reckoning technology, automatic station holding, and the easiest position tracking for precise underwater tasks. Complete with SensorPod+, A50 DVL, ROV GPS, and spare batteries, it's designed to deliver maximum control and efficiency for demanding operations.

To support ongoing operations, the RECON Package also comes with a service parts kit and an extended two-year warranty, providing peace of mind and reliable support for your underwater missions.

PIVOT SAR PACKAGE

The PIVOT SAR Package provides an all-in-one ROV solution tailored for police, fire departments, and emergency response teams. With its state-of-the-art sonar technology, tilting grabber arm, and exceptional stability, this package ensures efficient and accurate underwater search and recovery operations.

This package offers advanced capabilities with a 97-degree rotating grabber, sonar tilt platform, and DVL for automatic station keeping, allowing you to perform stable and accurate operations even in strong currents. Designed for search-and-rescue teams requiring enhanced control and efficiency, this complete solution enables seamless underwater victim recovery and precise sonar scanning in challenging conditions.

Additionally, the SAR Package is backed by an extended two-year warranty, offering assurance and reliability for your emergency response needs.

Curious what other tools we offer? Check out our online shop to see all the capabilities you can add.

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Common REVOLUTION, PIVOT, and PHOTON Add-ons

The most common add-ons for the PHOTON, PIVOT, and REVOLUTION are:

Imaging Sonar Systems: With over half a dozen options available, these aid in navigation and target identification through murky conditions.
Manipulator and Water Sampler Bundles: Grabber claws, water/sediment samplers, cutters, and mort pushers ensure readiness for a range of physical tasks.
Thickness Gauges: The Cygnus Thickness Gauge Integration allows the operator to evaluate the thickness of steel on tanks, hulls or other metal surfaces.
Environmental Sensors: Water quality sondes and dissolved oxygen sensors provide insights to key parameters like Temperature/Conductivity, pH/ORP, or Chlorophyll A.
Extended tethers: With upgrades available up to 1 kilometer or more, extended tethers are optimal for longer range projects.

PHOTON

The PHOTON is a powerful blend of compact design and robust reliability. The small but mighty underwater survey sidekick. Built with the same Deep Trekker family standard of industrial-grade materials like carbon fiber and anodized aluminum, paired with magnetically coupled drives, stainless steel components, and acrylic lens cover ensure durability in the harshest conditions. Simply put, the PHOTON is the toughest micro ROV on the market.

With Deep Trekker’s BRIDGE technology to power it, the PHOTON offers users a lightweight option with advanced survey capabilities. The rotating enhanced 4K camera, six thruster design, and ability to expand with additional tools and sensors, such as sonar, DVL, and USBL make this an ideal option for a broad range of ROV inspection operations, including aquaculture, tank inspections, confined space inspections, underwater research, and much more.

"Deep Trekker, and all their support and sales staff, always immediately address our questions, issues, and any concerns. They immediately answer phone calls and immediately respond to email inquiries. They bend over backwards to assist with anything we have needed or ideas on training and troubleshooting. I would have to say that Deep Trekker has consistently provided the best customer support of literally any professional organization I have ever worked or communicated with in over 23 years of military service and 15 years of commercial diving experience." - Doug Noyes, Dive Project Manager / Dive Safety Manager at Peraton Inc.

Comparing the PHOTON ROV Packages

PHOTON Expert Package

The PHOTON Expert package includes everything in the Base package, and it adds the grabber claw manipulator tool and more. With the grabber tool, operators can perform precise retrievals, sampling, and deploy tools efficiently, making it ideal for advanced inspections.

Upgrading to the Expert means you will receive the grabber claw add-on, skid, service kit, and a spare battery for quick swaps to maintain power on extended missions.

photon

PHOTON SAR PACKAGE

Want a complete underwater SAR solution at a low cost? This package offers fire departments, police units, and search-and-rescue teams an affordable ROV solution with grabber and sonar capabilities for efficient underwater victim recovery and search operations.

The PHOTON SAR Package provides an affordable ROV solution for SAR missions, featuring state-of-the-art capabilities for effective underwater search and recovery operations.

DTG3

The DTG3 is the ultimate in ROV portability. For a cost effective alternative to the PIVOT or REVOLUTION, the DTG3 provides the same exceptional Full HD (4K upgradable) camera in a durable yet lightweight 18lbs vehicle. Coming expedition ready right out of the box, you can deploy in under 30 seconds. With operating battery life of up to eight hours, you can maintain operation for the whole work day.

