Every year, electronics become faster, more efficient and affordable, and easier to use. Here’s a peek at what’s new in high-tech marine electronics in 2017.

Bigger Screen=Bigger fish?

Even boaters who don’t yet wear reading glasses understand the challenges of reading electronic displays in bright sunlight, drizzle, or in choppy conditions. Lowrance announced a pair of new 12- and 9-inch high-resolution widescreen displays to its Elite Ti standalone series of fishfinder/chartplotters. These include the same features that have generated so much excitement about the Elite-Ti series, such as an easy-to-use touchscreen interface, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, proven navigation technology, and high-performance sonar—including CHIRP, Broadband Sounder, and StructureScan HD with SideScan and DownScan Imaging. CHIRP sonar offers improved fish-target separation and screen clarity, while the StructureScan HD sonar imaging system with exclusive DownScan Imaging delivers photo-like images of fish-holding structures on both sides and directly beneath the boat. The displays feature a highly accurate, built-in GPS antenna that displays position on a detailed C-MAP Insight map, with more than 3000 lakes and rivers and detailed coastal contours to 1000 feet. Optional chart upgrades include Lake Insight HD by C-MAP, C-MAP MAX-N, Navionics HotMaps Premium, Navionics+, and Fishing Hotspots PRO. With integrated wireless connectivity, the Elite-12 Ti and Elite-9 Ti operate directly through the GoFree Shop for downloads of mapping and software updates. Elite Ti also works seamlessly with the Insight Genesis map-creation service, which allows users to make custom, high-resolution contour maps from recorded sonar logs, with bottom-hardness and vegetation overlays, as well as Insight Genesis Social Map community chart sharing. Bluetooth and wireless connectivity also provide control of single or dual Power-Pole shallow water anchor installations, as well as access to the GoFree Link App, which allows anglers to view and control the display from an iPad or Android tablet. Costs: The Elite-12 Ti No Transducer, $1849 Elite-12 Ti Med/High TotalScan, $1999 Elite-9 Ti No Transducer, $849 Elite-9 Ti Med/High TotalScan, $999

For Smaller Boats on the Bay

If you have a smaller boat with a single-helm station, the Simrad GO9 XSE may be for you. Packed full of features, it has intuitive, multi-touch controls that smartphone and tablet users will instantly find familiar and easy to use. Boaters can view charts, add waypoints, and see key information on a nine-inch screen. The GO9 XSE is fully compatible with Simrad Broadband 3G/4G Radar systems and SiriusXM weather/radio and features an internal 10-Hz GPS receiver, StructureScan HD and CHIRP Sonar for excellent fishfinding, autopilot integration for precision control, engine data monitoring, full audio entertainment connectivity with SonicHub 2, built-in wireless connectivity, and the powerful Simrad TripIntel trip computer. The Cruise Charting page combines crucial navigation data and charts into one easy-to-read display, while new TripIntel technology tracks and displays the key information needed to plan a safe and enjoyable day on the water. Fuel range overlaid on charts, current and future tide levels, and a detailed history of previous trips (including the route taken and how the boat performed) are all provided. The Simrad GO9 XSE also connects to NMEA 2000-compatible equipment aboard vessels with either outboard or inboard engines to show fuel flow, fluid level, speed, heading, and water temperature. A wide range of cartography options are available, including C-MAP, Navionics, and more. Anglers can take full advantage of the built-in sonar by adding a suitable transducer (sold separately) for accurate, real-time depth tracking and fishfinding. A scrollable depth history view allows boaters to track back and easily set waypoints for promising anchorages. The TotalScan all-in-one transducer matches StructureScan HD Imaging, DownScan Imaging, and CHIRP sonar for picture-like views of the bottom on each side and beneath the boat as well as providing improved target identification at greater depths, a clearer display with less interference, and enhanced target separation. ForwardScan sonar technology built into the GO9 XSE also provides forward-looking, two-dimensional sonar views of the bottom depth ahead of a boat: a powerful defense against running aground and an invaluable tool for locating secure sites to drop anchor. Costs range from $1049 up to $2699 (with Broadband 4G Radar and Total-Scan transducer).

For Offshore Sportfishing Anglers

Do fish fear you? If you had one of these, they might: the Simrad S5100 High-Performance CHIRP Sonar Module. The S5100 delivers true simultaneous coverage of up to three different depth ranges. Simultaneous split-screen viewing capability puts anglers in complete control of the water column, while advanced processing technology allows fishing with noise-free clarity at all depth ranges without ever losing bottom depth tracking. Users can mix and match favorite transducer coverage and transmit power for wide and narrow beam-widths to reveal more fish, detecting small and tightly-spaced fish and identifying thermoclines. Users can adjust specific CHIRP frequencies from 28 to 250 kHz and ranging from 300W up to 3kW to precisely target specific depths producing big, crisp arches with clear target separation. Using the Simrad S5100 with Airmar wide‐angle CHIRP transducers provides enhanced coverage of the upper water column for targeting pelagic species. Wide-angle transducers are also useful in shallow water, where traditional narrow beam angles offer limited bottom coverage. A wider coverage area speeds searches and makes individual fish targets easier to see. The S5100 features high-speed ethernet connectivity, making it easy to install anywhere onboard, and is compatible with Simrad NSS evo3 and NSS evo2 multifunction displays, NSO evo2 glass-bridge systems, and the S2000 series of fishfinders. MSRP $1999.