Article Courtesy: saltwatersportsman.com | Originally Published: 2/6/2022 | Click here for original article
New Marine Electronics for 2022
Today, like never before, marine electronics brands are scrambling to meet the growing demand for multifunction displays, sonar systems, transducers, VHF radios, radars and more. Blame it on COVID-19 because the pandemic spurred a boat-buying spree and, at the same time, hamstrung the supply of microprocessors, LED screens and other key electronics components. As a result, the usually feverish pace of introductions has significantly decelerated as companies shifted new development to the back burner. Yet there are still numerous bright spots on the new-electronics horizon, particularly when it comes to communication, radar, camera systems and wireless integration. Here are some prime examples.
Raymarine Cyclone Radar Courtesy Raymarine
Raymarine Cyclone Radar
Raymarine’s Cyclone chirp, pulse-compression, solid-state radar series offers an aircraft-inspired open-array system with a host of advanced features, including Doppler, bird, navigation and unlimited dual-range modes. RangeFusion technology simultaneously shows short and long ranges. Scanners are only 13.2 inches tall and weigh 51 pounds. Cyclone will be offered with 3-, 4- or 6-foot arrays, with a 55- or 110-watt pedestal and variable rotation speeds. From $6,999.99 for a 3-foot, 55-watt model to $9,749.99 for a 110-watt, 6-foot model; raymarine.com
Garmin Surround View Courtesy Garmin
Garmin Surround View
Garmin’s Surround View is a system of six 1080p cameras that look forward, astern and to both sides to maximize visibility in tight situations. When engaged, Surround View displays a full overhead stitched image with 360-degree, real-time video views on compatible Garmin chart plotters or multifunction displays. Captains can view one or two cameras simultaneously with the bird’s-eye image, or zoom in and pan around with individual camera views. It also provides augmented reality features, like a visual bumper and distance markers. Available as an OEM option on new boats only; garmin.com
Furuno 19-Inch NXT Radar Courtesy Furuno
Furuno 19-Inch NXT Radar
The Furuno DRS2DNXT features a compact 19-inch radome and is compatible with NavNet TZtouch MFDs. It boasts solid-state Target Analyzer Doppler technology, RezBoost beam sharpening, FTT (Fast Target Tracking), bird mode, rain mode, and dual-range capability. With Target Analyzer, green echoes are stationary targets, land masses, or targets approaching at less than 3 knots. Returns shift to red when an object approaches at 3 knots or faster, independent of your speed. Pricing unavailable at press time; furunousa.com
Icom IC-M510 VHF With WLAN Courtesy Icom
Icom IC-M510 VHF With WLAN
VHF and mobile-phone technology merge in the Icom IC-M510 fixed-mount radio, offering built-in control using up to three smart devices via Icom’s WLAN function. The RS-M500 app lets you turn your mobile phone into a wireless mic or remote controller. Features include an available integrated AIS receiver to show real-time AIS traffic information on the M510 color TFT LCD screen. With built-in GPS, the new Icom guides you to a designated waypoint and allows you to assign up 100 destinations as waypoints. $599.99; icomamerica.com
Airmar SmartBoat System Courtesy Airmar
Airmar SmartBoat System
The SmartBoat system from Airmar Technology Corp. converts sensor communication protocols to NMEA 2000. It’s designed for a wide range of sensors and functions such as accessory switches, voltmeters, fuel-flow monitors and engine data. It uses Airmar’s SmartFlex View browser tool to configure alerts from a laptop or mobile device via the Airmar CAST app. Designed primarily for OEM installations on new boats. Pricing unavailable at press time; airmar.com
Siren 3 Plus Boat Monitor Courtesy Siren Marine
Siren 3 Plus Boat Monitor
Siren Marine’s Siren 3 Plus uses the Siren Marine app and a cellular subscription to remotely monitor and track boat location, battery level, bilge-water level, temperature and other onboard systems, sending instant alerts to the owner in case of a critical event. In addition to hard-wired features, the system is available with optional wireless sensors, including a battery monitor, entry sensor for theft and vandalism protection, and more. Other available features include remote digital-switching control from your phone. $499.99; sirenmarine.com
JBL Wireless Control Courtesy JBL
JBL Wireless Control
Bluetooth-compatible JBL Click is designed for use in tandem with the JBL R3500 Wake source unit to create a wireless marine audio-control system using a paired mobile device. The adjustable silicone strap allows the device to mount virtually anywhere, including the steering wheel. The user screen on a mobile device lets you play, pause, advance tracks and adjust volume. The included CR2032 battery lasts up to 10 months. $269.95 for the R3500, $49.95 for the Click; prospecelectronics.com
Lowrance Premium App Courtesy Lowrance
Lowrance Premium APP
The new Lowrance app includes premium upgrade features such as custom depth shading of C-Map nautical charts, a key feature for boating anglers, as well as high-resolution bathymetry and global charts, offline maps, AIS reception and tracking, five-day weather overlay, GPS navigation data, auto-routing, line and track records, plus mirroring and control of Lowrance MFDs for free. $14.99 a year for premiums; lowrance.com
Koden Intelligent MFDs Courtesy Koden
Koden Intelligent MFDs
Koden’s KM-1100 (10.4- inch display) and KM-1210 (21.5-inch display) MFDs incorporate Android
operating systems, networking features, and fingertip navigation control. In addition, both of these MFDs include built-in AIS transceivers with target overlay, variable range rings for dynamic tracking, and built-in networking capabilities over the MFD’s interface with Koden sonar, sounder and radar modules. $1,699 for the KM-1100, $3,699 for the KM-1210; si-tex.com
Navionics Connections Courtesy Navionics
Navionics Connections
The Navionics Boating app now offers an upgraded Connections feature that allows anglers to create a network within the app to share detailed information prior to, during and after a trip. When both the sender and recipient have active Navionics subscriptions, you can share fishing hotspots, saved tracks, routes and markers.
The app also includes dock-to-dock auto-routing, premium-chart overlays, and features such as relief shading, which uses color and shadow to find structure spots on the ocean floor. $14.99 a year; navionics.com
