STRUCTURESCAN 3D

The Captain has only ever used a paper sounder. So it came as a surprise that the new StructureScan 3D was able to show him a three-dimensional underwater view of the ocean floor – mind blown.

For as long as I can remember, anytime I’ve taken a non-boatie friend out fishing they’ve always been perplexed by the fish finder. “So red is the bottom, right?” and “What are those dots near the surface?” are common questions. If you can’t wrap your head around a two-dimensional view, then you’re pretty much stuffed when it comes to hunting fish and bottom structure.

Then came StructureScan, a unique view that shows each side of the boat with amazing realism. Not one for laurel-resting, Navico (distributer of the Simrad and Lowrance brands) have decided to give fishermen an even more intuitive view of what’s happening under the hull. Introducing StructureScan 3D.

The Captain was lucky enough to get aboard the Simrad-wrapped Edgewater 208CC to be one of the first to test out the new toys. StructureScan3D was like no other perspective we’d ever experienced on a fish finder. The three-dimensional point of view instantly felt familiar and the prospect of running it over a few favourite fishing spots was seriously exciting – so we did. On arriving at a large wreck in Pittwater, north of Sydney, the Lowrance HDS 12 display running StructureScan 3D lit up with life. We could clearly make out the large lump of wreckage lying on the bottom off the starboard side of the boat. Above that sat a school of baitfish, appearing on the display as tightly packed dots. Seeing one of The Captain’s killer fishing spots from such a new perspective was interesting to say the least.

When it comes to intuitiveness and functionality, this unit is definitely the easiest software to navigate in the range. Simply use the touchscreen to move the view up, down and side to side – if you can use an iPhone you can drive StructureScan 3D. It’s not just new software, though. Upgraded hardware includes a 3D Skimmer transducer, which replaces the original StructureScan transducer, and a powerful module, which connects to your Simrad or Lowrance display.

The Captain rates the StructureScan 3D as a powerful tool for beginner anglers as it really helps you understand where the fish and structure are in relation to the boat. For the experienced fisherman, the new technology will be yet another arrow in the already extensive quiver.

MORE INFO

StructureScan 3D will be available this month with prices starting at $1,299.00. For more information, head to www.lowrance.com or www.simrad-yachting.com