Single-Point Current Meter — OCEAN-SPCM

Q: When should I choose the SPCM over an Ocean ADCP?

Choose the SPCM when you only need current data at one depth — or a few depths — and the vertical profile an ADCP provides is more data than your project requires. Examples: a single-point current reference on a mooring line, velocity at cable-lay depth during offshore operations, or long-term autonomous monitoring at a fixed depth where the cost of a full ADCP isn’t justified. If you need a complete velocity profile from surface to seabed, choose an Ocean ADCP.

Q: What's the difference between DR and SC configurations in terms of physical size?

The Direct-Reading configuration is shorter and lighter (150–167mm, 3.5–5.7 kg) because it doesn’t include an internal battery — power comes from your vessel or platform. The Self-Contained configuration includes a 504Wh lithium battery section, making it longer (350–367mm) and heavier (5.5–8.1 kg). The measurement head and transducer are identical in both configurations. See the specifications table above for the full weight and dimension breakdown by depth rating.

Q: Can the SPCM measure more than one depth?

Yes — you can configure up to 5 measurement cells, each 0.5–4m thick. This gives you a short vertical profile (up to ~20m total) for verifying that your measurement point is representative of surrounding flow. But the SPCM is not a replacement for a full ADCP — for profiling more than 5 cells or over a wider depth range, choose an Ocean ADCP.

The OCEAN-SPCM is a single-point acoustic current meter for when you need accurate current speed and direction at one depth — without the cost or complexity of a full ADCP profile. With ±0.3% ± 3mm/s accuracy, up to 5 configurable measurement cells, and 0–360° directional sensing at ±2°, it delivers the data you need in the simplest possible package.

Overview

Available in both Direct-Reading (cabled, real-time) and Self-Contained (battery, autonomous) configurations. Titanium alloy housing with selectable depth ratings of 1,000m, 3,000m, or 6,000m. Built-in temperature, pressure, and attitude sensors. 64GB onboard storage. A 504Wh lithium battery in the SC configuration supports months of unattended current monitoring on moorings, seabed frames, and coastal platforms.

Key Features

±0.3% ± 3mm/s Single-Point Accuracy

Survey-grade velocity and direction at one depth. ±0.15cm/s velocity accuracy, 0.1mm/s resolution, 0–360° direction at ±2° — same precision as a full ADCP, at a fraction of the cost.

Up to 5 Measurement Cells

Not limited to a single cell — configure up to 5 layers for a coarse near-point profile. Useful for verifying that the measurement point is representative of the surrounding water.

1Hz Data Output Rate

Once-per-second velocity and direction updates. Sufficient for the vast majority of single-point monitoring applications — mooring, platform, and coastal observatory deployments.

DR & SC Configurations

Direct-Reading for real-time cabled output from platforms, vessels, and shore-connected stations. Self-Contained with a 504Wh lithium battery for autonomous mooring deployments lasting months.

Cost-Effective Point Monitoring

When you need current data at one depth, a full ADCP profile is overkill — and over budget. The SPCM gives you the same velocity accuracy as our ADCPs, at a single point, for significantly less.

Integrated Attitude & Environmental Sensors

Built-in temperature (±0.1°C), pressure (±0.25%), and attitude/heading sensors (0.2° roll/pitch, 0.8° heading). One instrument replaces three separate sensors on your mooring or platform.

Choose Your Configuration

The OCEAN-SPCM is available in two configurations — same measurement performance, different power and data approach.

Direct-Reading (DR)

Cabled · Real-Time · Platform-Mounted

Real-time velocity and direction via RS-232/422 cable
Lighter: 3.5–5.7 kg (no internal battery)
Shorter housing: 150–167mm
For vessels, platforms, shore-connected stations

Self-Contained (SC)

Battery · Autonomous · Mooring-Ready

504Wh internal lithium battery
5.5–8.1 kg with battery section
Longer housing: 350–367mm
For moorings, seabed frames, remote sites
Months of autonomous recording

DR and SC have different physical dimensions and weights — the SC adds a battery section.
Choose DR for cabled real-time use; SC for autonomous deployments where power is not available.
See full specs below for weight and dimension tables by configuration and depth rating.

