Raymarine’s new A Series range of chartplotter/fishfinders combine all the technology and performance of the company’s top of the range multi function displays in a brand new compact unit.
The five new models (A50, A50D, A57D, A70 and A70D) have been well received by boat owners keen to harness the latest developments in technology migration.
Features arousing the most interest include the high-resolution screen, embedded Navionics cartography and brand new engine interface. The integral high-sensitivity GPS antenna makes for a neat and compact profile, and the innovative quick-release swivel-mount bracket means that the unit can be quickly fitted and easily removed for security.
Fisherman have found that patented HD Digital fishfinding technology is easily accessible on the D–suffixed units; the data unit is enclosed within the product itself leaving only the power cable and the depth transducer to be plugged in to be up and running.
The range is available in three screen sizes and a range comprising two chartplotters and three chartplotter/fishfinder combinations.
Users selecting the A Series can choose multiple screen options based around the core fishfinder and chartplotter system to accept input from communication and safety products including AIS, Navtex, DSC, engine monitoring and data, and autopilot interface using Raymarine's SeaTalk NG and SeaTalk2/NMEA2000 inputs.
The compact A Series units are built for strength and durability and are waterproof to IPX6 standard. A one-size, quick release, tilt and swivel bracket enables easy installation, with units easily removable for portability and security.
The bracket provides cable management to ensure a professional looking, fully water-tight installation, or users can choose the optional flush mount kit.
Designed to be used in open cockpits or in the full glare of the sun, the high visibility, low profile A Series LCD displays are available in a choice of 5", 5.7" and 6.4" sizes and come with fully customisable pages and window configurations for ease of operation.
Raymarine's TFT high clarity colour display uses 256 colours for paper chart-like clarity and adjustable backlighting optimises performance in any lighting condition. An integrated anti-reflective screen filter offers the best visibility and unrivalled detail, even in bright sunlight, ensuring a clear image of the chartplotter or fishfinder details, from a distance or at an angle.
Screens can be split in two, three or four window combinations and a choice of displays can be paged through with an active key providing easy navigation between window applications. Each display has direct access hot keys on the front enabling the user to move quickly and easily between inputs and displays.
Using the same technology available through Raymarine's top of the range E and G Series, the patented HD Digital™ fishfinder technology in the A Series provides Auto Adaptive control of sensitivity, ping rate and transmit power with fully automatic 'hands off' operation.
By constant automatic adjustment of transmitter and receiver parameters, HD Digital analyses and synthesizes fish echoes, adapting to all bottom and sea conditions to produce a crystal clear display, in shallow water, at high speeds or in choppy seas. Individual fish can be distinguished and the structure and contours of detailed bottom structures such as wrecks are clearly visible. Clutter is reduced to an absolute minimum.
The A Series comes pre-loaded with standard navigation safe cartography from Navionics with highly accurate position input from the built-in high sensitivity GPS sensor. This can be upgraded to Gold and Platinum cartography showing detailed mapping on navigation charts, 3D topography, aerial photographic views of ports, port data, animated tides and currents.
