Lowrance Unveils New HDS® Gen2 Multifunction Displays

Featuring faster processing speed and new StructureMap™ view

NEWS RELEASE

Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957, is pleased to announce the next-generation of the world’s best-selling multifunction displays, the HDS® Gen2 High Definition System.

The new HDS Gen2 provides faster processing speed and StructureMap™ view, a powerful, innovative tool that allows users to overlay StructureScan® sonar images on a chart in real-time or to save images and review at leisure. The HDS Gen2 also delivers the many award-winning benefits of the popular HDS fishfinder/chartplotter series.

The Lowrance HDS Gen2 displays include double the memory and twice the processor speed of first-generation HDS models, providing boaters with enhanced responsiveness, faster start-up, quick menu operation and lightning-fast chart panning and zooming speeds.

When paired with the StructureScan Sonar Imaging module, users can activate the StructureMap overlay and view images directly on their charts in real-time. Boaters can also create StructureMap charts of their favourite boating, fishing and diving areas.

Compatible with Navionics® cartography and featuring Turboview™ for high-speed seamless zooming and transition between 2D and 3D modes, the HDS Gen2 also provides a built-in recording capability so that users can easily create and view StructureMap detail without the aid of a computer.

Greg Konig, Lowrance Product Line Director said: “The new HDS Gen2 delivers the same feature-packed benefits that have made HDS a global-leading multifunction display.

“Now, with Gen2’s faster processing speed and the new StructureMap feature, boaters, divers and anglers will be blown away by the speed and amazing views of real-time StructureScan overlay.”

All HDS Gen2 models with chartplotter capability feature an internal, high-sensitivity GPS antenna and products with fishfinder capability incorporate the award-winning Broadband Sounder™.

Lowrance’s TrackBack™ functionality allows HDS Gen2 users to scroll-back the recorded history of their Broadband Sounder or StructureScan sonar imaging to review structure or fish targets and pinpoint the location with a waypoint. To avoid losing important sonar data, HDS Gen2 continues recording throughout the use of TrackBack™ to ensure valuable readings are not lost.

All HDS Gen2 models feature a SolarMAX™ PLUS display with LED backlighting, for exceptional views in even the brightest sunlight and clear, wide viewing angles. Users can also adjust the screen brightness for low-light conditions.

HDS Gen2 models offer an easy-to-use graphic menu system for more convenient access and control of key functions. In addition, HDS-8 and HDS-10 models feature six programmable soft keys for one-button access to the most commonly used menu functions.

HDS Gen2 products can be easily networked with a complete line of NMEA 2000 tracking and engine sensors and are compatible with Lowrance’s comprehensive range of innovative marine-electronics, including Broadband 3G™ Radar, the new Broadband 4G™ Radar with beam-sharpening for unprecedented target separation and the SonicHub® marine audio server for integrated access to music stored on an Apple iPod or iPhone.

The HDS Gen2 multifunction display line up consists of nine models (see table below) and can be easily networked together using high-speed Ethernet cabling for waypoint and data sharing.

All Gen2 fishfinder models are available with 50/200 kHz Skimmer® transducer packs for deep water applications, or 83/200 kHz Skimmer packs for inland waters. All HDS Gen2 models are compatible with Airmar® in-hull or thru-hull transducers for up to 1 kW operation. Lowrance HDS Gen2 displays are protected by a 2-year limited warranty, and backed by the 5-year Lowrance Advantage Service Program.

Expected to be available from January 2012, recommended prices for Lowrance HDS Gen2 units will start at £519.60 inc VAT for the HDS-5m and rise to £2,642.40 inc VAT for the HDS-10. For more information on the Lowrance HDS Gen2 series or the Lowrance range of marine electronics, visit www.lowrance.com.