Garmin International announces fishfinder, mobile app, dive products

Garmin International has announced a series of fishfinder, mobile app, and dive computer products designed for several boating and marine markets.

The Echomap Plus series chartplotter and sonar combination has features for both saltwater and inland anglers and boaters. The Plus series features a sunlight-readable 4-inch, 6-inch, 7-inch or 9-inch display. The 6-inch units are new to the Echomap series and are larger with more pixels and easier to read than previous 5-inch models.

The Plus series has new keyed-assist touchscreen on the 7- and 9-inch units, A free software update planned for the first quarter of 2018 will also enable the 7- and 9-inch Echomap Plus units to share user and sonar data between devices. The new Echomap Plus series will be available during the fourth quarter of 2017.

The new Striker Plus series features Quickdraw Contours and Wi-Fi for first-time users. Like the first generation Striker series, the Plus offers built-in Chirp traditional sonar and ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar technology.

Available with a 5- or 7-inch display, the Plus series adds a larger 4.3-inch and 9-inch model to the lineup with sunlight readable color displays. Six new models offer flexible mounting so the devices can be tilted for an optimum-viewing angle.

An optional flush-mount kit is available for in-dash installation. The Plus series comes standard with a built-in high-sensitivity GPS receiver, so fishermen have the ability to not only see fish and structure below the boat, but also to quickly and easily mark favorite fishing spots. The Striker Plus series will also be available durn the fourth quarter of 2017.

“These new fishfinders are the perfect entry-level solution for anglers who want the best sonar available plus the ability to create and store their own contour maps,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president global consumer sales.

ActiveCaptain, a free all-in-one mobile app, delivers content management with unlimited access to cartography, automatic software delivery, and off-vessel planning capabilities.

“ActiveCaptain blends features our customers know and love from our existing apps – Garmin Helm and BlueChart Mobile – and adds enhanced connectivity, community and planning functionality for the ultimate connected boat ecosystem,” Bartel said. “Staying connected on and off the water is important to our customers, so we’re excited to deliver a one-app approach that’ll keep them connected to their Garmin electronics, cartography and the marine community.”

The Descent Mk1 I a dive computer housed in a watch-style design offering surface GPS navigation with rich color mapping. Designed for recreational, technical and free divers, the Descent Mk1 allows divers to use GPS waypoints to automatically mark dive entry and exit points.

The dive computer also offers multiple dive modes, three-axis compass, in-dive data, and multi-sport functions like wrist-based heart rate, activity profiles and automatic dive log uploads via the Garmin Connect Mobile app. The Descent Mk1 is being launched in conjunction with the Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 Diving Equipment and Marketing Association show in Orlando, Fla.