Lowrance’s Eagle Eye was one of the new products released at ICAST.
What’s New in Electronics 2024
Story and photos by Brad Wiegmann
One year ago, most anglers couldn’t afford forward-facing sonar (FFS), but with the release of Lowrance’s Eagle Eye, you can expect any one on the fence of buying an FFS unit will purchase one.
Every year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) presented by the American Sportfishing Association takes place in Orlando, Florida. One of the categories in the New Product Showcase is Electronics. Not surprisingly, most products that are new this year in electronics had to do with forward-facing sonar (FFS) technology.
Love it or hate it, FFS is the driving force behind what manufacturers are building and selling. If you thought it was going to be too expensive, the new Lowrance Eagle Eye with an MSRP of $999 was just revealed at ICAST. That has made it affordable to the majority of anglers. 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 (aka the 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 who couldn’t afford them before.
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 mouth 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 dock, shore or anywhere) to have FFS technology in a self-contained bundle. Unlike the Lowrance Eagle Eye with the lower price point, the Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle retails at $3,250.
The final electronics products that were drawing attention were LiveScanner products. These are innovative devices with the ability to seamlessly integrate with a trolling motor. Most have hands-free operation and are 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.
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 CatfishNOW 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 at BradWiegmann.com.)
