Last winter Navico hosted a few days of onboard marine electronics testing in the Florida Keys and introduced PropTalk's publisher to several new high-tech products. Here's a sampling of them:
Elite-3x DSI Fishfinder
Lowrance added to its Elite-3x family of value fishfinder-only products, the Elite-3x DSI. Designed to enhance any fishing experience by providing crystal clear images even at high speeds, Lowrance’s patented DownScan Imaging (DSI) allows anglers to quickly and easily view photo-like images of fish holding structure, as well as fish targets.
Easy to operate, the Elite-3x DSI delivers dual-frequency 455/800 kHz DownScan Imaging operation, and features an LED-backlit color display with detailed 320Vx240W-pixel resolution that’s easy to see in full sunlight from wide viewing angles. The page button allows users to quickly switch between sonar frequency views, and dedicated quick keys allow anglers to zoom up to four times the standard view and focus on key fishing areas. The power button also doubles as a backlight control to adjust for daylight or nighttime fishing situations. The Elite-3x DSI’s quick-release, tilt-and-swivel mounting bracket makes it easy to adjust the viewing angle or disconnect the fishfinder for storage. $129.
lowrance.com
Lowrance Outboard Pilot
Lowrance announced its all-new Outboard Pilot for use with the Lowrance High Definition System (HDS) series. This easy-to-use autopilot system allows fingertip steering of the outboard engine—giving anglers an “extra hand,” so they can focus more on their fishing activity. Featuring integrated control from an HDS Gen2 or HDS Gen2 Touch, the Outboard Pilot can be installed with hydraulic or cable-steered outboard systems all with commands coming directly from the HDS display.
Designed for single outboard set-ups on boats 30 feet or less in length, the Lowrance Outboard Pilot can steer to a selected heading, waypoint, or along a route, as well as execute a selected turn pattern. Users may create routes from saved trails with the touch of a button, giving anglers the ability to retrace previous tracks from a fishing area back to the dock. The new steering interface allows anglers to easily switch between the Xi5 trolling motor and the outboard motor with the push of a button.
$999 hydraulic version, $1,499 cable-steer version.
lowrance.com
GO7 Standalone Multi-Touch Display
This spring, Simrad Yachting released the GO7 standalone multi-touch chartplotter and echo sounder. Offering boaters an affordable option for electronic navigation, the feature-packed GO7 is a fit for RIBs, runabouts, and cruisers, providing quick and easy access to the vital information boaters require to safely maximize their time on the water.
The highly customizable user interface allows boaters to easily navigate through displays, even in the toughest offshore conditions. With tap to select, multi-touch; pinch-to-zoom chart and sonar range adjustment; and drag-and-drop functionality for excellent route planning and charting functions, the GO7 is intuitive even for those with little or no experience with chartplotters.
With its accurate internal 10 Hz GPS antenna, the GO7 provides reliable situational awareness at any boat speed. Through its NMEA 2000 networking, WiFi and Bluetooth compatibility, the device also gives boaters immediate access to full engine integration, SonicHub entertainment functions, and complete autopilot control.
Equipped with a crisp, bright daylight-viewable seven-inch widescreen display, the GO7 allows split-screen access to built-in features such as traditional sonar, CHIRP, and DownScan Imaging views. CHIRP sonar produces greater sensitivity, improved target resolution and superior noise rejection for clearer images; while DownScan Imaging provides easy-to-understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail. In addition to sonar functionality, navigation information is displayed on the latest electronic charts available from the widest variety of cartography producers.
The GO7 is the first entry-level standalone display with wireless connectivity and full access to GoFree cloud-enabled technology (see below). $799.
simrad-yachting.com
Go Free
GoFree, the provider of digital content and services and part of the Navico family of marine electronics brands, launched GoFreeShop.com. With the GoFree solution, boaters have the capability to purchase, download, and immediately use charts, as well as receive automatic software-update notifications directly from the home page of a Lowrance, Simrad NS, or B&G multifunction display (MFD).
Now, boaters can spend less time updating their marine electronics to the most dynamic and complete navigational system. GoFree also provides the ability to link tablets and mobile devices with compatible MFDs for the ultimate mobile control of navigation functions.
The new GoFree Shop offers access to the widest assortment of mapping options immediately available for purchase and download anywhere in the world.
