Tulsa,
Okla. – Lowrance, a world-leading
brand in fishing electronics since 1957 — announced today its all-new Outboard Pilot for use with the
Lowrance High Definition System (HDS) series. This
easy-to-use autopilot system allows fingertip steering of the outboard engine — giving anglers an “extra hand,” so they
can focus more on their fishing activity. Featuring integrated control from an HDS
Gen2 or HDS Gen2 Touch, the Outboard Pilot can be installed with hydraulic — or cable-steered outboard systems – all
with commands coming directly from the HDS display.
Designed
for single outboard set-ups on boats 30 feet or less in length, the Lowrance Outboard Pilot can steer to a selected heading,
waypoint or along a route, as well as execute a selected turn pattern. Additionally,
the Outboard Pilot allows users to create routes from
saved trails with the touch of a button, giving anglers the ability to retrace
previous tracks from a fishing area back to the dock. The new and
innovative Lowrance HDS SmartSteer™ interface provides outboard control
as well as the ability to control a MotorGuide Xi5
Pinpoint electric-steer trolling motor. This new steering interface – available
with the free HDS 3.5 software update – allows anglers
to easily switch
between the Xi5 trolling motor and the outboard motor with the push of a
button.
“The Outboard Pilot
is a game-changer for our inland and coastal Lowrance
customers,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO, Navico. “It’s like giving anglers an extra pair of hands,
just when they are needed most, and the HDS SmartSteer
interface simplifies installation and saves considerable dash space.”
The
Outboard Pilot is easy to install and configure -- right out of the box --
featuring all the required parts for a do-it-yourself solution. Other
key features that simplify the Outboard Pilot installation include: a Virtual Rudder Feedback (VRF), which eliminates
the need for a rudder position sensor, as well as plug-and-socket connections
with no complex terminal wiring and a straightforward first-time
installation guide. The complete system includes a Point-1 GPS antenna with heading sensor for extremely
accurate and rapid boat position and heading updates, at any speed, as well as
a dash-mountable Auto/Standby button that changes the autopilot from STBY to
AUTO mode with one press.
The Lowrance Outboard Pilot will be available in November from authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada. Offered in hydraulic- or cable-steer versions, the Outboard Pilot is priced at a considerable value versus competitive solutions -- at $999 and $1,499, respectively. Both include the NAC-1 Autopilot Computer, Point-1 Heading and GPS Sensors and either the HELM-1 or PUMP-1 drive units. The free Lowrance HDS 3.5 software upgrade, featuring the SmartSteer interface is scheduled for release in August. For more information on the Lowrance Outboard Pilot, the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, or to locate an authorized Lowrance dealer, please visit www.lowrance.com.