New Raymarine Axiom multifunction navigation system

Raymarine has just announced an impressive new Axiom multifunction navigation, fishing and boating system that incorporates quite amazing new RealVision 3D sonar technology and the parent company's FLIR's latest thermal imaging cameras to boost your boating awareness above and below the waterline.

Taking centre stage at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show, the new Axiom multifunction displays (MFDs) can be hooked up to Raymarine's new 3D sonar technology and the latest M Series thermal cameras from FLIR to improve your safety, navigational accuracy, boat operation and fish-finding ability and, ultimately, your catch rate.

The new Axiom MFD system is said to be intuitive, with signature touch-and-go operation so boaters of all levels can easily increase their on-water awareness.

Brand fans and electronics buffs are lauding the new Axiom system as truly cutting edge, especially the new RealVision 3D sonar. Here's a short promo video about the new Raymarine's Axiom...

NEW REALVISION 3D SONAR
Raymarine says RealVision 3D Sonar is the technology anglers have been asking for since day one — that is, the ability to see what’s below, behind, and to the sides of the boat, all at once and in three-dimensions.

With quad-core processor performance, RealVision 3D is said to display the entire underwater world in stunning detail including structure, cover, fish and forage.

The 3D Sonar technology has been designed so you can pan, tilt and zoom the 3D image to examine the picture from any angle, even from unique POVs like standing on the lake bottom and looking up to the bottom of the boat.

When you see a piece of cover you want to explore, a large group of bottom-hugging fish or roaming pelagics you can simply tap on that structure or 'show' anywhere in the three-dimensional space for easy waypointing immediately in chart view.

A big point of difference from other 3D sounders is that all the functionality comes from one all-inclusive transducer and, thus, no black box is required. 

The RealVision 3D transducers combine CHIRP DownVision, CHIRP SideVision, High Frequency CHIRP, and RealVision 3D into a single transducer housing.

Additionally, Raymarine’s gyro-stabilised sonar technology compensates for boat movement, delivering life-like 3D sonar imagery. With settings up to about 90m (300ft) left and right and up to 90m (300ft) deep, Raymarine says surveying entire water bodies has never been easier and faster.

Raymarine says RealVision 3D gives anglers, divers, search and rescue teams and boaters a true, easy-to-understand view of bottom topography, debris, and fish — and it's being billed as the missing link between sonar, chartplotting, and side- and down-looking technologies.

FLIR THERMAL CAMERA INTEGRATION
Using thermal-imaging technology once reserved for defence departments, Axiom can also be hooked up to the latest FLIR M100 and M200 cameras to boost safety and ability when fishing, sailing, and cruising at night.

The new M100 and M200 are FLIR's most compact pan-and-tilt marine thermal cameras to date, engineered using the company's Boson high-performance thermal camera core, which features an integrated multi-core video processor designed to deliver superior image quality and unique artificial intelligence features.

When the M100 and M200 are combined with a Raymarine Axiom MFD, you can take advantage of FLIR’s new ClearCruise intelligent thermal analytics. This is where things get interesting...

The FLIR cameras immediately deliver an advanced level of awareness and safety using your Axiom MFD by visually and audibly alerting you when "non-water" objects such as boats, obstacles, or navigation markers are identified in the scene.

NEW RAYMARINE MFDs
Operating below the waterline, the latest Raymarine Axiom MFDs also feature incredibly life-like imagery using the latest RealVision 3D, sonar system. This results in Raymarine's best-ever underwater fish and structure ID ability. Pro anglers in the US are raving.

The new rugged, all-glass Axiom MFD touch screens are available in 7in, 9in, and 12in display sizes and come pre-installed with Raymarine’s new LightHouse 3 operating system.

LightHouse 3 has already been lauded for its intuitive and powerful navigational experience through a redesigned interface that is easy to use and personalise, especially when combined with Axiom’s fast quad-core processor.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
"Our latest Raymarine and thermal innovations are game changers for boaters," said FLIR President and CEO Andy Teich.

"With simplified operation, unique RealVision 3D sonar, and our advanced ClearCruise object identification technology, users have the ability to see more, know more, and operate more safely on the water."

The new line of M-Series thermal cameras and Raymarine Axiom MFDs made their debut at the Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Florida, February 16-20.

Prices for the Raymarine Axiom MFD Series range from AUD$1199 RRP to AUD $4999 RRP. The new FLIR M-series thermal cameras start at AUD$3595 RRP.

These promising new products will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2017 through FLIR’s network of Raymarine and FLIR Maritime dealers.

For more information on FLIR and Raymarine see www.flir.com/marine.