Marine Electronics provide HD view of fish and ocean bottom.

Press Release Summary:



Featuring GPS-Chartplotter and Fishfinder combination units, HDS-5, with 5 in. 480 x 480 pixel cold-cathode display, and HDS-7, with 6.4 in. 640 x 480 pixel VGA display, incorporate Lowrance Broadband Sounder technology that eliminates clutter/noise in water column. Devices include 16-channel GPS+WAAS antenna and backlit screens and keypads. Compatible with Lowrance HD radar systems, waterproof units can operate standalone or be integrated via Ethernet and NMEA 2000 networks.



Original Press Release:



Lowrance Announces the HDS-5 and HDS-7 with Advanced Chartplotter and Broadband Sounder Capabilities



New 5- and 7-inch Systems Provide Maximum Functionality and Flexibility for Avid Boaters and Anglers with Limited Dash Space

Tulsa, Okla. - Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, announced today its groundbreaking 5-inch and 7-inch High Definition Systems (HDS), the HDS-5 and HDS-7. Featuring high-performance GPS-Chartplotter and Fishfinder combination units, the HDS-5 and -7 are the first products on the market to combine high-definition chartplotter capabilities and Lowrance's award-winning Broadband Sounder functionality into a compact, easy-to-install system. The ideal solution for boaters who require an easily networked or standalone electronics package delivering the very best in performance, the Lowrance HDS-5 and -7 systems offer unparalleled versatility in a package designed specifically for boats with limited dash space.

Providing superior clarity, performancee and target separation, HDS-5 and -7 fishfinder models incorporate the award-winning Lowrance Broadband Sounder technology. The advanced sonar technology features dramatically increased sensitivity, virtually eliminates clutter and noise in the water column, and makes it easy to distinguish fish from structure and the bottom, even at speed. The Lowrance Broadband Sounder gives anglers an astonishing high-definition view of fish; structure such as timber and stump fields, channels and rock piles; and transitions such as weed-edges, soft-to-hard bottom transitions, depth changes and thermoclines.

Offering powerful out-of-the-box navigational functionality, the HDS-5 and -7 chartplotter models include an internal 16-channel GPS+WAAS antenna. Select chartplotter models also feature a new enhanced U.S. base map with coverage of more than 100,000 bodies of water and nearly 5,000 lake maps with detailed shorelines and depth contours. Other HDS chartplotter model versions include Lowrance's new exclusive Insight(TM) cartography*; featuring stunning life-like perspectives of bottom structure and topography, Insight delivers a new dimension in effective, reliable marine navigation and fishing. Ensuring boaters have the maximum flexibility to use their choice of cartography, the HDS-5 and -7 are compatible with Lowrance LakeMaster® ProMaps, Fishing HotSpots® PRO, NauticPath(TM), FreedomMaps(TM), and also offer full Navionics cartography support, including Platinum+, Platinum and HotMaps Platinum capability**.

"With the HDS-5 and -7, we have brought our revolutionary Lowrance Broadband Sounder and highdefinition chartplotter technology to boaters who want the best electronics but don't have the need or space for a unit with a larger screen," said Gordon Sprouse, director of marketing for all Navico Americas brands. "Lowrance customers choose our systems for industry-leading performance, reliability and support, and with the introduction of the HDS-5 and -7, we continue to push the envelope by providing the best technology at an affordable price."

Designed for ease-of-use in all conditions, the Lowrance HDS-5 and -7 feature convenient access and control with a newly designed menu system, and display screens that incorporate the latest SolarMAXTM PLUS technology, ensuring astounding fish finding and navigational detail and clarity.

The devices can operate as standalone models or can be integrated via Ethernet and NMEA 2000 networks. The HDS-7 features a large 6.4-inch 640x480-pixel VGA display, and the HDS-5 provides a 5-inch display with 480x480-pixel high-detail resolution. Both models offer an enhanced highbrightness sunlight-viewable screen with extremely wide viewing angles. All HDS screens and keypads are fully backlit - LED for HDS-7, cold-cathode for HDS-5 - and are adjustable for easy viewing in all lighting conditions.

The HDS-5 and -7 offer SIRIUS® real-time weather and stereo-quality radio support with inland and coastal package options, as well as Navico's exclusive Track-Your-Buddy(TM) and Get-Buddy features when interfaced with Lowrance-compatible VHF marine radios. The HDS-5 and -7 are available in combination GPS-Chartplotter and Fishfinder models, GPS-Chartplotter-only models (the HDS-5m and HDS-7m), and a 5-inch Fishfinder-only model (the HDS-5x). All Lowrance HDS systems are compatible with Lowrance HD radar systems, fully waterproof (IPx7) and are protected by a newly expanded 2-year limited warranty.

Models and Availability:

The Lowrance HDS-5 is available with the Lake Insight(TM), Nautic Insight(TM) or Enhanced U.S. Basemap maps. The HDS-7 is available with the Insight USA(TM) or Enhanced U.S. Basemap maps. Dual-frequency transducers are also available from Lowrance in 83/200 kHz and 50/200 kHz options. The HDS-5 and HDS-7 models can be purchased through authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on the HDS-5 and HDS-7, the complete HDS series, transducer pricing and compatibility, or to learn more about Lowrance and its entire product line, please visit www.HDSrevolution.com.

*Lowrance Lake Insight(TM) provides life-like perspective of bottom structure and topography for nearly 5,000 U.S. inland lakes, including more than 500 Fishing HotSpots lakes (a $400 value), as well as the Great Lakes. Nautic Insight(TM) models provide superior life-like view of coastal bottom structure with detailed coastal and offshore depth contours, plus navigation aids, for the entire U.S. coastline.

**Navionics compatibility requires a free software upgrade scheduled for availability in Q1 2009.

About Lowrance:

The Lowrance® brand is wholly owned by Navico, Inc., a privately held, international marine electronics company. Navico is currently the world's largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to five well-established marine electronics brands: B&G®, Eagle®, Lowrance, Northstar and Simrad®.

All Topics