Buyers Guides

Learn about Lowrance's newest chartplotter / fishfinder line-up, HDS PRO.

See more and catch more with HDS® PRO, the ultimate fishfinding tool. With built-in support for the new, ultra high-definition Active Imaging™ HD and the new, highest-resolution live sonar ActiveTarget® 2 you’ll see more clearly and find more fish than ever before.

Level up to the ultimate fishfinding clarity with ultra high-definition Active Imaging™ HD sonar. Get the clearest images of fish and structure with Lowrance® CHIRP sonar. And experience new FishReveal™ SideScan* and DownScan views, to easily identify fish to the sides and beneath the boat. *Requires S3100 module and compatible transducer.

Raymarine has just announced their all new Cyclone open array radar.  What makes it so new and great?  First, this is Raymarine's first open array solid state radar.  They've been doing this new technology for years with their Quantum domes, but now offer it in open array. Solid state radars generally use less power, emit less radiation, turn on faster, and most importantly the signal can be manipulated more. This last feature results in improved image quality, and some neat features. 

The image quality is improved because this radar uses CHIRP (Compressed high intensity radar pulse).  This sends out a blast of frequencies and listens back for all of them.  To explain this at the most basic level, if a target is shown on multiple frequencies and missing on a few others, the system determines it is a real target. Conversely if a target only shows up on a few frequencies the system determines it is clutter and will not show it. This technology is now

In 2019 Simrad has introduced their new Cruise Series.  These units are offered in 5, 7 and 9 inch versions.  If you are in need of a full featured chartplotter and a capable sonar then the Cruise should be all you need.  And with the low price point, you may be able to get a larger screen size than you could with other units.  The Cruise Series is ideal for boats with simple navigational needs.  Wakeboard boats, small fishing boats, express cruisers and sail boats. 

Simrad Cruise - What you need to know:

• They share a similar menu and interface to Simrad top of the line series. 
• There is an internal GPS antenna
• The built-in Sonar is CHIRP, it uses the Lowrance Hook2 style plug. There is an adapter available to allow older Simrad/Lowrance 7 Pin Blue transducers to work on it.  The unit will only handle 83/200 frequencies.