Garmin has another massive year planned for 2016, with several new product ranges announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show over the weekend. Here’s a sneak peek at just some of what’s coming to our shores early in the new year…
Striker™ series: available in 3.5” (4/4dv), 5” (5dv), and 7” (7dv/7sv) sizes, the new Striker series is the entry-level solution for anglers who want the best sonar available at an affordable price. Featuring a rugged design and a keyed interface, each Striker model has advanced CHIRP sonar and a built-in high-sensitivity GPS antenna and waypoint map, while the 5dv, 7dv and 7sv versions also incorporate CHIRP DownVü and SideVü scanning sonar (75sv only).
Garmin CHIRP transducers: expanding Garmin’s already comprehensive range of all-in-one transducers, the new line of CHIRP transducers is compatible with the Striker, echoMAP CHIRP and GPSMAP series, as well as Garmin’s powerful GSD 25 black-box sonar. The transducers are available with various configurations of CHIRP traditional, CHIRP DownVü and CHIRP SideVü scanning sonar technologies, in transom mount, thru-hull and in-hull options.
echoMAP™ CHIRP series: available in 4” (45dv), 5” (55dv), 7” (75dv/75sv) and 9” (95sv) sizes, the latest echoMAP CHIRP series units feature built-in high wide CHIRP and CHIRP DownVü scanning sonar (all models), while the 75sv and 95sv also incorporate CHIRP SideVü scanning sonar, as well support Panoptix all-seeing sonar. All new echoMAP CHIRP models have an internal 5Hz GPS antenna, are pre-loaded with AU/NZ BlueChart g2 coastal charts and feature Garmin’s new Quickdraw Contours as standard. The 55dv, 75dv, 75sv and 95sv also include NMEA 2000 support to connect sensors, autopilots, and other accessories.
GMR™ 2524 xHD2 and GMR 2526 xHD2 radar: these high-definition open array radars offer 25kW of transmit power and an increased maximum range of 96nm. The 1.2m (4ft) GMR 2524 xHD2 and 1.8m (6ft) GMR 2526 xHD2 are available with Pulse Expansion – a new feature that provides the ability to increase the duration of the transmit pulse, thus maximising energy on targets and increasing their size. (Pulse expansion will be available throughout the existing line of xHD2 open array and xHD dome radars with a free software upgrade.) The new radars also feature Auto Bird Gain and come standard with dual radar support.
Panoptix™ PS21: a new, compact Panoptix transducer optimised for electric motor mount and delivers LiveVü Forward sonar, to see ahead and around your boat in real time – even while stationary. The newest member of the Panoptix transducer family, the PS21 is compatible with Garmin’s new echoMAP CHIRP 75sv and 95sv, as well as the GPSMAP 7400series, GPSMAP 8000 series and GPSMAP 751xs, 820xs, and 1020xs series.
Quickdraw Contours: is a free, easy-to-use software feature that allows you to instantly create personalised HD fishing maps with 30cm contours on any body of water. Quickdraw Contours appear instantly on a compatible Garmin sonar/chartplotter and the maps can be kept private or shared with others at no cost. This software feature is standard on the new echoMAP CHIRP series, and will soon be available as a free software update for all other echoMAP and many GPSMAP series products.
