Williams RX Flipper

A folding knife is a must-have everyday companion tool. The Williams RX Flipper features all the right qualities for constant carry: a sharp drop-point blade that will retain its edge; a textured G-10 handle; a lanyard loop and clip; and an extended oval for one-hand opening. The RX Flipper measures 8 inches long; its CPM154 steel blade measures 3 ¼ inches. The knife comes in blackout or tan and costs $99.

Garmin quatix 7

The latest iteration of Garmin’s marine smartwatch—the quatix 7—delivers even more onboard control for select Garmin displays as well as multiple features for use on and off the boat. The quatix 7 comes in three models—Standard, Sapphire, and Solar—all come with touchscreen and button controls. They’re compatible with and can control (not just mirror) many GPSMAP units and can include optional BlueChart g3 coastal and LakeVu g3 charts. With internal GPS, the watch monitors a wide variety of activities and sports and is loaded with more than 42,000 golf courses. Health resources include 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, pulse ox, sleep score and energy monitoring. Users can receive smart notifications, use Garmin Pay and personalize everything through the Connect IQ app. The watches range in price from $699.99 to $1,199.99

Guy Harvey Groove Life Rings

Silicone wedding bands have gained great popularity among anglers who are concerned about the safety of metal rings during the sometimes-frenzied circumstances of the sport. As a result, Guy Harvey has partnered with Groove Life to create a line of marine-themed, medical-grade silicone rings. Groove Life’s patented technology enables air to flow in and moisture to flow out, preventing ring rash and sweaty fingers. Anglers can buy Guy Harvey designs such as mahi skin or slammed (billfish). Sizes range from 4 to 14, and prices start at $34.95.

Bajio Roca

Bajio’s extra-large, bio-based Roca sunglass frames offer complete protection and coverage on the water, reducing glare and light intrusion without fogging, thanks to the vented side shields. Blue-light-blocking technology minimizes eye fatigue and strain. Roca frames are available in shoal tort matte, black matte, and dark tort gloss with either polycarbonate or glass lenses in seven colors. They cost $199 and $249.

Penn Slammer IV

Penn’s new Slammer IV spinning reel features an improved IPX6 sealed body and spool as well as a redesigned drag system with Dura-Drag. Penn added all-brass CNC gear technology, an 8+1 stainless-steel bearing system, and a hydrophobic line roller bearing. Slammer IV reels are available in sizes 2500 to 10500 (weighing 11 to 42.9 ounces); gear ratios range from 4.2-to1 to 7-to-1. The reels cost $259.95 to $379.95.

Grundens SeaKnit Performance Boat Shoe

The lace-up SeaKnit boat shoe features a seamless knit upper and a unique polyurethane overlay that provides light water resistance on wet surfaces. The shoe also comes with a non-marking, natural-gum-rubber outsole with razor-cut siping for traction. A shock-absorbing EVA midsole and comfort footbed provide cushioning. Proprietary fabric treatments resist odor and stains. SeaKnit shoes come in five colors and in sizes 8 through 11 1/2. They cost $109.99.

Bubba Tidal Inshore Rods

Bubba has introduced three inshore rod models—Tidal, Tidal Select and Tidal Pro. Tidal rods feature 24-ton graphite construction, split reel seats and stainless-steel guides. They come in lengths from 6 feet 10 inches to 7 feet 6 inches, in spin or casting models, and cost $129.99. Tidal Selects ($199.99) are made from 24/30-ton Toray graphite and come with Fuji graphite reel seats and Fuji BC Concept-O guides (aluminum-oxide inserts). Spin and baitcast models range from 7 feet to 7 feet 6 inches. Tidal Pros feature 30-ton Toray graphite, Fuji graphite reel seats and Fuji K-Series guides (Alconite inserts). Available in 7-foot or 7-foot-6-inch lengths, and in casting and spinning models, they cost $329.99.

Gill Pro Expedition Shorts

Designed for diehard anglers, Gill’s Pro Expedition Shorts dry quickly and provide full mobility with four-way stretch. The wicking fabric, made from 92 percent polyester and 8 percent elastance, repels water, blood, and other stains and naturally controls odor due to Gill’s XPEL technology. The shorts feature deep side pockets, a zippered tool pocket on the thigh, and double hook-and-loop-closure rear pockets. Side waist adjustment offers extra comfort. Available in sizes XS through 4XL and in graphite, medium gray and pool blue, the shorts cost $79.95.

Fire & Smoke Society Rubs

Fire & Smoke Society started a few years ago in the kitchen of James Beard Award-winner Paula Disbrowe. Each of the brand’s 23 spice blends were developed and refined before they were produced at a larger scale. The rubs include an angler favorite—Fish Monger—a blend of Himalayan pink salt, garlic, herbs, lemon and orange peel. But blends are also available for a variety of meats, and for pork, steak, ribs, tacos, chicken wings and even potatoes. The 10.7-ounce shakers cost $12.99.

Shimano Ultegra XSE

Shimano engineers fortified the Ultegra XSE surf reel to enhance its power and durability. The ultra-rigid CI4+ body reduces flex and directly translates angler effort into winding, and the cold-forged HAGANE Gear offers lasting strength. Shimano’s X-Ship system maintains precise pinion-gear alignment with the drive gear by supporting the pinion gear with bearings on both ends. An exclusive combination of water-repellent coatings and water-channeling construction shrugs off the salt environment’s corrosive elements. Available in the popular 14000 size, the XSE holds 330 yards of 20-pound-test monofilament. The reel is expected to debut in mid-June; pre-orders from select sites are available now at $214.99.

Costa Lido

The Lido delivers Costa’s core performance features yet it sports a more modern design geared toward West Coast anglers. The bio-resin frames include vented, adjustable Hydrolite nose pads, top and side shields, sweat channels, spring hinges and thin temples that fit beneath hats. Lido is available in three colors and comes with 580 glass or polycarbonate lenses. The sunglasses cost $197 to $277.

Read Next: New Fishing Gear for Spring 2022

Noble Oak Bourbon

Noble Oak says its brand was created to offer a great whiskey that gives back—every bottle plants a tree. To celebrate Earth Month in April, the company decided to double that offer by planting two trees for every bottle purchased through June. Noble Oak whiskeys are double-oak matured—first aged in charred new American white oak barrels followed by a trademarked WoodCraft finish for body and flavor. The bourbon costs $36.99; rye costs $41.99.

