Just saw that Lowrance will soon be releasing a new GPS puck with a heading sensor and 10HZ refresh rate. This will be a nice addition to my setup as the boat direction lag time can sometimes be annoying when moving at slow speeds.


Lowrance Point-1 GPS Antenna
Offering unparalleled accuracy around the world, the Lowrance Point-1 GPS/GLONASS antenna with integrated e-Compass/Gyro is a rugged precision positioning and heading sensor that ensures access to stable and smooth vessel orientation. In addition to reliable location information, when used with a compatible Lowrance HDS Gen2, HDS Gen2 Touch or Elite-7 series display, the Point-1 greatly enhances navigational information by providing accurate course over ground (COG) data at any speed and enabling radar overlay on charts. Delivering a configurable update rate � 1Hz, 5Hz or 10Hz � for smooth and precise location updates, the GPS features an advanced chipset that offers enhanced time-to-first-fix and supports multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The high-precision antenna will also communicate with GPS, GLONASS and WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS. The Lowrance Point-1�s compact size and NMEA 2000� compatibility enable ease of installation anywhere on a vessel, allowing boaters to select the ideal mounting site for optimal positioning and performance.


Available April 2013, the Lowrance Link-2 VHF radio and Point-1 GPS antenna can be purchased from authorized dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada for US $199 each. Both products are protected by a 2-year limited warranty, and are supported for an additional three years by the Lowrance 5-Year Advantage Program. For more information on the Lowrance Link-2, Point-1, the entire line of Lowrance marine electronics or to locate an authorized Lowrance dealer, please visit www.lowrance.com.

Will this be compatable with Gen-1 units also.

I'm guessing now from reading the article. States Gen 2.

I haven't seen the detailed specs yet but based on the fact that it is a NMEA 2000 device it should be compatible with any unit that supports NMEA 2000. The electronic compass NMEA sentences are supported by a wide range of NMEA 2000 units even dating back to the older LCX line....heading sensors have been around forever only recently has the technology been made more affordable.

I was thinking that maybe the software/firmware in the Gen 1 probably doesn't support the added features.

software/firmware in all Lowrance devices that support NMEA 2000 support the sentences required for heading sensors, I've run a heading sensor on an old LCX 111 HD for example.

Moreover, I have no reason to believe the NMEA 2000 antenna wouldn't work on a Garmin, Raymarine, Furuno or any other manufacturer that supports the NMEA 2000 protocol....an advantage of the open source methodology.

The heading sensor has been around for years, only recently with cell phone gyro technology has it been made affordable to put into a product that would appeal to recreational anglers in this market.

MadMac, what you say about NMEA 2000 is correct but, I believe you need the Lowrance or HB software to take full advantage on the new puck. I know on my HB that I just installed a new puck on I had to have the new software release as there were new screens that showed information not previously available with the older puck. So, you might get the basic info for navigation but, not the displays for COG, as an example.

The Point 1 antenna will be backwards compatitable with Lowrance NMEA 2000 units and arguably cross compatible with other NMEA 2000 products.

Older units, such as LCX 113HD may not support the 10hz updates of the GPS itself but they will incorporate the heading sensor attributes because all of those NMEA sentences have been around a while.

Bird is an entirely different animal and much of this technology is "new" to their products so the fact they required a software update isn't surprising just like the Bird products only recently would support NMEA 2000 devices through an adapter cable, alot of people learned that the hardway when hooking up Yamaha, Merc, Suzuki, engines, etc.