Feb 23, 2012 at the BASSmaster Classic Humminbird announces the newest technology that will change the Electronics Industry and the way we fish forever. You can now see forward where you are fishing. This new system is more than just a transducer. It's a Deployment System and Imaging Dome. MSRP $1,999.00
Why?
Because for 360 Imaging to get 150' of coverage it has to be below the lowest point of the boat...lower then the outboard and trolling motor or it would block the sonar from travelling any additional distance. So the Imaging Dome needs a way to stay straight and pointing forward plus be lowered to the proper depth to get total clearance. You have it with Humminbirds 360 Imaging System. Alot of the internal components will not be discussed since this technology is Patent Pending and most do not know because they cannot release this data while the Patent Application Process takes place all we know is the "Magic" happens in the Imaging Dome.
The Shape of the Shaft had to be specially designed so the Imaging Dome did not have any lateral, horizontal or other directional movement when it was being pulled thru the water. This is why this shape of this shaft resembles and airplane wing it allows the water to be split that is hitting the shaft and reduce drag but the narrow rear side the water begins pinching the shaft from both sides to increase the stability and allows the 360 Imaging unit to be used at speed. There has been testing that has exceeded 30mph and approaching 40mph with the 360 Imaging retracted with no harm. BUT there is a built in alarm when retracted that notifies the operator that the 360 Imaging unit in down when you exceed 15mph so you can raise if you forget.
The Imaging Dome can be raised or lowered from any unit connected to the Ethernet Network or Directly to the 360 Imaging. Or there is a manual control button to operate the unit on top of the Deployment System.
The 360 Imaging is an Ethenet Accessory that is controlled and operated by Ethernet Hook-up. It can be hooked direct to a single unit or connected via a 5 Port Ethernet Hub to Multiple Units. Since the Ethernet Hubs are stackable (connect via cable to one another) the Number of Units running a Humminbird is endless you just need multiple hubs and it can be done. As of the official release only the current Ethernet Systems on the 798ci HD, 898c, 998c, and 1198c can operate the 360 Imaging. Units already in the field will only need software update that Humminbird will provide at no charge to allow the 360 Imaging to connect to models that are already in the field. The only ethernet unit not compatible at this time is the 1197c which the internal working of the Ethernet system are different...my understanding they are reviewing to see if future compatibility will be adaptable.
More to come......