The post Best Fishing Gifts for Father’s Day appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I am a fan of gadgets. That probably makes me well-suited to the job of an electronics editor. I can spend hours tinkering with anything electronic. That’s why I was excited to have a look at Garmin’s new quatix 7 smartwatch.

When the original quatix debuted, it was a bit too big and bulky for my size-small wrist, but I was able to wear a Garmin Fenix 5s, which introduced me to the whole genre of wearable computers. I even received an Apple Watch as a gift not long ago, but was soon reaching for the Fenix. It simply does everything… and easily.

The new quatix 7, released in April, does even more. And, it features a slender profile and much lighter weight than its predecessors. I instantly felt at ease with its 47 mm display. The 7 comes in three models — Standard, Sapphire, and Solar (with a 52 mm display) — and offers loads of new options including new boating features. Here are just a few:

• MFD control (not just remote viewing), anchor drag alerts, integrated tide data. Compatible with:
GPSMAP 7×2/9×2/12×2 Plus
GPSMAP 10×2/12×2
GPSMAP 7×3/9×3/12×3
GPSMAP 7400/7600
GPSMAP 8400/8600
GHC 20 autopilot control
GNX Wind
GNT 10 transceiver

• New touchscreen display (in addition to traditional buttons)
• The Solar model features a built-in LED flashlight.
• Sapphire edition boasts an always-on AMOLED display for sharp clarity and brightness.
• Battery life ranges from up to 16 days for the Sapphire edition and up to 18 days for the Standard version to up to 90 days for the Solar model when it’s in battery-saver mode.
• Optional BlueChart g3 coastal or LakeVu g3 charts.
• GPS and 30-plus built-in sports apps for activities from running, walking, HIIT, cycling, and hiking to kayaking. It’s preloaded with SkiView maps and more than 42,000 golf courses from around the world.
• Enjoy 24/7 wrist-based HR, Pulse Ox, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score and more for health and wellness.
• Smart notifications, Garmin Pay contactless payments and Connect IQ app personalization.

Read Next: Wrist-Mounted Electronics That Can Help You Fish

The quatix 7, quatix 7 Sapphire and quatix 7X Solar range in price from $699.99 to $1,199.99.

The post Video: Unboxing the Garmin quatix 7 Smartwatch appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Welcome to the second-annual Best Elex Awards, which honors standout marine electronics products that have been reviewed and approved by the editorial team behind the four leading titles in marine media: Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Salt Water Sportsman. Over the course of two months, the nominees were evaluated by our team of seven judges, including the editors-in-chief and electronics editors of the aforementioned brands. In the end, six products set themselves apart. And the winners are:

• Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone – Shop now
• Leading Edge Technology: Garmin SurroundView
• Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense
• Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar Battery Monitoring
• Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System
• Best in Entertainment: Garmin Apollo

Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Cyclone

What the judges said: “While the open-array grabs your attention first, the Raymarine Cyclone radar backs up its stylish design with a high level of functionality that includes excellent target definition, great power, Doppler target tracking, an advanced dual-range feature, highly effective bird mode, a high-RPM setting and more.” 

The next-level design and the ability to weather the toughest conditions stood out to the judges as premier features of Raymarine’s Cyclone. This radar series sports a radical look that resembles an aircraft wing, a relatively thin array design made possible by using dielectric radar technology. But there’s much more to highlight. Advanced post-processing removes sea and rain clutter and replicates chart-like radar images. Anglers should appreciate the enhanced bird mode, which is surprisingly effective since Cyclone is a chirp-pulse-compression, solid-state radar versus a high-powered magnetron. The Cyclone also fits a wider range of vessels because of its size. The smallest version — a 3-foot open array — measures only 13.2 inches tall and weighs 51 pounds. Because of Cyclone’s low-profile, it can perform at wind speeds up to 100 knots, compared with 70 knots for competitors — important for 70 mph offshore boats. Cyclone is also available in 4- or 6-foot arrays and with a 55-watt (equivalent to a 6 kW magnetron) or 110-watt (12 kW-equivalent) pedestal. The array spins at variable speeds from 6 to 60 rpm; at its fastest, the radar gives captains immediate awareness of their surroundings. Cyclones also come with three-color Doppler technology, a 96-mile range, and RangeFusion, which combines short- and long-range pulses into a single image. Prices range from $6,999.99 to $9,749.99. 

Leading Edge Technology: Garmin Surround View

What the judges said: “Surround View allows the captain more confidence while docking, even if there’s no second crew member (and, maybe, even if there is) to eyeball the blind distance between the swim platform and the bulkhead or between the anchor chute and the boat tied up just ahead.”

Docking can be a harrowing experience, but Garmin’s Surround View Camera System minimizes that anxiety and boosts boater confidence. The judging panel agreed that this product is a game-changer when it comes to giving captains a clear view of their surroundings in crowded marinas and harbors. One look at Surround View’s 360-degree bird’s-eye imagery shows you the innovation. The judges applauded Garmin for taking docking awareness to a new level. How does it do this? The system uses six flush-mounted 1080p cameras mounted at the bow, aft, and amidships port and starboard. Surround View then creates a full overhead stitched image with 360-degree, real-time video, and feeds it directly to compatible Garmin chart plotters or multifunction displays. Captains can view one or two cameras simultaneously with the bird’s-eye image, and even zoom in and pan around with individual camera views. Surround View also provides a number of augmented-reality features, including a visual bumper and distance markers. Available as an OEM option on new boats only.

Best Integrated System: Raymarine YachtSense

What the judges said: “Raymarine has come up with a system of electric control Legos, if you will, that allows builders to jump into the digital-switching era using off-the-shelf modules that can be expanded as necessary.”

Simple. Easy. Redundancy. Scalable and customizable: All of the judges characterized Raymarine’s YachtSense digital-switching system as a remarkably common-sense approach to cleanly managing ship’s systems such as lighting, pumps, windlasses, entertainment systems, generators and air conditioning. Each YachtSense system begins with master and power-supply modules; additional multichannel signal modules can be added based on needs — like colored-coded Legos. In addition, YachtSense delivers electrical redundancy. The master module features an integrated keypad for manual override, as well as an LCD screen for system diagnostics. And perhaps best yet: YachtSense offers a scalable and customizable design that’s suitable for boats as small as 35 feet. Captains monitor and control YachtSense with a Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display. Pricing varies depending on the number of integrated systems and scope of the installation.

