Father’s Day (June 18) is fast approaching. Are you looking for just the right gift for Dad? Or maybe you’re a dad yourself, and want to drop some hints. Check out this sampling of 10 marine electronics gifts that will keep on giving (listed in order of price, beginning with most affordable.)
iNavX Marine Navigation App
Dad can now use Navionics charts in conjunction with the iNavX marine navigation app, which represents an industry first. Currently available through the AppStore for iOS devices only, iNavX allows Pops to use a full-featured navigation system on iPhones and iPads, even when no cell service is available. The app uses the mobile device built-in GPS. Dad can also use it as backup in case a main navigation system fails.
Price: $19.99 for iNavX app; Navionics charts start at $24.99
Icom IC-M93D VHF Radio
Any boating anglers will love the Icom IC-M93D, the world's slimmest floating handheld VHF radio with DSC (Digital Selection Calling), according to Icom. Less than two inches deep and weighing only 11 ounces, this VHF fits comfortably Dad's hand. Its 2.3-inch LCD offers good daylight readability. The Float'n Flash function transmits an MOB distress signal when DSC is activated. The noise-cancelling feature removes background noise in the transmit and receive modes.
Price: $350
Fusion Signature Series 8.8-Inch Speakers
If Dad's a music fan, he will appreciate Fusion's new Signature Series 8.8-inch speakers, which combine Curv Cone composite technology with a silk dome tweeter and fully sealed crossover components to create a smooth upper frequency response and higher output. The 8.8-inch-diameter speakers feature a dual-color diffused LED lighting option that lights up in blue or white based on the polarity of the wiring. They carry a three-year warranty, and are available in Sports White or Sports Chrome.
Price: $499.99
Standard Horizon Fixed-Mount VHF Radios
Choose from two advance Standard Horizon fixed-mount VHF radios for Father's Day. Both feature GPS and NMEA 2000 compatibility. The GX6000 offers an integrated AIS receiver, while the GX6500 features a Class B AIS transponder (with send and receive functions). Each features a front panel microphone that can be connected to therear panel and extended 20 feet with an MEK-4 mic extension kit. An integrated voice recorder plays back two minutes of reception in case of a missed transmission.
Price: Starting at $499.99
FLIR Ocean Scout TK
Give Dad the gift of safer night navigation with the FLIR Ocean Scout TK. The pocket-sized monocular sees the differences in heat emitted by boats, buoys and landmarks in total darkness, making night navigation safer. The Ocean Scout TK also reveals people overboard and marine mammals breaking the surfacer. It stores up to 1,000 JPEG images and four hours of video. The rechargeable internal battery will powers the scope for five hours on a single charge.
Price: $599
Garmin Quatix 5 Marine GPS Smartwatch
Dad will love Garmin's next-generation quatix 5 marine GPS smartwatch, which offers remote autopilot control when paired with a Garmin GHC 20 autopilot control unit, as well as the ability to mark waypoints on a Garmin multifunction display from anywhere on the boat. It streams NMEA 2000 data from onboard Garmin electronics to give Pops access to important sensor information concerning speed, depth, temperature and wind.
Price: Starting at $599.99
Raymarine Axiom Touch-Screen MFDs
Give Dad a great electronics upgrade with Raymarine's new Axiom line of touch-screen MFDs. Available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch models, the series features all-glass faces, slim-line styling and hardware that includes a high-speed quad-core processor running the new Lighthouse III software. Models with "Real-Vision 3D" sonar include CHIRP DownVision, SideVision and fish targeting using a single transducer. You can also run conventional 50/200 kHz sonar with a separate transducer.
Price: Starting at $599.99
Simrad GO9 XSE
The Simrad GO9 XSE is fully compatible with Simrad's Broadband 3G/4G radar systems, and SiriusXM weather/radio. It features an internal 10 Hz GPS receiver, StructureScan HD and CHIRP sonar, autopilot integration, engine data monitoring, full audio entertainment connectivity with SonicHub2, built-in wireless connectivity, and the Simrad TripIntel trip computer. Add a TotalScan transducer utilizes the built-in StructureScan HD Imaging, DownScan Imaging and CHIRP sonar.
Price: Starting at $1,049
Furuno DFF-3D Sonar System
If Dad's boat already has a Furuno's TZtouch and TZtouch2 MFD, he'll love Furuno's new DFF-3D sonar system. This black-box addition employs an eight-element, gyro-stabilized transducer (in through-hull or transom-mount models) to create 3-D sonar returns in four available modes. A relatively low frequency – 165 kHz – allows for reading depths down to 1,000 feet and more than 650 feet to each side. To sharply define the shape of structure, DFF-3D creates 41 individual channels, each with a 3-degree beam.
Price: $3,995
Humminbird Solix Series Touch-Screens
The new Solix series from Humminbird features the largest displays – 12- and 15-inch touch-screens – in the history of the brand. And that's sure to put a smile on Dad's face, especially when he learns that these MFDs include Mega Imaging sonar, CHIRP sonar and AutoChart Live instant mapping. The Cross Touch interface allows for both touch-screen and keypad operation. The Mega Imaging includes ultra-high frequency down and side-scanning sonar for super-sharp returns. Bluetooth connectivity offers ability to network with i-Pilot Link via Minn Kota trolling motor.
Price: Starting at $2,399.99