Specifications

Technical Specification	OCEAN-SPCM Single-Point Current Meter
Model	OCEAN-SPCM
Product Type	Single-Point Current Meter
Pressure Rating	1000m, 3000m, 6000m
Measurement Cell Thickness	0.5-4 meters (optional)
Maximum Number of Measurement Cells	5
Current Measurement Accuracy	±0.3% ± 3mm/s
Velocity Accuracy	±0.15cm/s
Velocity Resolution	0.1mm/s
Velocity Range	±5.0 m/s (Default); ±20.0 m/s (Max)
Data Refresh Rate	1Hz
Beam Angle	20°
Flow Direction Range	360°
Flow Direction Resolution	0.01°
Flow Direction Measurement Accuracy	±2°
Battery Capacity	Lithium Battery (504Wh)
Internal Storage	64 GB Micro SD Card
Communication Interface	RS-232 or RS-422
Temperature Sensor	Range: -5°C to 45°C; Accuracy: ±0.1°C
Pressure Sensor	Range: According to depth rating; Accuracy: ±0.25%
Attitude Heading Reference Sensor	Range: Roll ±85° \| Pitch ±85° \| Heading 0-360°; Accuracy (RMS): Roll 0.2° \| Pitch 0.2° \| Heading 0.8°; Resolution: 0.1°
Operating Temperature	-5°C to 45°C
Storage Temperature	-40°C to 70°C
Power Supply Interface	20V-50V, 5A
Housing Material	Titanium Alloy
Self-contained Weight (in Air / in Water)	5.5 kg / 3.9 kg (1000m) \| 6.8 kg / 6.4 kg (3000m) \| 8.1 kg / 7.8 kg (6000m)
Self-contained Dimensions (Excluding Top Connector)	Φ148 × 350 mm (1000m) \| Φ148 × 357 mm (3000m) \| Φ148 × 367 mm (6000m)
Direct Reading Weight (in Air / in Water)	3.5 kg / 2.8 kg (1000m) \| 4.8 kg / 3.8 kg (3000m) \| 5.7 kg / 4.6 kg (6000m)
Direct Reading Dimensions (Excluding Top Connector)	Φ148 × 150 mm (1000m) \| Φ148 × 157 mm (3000m) \| Φ148 × 167 mm (6000m)

Applications

Why Choose the OCEAN-SPCM

Three reasons to choose a single-point meter over a full ADCP.

Right-Sized for the Job

If you only need current data at one depth, a full ADCP is paying for vertical resolution you’ll never use. The SPCM delivers the same velocity accuracy — ±0.3% ± 3mm/s — at a single point, for significantly less. Deploy two SPCMs at different depths and you’ve still spent less than one ADCP.

Built for the Long Haul

504Wh battery in SC configuration. No external power, no surface cable, no solar panel to maintain. Deploy on a mooring, close the hatch, and come back months later. The SPCM is the instrument you deploy when the site is too remote for anything more complicated.

Same Software, Same Workflow

Outputs standard PD0 binary — the same format as our ADCPs. Same software (WinRiver II, QRev), same data processing pipeline, same QA/QC workflow. If your team already runs ADCP surveys, adding an SPCM to your instrument pool requires zero additional training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about the OCEAN-SPCM

When should I choose the SPCM over an Ocean ADCP?

Choose the SPCM when you only need current data at one depth — or a few depths — and the vertical profile an ADCP provides is more data than your project requires. Examples: a single-point current reference on a mooring line, velocity at cable-lay depth during offshore operations, or long-term autonomous monitoring at a fixed depth where the cost of a full ADCP isn’t justified. If you need a complete velocity profile from surface to seabed, choose an Ocean ADCP.

What's the difference between DR and SC configurations in terms of physical size?

The Direct-Reading configuration is shorter and lighter (150–167mm, 3.5–5.7 kg) because it doesn’t include an internal battery — power comes from your vessel or platform. The Self-Contained configuration includes a 504Wh lithium battery section, making it longer (350–367mm) and heavier (5.5–8.1 kg). The measurement head and transducer are identical in both configurations. See the specifications table above for the full weight and dimension breakdown by depth rating.

Can the SPCM measure more than one depth?

Yes — you can configure up to 5 measurement cells, each 0.5–4m thick. This gives you a short vertical profile (up to ~20m total) for verifying that your measurement point is representative of surrounding flow. But the SPCM is not a replacement for a full ADCP — for profiling more than 5 cells or over a wider depth range, choose an Ocean ADCP.

Is the SPCM compatible with the same deployment frames and mooring cages as your ADCPs?

Yes. The SPCM shares the same Φ148mm housing diameter as the DVL-600-FA4 and Ocean-300-ADCP-FA4. Standard mooring cages, mounting brackets, and deployment frames for Φ148mm Oceantek instruments are cross-compatible — you can swap an SPCM into an existing ADCP mooring position without modifying your rigging.

Get a Quick quote

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