Most Innovative for Sailing: Balmar SG230/235 Battery Monitor

What the judges said: “Balmar’s SC230/235 battery monitors give boaters significant insight into the real-time health and state of charge of their battery banks from a variety of dedicated or wireless displays.”

The fact that captains can access battery information with Balmar’s monitors by using an app on a smartphone creates tremendous appeal for sailors who don’t always want to run a chart plotter to check their power supply. The judges also liked the products’ ability to monitor lithium batteries, which is unique to the market. But don’t consider this just a sailboat win; powerboaters also appreciate the SG230 and SG235. With NMEA 2000 networking capability, the monitors can push accurate information on a deep-cycle house bank—such as state of charge and voltage—to any multifunction display. Over time, these smart monitors actually learn from the batteries, allowing the SG230/235 to examine a broader parameter called state of health. Captains can then see how their battery bank ages over time. The SG230 comes with a color display and costs $329; the SG235, without display, costs $239.

Most Innovative for Power: Yamaha Battery Management System

What the judges said: “Yamaha’s new battery management system simplifies rigging, saves money, reduces weight and facilitates easier service of multi-outboard-powered boats, proving once again that less is more.”

Yes, the judges noted a theme throughout this year’s new products: a focus on making everyone’s life—from the boater to the builder—easier. Yamaha even has a philosophy tied to this trend called CommandBlue, designed to deliver products that are easier to use and create greater satisfaction and confidence on the water. The judges felt that Yamaha’s Battery Management System delivered. The most impressive feature they noted was the system’s ability to start up to five outboards with just two starter batteries (without the system, each engine would need a starter battery). The BMS constantly monitors and charges all batteries but it prioritizes the starting batteries, ensuring their readiness. Boaters can then add more house batteries to power their ever-growing list of accessories. Captains can also turn on or off the batteries from up to 15 feet away using a key fob or they can use a console-mounted switch. The estimated retail price for the system is $2,200. Note that BMS is only compatible with Yamaha’s digital-electronic-control outboards on vessels that employ Yamaha’s Helm Master EX.

Read Next: More Marine Electronics

Best in Entertainment: Fusion Apollo Series Amplifiers

What the judges said: “More impressive than a moonshot, Apollo amps ease installation and setup of marine audio amplifiers.”

Most amplifiers must be manually tuned, often by a dealer or technician, so that they can produce clear, quality sound. But Fusion’s new Apollo Series Amplifiers eliminate all that. The judges felt that tune-free functionality was ground-breaking. Here’s how it works: Captains wirelessly connect to their mobile device and open the Fusion-Link app. There, they select the relevant audio profile for their vessel. The amps, enclosed in white, powder-coated-aluminum casings, exclusively pair with Fusion Digital Signal Processing enabled stereos. They feature 150 W RMS per channel and a high-power mode, and come in 1-, 4-, 6- and 8-channel options. Prices range from $179.99 to $949.99.

The post Bonnier Best Electronics Awards 2022 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

I realize that I’m not the first kayak angler to change electronics brands and encounter installation issues. But I figured that the more information and tips available online, the less complicated the task might be for others. Let me start at the beginning.

I like to change the electronics on my kayaks and boats every three to five years. Because I write about electronics for our publications, I usually swap electronics brands each time so that I can become more familiar with the user interfaces.

When I bought my Hobie Compass kayak several years ago, we installed a Lowrance display and transducer, using Hobie’s Lowrance-Ready transducer mounting system — which positions the long slender transom-mount sensor into a pocket beneath the hull. The transducer fastens to the hull using a plastic adapter plate and screws. Easy-peasy.

After three years, I decided to install a Garmin EchoMap UHD 74sv. However, the holes on the Garmin transducer did not match up with the holes on the adapter plate. My own internet search began. I found the BerleyPro Hobie Transducer Mount.

My initial excitement waned as I noticed the company was located in Australia. Shipping would be possible, but costly. Another search located the same product at fishingonline.com. At $73.14 with free shipping, I hit buy.

Once I found this product, the rest of the install went fairly easily, although I managed to fasten on the new adapter plate upside down at first. Attaching the Garmin’s power cord to a Nocqua cable to plug into my Li-ion battery was a simple matter of matching red wires and black wires.

Read Next: How to Choose a Fishing Kayak

I feel great satisfaction when I plug in something and it works instantly. I used Garmin’s Active Captain app to download and install g3 Vision charts to my MFD. My first fishing trip with the new Garmin showed me all kinds of new functionality as well as pointing out fish and bait schools.

Here’s the short video capture of the process:

Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing

The post Kayak How-To Video: Swapping in a Garmin Transducer appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Welcome to the inaugural Best Elex Awards, which honors standout marine electronics products that have been reviewed and approved by the editorial team behind the four leading titles in marine media: Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Salt Water Sportsman. Over the course of two months, the nominees were evaluated by our team of eight judges, including the editors-in-chief and electronics editors of the aforementioned brands. In the end, seven products set themselves apart. And the winners are:

• Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Axiom+
• Leading Edge Technology: Furuno NavNet TZTouch3 9F
• Best Integrated System: Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv
• Most Innovative for Sailing: Airmar DST 810
• Best in Entertainment: Rockford Fosgate 12-inch Color Optix M2 Subwoofers
• Most Innovative for Power: Dometic Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator
• Best in Communication: Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix

Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Axiom+

Raymarine’s Axiom+ multifunction displays replace the company’s original Axiom line in 7-, 9-, and 12-inch-display models. The plus units integrate a quad-core processor, multi-channel sonar views (including RealVision 3D), and augmented-reality navigation, and include up to 16 GB of onboard data storage. All displays employ in-plane switching for better, brighter viewing along with the company’s HydroTough treatment to repel water and oils. Axiom+ models start at $749.

What the judges said: “These units have more memory than your mother-in-law. They run a multitude of apps, using an intuitive GUI ripped from a smart TV, and, thanks to WiFi, no pulling radar cable through pipework. What’s not to like?”

