Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), last week announced Panoptix All-Seeing Sonar, a revolutionary sonar technology that gives mariners the ability to see all around their boat in real-time – forwards, backwards, sideways,
and down – even while stationary. Garmin Panoptix is a multi-beam transducer that utilizes a phased-array scanning sonar technology, ideal for near-shore or freshwater fishermen and previously only available in the offshore commercial market.
“We believe Panoptix is going to revolutionize the way recreational fishermen use sonar technology,” said Dan Bartel, vice president of worldwide sales. “Never before have fishermen had the ability to see all around their boat in real time. Available as a forward or down transducer, Garmin Panoptix is sonar like you’ve never seen it before.”
Panoptix Forward Transducer
With Panoptix Forward, fishermen can see the bottom, structure, and fish swimming around in front of the boat – in real time – even while stationary. See what’s in front of the boat with the Panoptix Forward Transducer using LiveVü Forward or RealVü 3D Forward modes.
LiveVü Forward provides a more live-video look that shows fish swimming and moving toward or away from the boat. Updates are provided with a single ping, providing real-time moving images of what’s in the water. With LiveVü Forward, users can even cast a lure out and watch it as it’s reeled back towards the boat right on the screen.
RealVü 3D Forward digitally scans the area in front of the boat, creating a forward-looking 3D view of the bottom, structure and fish. The user can control how quickly the forward area is scanned to provide greater or less detail, making it very easy to identify where the fish really are.
Panoptix Down Transducer
Panoptix Down provides a look at what’s swimming below the boat in any direction – in real time – even while stationary. With a Panoptix Down Transducer, fishermen can utilize three remarkable views: LiveVü Down, RealVü 3D Historical or RealVü 3D Down.
LiveVü Down provides real-time moving sonar images below the boat. With LiveVü Down, see small baitfish and large target fish swimming around and pinpoint their distance left or right, and their depth.
RealVü 3D Historical gives the user a wealth of sonar data. It scrolls through the data as the boat moves to show the history of entire water columns – from the bottom to the surface and all of the fish in between. Bottom contours and fish pop in vivid color in three dimensions.
RealVü 3D Down digitally scans the area below the boat from front to back and side to side. A full 3D view of the area under the boat is constructed, showing bottom contour changes, fish and structure, even while stationary.
Both the PS31 Panoptix Forward Transducer and PS30 Panoptix Down Transducer are equipped with an internal Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) sensor that constantly adjusts sonar beams to compensate for boat motion. They are compatible with Garmin’s GPSMAP® 7400/7600 series, GPSMAP 8000/8500 series and GPSMAP 7×1, 8×0, and 10×0 series chartplotters, as well as the echoMAP™ 70s and echoMAP 70dv. The Panoptix Forward Transducer is available with an included trolling motor mounting kit and a transom mounting kit, and the Panoptix Down Transducer is sold with the transom mounting kit included.
Garmin Panoptix Forward and Down Transducers are expected to be available in the spring of 2015 with a suggested retail price of $1,499.99. For more information, including product images, screen shots, and videos, visit www.garmin.com/panoptix.
Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability and ease-of-use.
For more than 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.