Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, announced today the newest addition to its Elite and Mark family of compact fishfinder and chartplotter products, the Elite-4 and Mark-4 Hybrid Dual Imaging™ (HDI) series.
Setting a new performance standard for affordably priced navigation and fishfinder electronics, the new HDI units feature a built-in GPS antenna, high definition mapping options, and the Lowrance exclusive Hybrid Dual Imaging technology that combines Broadband SounderTM and Downscan Imaging for the best possible view beneath your boat.
Replacing previous Lowrance Elite-4 and Mark-4 models, the larger and super-bright Elite 4.3-inch colour and Mark greyscale displays have 70% more pixels and 36% more useable screen area. Available in fishfinder-only, chartplotter-only (HD) and fishfinder/chartplotter combo models, the new addition to the Lowrance HDI series offers a full selection of top performing sonar and navigation features in an easy to operate, space-saving design.
Built into 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 combine the Downscan Imaging view with the Broadband Sounder recording for a stunning presentation that separates and clearly exposes fish targets from surrounding structure. Overlay transparency is fully adjustable.
Lowrance Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) maximises fishing time by reducing the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly. Exclusive TrackBackTM functionality allows anglers to scroll back in recorded sonar history to review structure, transitions and fish targets, and pinpoint locations with a waypoint (on chartplotter models) — eliminating the need to circle back and retrace their path.
Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI models with chartplotter capability feature a highly accurate built-in GPS antenna and come with an SD card so that boaters can download, Navionics® or Jeppesen C-MAP MAX-N charts. All HDI/HD chartplotter models are compatible with the new online Insight Genesis™ map creation service, which allows users to make their own custom, high-resolution contour, bottom hardness and vegetation maps from recorded sonar logs, and are also compatible with an array of other charts including NV Digital maps.
Leif Ottosson, CEO, Lowrance said: “We pride ourselves on offering Lowrance’s most innovative fishfinding and chartplotting capabilities to all anglers — at every budget level.
“The new Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI models provide powerful navigation and our popular HDI fishfinding technology — combined with a larger, compact display — so anglers looking for an affordable, space-saving unit now have a variety of options that will exceed their expectations on the water.”
The Elite-4 HDI and Mark-4 HDI models feature Lowrance-exclusive, high-resolution 4.3-inch, colour and greyscale displays, respectively, and employ an easy to use menu system with quick one-thumb operation. Multi-window display options, which show a variety of sonar imaging/chartplotter screen configurations, are easy to access through preset page layouts that include a three-panel view with chart, Broadband Sounder and DownScan Imaging.
The Elite-4 HDI line consists of Elite-4x HDI fishfinder-only, Elite-4m HD chartplotter-only and Elite-4 HDI combination models. The Mark-4 HDI is available as a fishfinder/chartplotter combination unit only.
Elite-4 HDI and Mark-4 HDI models, with the 83/200 kHz Skimmer transducer, are suited for inland fishing and can reach a depth of 1,000 feet. Models featuring the 50/200 kHz Skimmer transducer, ideal for deeper coastal applications, are capable of reaching depths of 2,500 feet. DownScan Imaging depth capability on both models has a maximum range of 300 feet. Optional accessories include a series of bronze thru-hull HDI transducers, a trolling-motor transducer adapter kit and a flush-mount kit. All Airmar® transducers used with Lowrance HDS models are also compatible.
Protected by a standard warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program, the Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI series can be purchased from authorised Lowrance dealers and distributors from January 2014. Lowrance Elite-4 HDI models begin from £205.00 EX VAT, and the Mark-4 HDI fishfinder/chartplotter can be purchased for as low as £189 EX VAT. For more information on the Lowrance Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI series, the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, or to locate an authorised Lowrance dealer, please visit www.lowrance.com.