Leading Edge Technology: Furuno NavNet TZTouch3 9F

Furuno responded to customer requests for a smaller version of its TZTouch3 technology, introduced last February, by delivering the 9F, a 9-inch IPS display for tighter helms and second stations. The hybrid-control TZT9F features a quad-core processor, 256 GB memory card built into the system, a built-in 1kW, single-channel TruEcho CHIRP Fish Finder, and a traditional 50/200kHz RezBoost Fish Finder. The MFD comes with a PIN-code lock feature and is also compatible with a wide array of Furuno peripherals, including radar, autopilot, VHF, and black-box sonars. The TZT9F costs $2,995.

What the judges said: “This smaller version of the TZTouch3 delivers so many of the best features of its bigger brothers. The edge-swiping interface, in particular, puts all of your most-important functions within quick reach. The built-in 1 kW chirp that’s frequency agile is a big plus for anglers, as is the ability to lock the MFD with a passcode.”

Best Integrated System: Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv

Garmin’s new GPSMAP 1243xsv multifunction display surpasses its predecessor, the 1242, with edge-to-edge glass, an IPS display, higher resolution, better scanning sonar and more. Garmin says it has now brought those premium features—indicative of its 8600 series—to mid-level consumers. The 1kW chirp unit incorporates all of Garmin’s sonar capabilities such as LiveScope, SideVu, and ClearVu. The 1243 can be flush-mounted in the same space as a 1242 with a retrofit kit. The 1243xsv costs $2,899.

What the judges said: “Garmin’s new 1243xsv combines popular, SideVu, ClearVu and chirp sonar all in one device with no black boxes. In addition, they’ve upgraded the screen for brighter, sharper resolution and made the device networkable to integrate with NMEA 2000 connected engines and all other Garmin products.”

Most Innovative for Sailing: Airmar DST 810

Airmar’s DST810 Smart Multisensor makes calibrating accurate speed a simple process. The unit features an integrated attitude sensor, as well, for logging heel and trim data. With the free CAST app, boaters won’t need expensive PC software to provide heel-compensated speed across multiple heel angles and speed ranges. The 5 Hz output delivers unrivaled speed for making quick decisions on the water. The sensor, which also measures depth and water temperature—to a tenth of a degree—accommodates hull angles of up to 22 degrees and costs $399.

What the judges said: “Airmar sensors are used extensively by sailing instruments, which means the new sensor can easily replace older ones. The ability to self-calibrate and ‘see’ down to the bottom when measuring depth is a great benefit, especially for sailboats that often have curved hull forms. The ability to correct for heel and calibrate speed accordingly is of great value to racing sailors, but also to navigation, since speed through the water is used to calculate current, true wind speed and other critical sailing data.”

Best in Entertainment: Rockford Fosgate 12-inch Color Optix M2 Subwoofers

Rockford Fosgate has introduced 12-inch Color Optix Subwoofers for its M2 line of Element Ready sound technology. The subwoofers come in two types — infinite baffle, which provides more strength in the cone — and sealed options for smaller enclosures. Available in black, white, black with stainless insert or white with stainless insert, the subs can be customized by connecting an optional Color Optix Controller and RF Connect App that allows selection of various light colors and patterns. The 12-inch M2s cost $449.

What the judges said: “The M2 subwoofer’s customizable LED colors let users personalize their audio experience. With the ability to pump out up to 1600 watts of power, a lack of volume should never be an issue.”

Most Innovative for Power: Dometic Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator

Dometic’s Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator delivers full power-steering functionality with auto-adjustable parameters to any conventional outboard. The actuator, electronic helm display and harness install quickly without the need for hoses, oil or purging. The system also integrates with joystick control, SeaStation (position hold), SeaWays (Dometic autopilot), and third-party autopilots. This actuator employs a compact brushless DC motor and a unique roller screw that produces enough power to push even the heaviest outboards. Two engines require two actuators; triple- or quad-outboard setups also employ two actuators with additional tie-bars. Price for a single-engine system is $5,700, about 15 percent higher than equivalent electro-hydraulic systems.

What the judges said: “The new Optimus electric steering system brings marine-steering technology into the 21st century.”

Best in Communication: Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix

Standard Horizon’s GX2400 Matrix VHF radio replaces earlier GX220 products; it offers an internal, 66-channel WAAS GPS receiver; NMEA 2000 networkability; a wireless (or wired) full-functioning, second-station RAM mic; and an AIS receiver. Anglers can employ the voice scrambler to send encrypted messages to fishing buddies. The fixed-mount radio costs $449.99.

Read Next: More Top Marine Electronics for Boating

What the judges said: “Standard Horizon’s GX2400 is a feature-heavy VHF base-station radio that delivers mic expandability and NMEA 2000 compatibility at a budget-conscious price point.”

The post Best Electronics Awards 2021 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Daiwa Saltiga LD

Six single-speed models, 10 two-speed models and two tournament-style sailfish designs give anglers a wide variety of sizes to choose from among Daiwa’s revamped Saltiga LD reels. All of the new reels feature a single-piece machined-aluminum frames and side plates for precise alignment of bearings and gears, as well as Daiwa’s Advanced Tournament Drag System. Oversize, super-hard stainless-steel main and pinion gears fit together perfectly to drive the kicking gear with extra strength. Oversize spool bearings reduce side load. Max drags range from 22 to 45 pounds; retrieve per 39.9 to 47 inches of line per handle turn (sailfish models pick up 54.3 to 56 inches per crank). Single-speed reels cost $419.99 to $649.99; two-speeds cost $499.99 to $699.99.

Penn Slow-Pitch Rods

Penn has introduced a line of slow-pitch jigging rods due to the popularization of this Japanese technique in the United States. By using smaller tackle and small, precise movements, anglers can better imitate a wounded baitfish. The Penn Slow Pitch System employs extra-narrow Fathom reels and these new Battalion II rods with thin, technical blanks, ideal for working specialized jigs nearshore and offshore. The series includes six, 6-foot-8-inch rods (four conventional, two spin) with varying power. They come with Fuji K guides with alconite inserts, Fuji reel seat, and tapered EVA split grips. They cost $149.95.

