Bad Elf GPS Accessory Bluetooth Device
Furuno Sonars With Accu-Fish Technology
ICOM M73 Handheld VHF
Garmin 8000/8500
Dragonfly by Raymarine
SI-TEX SVS-750CF
Simrad and Lowrance Pair with Jeppesen/C-Map
Bad Elf
Uber-capable smart phones have been cutting into the sales of laptops for the past 5 years. Now smart phones are even more capable with this cool GPS accessory Bluetooth device. Connect to it up to five smart phones or tablets to give real time GPS data in partnership with GPS charting apps like Navionics or Jeppeson. Thanks to Bad Elf, smart phones may be about to challenge the nav gear market. $179.99; Bad-elf.com
Furuno Sonars with Accu-Fish Technology
Furuno will be releasing three new sonars with Accu-Fish technology that not only distinguish fish, it can tell their approximate size. Two stand alone units (FCV627 and FCV587) and a network capable unit for NavNet 3D or TZtouch systems (BBDS1; $1500). All three can also distinguish bottoms of rock, gravel, sand or mud—information helpful to anglers and to cruisers looking for safe anchorage. Furunousa.com
ICOM M73 Handheld VHF
This waterproof handheld VHF transmits at a powerful 6 watts and has a sound-canceling mic that makes transmission very clear. Its reception is unsurpassed, too but the trick up the sleeve of this hourglass-shaped radio is what ICOM calls “Last Call.” No, it won’t get you a cocktail, but if the last call you received was for happy hour and you weren’t sure you heard it right? You can play it back until you get it. $249.99; icomamerica.com
Garmin 8000/8500
Garmin’s 8000 series units are about to be released with 40% faster micro-processing, brighter screens and a more compact 2.16-inch depth, assuring the units will fit in helms easily. The new hardware has a glass helm look but that’s only half the picture. A new interface system includes a touch menu bar across the bottom and popular touch features like pinch to shrink or zoom. A 10 Hz GPS/GLONESS external receiver updates position and heading 10 times per second for smooth, seamless operation. garmin.com
Dragonfly by Raymarine
Last summer Raymarine introduced a new compact sonar/GPS combo targeted at the near shore, inshore and inland angler market. This year they upped the ante by being the first to incorporate CHIRP sonar and CHIRP-based sidescan sonar in the unit complete with your choice of Navionics Gold or Platinum charts built in. The 5.7″ screen is expected to be the brightest on the market to date and the whole unit is modestly priced at $649.99; Raymarine.com
SI-TEX SVS-750CF
Why make MFD’s horizontal rather than vertical? A sonar benefits from the vertical orientation by putting more pixels between the top and bottom, enhancing the view of the water column. GPS capable it interfaces with C-Map cards. The 7 ½” diagonal screen is bracket mounted and sells for $1189; Si-tex.com
Simrad and Lowrance Finally Pair with Jeppesen/C-Map
At last, Simrad NSS and Lowrance elite and HDS users can load C-Map charts in their units. One of the most popular charting systems available, this new partnership will add still another layer of user benefits to electronics from these two brands.