The DTG3 comes equipped with three thrusters and a patented pitch system that allows for flexible operations and rapid descent capabilities. The DTG3’s 270 degree rotating camera offers a massive range of view for ship hulls, sea floors, and everything in between, without any need to maneuver thrusters.

The whole system fits into a single rugged Pelican case which can be taken as checked luggage during travel, making its portability unparalleled. At a price tag of $8,500USD, the DTG3 offers industrial quality accompanied by 5-star customer service at an aggressively competitive price.

“In the past 10 years, we’ve had 0 incidents, 0 accidents, 0 near-misses and it’s because we have a Deep Trekker ROV with us on every diving operation that we do.” - Dewald Venter, Operations Manager, Ven-Tech Subsea

DTG3 Package

The DTG3 package includes the intuitive BRIDGE integrated controller, 64GB SD Card, and an entire ROV system all out of a single case. This single case design allows you to take your commercial grade inspection system anywhere.

The DTG3 package comes standard with a 75m tether and tether reel. However, you can upgrade up to 200m on the included reel and can be increased up to 700m on a larger reel. The DTG3 also comes with three sets of LED floodlights to illuminate your focus point during complex or dark inspection scenarios.

DTG3-w remote-min

Common DTG3 Addons

The most common add-ons for the DTG3 include:

The Grabber: A grabber arm enables the DTG3 to carry out a variety of tasks such as retrieving objects, holding tools, or deploying equipment.
Laser Scaler: Two lasers separated by one inch instantly offer a size estimation during visual inspections.
USBL Positioning: The SeaTrac Ultra Short Baseline Locating system allows you to gain awareness of the relative position of your ROV, as well as set waypoints along your dive
Thickness gauge: To evaluate the thickness of steel on tanks, hulls or other metal surfaces.
Environmental Sensors: Water quality sondes and dissolved oxygen sensors provide insights to key parameters like Temperature/Conductivity, pH/ORP, or Chlorophyll A

Not convinced our DTG3 can pull that much tether? Here is an example of a 700m long tunnel inspection example conducted by a customer of ours:

Deep Trekker Universal Product Features

BRIDGE GIF - smaller file / resolution

BRIDGE Technology

All packages include a splash proof handheld controller running BRIDGE software, with a 64 GB SD Card included. BRIDGE Technology consists of Deep Trekker’s custom hardware, software, and integration capabilities. It leverages the processing power of a multi-core processor to provide an intuitive graphical interface. It does this alongside an impressive integration of Oculus sonars, USBL positioning, and other advanced sensors for improved control.

BRIDGE enables capabilities such as sensor fusion, optimizing positioning sensors, and camera enhancements such as underwater image optimization, auto-stabilization, and zero latency. Zero latency allows for easy control without the lag seen on mobile device-operated drones.

BRIDGE Technology: An Architecture Framework Enabling Smarter Control

How Deep Trekker’s BRIDGE Technology Transforms ROV Operations

Enhanced 4K UHD Camera

Capture finer details during inspections. The Enhanced 4K UHD Camera comes standard on PHOTON, PIVOT, and REVOLUTION ROVs, and is available as an upgrade for DTG3 models, offering superior clarity both at a distance and up close.

Navigate to targets and capture high-quality images for your inspections and surveys with performance that significantly surpasses traditional off-the-shelf high-definition cameras. Featuring a turbidity filter, auto white balance, digital zoom, and automatic image enhancement, BRIDGE's advanced image processing algorithms ensure optimal underwater imaging.

Discover how Deep Trekker’s enhanced 4K camera overcomes traditional challenges involved with underwater photography and inspections.

How Deep Trekker’s Enhanced 4K Camera Elevates Underwater Inspections

The 1080p camera included in the Base package of the DTG3 is a low-cost, off the shelf camera option used by many underwater drone and ROV manufacturers. It provides good quality imagery, but is limited in its focal range and effectiveness in turbid or dark environments.

The enhanced 4K camera delivers incredibly sharp videos to distinguish any fine details or irregularities during underwater inspections. The ultra wide lens on the 4K upgrade also allows for more content to fit on screen, and provides superior detail at shorter focal lengths. It also has a far greater range capability, allowing you to see detail further than with standard off the shelf 1080p cameras.

See a comparison between the 1080p and 4K here:

Intuitive Controller with Multi-Feed Display

Full integration with imaging sonars and positioning systems allow you to view your underwater sonar, map positioning, and video feed all on one easy-to-read screen. If you prefer to extend your displays to larger screens, you can quickly connect a laptop or monitor via HDMI from the controller.

