LOWRANCE UNVEILS NEW ELITE-4 AND MARK-4 COMPACT SERIES

Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, launched its new line-up of  compact, dual-frequency fish finders with DownScan Imaging (DSI) and fish finder/chart plotter options on 15 November 2011. The Mark-4 grayscale and Elite-4 colour series feature high-bright, LED-backlit, 3.5-inch displays that provide exceptional visibility at wider viewing angles, as well as readability in all weather conditions, including direct sunlight.

Easy to use and install, the new compact line-up is feature-packed for convenient performance at affordable prices. All Mark-4 and Elite-4 models feature award-winning Lowrance sonar with exclusive TrackBack™ functionality allowing anglers to review up to 1 foot of sonar-display history. On chart plotter models, boaters can also mark and save a waypoint using baitfish, gamefish or structure on the sonar history.  The Mark-4 and Elite-4 line consists of six models: the Mark-4 fish finder/chart plotter; Elite-4x dual-frequency fish finder; Elite-4x DSI DownScan Imaging fish finder; Elite4m chart plotter, Elite-4 fish finder/chart plotter, and the Elite-4 DSI DownScan Imaging fish finder/chart plotter.

“The Lowrance Mark-4 and Elite-4 clearly prove that customers don’t have to compromise features or performance when shopping for a new fish finder or fish finder/chart plotter at a lower price,” said Louis Chemi, Chief Operating Officer, Navico Americas. “We designed the new series to exceed customers’ expectations while providing great value and even greater performance.”

The Mark-4, Elite-4x and Elite-4 non-DSI fishfinder models feature Lowrance’s legendary dual-frequency, transom-mount 83/200 KHz Skimmer transducer with up to 120 degrees of fish-finding coverage, advanced signal processing and accurate water-temperature readings. The units reach depths as great as 1,000 feet and utilize proven grayscale- or color-display technologies that help distinguish bottom hardness, as well as identify game fish that are on or near the bottom.

The Lowrance Elite-4x DSI and Elite-4 DSI models feature award-winning DownScan Imaging™ technology that allows anglers to experience a new standard in fish finding with remarkable below-the-boat, picture-like views of bottom structure as well as thermo clines, baitfish and gamefish. Providing crystal-clear underwater definition in shallow and deep, freshwater or saltwater, the Elite-4x DSI and Elite-4 DSI not only let users see vegetation and bottom structure more clearly, but also help anglers recognise variations in weed growth and bottom hardness.

The rugged, low-profile, dual-frequency DSI Skimmer transom-mount transducer with built-in temperature sensor operates at 455 kHz for wider and deeper coverage, or at 800 kHz for more concentrated scans with greater target separation in shallower conditions. DSI models are also equipped with exclusive Lowrance TrackBack functionality that allows anglers to position the cursor anywhere on the display and rewind sonar history to determine the depth of a marked object — such as suspended baitfish or a thermocline.

Featuring a built-in GPS antenna, the Mark-4 and Elite-4 chart plotter models give boaters maximum flexibility with their choice of charts. The units also feature a waterproof microSD memory-card slot for compatibility with multiple mapcard options, including Navionics Gold and HotMaps Premium and Fishing Hot Spots ®. In addition, owners can store up to 3,000 waypoints, 100 routes with 100 waypoints per route, 100 retraceable plot trails and up to 10,000 points per trail.

Easy-to-use and attractively priced, the new compact Mark grayscale and Elite color models feature a simplified user interface with a start-up wizard to optimise performance for specific user needs, allowing boaters to customise favourite settings. Simple to install, the compact units’ slim case design can be flush-mounted or bracket-mounted for tilt-swivel operation, and features a quick-release latch for convenient removal and remounting.

The backlit, enhanced keypad provides fast one-handed control of the systems’ easy-to-use menus. All models feature a quarter-turn uniplug cable system with watertight seals for longer, trouble-free connections in all marine environments. Fully waterproof to the IPx7 standard, the new Lowrance Elite-4 and Mark-4 series are protected by a one-year limited warranty.

Available in Australia in December 2011 from authorised Lowrance dealers, the recommended retail prices are: MODEL                   RRP Mark 4 Combo         $349.00 Elite 4x                   $299.00 Elite 4x DSI             $349.00 Elite 4 Combo          $449.00 Elite 4 Combo DSI    $499.00 Elite 4M                   349.00 To locate an authorised Lowrance dealer near you, or learn more about the Lowrance Mark-4 and Elite-4 series, or the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, please visit www.lowrance.com.

The Lowrance brand is wholly owned by Navico Inc. A privately held, international corporation, Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G. Navico has approximately 1,500 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide. www.navico.com