6 New Electronics: FLIR, Furuno and Beyond

Furuno’s DFF-3D multibeam sonar ($2,095) has a transmit frequency of 165 kHz and 800 watts of power, delivering a maximum depth of almost 1,000 feet. Its sonar cone extends 120 degrees from the transducer, reaching out 650-plus feet. The sounder has a compact transducer with a fairing block and temperature and embedded motion sensors, all of which stabilize the sonar imagery. The DFF-3D comes with four preprogrammed modes and is compatible with NavNet TZtouch and TZtouch2.

Raymarine’s Axiom series multifunction displays are available in three screen sizes: 7 inches (from $649), 9 inches (from $949) and 12 inches (from $2,499), and come with the LightHouse 3 operating system. These MFDs can be bundled with Raymarine’s RealVision 3D chirp ­sonar, which color-codes targets ­according to depth. Additionally, Axiom MFDs let navigators create user profiles and customizable data boxes. They’re available with Navionics or Raymarine cartography.

The 8.8-inch Signature Series speakers from Fusion are built to deliver sound and aesthetics, but in a considerably larger body type than their 6.5- and 7.7-inch siblings. The 8.8-inch speakers have Fusion's CURV Cone technology (for long-life durability and more), silk tweeter domes and sealed componentry, and are built to the company's True-Marine standards. The speakers are available in sports white ($469) and sports chrome ($499), and come with LED lighting.

The M605 fixed-mount VHF radio from Icom has a bright, easy-to-read, color 4.3-inch LCD screen with a nighttime-operating mode. The M605 (from $1,225) is designed to function as a stand-alone radio or as part of a bigger communications installation on board your yacht, one that includes a singular M605 base station and as many as three additional stations. The M605 is NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compatible and includes an embedded GNSS receiver. The unit also can be specified with a built-in AIS receiver.

FLIR's handheld Ocean Scout 640 ($3,499) is designed to provide better onboard situational awareness. The compact camera uses a 640 x 512 VOx microbolometer and has a digital zoom of up to 4x to help skippers spot a man overboard at 3,740 feet, and a small boat at 9,842 feet. Its IP67 weatherproof rating ensures that it can be submerged to almost 10 feet. The Ocean Scout 640 has a lithium-ion battery with a burn time of more than five hours, and its InstAlert function automatically highlights the hottest objects in red.

Simrad's new line of autopilots, including the NAC-3 Autopilot Computer ($1,499), is designed to network with the vessel's NMEA 2000 backbone. The NAC-3 acts as the brains behind an autopilot system and plays nicely with Simrad's current-generation multifunction displays, which can control the vessel's hydraulic or mechanical drive unit. Alternatively, the NAC-3 can be paired with an AP44 Autopilot Controller ($599) or an IS42 Digital Display ($549), which uses a hard-key-only interface.