For more information, visit
gofreemarine.com or gofreeshop.com
Elite-3x DSI Fishfinder
Lowrance added to its Elite-3x family of value fishfinder-only products, the Elite-3x DSI. Designed to enhance any fishing experience by providing crystal clear images even at high speeds, Lowrance’s patented DownScan Imaging (DSI) allows anglers to quickly and easily view photo-like images of fish holding structure, as well as fish targets.
Easy to operate, the Elite-3x DSI delivers dual-frequency 455/800 kHz DownScan Imaging operation, and features an LED-backlit color display with detailed 320Vx240W-pixel resolution that’s easy to see in full sunlight from wide viewing angles. The page button allows users to quickly switch between sonar frequency views, and dedicated quick keys allow anglers to zoom up to four times the standard view and focus on key fishing areas. The power button also doubles as a backlight control to adjust for daylight or nighttime fishing situations. The Elite-3x DSI’s quick-release, tilt-and-swivel mounting bracket makes it easy to adjust the viewing angle or disconnect the fishfinder for storage. $129. lowrance.com
Lowrance Outboard Pilot
Lowrance announced its all-new Outboard Pilot for use with the Lowrance High Definition System (HDS) series. This easy-to-use autopilot system allows fingertip steering of the outboard engine—giving anglers an “extra hand,” so they can focus more on their fishing activity. Featuring integrated control from an HDS Gen2 or HDS Gen2 Touch, the Outboard Pilot can be installed with hydraulic or cable-steered outboard systems all with commands coming directly from the HDS display.
Designed for single outboard set-ups on boats 30 feet or less in length, the Lowrance Outboard Pilot can steer to a selected heading, waypoint, or along a route, as well as execute a selected turn pattern. Users may create routes from saved trails with the touch of a button, giving anglers the ability to retrace previous tracks from a fishing area back to the dock. The new steering interface allows anglers to easily switch between the Xi5 trolling motor and the outboard motor with the push of a button.
$999 hydraulic version, $1,499 cable-steer version. lowrance.com
GO7 Standalone Multi-Touch Display
This spring, Simrad Yachting released the GO7 standalone multi-touch chartplotter and echo sounder. Offering boaters an affordable option for electronic navigation, the feature-packed GO7 is a fit for RIBs, runabouts, and cruisers, providing quick and easy access to the vital information boaters require to safely maximize their time on the water.
The highly customizable user interface allows boaters to easily navigate through displays, even in the toughest offshore conditions. With tap to select, multi-touch; pinch-to-zoom chart and sonar range adjustment; and drag-and-drop functionality for excellent route planning and charting functions, the GO7 is intuitive even for those with little or no experience with chartplotters.
With its accurate internal 10 Hz GPS antenna, the GO7 provides reliable situational awareness at any boat speed. Through its NMEA 2000 networking, WiFi and Bluetooth compatibility, the device also gives boaters immediate access to full engine integration, SonicHub entertainment functions, and complete autopilot control.
Equipped with a crisp, bright daylight-viewable seven-inch widescreen display, the GO7 allows split-screen access to built-in features such as traditional sonar, CHIRP, and DownScan Imaging views. CHIRP sonar produces greater sensitivity, improved target resolution and superior noise rejection for clearer images; while DownScan Imaging provides easy-to-understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail. In addition to sonar functionality, navigation information is displayed on the latest electronic charts available from the widest variety of cartography producers.
The GO7 is the first entry-level standalone display with wireless connectivity and full access to GoFree cloud-enabled technology (see below). $799. simrad-yachting.com
Go Free
GoFree, the provider of digital content and services and part of the Navico family of marine electronics brands, launched GoFreeShop.com. With the GoFree solution, boaters have the capability to purchase, download, and immediately use charts, as well as receive automatic software-update notifications directly from the home page of a Lowrance, Simrad NS, or B&G multifunction display (MFD).
Now, boaters can spend less time updating their marine electronics to the most dynamic and complete navigational system. GoFree also provides the ability to link tablets and mobile devices with compatible MFDs for the ultimate mobile control of navigation functions.
The new GoFree Shop offers access to the widest assortment of mapping options immediately available for purchase and download anywhere in the world.
For more information, visit gofreemarine.com or gofreeshop.com