Lowrance Eagle Eye was one of the new products released at ICAST along with the RECON trolling motor. Eagle Eye price point is under $1,000 for the entire unit, no black box required. (Photo: Brad Wiegmann)
What’s New in Electronics for 2024
by Brad Wiegmann
Every year the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) presented by American Sportfishing Association takes place in Orlando, Florida. One of the categories in the New Product Showcase is Electronics. Not surprisingly the majority of products that are new this year in electronics had to do with forward facing sonar technology (FFS).
Love or hate FFS, it is the driving force behind what manufactures are building and selling. If you thought it was going to be too expensive, the new Lowrance Eagle Eye with a MSRP of $999 was just revealed at ICAST. The unit makes it more affordable to the majority of anglers and all anglers hungry to enter the world of FFS.
The Lowrance Eagle Eye sonar/GPS unit with the included transducer is capable of Forward and Down Live Sonar, CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging with FishReveal imaging. Plus, it doesn’t require a separate modular (a.k.a. black box) for the unit to produce FFS imaging. You can bet Lowrance is going to sell thousands of these units with that price point to anglers that couldn’t afford them before the Eagle Eye.
Transducer Shield and Saver released the new FFS Elite that attaches to the trolling motor for the FFS transducer. Unlike other FFS mounts it’s a zero-degree angle mount for a true forward view. The FFS Elite is CNC machined and made from 6061 aluminum alloy for Lowrance ActiveTarget or Garmin LiveScope LVS32, LVS34 or XR LVS62.
BeatDown Outdoors released its electric transom mount. It’s the first I know of an electric transom mount designed for the stern of a boat. While most anglers are fishing from the bow of the boat with FFS, its application could be used for anglers trolling, anchored or pulled up on shore.
Garmin won Best of Category Awards for the Garmin Live Scope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle. The bundle allows anglers not just those that are ice fishing, but on a boat dock, shore or anywhere to have FFS technology in a self-contain bundle. Unlike the Lowrance Eagle Eye with the lower price point the Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle retails at $3,249.99.
The final electronics product that was drawing attention was the LiveScanner products. LiveScanner products are innovative devices with the ability to seamlessly integrate with a trolling motor. There are several models in the LiveScanner product lineup. Most of the LiveScanner products are hands-free operational, capable of making 360 degree sweeps at variable speeds with an adjustable shaft and lighted arrow. LiveScanner products can be used with Lowrance, Garmin or Minn Kota products.
LiveScanner was also promoting its newest product a modular sensor that can be attached to a fishing rod and can sync to the direction the fishing rod is pointed. Although there doesn’t seem to be a limit to FFS products at ICAST this year I think this one is taking it to a different level of sportsmanship. I’m sure this will be a hot topic among anglers.
(From Springdale, Arkansas, Brad Wiegmann is a professional photographer, videographer and outdoor writer published in dozens of print and electronic media outlets all across the nation. Every month Wiegmann will be providing CrappieNOW readers with the latest and greatest information on the ever-changing world of fishing electronics. He is also a well-known guide, podcaster and social media influencer. Learn more about Wiegmann and his lengthy experience and expertise at BradWiegmann.com.)
