ICAST 2016: What’s New In Boating Electronics

Held in Orlando each July, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trade Show – better known as ICAST – is the largest fishing tackle trade show in the world. It’s also a great place to see the latest in boat accessories, and particularly in the case of new electronics. With no less than 32 different manufacturers presenting new product in the electronics category – representing everything from fish finders to smartphone apps – there’s no better place to see what’s hot from all the major manufacturers.

Lowrance Elite-7 Ti

MSRP: $799

Although it was announced in February, Lowrance’s Elite-7 Ti continues to make waves by offering a compelling combination of performance and affordability, bringing many of the key features of the company’s top-of-the-line HDS system into a more affordable package – including touchscreen operation, wireless connectivity and SmartSteer autopilot control. Even better, it supports Lowrance’s all-in-one TotalScan transducer, with CHIRP sonar, broadband sounder, and StructureScan HD with SideScan and DownScan imaging all contained in a single, compact unit.

Humminbird HELIX 10 SI

MRSP: $1,499

Humminbird’s HELIX 10 SI stands out with the impressive clarity and brightness of its 10.1-inch display that makes viewing easy in even the brightest sunlight. Under its attractive skin, the HELIX is all about compatibility – it runs full networking options like Minn Kota’s i-Pilot Link, NMEA 2000, radar and AIS. It also runs cartographies from Navionics and LakeMaster. Auto Chart Live comes standard, enabling the user to create detailed digital maps in real time right on the screen. And it retains Humminbird’s hallmark of ease of use thanks to new processing power driving a new Reflex user interface. Winner of the 2016 ICAST Best of Show Award in the electronics category.

Garmin GPSMAP 8624

MSRP: $11,999

Garmin’s GPSMAP 8624 is really big display with a really big price, all of which is justified by its really big capabilities. It’s huge – you’re looking at a premium quality, 24-inch, full HD display that offers pinch-to-zoom touchscreen control, and at the highest resolution available on the marine market to date. With its size, it is possible to configure the system to provide one-touch setting access for docking, cruising, fishing, anchoring and more with its ability to handle a six-way split. Driving all of these pixels is a high performance processor that delivers Garmin’s fastest map drawing ever, with enhanced video processing. Even more importantly, the GPSMAP 8624 gives the boat a beautiful glass helm look with its ability to bring all the important information onto a single, elegant screen.

Weego Jump Starter 44

MSRP: $149

When boaters think of electronics we tend to think of sonar, GPS and other types of displays. But none of that matters if you can’t start the boat because your battery bit the dust. Enter the Weego Jump Starter 44, a great little device that jump starts any vehicle, car, truck, boat, motorcycle or ATV with a gas engine up to 6.4 L or a diesel engine up to 3.2 L. It also charges mobile devices including phones, tablets, laptops and other USB devices, or powers 12V accessories. There’s even a built-in 500 lumen flashlight so you can jump start your boat in the dark. Compact and easy to use, little wonder this innovative device was named an ICAST Best Of Show award winner.