The Progressive Miami International Boat Show is one of the biggest boating events in the world, and a great place to see the newest marine electronics from a wide range of brands. Here are 12 of the latest items to check out at the show this year at manufacturer and retailer exhibits.
Garmins' new EchoMap Plus combo series features bright, sunlight-readable keyed and keyed-assist touchscreens with displays ranging from 4 to 9 inches. The flagship EchoMap Plus 94sv includes a 9-inch display and a transducer for Garmin mid-band conventional chirp sonar, as well as chirp ClearVü and chirp SideVü scanning sonars. It will also support for Garmin's Panoptix sonar. Quickdraw Contours software lets you create personalized charts onscreen. Built-in Wi-Fi pairs with the free ActiveCaptain app. Starting at $199.99 (4-inch unit without coastal charts or transducer) to $1,099.99 (for 94sv); buy.garmin.com.
The new Lowrance Hook2 series features Autotuning sonar that actively corrects sonar settings for the clearest underwater view. Available in 12-, 9-, 7-, 5- and 4-inch display sizes, most include full navigational capability. Wide-angle broadband and chirp fishfinders more than double the sonar coverage of most other models. The Hook2 series also offers SideScan and DownScan Imaging. Prices range from $99 to $1,499; lowrance.com.
This new antenna mount uses a spring-loaded cam action system. Lift up on the cam arm to loosen and swing the antenna where you want it, snap the arm down to secure the antenna in the desired position. You can adjust side angle using the bolt at the base of the mount. An antenna cable can be run up through the base of the mount or lay the cable slot in the standard 1-inch thread mount. The latter negates the need to remove factory-installed connectors. The four-bolt footprint matches that of most of the popular antenna mounts, making retrofits an easy proposition. $68.95; waveinn.com
Simrad NSO evo3
The NSO evo3 navigation system from Simrad lets you connect with premium network modules and other Simrad accessories to create a vessel-wide system. The high-definition, low-profile glass touchscreen display can be viewed from any angle, even when wearing polarized sunglasses. It supports up to a six-panel split-screen layout. An iMX6 quad-core processor offers fast updates. Available in 16-, 19- and 24-inch screens, the system includes wireless connectivity for updates and notifications. Starting at $7,699; simrad-yachting.com
Furuno DRS6A-NXT Open-Array Doppler Radar
Furuno's new DRS6A-NXT open-array series includes three arrays available with scanners measuring 40.8, 49.4 and 70.7 inches wide. Furuno's Target Analyzer with solid-state pulse compression Doppler technology identifies approaching targets in red and safe targets in green. The Fast Target Tracking and Auto Target Acquire features let you monitor return with a target vector and echo trail. The RezBoost beam sharpening feature allows you to increase resolution. The radar's Bird Mode helps you identify distant bird activity that can lead to find schools of feeding fish. $5,400 for the DRS6A-NXT module, plus the antenna; furunousa.com
The new Si-Tex MDA-4 VHF radio features a built-in high-performance AIS dual-channel receiver for tracking AIS-equipped vessels on its large dot-matrix LCD display. This DSC-equipped VHF is built to the MIL-STD-801G military ruggedness specification, and it offers both NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 network compatibility. The MDA-4 features an easy-to-use rotary menu control and a built-in 25-watt loud hailer/foghorn with eight selectable modes and listen back capability. $459; si-tex.com
The ConnecT from Winegard Company is a secure, simple Marine Internet and 4GLTE extender for boaters. An amplifier and three high-performance external antennas captures and rebroadcasts WI-FI and 4GLTE signals for a secure, fast connection. Surf the web, get some work done, video chat or stream your favorite entertainment while in the marina or relaxing after a tournament. With nationwide 4GLTE coverage and pay-as-you-go data service, Winegard ConnecT provides consistent in-motion connection for a host of onboard mobile devices. $479; winegard.com
SeaStar Solutions SeaWays Autopilot
SeaWays Autopilot from SeaStar Solutions integrates with and maximizes the utility of the SeaStar Optimus, Optimus 360 and SeaStation systems using no additional hardware, and minimal tuning. SeaWays Autopilot can be set to operate in any one of three autopilot modes. Heading mode keeps the boat moving in the desired heading, but allows it to drift with wind or current. Track Mode holds a preset course over ground, allowing SeaWays to adjust the heading to stay on track. In route mode, SeaWays follows waypoints provided by third-party chart plotters to arrive at a specific destination. $3,850; seastarsolutions.com
The new P75M and P95M represent two of Airmar's most economical in-hull chirp models. Both use housings that cement inside the hull, thus eliminating the need to cut holes in the boat. The base also allows for adjustment to compensate for deadrise angles up to 22 degrees to ensure the transducer is vertically oriented. The 600-watt P75M offers a chirp frequency range of 80 to 130 kHz and a 16- to 24-degree beam width for readings to 900 feet. The 300-watt P95M transmits on a chirp range 95 to 155 kHz with a 17- to 26-degree beam width for readings to 600 feet. Mix-and-match cable plugs let you connect with nearly any MFD. $349 and $299, respectively; airmar.com
C-Map Genesis Edge
C-Map's Genesis Edge offers new features such as bottom-hardness and submerged-vegetation map layers. The free version of Genesis includes downloads of community-sourced digital Social Map charts and the ability to add personally mapped areas to Social Map. Genesis Edge subscribers have access to tens of thousands of public Fishbrain catch locations online. To take advantage of the service, anglers record and upload sonar data from a compatible fish-finder/GPS unit to C-Map Genesis, then download a custom map. C-Map Genesis is currently compatible for current Lowrance and Simrad units. Edge subscriptions $99/year; genesismaps.com
Humminbird Basemap
Humminbird's Helix G2 or G2N (networking) unit with GPS will now have access to the new Humminbird basemap of coastal and inland waters. It includes the entire U.S. coastline with navigational aids, marker buoys, depths, points of interest, hazards and launch locations. The Humminbird Basemap will now be included on all G2/G2N GPS models, and on all SOLIX models. For anglers who previously purchased a Helix G2 or G2N GPS model, or any first-generation Helix 9, 10 or 12 model, the Humminbird basemap will be available as a software download. Free; humminbird.com
The M605 is not just a radio. It's a system that allows the user choices on how to set up the radio with up to three stations. Boaters can now add an exclusive complete display as another station on the vessel along with two COMMANDMICS™. Customers will appreciate the radios large bright display that includes night mode to view easily in the dark. The full featured M605 also gives customers the option of the radio with an integrated AIS receiver. The best just got better! $799; icomamerica.com
Want more marine electronics? Check out our 2018 Guide to Marine Electronics.