Garmin OnDeck

Garmin’s new OnDeck System offers anglers a remote monitoring and management solution allowing 24/7 access to critical and timely information about their boat. When paired with Garmin’s ActiveCaptain app, OnDeck monitors battery status, bilge activity, door/hatch sensors, GPS location and more. Anglers can be notified if the boat movesin or out of a custom geofenced area. In addition to the hub unit, the system includes a door sensor, temperature sensor, shore-power sensor and relay switch. OnDeck can be used with or without a multifunction display and has a 48-hour internal back-up battery. The system costs $849.99; subscriptions include a flexible $19.99 per month plan and a one-year plan for $12.99 per month (first three months at no charge during promotional period).

Berkley Gulp! Paddleshad

Berkley has expanded its saltwater Gulp! and Gulp! Alive! Series with the new Paddleshad shape. The new baitfish profile has an optimized nose for rigging jigheads. Its body and tail design work together to provide fast action and slow-speed movement. Sizes range from 3 to 6 inches and colors include a variety of standard and firetail offerings. Gulp! Paddleshad start at $6.99 per five-pack and Alive! Paddleshad start at $9.99 per pint.

Star Brite Magic Sponge XTEND

Star brite has taken one of its more popular products — the Ultimate Magic Sponge, a melamine foam scuff and streak eraser with a reinforced core — and given it a swivel head that attaches to any handle with both a quick connector and screw-thread adapter. The attachment pad can also be used with all Star brite scrubber handles as well. Clean without straining your back or knees. The Magic Sponge XTEND costs $34.99.

Humminbird Solix G3

Humminbird has announced its third-generation series Solix multifunction displays, which feature a new dual-core processor and an expanded range of Mega Imaging+, offering deeper depths and further distances (up to 250 feet deep and 250 feet to each side). Available with 10.1-, 12.1- or 15.4-inch high-definition, sunlight-viewable screens. Solix G3 comes with built-in dual-spectrum chirp sonar. Available chart options include Humminbird’s new CoastMaster as well as Navionics. Units range in price from $2,199.99 to $3,499.99.

Read Next: The Latest Fishing Gear

Gamakatsu Nautilus Circle Hooks

Gamakatsu says its engineers drew on the shape of the nautilus pelagic mollusk to develop its line of circle hooks for live bait or chunks. Nautilus hooks feature an offset point and are built with a high-carbon content and forged construction. The closed eye allows various rigging methods and leader materials. For the biggest pelagics, opt for the Nautilus Circle HD with 30 percent heavier wire than the regular hooks. Both styles come in ringed version; the solid ring allows live baits to swim more freely. Nautilus and Nautilus HD are coated with NS Black finish for stealth and corrosion protection. Sizes range from 1 to 6/0 with smaller hooks available in packs of eight; larger hooks come in packs of five. All can be bought in packs of 25. Prices start at $4.62 per pack.

The post New Products and Electronics for October 2020 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Updating your electronics software will make you rich!

How’s that for a misleading sales pitch? But I think we need the exaggeration in this case.

Clearly, when many anglers hear the phrase — “update your software” — their eyes glaze over. So let me entice you with a juicy promise: If you update your electronics system regularly, you will unlock hidden treasures you never knew you needed.

Like what?

Well, if you’re a Garmin owner, you can enable high-resolution relief shading. If you run a Raymarine unit, you can get a fish-detection alarm and day/night colorization. And that just scratches the surface. The wealth can be staggering.

Read Next: Electronics Tricks of the Trade

To top it off, the updating process could not be simpler today. All you have to do is initiate. To explain why and how to update software, we asked the manufacturers to answer a Q&A. Here are their answers alphabetically by brand.

Furuno

Q: How often do you offer software updates?

A: Furuno usually updates light marine product software bi-annually, but there’s no set schedule.

Q: What are some of the most recent features you’ve added?

A: Right now, Furuno is excited to be offering a massive free upgrade and new user interface for our TZtouch2 multifunction display (MFD) product line. We are adding fantastic new fishing features like a dedicated Event Mark button that is also a gateway to a new feature called Furuno “Catch.” Catch allows customers to save events as fish marks and adds fish information such as size and weight to an event mark that is logged into the MFD and then automatically logged into a personal secure website when combined with a new free app called Furuno First Mate. First Mate is compatible with Android and iOS platforms and allows customer to record images of the fish they catch and save them to the cloud. Furuno has also gone a step further, including a new welcome page and new user interface. Check out the tutorial video below.

Q: What’s the easiest process for downloading and updating your software, and how much does it cost?

A: When the MFD is connected to the internet (using a smartphone hotspot or a router at a marina or on the vessel), the system will alert the boat owner when an update is available. Then, the software downloads directly to the MFD from the cloud. The boater can also check periodically on the furunousa.com website and download a dedicated upgrade file that can be saved to a memory card and then plugged into the MFD. The update method you can choose depends on the size and nature of the update. The current upgrade updates the operating system as well as features. For this, downloading a file to a memory card is necessary for safety and security. Furuno does not charge for software updates to existing product.

Q: What advice would you share with readers on how often and why they should update?

A: In most updates, new features, improvements and bug fixes are introduced.

Garmin

Q: How often do you offer software updates?

A: Garmin does quarterly software updates that include new features and performance enhancements that are offered at no charge to the consumer.

Q: What are some of the most recent features you’ve added?

A: I would say the most important feature we’ve had in quite some time is the Pin Code feature rolled out in early May. It locks and unlocks the display to help prevent unauthorized use of the unit. That has been a hot topic for years, and Garmin listened to customer feedback to improve our product and customer experience. We also continue to improve our sonar quality through testing. Some other important features we have released for saltwater anglers are software enhancements but they do require the purchase of a new product. Enabling High Resolution Relief Shading on BlueChart g3 Vision requires a card but the plotter must be updated with the newest software in order to see the content. Fish Mapping from SiriusXM with the GXM 54 receiver is another phenomenal fishing tool that has been added recently.

Q: What’s the easiest process for downloading and updating your software, and how much does it cost?

A: The ActiveCaptain app is by far the easiest way. We send out a notice over the app that says when new software is available. You can use your phone or your tablet to update your units. The app will check for new software updates, and if there is a new version, it will download it while you are on Wi-Fi so that it doesn’t eat up your air time, then when it pairs with the unit, it pushes the new update over Wi-Fi. You can also go the manual route and download the latest update from Garmin.com and save it to an SD card and then manually load it into the machine. (As noted above, the updates are free.)

