Raymarine is making a powerful move and launching a double strike against Navico and Garmin with the Axiom series. Although designed as entry-level models and as a long-term replacement for the A series, the new multifunction displays not only offer the look of the top series, but also the same range of functions. The only difference is that there are no dedicated buttons, Axiom is controlled entirely via multi-touch, even switching on and off is done via a sensor field on the glass front. The display resolution of the 7- and 9-inch models is 800 x 480 pixels. The 12-inch version has 1280 x 800 pixels.
Raymarine is presenting the new Lighthouse III software at the same time as the Axiom series. Thanks to a revised menu structure, the devices should be even easier to configure and operate. The new software will also be available as an update for existing models in the course of the year.
The hardware is also new. For the first time, Raymarine is using processors with four cores, which means that significantly more computing power is available. This can be seen in the smoother display when zooming or changing the image structure. The new sonar functions are particularly interesting for anglers and divers. Not only can the transducers now be coupled directly with the plotter without a black box; the Axiom models are also able to display the echoes in three dimensions, which gives a much better impression of the topography of the seabed and the position of any schools of fish.
In addition to the sonar transducers, radar antennas, thermal imaging and video cameras as well as NMEA2000 transducers can of course also be connected to the Axiom series. An Ethernet and an NMEA2000 interface are available for this purpose. Connection to Seatalk NG or NMEA0183 networks is possible via optional adapters. The plotters are also equipped with the latest W-Lan and Bluetooth standards and have an integrated GPS and Glonass receiver with 10 hertz position calculation.
As before, the vector or raster map sets from C-Map, Navionics or according to the BSB standard are supported as map systems. The Axiom series is expected to be available from April. Prices start at 887 euros.
Further information is currently only available in English at: www.raymarine.de
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