Handheld Controller tab GIF - ROV features

Every package also includes the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor package, which provides depth, heading, pitch, roll, turns count, and water temperature displays. The IMUs, pressure sensors, and magnetic compass combined with BRIDGE technology allow for stabilization features such as auto depth, auto heading, and active yaw stabilization. Active yaw stabilization helps the ROV pilot drive straight through the water to a target even through strong current.

Explore control options for Deep Trekker ROVs, including handheld, tablet, console, and BRIDGE Box for diverse environments and operator needs.

Flexible Control Options for Deep Trekker ROVs

BRIDGE Box and BRIDGE App

The BRIDGE Box enhances the flexibility of Deep Trekker ROV operations, enabling control and monitoring from virtually any location via the BRIDGE app on a Windows device. Supporting remote operation over the internet, it allows teams to manage missions from varied environments, including offices, field sites, or command trucks, with ease.

BRIDGE.app GIF

Want to use a gamepad-style controller? No problem. Want six monitors in a shipping container? You got it. Set up your dream office while using a flexible software platform that will grow with your needs.

Learn how different industries can benefit from Deep Trekker’s proprietary BRIDGE technology that enhances ROV functionality for underwater operations.

Improving Underwater Operations with BRIDGE Technology

BRIDGE Console

The Deep Trekker BRIDGE Console is a high-performance control station designed for precision in complex ROV operations, featuring an 18.5-inch HD capacitive touch panel that enhances the operator’s visual interface. Its IP65 rating ensures durability in industrial and marine settings, and the display can either mirror or extend across multiple screens, facilitating access to alternate views like sonar, telemetry, and positioning data.

Display Console with controller

With a modern graphical interface and embedded operating system, the BRIDGE Console seamlessly integrates with third-party tools, supporting organized, multi-source data visualization essential for effective, streamlined control in demanding environments.

ROV GPS

The ROV GPS system provides precise surface-based navigation for Deep Trekker’s REVOLUTION and PIVOT models, allowing real-time positional tracking without the need for a USBL system.

This GPS system continuously recalibrates in real time, maintaining stable position updates when the ROV surfaces. Paired with Deep Trekker’s dead reckoning, it ensures accurate tracking throughout missions.

REVOLUTION with ROV GPS and Handheld controller

With Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) support, the system achieves positioning accuracy up to 2.5 cm. It’s compatible with major satellite constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo, for enhanced accuracy in surveys and inspections.

The ROV GPS system logs waypoints and tracks surface positions via Mission Planner, offering a full history of movements to aid post-mission analysis and refine underwater navigation strategies, particularly valuable in environments where USBL is impractical.

Discover the essential role of underwater positioning, and how remotely operated vehicles are advancing accuracy in underwater inspections and surveys.

Understanding Underwater Positioning: ROV Navigation Technologies

Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning provides an effective navigation solution in GPS-denied underwater environments, where satellite signals are inaccessible. By using inertial sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and advanced algorithms, Dead Reckoning allows Deep Trekker ROVs to maintain accurate positioning, guiding ROVs along predetermined routes without GPS or optics.

Integrated into Deep Trekker’s PIVOT and REVOLUTION models via an upgraded IMU, DVL sensor, and BRIDGE software, Dead Reckoning enables operators to initiate navigation with an initial position input, simplifying underwater inspections. By continuously updating positions based on course and speed changes, Dead Reckoning enhances spatial accuracy, particularly when combined with acoustic positioning systems, ensuring dependable navigation in complex underwater terrains.

Discover how Deep Trekker's ROV technology transforms underwater navigation, overcoming traditional challenges in underwater positioning.

Modernizing Vessel Inspections: Dead Reckoning for Mini ROVs

The Deep Trekker Difference

Deep Trekker offers easy to use, portable and affordable underwater ROVs, capable of handling an incredibly diverse list of tasks. Along with the ROVs, experienced senior ROV team members are only an email or phone call away. When you buy an ROV from Deep Trekker, you buy the team, the ideas, the vision, and the support.

DT Family Photo (1)

Our ROVs are designed by listening to our customers and reinventing to meet their needs. We are a group of innovators, creators, expert engineers, technologists and dreamers of the underwater world. Our team is committed to providing YOU with the best ROV to get the job done.

"Last time we looked there was not an ROV that competes at Deep Trekker's price point; considering size, function, features and customer service, two thumbs up!" - Bruce Gray, Operations Officer, Environment Canada.

As always, our team of industry professionals is here to answer any questions you may have about how submersible robots can aid in your next project. When you’re ready to get a vehicle of your own, reach out to get your customized quote.