Q: What advice would you share with readers on how often and why they should update?

A: We recommend updating software every time a new version is available. We are continuously adding new features and performance enhancements. As with all software, there’s potential for bugs so if we find those, we correct them and issue an update. Making sure you have the latest version of software ensures that your units run efficiently and that the user gets the optimal experience. We also continue to add support from other vendors such as FLIR, Yamaha and Optimus. Who doesn’t like better or more features for free? 

Raymarine

Q: How often do you offer software updates?

A: We try to update our LightHouse 3 operating system quarterly, though sometimes the increment is slightly longer depending on just how many new features are inside. Quality Assurance is a large part of every software release, so we’ll let the “quarterly update” interval extend if we need to, because it’s essential that the software update works correctly. 

Q: What are some of the most recent features you’ve added?

A: If you’re not updating regularly, you are missing out on lots of capabilities. Here are some recent additions that benefit anglers. Note, if you miss a release, simply download and install the latest and you’ll be 100 percent caught up.

· Fish Detection Alarm – Audible and visible alerts of fish in the water column, with customized icons, depth and range targeting

· System Day and Night Colorization – Axiom has selectable day and night-time system-wide color palettes, perfect for night fishing.  Charts, radar, sonar and more all respond to day or night selections.

· Fishidy Sync – Sync waypoints and catches between Axiom and the Fishidy Mobile App. Fishidy is a waterway-based community fishing app that lets you log catches, see local activity, and interact with other anglers.

· Dual-Streaming Video from FLIR cameras. View both the visible and thermal images from your compatible FLIR M300, 400 or 500-series camera on your Axiom LightHouse 3 display.

· Yamaha Command Link Engine Display – Yamaha’s official, certified display on Axiom.

· Fishfinder Pinch-to-Zoom and Swipe to Range Shift

· Radar sector blanking – Create “no transmit” zones in your radar to protect crew or sensitive devices.

Q: What’s the easiest process for downloading and updating your software, and how much does it cost?

A: Raymarine emails customers who have registered their products when new features are available. Anglers can also use the check-online menu on the display anytime. Then, the easiest way to update is to use Axiom’s onboard Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. Simply link your Axiom to a nearby Wi-Fi Hotspot or your mobile phone.  On Axiom, open the settings menu and choose “update software.” Axiom will update not only itself, but all of your other Raymarine gear it detects on the network — other MFDs, autopilot components, radar scanners, sonar black boxes, transducers, GPS sensors, AIS transceivers, SiriusXM receivers, instrument displays, VHF radios and more. If they need an update, Axiom will notify you, download the latest, and install it. In the event you don’t have internet access at your dock, you can download the latest update on raymarine.com, transfer it to a microSD card and plug it into Axiom. Updates are free.

Q: What advice would you share with readers on how often and why they should update?

A: At the very least, boaters should check at the start of their boating season to see if there is anything new. Our updates always have new features and capabilities, so that alone is normally reason to upgrade. Additionally, we do fix bugs and do other optimizations to keep the MFD and its sensors running fast and smooth. Some great examples of features added via software update include:

• Augmented Reality
• AIS and Radar danger area predictions.
• Axiom UAV app integration with the DJI Mavic series drones

Simrad

Q: How often do you offer software updates?

A: Simrad’s goal is to produce software updates once a quarter for its displays. This is not always the case, but that is the general rule of thumb.

Q: What are some of the most recent features you’ve added?

A: In a June software release, Simrad added new features such as support for Fish Mapping data from SiriusXM, C-Map Embark passage planner sync, NMEA 2000 update capability for Mercury VesselView Link, Naviop performance improvements, and accessory control of Lowrance Ghost freshwater trolling motor and Rhodan trolling motors.

Q: What’s the easiest process for downloading and updating your software, and how much does it cost?

A: The majority of displays are WiFi capable and that is by far the easiest way to update software. To make things easier, push notifications are sent to the MFD to let boaters know that an update is available. The updates are free.

Q: What advice would you share with readers on how often and why they should update?

A: Aside from the obvious being the updates often deliver advanced functionality to benefit boaters and anglers, the other critical reason is that the majority of tech support calls are the result of someone not running the latest software. It is important to know that the software updates are not always just for the MFD. Many times, the software is actually updating a connected device like a sonar module or a radar or an AIS. 

The post Get Rich Quick with Electronics Software Updates appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

As anglers and boaters—and humans—we all suffer from some degree of denial syndrome. For instance, many of us, since we’re obviously experts, assume we’ll never experience a serious emergency on the water.

“That won’t happen to me,” we say.

“I won’t fall overboard.”

“My boat won’t capsize.”

“I won’t get injured.”

When these experiences happen to others, we quickly rationalize. We would never have put ourselves in that position. Right? Yet, we can’t control everything.

Yes, 99 times out of 100, we have an awesome day on the water. But we must acknowledge that slight chance that our best efforts might be overwhelmed by circumstance. This month, as we look forward to a spring and summer full of fun saltwater adventures and to National Safe Boating Week in May, let’s pledge to get serious about safety.

Attitude Adjustment

In 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard ran 15,000 national search-and-rescue cases (commercial and recreational) and saved 1,700 lives. According to the Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics, the number of boating accidents in 2018, saltwater and freshwater, numbered 4,145. While those numbers might seem a small percentage of all boaters and all trips, they’re not insignificant.

When you think about it, we have quite a few products that can help optimize our safety on the water, from personal flotation devices, whistles and strobes to VHF radios with digital selective calling, satphones and emergency beacons. For the purposes of this column, by its definition, I will focus on electronic devices—particularly those that can summon immediate help on the water.

“Safety is the thing you’ll put off till next year,” says Mikele D’Arcangelo, vice president of global marketing and product management for ACR Electronics. Some people think: “It’s just a bunch of money sitting in a ditch bag or on the console, unlike that rod I’ll use every time I go out.

Then suddenly, national attention is drawn to an offshore tragedy, and we’re left with “what if?”

