If you’re in the market for any boat, motor or marine accessory, you need to attend the big Miami International Boat Show this year (February 14-18, 2024). You’ll see a mind-boggling number of today’s coolest boating products, including the hottest new marine electronics, not only at company booths, but also on boats and at retailers exhibiting at the show. Here are marine electronics you must see while you’re at the Miami International Boat Show—MIBS, for short.
Simrad NSX Ultrawide
Simrad will debut its spectacular new multifunction displays at MIBS—the NSX Ultrawide series engineered to deliver the benefits of dual screens in just one display. Available in 12- and 15-inch (diagonal) screens, the revolutionary aspect ratio provides the best view to explore the latest NSX operating system. Boating anglers can create unique split-screen views on the MFDs. What’s more, the bundled C-Map Discover X charts for North America and Canada are optimized for the new Ultrawide display’s high-pixel density. Extra detail can be added with an upgrade to the optional Reveal X shaded-relief and satellite imagery charting. The NSX Ultrawide is packed with familiar features of the NSX, and it easily integrates with other Simrad electronics, including sonar technologies across a wide range of transducers. $2,749 for the 12-inch model, $3,399 for the 15-inch; simrad-yachting.com.
Garmin EchoMap Ultra 2 Series
The Garmin exhibit at MIBS is a must-see destination for boaters and anglers. While you’re there, check out the EchoMap Ultra 2 chart-plotter series, designed to offer advanced features for nearshore anglers, including wireless networking, multi-band GPS and a new user interface. The plotters are available in 10-inch (106sv) or 12-inch (126sv) sunlight-readable touchscreens with keyed assist. The Ultra 2 series features the new Ultra High-Definition (UHD) scanning sonar and comes preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ mapping with a one-year subscription for daily updates. The wireless networking lets you share sonar, waypoints and routes with other onboard EchoMap Ultra 2 or UHD2 chart plotters, eliminating the need for cable connections. There’s also a screen-recording feature accessible via the ActiveCaptain app that can capture what’s on the chart-plotter screen to share via text or social media. The Ultra 2 chart plotters are available with a GT56UHD all-in-one transducer that provides Garmin chirp traditional sonar and UHD ClearVu and SideVu scanning images of what’s below and to the sides of the boat. The new series also supports the full lineup of Garmin’s award-winning LiveScope live-scanning-sonar systems. The new models range from $1,899.99 to $3,099.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/marine.
Siren Connected Boat App
Stop by the Siren Marine booth to check out the Siren Connected Boat mobile app, now featuring integration with Yamaha Outboards and Command Link Plus to automatically remind boaters and their preferred dealers about scheduled maintenance and due dates based on engine use, as well as maintenance records. For boaters who already have Siren, the app will update seamlessly on their mobile devices. The new app is free, but requires installation and activation of a Siren 3 Pro main device and cellular service. Siren 3 Pro system hardware starts at $797 with cellular plans as low as $18.75 per month. Features include real-time vessel security, and tracking functions, as well as conveniences such as remote digital switching. For more information, visit sirenmarine.com or yamahaoutboards.com.
Airmar Medium Ultra-Wide-Beam Transducers
If you’re a saltwater angler, you must see Airmar Technology Corp.’s new line of three medium-frequency ultra-wide transducers. These single-frequency, chirp-ready 1 kW, 60 to 100 kHz transducers feature a unique concave ceramic array design that delivers an incredible ultra-wide-beam width ranging from 57 to 73 degrees port and starboard, and a 16-degree average beam width fore and aft. Ideally suited for anglers seeking species down to 1,300 feet, the new medium B175MW (bronze housing) and SS175MW (stainless-steel housing) transducers are low-profile, tilted-element models that also include fast-response water-temperature sensors. The TM185MW ultrawide transom-mount version uses the same ceramic array in a urethane-bodied transducer with a stainless-steel transom bracket. Tilted-element models are available in zero-, 12- and 20-degree tilt angles. When the new medium ultra¬wide models are paired with other popular Airmar models, such as the B275LHW, anglers are equipped with a broad set of frequencies (low, medium-wide and high-wide) to find fish deep and shallow. To learn more, visit airmar.com.
JL Audio HTML Interface
Want to learn about the latest in marine audio control systems? Stop by JL Audio’s booth and ask about the new NMEA 2000-connected MediaMaster HTML interface for JL Marine MediaMaster marine source units. This gives boaters full control of their premium sound systems from Simrad, Lowrance or Garmin MFDs. Historically, MFDs provided limited compatibility and control for sound systems, which made having an audio-system control head necessary. This HTML interface ends the need for a dedicated audio-system controller, moving control and management to the MFD. It also reduces clutter at the helm, freeing space for installing other equipment on the dash. $499.99; jlaudio.com.
