SIMRAD and LOWRANCE Cut Prices

[jimh]

The SIMRAD model GO7 Navigation System (as they now refer to this product) was just recently introduced in June, 2015. (See an earlier article about the introduction and the GO7.) On October 1, 2015, SIMRAD announced retail prices have been reduced $200 on GO7 displays packed with the HDI Skimmer® transducer and GO7 displays without transducer. A GO7 now has an MSRP of $599.

The LOWRANCE also announced a price reduction on selected ELITE CHIRP models of up to $300. For details about the complicated array of models in the ELITE series, their features, and prices, see

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Elite/

Two prior articles tried to describe the features of two models. See:

--ELITE-9 CHIRP

--ELITE 7 HDI

Both Simrad and Lowrance are product brands of the NAVICO company. Lately Navico seems to have adopted a product life cycle duration of about six to nine month, and they have been relentlessly introducing new and varied models of their recreational chart plotter and SONAR products. Announcement of price reductions often signifies that existing inventory of those products is being pushed for sale in order to clear out the shelves for new products to follow.

Navico tends to separate the Simrad and Lowrance brands by their target markets. Lowrance seems to be aimed at freshwater inland fishing, and Simrad at more saltwater and offshore use.

[Hoosier]

Yeah, I got an Elite 7 Chirp in June, 14. It's crappy to see the price cut by almost half so soon.