Once you commit to being proactive, a first rule of thumb to remember is simple and universal: Be prepared, whether that means actually wearing your PFD, having digital selective calling properly set up, wearing a personal locator beacon or SEND device such as an inReach or SPOT, or placing your EPIRB in an accessible position.

Let’s Evaluate

Secondly, consider your vessel and your fishing habits: how far offshore you go, whether you fish at night, whether you fish alone, etc. That will help you choose from among tools such as EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, man-overboard systems, and satellite emergency notification devices.

You say, “Well, I have a cellphone and I don’t go that far offshore.” Or, “I have a satphone. I can call for help.” But cellphones drop calls, get wet, and they don’t channel directly to marine rescue agencies. Satphones can be more reliable, but again, they don’t immediately summon on-water help. Beacons, SENDs and DSC-enabled VHFs do. MOB systems immediately alert crew and in some cases, other nearby boaters.

As long as your boat is floating, has power, and you’re still mobile and on board, turn first to the VHF. If the boat loses power or, worse yet, sinks, a PLB or an EPIRB can transmit a distress signal through a satellite to COSPAS SARSAT, a global agency that can immediately direct help to your location.

An EPIRB floats right-side up and is designed to tether to your life jacket. A PLB floats but must be held upright to transmit, D’Arcangelo says. “I’d rather every boater have an EPIRB than a PLB,” he says.

EPIRBs cost more than PLBs—$400 to $550 compared with $290 to $350—and they’re registered to a vessel. PLBs are registered to a person, and should be worn by that person. EPIRBs should be mounted to the vessel where they can be easily accessed. Those that come with a release bracket float free if a vessel begins to submerge; they will automatically send a distress signal.

“I always advise boaters to activate their properly configured and registered DSC VHF any time they’re going to activate their EPIRB,” says Paul Barnard, USCG Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. “A boat three miles away might get the DSC alert and assist immediately where Coast Guard assistance could be an hour or more away, if the EPIRB alone is activated.”

An MOB device is worn by crewmembers. If someone falls overboard, the device sends a signal to a phone or tablet onboard. In some cases, the system can be set to activate the boat’s kill switch so the crewmember can swim back to the boat. An AIS MOB device sends an alert message to all local vessels equipped with AIS.

Multifunction Devices

A SEND unit—such as Garmin’s inReach or Globalstar’s SPOT models—costs $150 to $650 and emits an SOS message via satellite to GEOS, a private search and rescue agency, which is tapped into the Iridium satellite system. Many SEND models now offer two-way messaging so that the victim and rescuers stay in touch.

Those units also offer a wide variety of services including preset messaging, so you can alert a loved one when you have left the dock and when you have returned, for instance. However, SEND units require a monthly subscription fee ($11.95 to $64.65); beacons do not.

Garmin’s inReach Mini also connects to a Garmin plotter or a quatix watch. The company’s new 86sci handheld GPS comes with embedded nautical charts as well as inReach capabilities.

“From the time of the incident, after you’ve pressed and held SOS, the unit sends your location every minute for 10 minutes,” says Chip Noble, inReach product manager. “When they receive it, within minutes, search and rescue responds to that user. The inReach allows two-way delivery confirmation.”

Read Next: Fish Safely with Redundant Electronic Safety Gear

Depending upon the model, battery life ranges from 35 to 90 hours; the units are rechargeable and they alert users when battery life has dropped to 25 percent.

The bottom line: The marine-electronics industry has a device for your boat and your fishing habits. All you have to do is invest in your safety.

The post Safety Electronics You Need for Your Boat appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Every angler on the ocean grapples with electronics questions, whether it’s how to take a screen grab or how to update software. To resolve some of the most common queries anglers pose, I asked electronics makers to walk us through how to perform important functions on their multifunction displays.

The topics they chose range from how to mark and save waypoints and switch between radar modes to logging your catch and creating customized screens.

Furuno

Furuno introduced the third generation NavNet TZtouch3 displays during this February’s Miami International Boat Show. We talked to company spokesman Jeff Kauzlaric about the changes Furuno made to its user interface to make it cutting edge.

“One of the things we did is fully utilize the edge-swiping feature where you go from either left to right, right to left, top to bottom, or bottom to top,” Kauzlaric says. “What ends up happening is you’re not going through a bunch of menus. Everything is a swipe and a tap away.”

The bottom-up screen swipe brings up a layers menu. To build a custom screen, you swipe from the top down. “It’s like a car’s stereo settings, you hold the button and set the station — or in this case, the screen — you want.” On the new units, you can choose six different screens.

The new system also gives users the option to program a brief tap with two fingers or a long tap with two fingers to function as a shortcut for taking a screen capture or similar actions. Another new convenience: If you have your screen split four ways and you put your finger on one window for a long hold, that window will go full-screen. Hold your finger on the screen again and it goes back to the four-way split.

Mark and Save Waypoints

Switch Between Radar Modes

Depth/Distance to Fish Target

Log Your Catch

Pin Code Lock

Garmin

Garmin’s interface has a reputation for ease of use. Here are five functions anglers commonly need and directions on how to access them.

Mark a Waypoint

Auto Guidance

Make a Combo Screen

Change Sonar Views

Autopilot Fishing Patterns

Raymarine

Raymarine has put a lot of effort into its LightHouse operating system, and its intuitive nature shows. Here are five commonly used functions on the company’s Axiom units.

Taking Screen Grabs

When you’re on the water and see something cool on your MFD, grab a screen capture that you can save for future reference or share on social media.

Creating Custom Layouts

Every Raymarine MFD ships with pre-configured tiles that show chart, fishfinder, sonar, video and other options. Once you get to know your system, you might want to create custom layouts that make it faster and easier to access the apps you use most.

Create Custom Contour Maps

Many inshore and coastal fisherman use detailed depth-contour information to home in on underwater structure that attracts fish. Though today’s charts are more detailed than ever before, you still see areas where the full definition of underwater structure has not been mapped. Navionics’ SonarChart Live and Raymarine’s RealBathy contour mapping can create underwater maps in real time, using your boat’s sonar and GPS. To use the Navionics system, you need to have a Navionics map card and a valid subscription. The Raymarine RealBathy system is free, and no map is needed. Just insert a microSD card in your unit to save the data it collects.

