ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2026 ICAST show opened this week at the Orange County Convention Center, and the marine electronics category is once again one of the busiest destinations on the exhibition floor. This year, the industry's biggest sonar manufacturers are emphasizing seamless system integration, introducing new hardware while expanding the connected ecosystems that tie together fish finders, trolling motors, mapping and boat controls.
Garmin's headline introduction is the new LiveScope 2 series, built around two advanced transducers—the LVS42HD and LVS44—that eliminate the external black-box processing module required by previous LiveScope systems. The new transducers connect directly to compatible Garmin chartplotters and boat power, simplifying installation by removing a separate processor and much of the associated wiring. For anglers already squeezing batteries, wiring harnesses and electronics into crowded compartments, that's a welcome change.
According to Garmin, the streamlined architecture also delivers up to 20 percent higher image resolution than previous LiveScope generations, along with as much as 50 percent more detail at close range, where anglers often watch lures and fish interact in real time. Garmin says sonar coverage reaches 165 degrees in Forward mode and 180 degrees in Down and Perspective modes, reducing blind spots when switching views. The system also incorporates automatic image stabilization to compensate for boat roll and an automatic shutoff feature that powers down the transducer when it's lifted from the water.
Garmin lists the close-range optimized LVS42HD at $2,199.99, while the longer-range LVS44 carries a suggested retail price of $1,999.99.
Also drawing crowds is Garmin's GT360UHD scanning sonar paired with the new LiveScope SpyPole mount. The independent pole mount allows anglers to rotate the sonar separately from the trolling motor, making it possible to maintain GPS position with the trolling motor while scanning surrounding water for baitfish, structure or individual fish. The GT360UHD integrates with the same Garmin network as LiveScope 2, with systems starting at approximately $2,999.
Lowrance is highlighting its Recon trolling motor platform at Booth 3620. Built as a heavy-duty, electric-steer motor for both freshwater and saltwater applications, Recon represents a more rugged companion to the company's Ghost freshwater trolling motor. It can be operated with a wireless joystick remote, foot pedal or directly through compatible Lowrance multifunction displays. GPS anchoring, heading lock and route control are built into the system.
Sharing the spotlight is Lowrance's ActiveTarget 2 XL live sonar. The new XL transducer provides Forward, Down and Scout viewing modes from a single housing with a 180-degree field of view. Anglers can switch between Forward XL and Down XL directly from the display without manually rotating the transducer. Lowrance says pairing two XL transducers creates a live 360-degree Scout view around the boat, a feature supported on HDS PRO displays. The ActiveTarget 2 XL upgrade carries a suggested retail price of about $1,399.
Humminbird, widely recognized for their superior LakeMaster and CoastMaster mapping, continues to attract buyers with the touch-screen XPLORE fish finder series which won top honors at ICAST last year. Designed for faster operation and simplified navigation, XPLORE units feature built-in detailed mapping at no upcharge. Fully compatible with MEGA Live 2 forward-facing sonar, the series also integrates with Minn Kota trolling motors and shallow-water anchors through Humminbird's One-Boat Network, allowing anglers to control navigation, sonar and boat positioning from a single interface.
Humminbird has also expanded the software capabilities of the XPLORE platform with wireless file transfers, rapid Wi-Fi software updates, on-screen screenshot capture and built-in video recording, making it easier for anglers to save sonar recordings, document patterns and share trips. XPLORE units begin at $1,299.99, with pricing varying by screen size and transducer package.
Raymarine, which focuses primarily on saltwater builds for large boats, is featuring position-fix and controlled drift technology linking their MFD’s to PowerPole’s MOVE trolling motors, plus more detail in their Lighthouse chart series.
Scanning sonar, somewhat controversial among tournament bass anglers, continues to rule the market, with anglers buying new systems as rapidly as they can afford them for many fisheries both fresh and salt.
ICAST runs through Friday at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
– Frank Sargeant, Editor of The Water Wire
Frankmako1@gmail.com