Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 announced today the newest addition to its Elite family of fishfinder/chartplotter products, the Elite-7 Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) series. Available as a fishfinder/chartplotter combo model, as well as a standalone fishfinder or chartplotter, the Elite-7 features a 7-inch, widescreen colour LED-backlit display that is 70-percent larger than comparably priced 5-inch products.
Allowing users to see more sonar history, larger chart images and more detail in split-screen mode, all Elite-7 models with fishfinder capability also feature Hybrid Dual Imaging™ (HDI), which combines both Broadband SounderTM and Downscan ImagingTM, two award-winning technologies which provide the best possible view of the water column.
Built-in to the new Lowrance HDI Skimmer® transducer design, Broadband Sounder technology is ideal for marking fish arches and tracking lure action, while Downscan Imaging provides easy to understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail. With the exclusive Lowrance Downscan overlay feature, boaters can layer the Downscan Imaging view over the Broadband Sounder recording for a stunning display that separates and clearly exposes fish targets from surrounding structure. In addition, the overlay transparency is easily and fully adjustable.
To maximise fishing time on the water, signature Lowrance Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) reduces the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly. The handy TrackBack™ feature allows boaters to scroll back through recorded sonar history to review structure or fish targets. When used on an Elite-7 model with chartplotter capabilities, skippers can also employ TrackBack to pinpoint locations with a waypoint — eliminating the need to circle back and retrace the path.
Elite-7 models with chartplotter capability feature a highly accurate built-in GPS antenna and a world basemap. A micro SD card can also be used to display Navionics® Gold cartography. All Elite-7 chartplotter models are also compatible with the new online Insight Genesis map creation service, which allows users to make custom, contour maps from sonar logs that they record.
All Elite-7 models feature a new multi-window display that allows users to choose up to three panels in split-screen mode to view chart, sonar and DownScan Imaging, all on one screen simultaneously. In addition, Elite-7’s easy to use menu system provides quick access to all features using one-thumb operation and NMEA2000® connectivity, which allows waypoint sharing among networked displays and communication with an externally networked GPS.
Greg Konig, Product Line Director for Lowrance said: “Elite-7 combines powerful Lowrance technology and new sonar display capabilities with a bigger, wider, highly functional 7-inch display.
“After testing our new Hybrid Dual Imaging with a number of professional fishermen, I am confident all users will immediately see the benefits it brings to their fishing and boating experiences.”
The new Lowrance Elite-7 series is comprised of Elite-7x fishfinder-only, Elite 7m chartplotter-only and Elite-7 combination models. Each model offers a range of bundled packages that include 83/200 kHz or 50/200 kHz transducer options, as well as Navionics® Gold cartography.
All Elite-7 models with 50/200 kHz Skimmer® transducer packs are ideal for deep water, coastal and Lake applications. Models featuring the 83/200 kHz Skimmer transducer are suited for inland fishing. Optional accessories include an HDI Skimmer transducer with 83/200 kHz operation plus Downscan Imaging (455/800kHz) for depths to 1,000 feet, an HDI Skimmer with 50/200 kHz operation and Downscan Imaging (455/800kHz) for depths to 2,500 feet, a trolling-motor transducer adapter kit and a flush-mount kit. All Airmar® transducers used with Lowrance HDS models are also compatible with the Elite-7 Series.
Protected by a 2 year limited warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program, the Elite-7 Series can be purchased from authorised Lowrance dealers and distributors from February 2013. Prices range from £549 ex VAT for the Elite-7m chartplotter to £750.23 ex VAT for the Elite-7 HDI 50/200 kHz fishfinder/chartplotter model bundled with downloadable Navionics cartography.
For more information on the Lowrance Elite-7 Series, or for more on the entire Lowrance range of marine electronics please visit www.lowrance.com.