Night or Day Viewing Palettes

The latest update to Raymarine’s LightHouse 3 operating system now supports multiple color palettes that can be used to optimize the display for different lighting conditions. It changes the MFD’s menus and controls and also changes the colors of the Navionics or Raymarine LightHouse navigation charts.

Updating Software

Although many anglers see it as a chore, updating software regularly unlocks all kinds of new functions, and in most cases, costs you nothing. Raymarine has made it easy to keep its MFDs and their supporting components up to date. Using a Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot, connect your Raymarine MFD to the internet and it will do the rest.

The post Electronics Tricks of the Trade appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The information revolution has permeated every aspect of our lives, including our time on the water. “Boaters are looking for as much information as possible,” says David Meeler, manager of product planning and information for Yamaha Outboards.

In order to meet growing expectations, outboard-engine brands such as Evinrude, Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha have developed color touchscreen displays that take the place of push-button digital displays and conventional analog gauges on boat helms.

These multifunction displays (MFDs) are becoming prevalent aboard center-console fishing machines in excess of 30 feet LOA. While non-touchscreen digital and old-school analog gauges still occupy helms on many new boats—particularly smaller craft such as flats skiffs—engine MFDs represent the future.

Versatile View

The user interface results in great versatility. With the new Suzuki Multi-Function Display (SMD) series (available in 7-, 9-, 12- and 16-inch screens), for example, the captain can customize screens with combinations of engine and systems data. Available engine data includes rpm, speed, fuel consumption, fuel level, mpg, alternator output, battery voltage, engine temp, trim angle, engine hours and more. Displays from Suzuki and others will also show maintenance reminders, system warnings, and diagnostics.

Suzuki’s MFDs, built by Furuno, can also serve as chart plotters, and the two larger displays will integrate with compatible chirp sonar and radar modules. An internal Wi-Fi internet connection lets you tap into weather information.

Yamaha’s CL7, a 7-inch engine display built in partnership with Garmin, provides a built-in plotter and full networking capabilities with Garmin displays. Mercury Marine’s VesselView 703 and 903 (7- and 9-inch displays, built in partnership with Navico, makers of Simrad and Lowrance brand electronics) feature built-in sonar systems and plotters, plus networking capabilities with compatible Simrad MFDs.

Unlike analog gauges, most engine MFDs can be updated by the boat owner with software upgrades to offer new and improved features.

Less Clutter

With large center-console fishing boats now sporting three, four or more outboards, engine MFDs reduce clutter and wiring at the helm. A digital network serving a single touchscreen can cover multiple engines.

Yamaha’s CL7, for instance, can connect to as many as three engines to show complete data for each in one place, Meeler says. Mercury goes even further. “You can have as many as six outboards on a Mercury VesselView 502, 703 or 903 multifunction display,” says Walter Ross, Merc’s senior product manager for controls and rigging.

Integration and Control

Engine MFDs can also control certain engine-related functions via touchscreen buttons. “For example, the CL7 MFD can activate Set Point functions for Yamaha’s Helm Master boat-control system,” Meeler points out. You can engage and disengage Stay Point, Fish Point and Drift Point with the CL7, he says.

In another example, with Mercury VesselView 903, 703 and 502 MFDs, you can also control marine accessories and systems on boats equipped with C-Zone or Naviop digital switching, provided that the VesselView display is integrated with a Simrad MFD and interfaced with the digital-switching system.

As indicated earlier, these engine displays can also share information across a network to show the same data on other MFDs. With Mercury’s proprietary SmartCraft operating system and a VesselView Link black-box module, full data and touchscreen controls can be shared and displayed on a compatible Simrad MFD. Similarly, Yamaha CL7 can share full engine data and controls with compatible Garmin MFDs, though no additional black-box module is necessary.

MFD Direct

With some Mercury and Yamaha propulsion systems, you can forego an engine manufacturer’s display to access data. Digital engine information can be routed to, selected and viewed on a boat’s larger second-party MFD. With Mercury, only the Vessel View Link module is required to do this on Simrad MFDs.

With Yamaha, an analog-gauge interface is needed if you choose to eliminate a factory MFD and use a Garmin display instead. The new Yamaha 425 XTO outboard is an exception: It requires the Yamaha CL7 MFD for proper setup of the motor’s integral electric steering.

In addition, to grant certain controls, such as Mercury’s Joystick Piloting or to integrate Yamaha’s Helm Master system features, a dedicated MFD from the respective engine company is necessary.

Wireless Wonders

Let’s say you own a boat equipped with analog gauges, but you want the capability of viewing the rich amount of information available on an engine MFD. If the boat sports a recently built Mercury engine of 40 hp or above, you’re in luck. By adding a compact VesselView Mobile module (about $225) to the engine and downloading the free VesselView Mobile app, your tablet or smartphone becomes a de facto engine MFD.

VesselView Mobile (for iOS and Android) lets you access and read engine data on your mobile device. Robust marine mounting systems from companies such as Ram Mounts can secure a mobile device at the helm. Like an engine MFD, VesselView Mobile will also display maintenance reminders, engine alerts and diagnostics.

Read Next: Electronic Throttle Versus Cable Throttle: Making the Switch

Suzuki’s SMD series also offers a wireless function, one focused on usage history and diagnostics. With the free Suzuki Diagnostic System (SDS) mobile app, available for iOS and Android, you can use your smartphone to scan QR codes from an SMD to instantly upload data, including the number of engines, number of hours since the last oil change, total engine hours and hours of operation at different rpm. You can then review engine usage from past trips on your phone or even email the data from the app to a Suzuki dealer for diagnostic purposes.

Cost-Benefit

The biggest downside of touchscreen engine MFDs is the higher cost versus analog gauges or even digital nontouchscreen gauges. Mercury’s VesselView 703 and 903, for instance, carry MSRPs of more than $2,000. The same applies to a Yamaha CL7.

Compare these prices with those of analog gauges retailing from less than $300 for a complement of five, or even to a Mercury SmartCraft or a Yamaha multifunction digital gauge retailing between $300 and $400 each.

The cost difference is striking, but so are the additional benefits of engine touchscreen MFDs. As the information revolution advances, it’s good to know that engine data systems and displays are keeping pace.

The post Touch-Screen Marine Engine Displays Are More Helpful Than Ever appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.