Raymarine rolls out smarter, brighter, faster Axiom+ series

The changes are so significant that Raymarine has named the new series “Axiom+”, with significant hardware and software changes bringing a raft of improvements.

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Key are changes that make the quad-core processor even faster than before, meaning screen refreshes and redraws, particularly from zooming in and out, are much smoother, especially while running multiple apps or 3D sonar.

That includes a new version of Raymarine’s LightHouse 3 operating system, which will step up to a new generation known as “Dartmouth” – the company names its software updates after popular boating destinations.

The Axiom+ units will come with twice as much built-in storage space, allowing users to load more third-party apps onto the device.

The more rugged Raymarine Axiom+ units themselves feature a new "HydroTough" oleophobic coating on the screens that better repels water, and feature brighter colours and better resolution, and can be viewed from a much more acute angle than before.

Raymarine says no other marine electronics manufacturer offers this type of technology at the same price point.

The Axiom+ units also come with plug-and-play compatibility with Raymarine's add-on systems including multiple cameras, as well as augmented reality including automatic identification systems.

As well, Raymarine will later this year introduce its own chartplotting maps, which it will call LightHouse Charts. It will continue to offer support to Navionics and CMAP alongside its own charting system.

The Axiom+ system, available in 7.0-inch, 9.0-inch and 12-inch screen sizes, will also be compatible with Raymarine’s 3D sonar system for the first time, although the system still won’t have a visual “fish here” indicator – Raymarine is working hard to add this to a future version of the Lighthouse software.

Instead, it will use a fish alarm similar to the Raymarine Element system that includes showing individual depths. Axiom+ will also have a dedicated fish detection tab for the first time.

One minor tweak that adds to the user experience is allowing universally selectable data to show on any screen.

Past versions of Axiom only allowed limited information to show on the screen when showing graphic-heavy screens such as sonar, but with Axiom+ users will be able to show just about any data available on the system.

Cruisers will be happy to see the addition of a measuring gauge to help them map out passages. The Axiom+ system will allow multiple rules to draw on the one page, and they will be sticky, meaning that they will still show on the system even if the power has been switched off.

Another improvement for the more cruiser-oriented owner is a new audio sidebar control that integrates with marine audio systems. Popping up on the left side of the screen, the control uses a slider to set the volume on any of the audio system’s head units fitted to a boat.

Other improvements include:

Raymarine says all existing Axiom systems will be able to upgrade to the LightHouse Dartmouth software system.

The marine electronics company said prices for the Axiom+ systems would rise slightly compared with the previous Axiom units.

Prices will start from $1399 with the Axiom+ available through Raymarine dealers and retailers from today.

The new Raymarine Axiom+ is covered by a three-year warranty.