# ROVL System Selection Guide

This section will help you decide which of the ROV Locater bundles is right for you.

| Configuration                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Best Features                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Caveats/Drawbacks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <p><a href="system-variants/mk-ii"><strong>Mk II Bundle</strong></a><br>Topside: Mk II Receiver<br>Deepside: Mk II Transmitter<br>Sync method: <a href="system-variants">GNSS</a> only</p>                                                                                                                                                           | Least-expensive variant of the ROVLe lineup. Requires little infrastructure from ROV (just power).                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Must be able to expose Topside unit and Deepside unit to GPS/GNSS signals at the start of a mission and periodically (once/hour)  during the mission, to counteract clock drift errors.                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| <p><a href="system-variants/mk-iii"><strong>Mk III Bundle</strong></a><br>Topside: Mk III Transceiver<br>Deepside: Mk V Transmitter<br>Sync methods: <a href="system-variants">Acoustic</a> always available and <a href="system-variants/mk-v/connectivity-requirements-for-network-synchronization">Network </a>available if network available</p> | Requires the least amount of attention from the user or operator. Requires little infrastructure from user systems if not using network sync. Not subject to clock drift errors. Supports high position update rates at shorter ranges (network sync only). Can change from acoustic sync to network sync on-the-fly. | <p>Most expensive variant because Topside and Deepside units each require full acoustic transmit and receive chains. Topside requires more power than Mk II or Mk V units.<br><br>Network sync option requires <a href="system-variants/mk-v/connectivity-requirements-for-network-synchronization">Ethernet connection and network bridge</a> between Topside unit and Deepside unit.</p> |
| <p><a href="system-variants/mk-v"><strong>Mk V Bundle</strong></a><br>Topside: Mk V Receiver<br>Deepside: Mk V Transmitter<br>Sync method: <a href="system-variants/mk-v/connectivity-requirements-for-network-synchronization">Network</a> only</p>                                                                                                 | Most reliable acoustic performance with noisy ROV or environment. More convenient and accurate than GNSS sync. Not subject to clock drift errors. Supports high position update rates (5 Hz). Future versions may be able to track multiple ROVs simultaneously.                                                      | Requires [Ethernet connection and network bridge](https://docs.ceruleansonar.com/c/ethernet-rov-locator/system-variants/mk-v/connectivity-requirements-for-network-synchronization) between Topside unit and Deepside unit.                                                                                                                                                                |

* All bundles are compatible with the [Omnitrack system](https://docs.ceruleansonar.com/c/omnitrack).
* All bundles are compatible with [SonarView ](https://docs.ceruleansonar.com/c/sonarview/)software and all can enhance operation of Cerulean's imaging sonars.
* All bundles have similar range and angular resolution capabilities.
* All bundles are available with [Ethernet connections](https://docs.ceruleansonar.com/c/ethernet-rov-locator/connecting-and-powering-your-rovle-ethernet-receiver-or-transceiver/ethernet-connection-to-transceiver-simple) to the topside unit.
* Mk II and Mk III bundles are available with [USB connections](https://docs.ceruleansonar.com/c/ethernet-rov-locator/connecting-and-powering-your-rovle-ethernet-receiver-or-transceiver/usb-connection-simple) to the topside unit.