Read Next: Using Live Sonar to Catch More Fish
Raymarine-Rhodan Integration
Head over to the Raymarine booth to see how Axiom MFDs can now integrate with Rhodan Marine’s bow-mount saltwater trolling motors, which range from 12 to 36 volts in shaft lengths up to 108 inches. Anglers can control Rhodan trolling motors from an Axiom 2 Pro or XL MFD just as they would from the Rhodan key fob. The integration allows anglers to increase and decrease thrust, and adjust the motor’s direction, which is clearly shown on the Axiom display. With the Hold Heading mode, boaters can maintain a heading and adjust it in 1-degree increments. The system can also maintain position over a fishing spot. Raymarine’s integration with Rhodan can -automatically detect whether the trolling motor is stowed or deployed. This innovative feature enables Axiom to steer the trolling motor when it is active, but then control a Raymarine Evolution autopilot when the Rhodan motor is stowed. Rhodan integration with Axiom requires upgrading to Raymarine’s LightHouse 4.5 operating system. To learn more about this system, visit raymarine.com or rhodanmarine.com. Shop Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro at West Marine
Icom IC-M510BB Black-Box VHF Radio
While you’re at MIBS, be sure to check out Icom’s new IC-M510BB, which represents the latest in VHF technology, letting you expand your VHF accessibility throughout the boat. All operations, including DSC, can be made from the CommandMic, allowing the VHF radio unit to be installed in an out-of-sight place and as far as 60 feet from the CommandMic. Up to three CommandMics can be connected to the IC-M510BB, allowing it to double as an onboard intercom system on large boats. NMEA 2000 networking capabilities provide plug-and-play data communication with other electronics, such as an MFD. The radio can also share GNSS/GPS position data, AIS, and DSC calls with other onboard equipment. The unit has a last-call voice-recording function that automatically saves up to two minutes of a recent incoming call. A built-in 15-watt amplifier increases the audio output to an external hailer/speaker, and there’s a built-in hailer function that also sounds foghorn patterns. $799.95; icomamerica.com. Shop West Marine for more models
SiriusXM Fish Mapping App
Stop by SiriusXM Marine’s booth to learn more about the satellite-delivered Fish Mapping data service that provides detailed fishing and weather information directly on a boat’s MFD to help find fish and stay safe. While you’re there ask about the new Fish Mapping app available for no additional cost to subscribers. It provides access to the same eight dedicated fishing features available on an MFD, plus two additional app-exclusive features: 1) historical data that lets you observe how currents, temperature contours, plankton fronts and other data have moved over the past few days, and 2) ocean-current movements using arrows to show direction, with the speed reflected in the size of the arrows (the larger, the faster the currents). The data is overlaid directly on your chart so you can see information relative to the location of your boat. $109.99 per month; siriusxm.com.
Skyhawk Oversea Boat Monitoring
Skyhawk Oversea will make its world debut at the 2024 Miami Boat International Show (Convention Center Booth 3237), unveiling an innovative, American-made boat monitoring system that’s affordable, simple to install and practical for any vessel. The system features a compact wireless hub that by itself provides location on demand and monitors vessel bearing to detect movement. A network of battery powered RF wireless sensors is offered to monitor bilge pump activity, battery voltage, shore power, temp/humidity/water, motion, door entry and sound. All alerts and data come to the Oversea app via cellular network. Both the hub and sensors provide years of operation using standard replaceable batteries for continuous year-round monitoring with no drain on the boat’s batteries. Installation and setup are easy — no hub wiring needed and no sensor pairing required. Skyhawk Oversea will launch with pricing starting at $249 for the hub; $389 for the hub plus three sensors; a cellular subscription also is required; oversea.boats.
Standard Horizon HX320 Handheld VHF Radio
Be sure to swing by Standard Horizon’s exhibit and see the new HX320 handheld VHF radio that provides a full 6 watts of transmit power, and also can be set to 2.5 or 1 watt of transmit power to assist in obtaining maximum battery life when talking at closer ranges. Its speaker is engineered with 700 mW of power for loud and clear audio reception, and the large channel display proves easy to read. The HX320 also enables wireless operation using the optional Bluetooth Standard Horizon SSM-BT10 headset. A built-in rechargeable 2,100 mAh high-capacity lithium polymer battery provides up to 17 hours of operation on one charge. The HX320 also features an IPX7 water-submersion rating and floats, in case you drop it or, worst-case scenario, need to abandon ship. A water-activated emergency strobe light helps guide rescuers. $169.99; westmarine.com.
