Garmin's all around sonar

Garmin has released advance details of its new Panoptix All-Seeing Sonar, which gives boaters the ability to see all around their boat in real-time – forwards, backwards, sideways and down – even while stationary.

Based on technology previously available only in the offshore commercial market, Garmin Panoptix is based on a multi-beam transducer that utilises phased-array scanning sonar – creating multiple, simultaneous steerable beams in a single ping – to deliver incredible fishing-finding power in fresh-water, estuary, inshore and offshore applications.

Garmin Australasia general manager Matt DeMoss said Panoptix would revolutionise the way recreational anglers used sonar.

"Never before have anglers had the ability to see all around their boat in real time," DeMoss said.

"Available as a forward or down transducer, Garmin Panoptix is sonar like you’ve never seen it."

Panoptix Forward: utilising the PS31 transducer, anglers can see the bottom, structure, and fish swimming around in front of the boat 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 via a single ping, providing real-time moving images. Users can even cast a lure out and watch it as it’s worked back towards the boat.

RealVü 3D Forward scans the water in front of the boat, creating a forward-looking 3D view of the bottom, structure and fish. Users can control how quickly the forward area is scanned to provide greater or less detail, making it very easy to identify exactly where the fish are.

Panoptix Down: the PS30 transducer provides a look at what’s swimming below the boat in any direction, using three remarkable views – LiveVü Down, RealVü 3D Down or RealVü 3D Historical.

LiveVü Down provides real-time moving sonar images to reveal small baitfish and large target fish swimming around, as well as pinpoint their distance left or right and their depth.

RealVü 3D Down scans the area below the boat from bow to stern and port to starboard. A full 3D view of the area under the boat is constructed, showing bottom contour changes, fish and structure.

RealVü 3D Historical delivers 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 colour in 3D.

Compatible with Garmin’s GPSMAP 8000 series, GPSMAP 7400 series, GPSMAP 751, 820 and 1020 series and select echoMAP models, the PS31 Panoptix Forward Transducer and PS30 Panoptix Down Transducer are each equipped with an internal Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) sensor that constantly adjusts sonar beams to compensate for boat motion. Trolling motor transducer mounting kits are also available.

Garmin Panoptix will be available in Q2 of 2015 with a RRP of $2399.