Raymarine announces completely redesigned LightHouse II User Interface for Raymarine MultiFunction Displays

Raymarine’s all-new user-friendly interface supporting new LightHouse Charts and over 20 additional new features to debut at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

October 31, 2013 – Visitors to the 2013 Fort Lauderdale boat show will be treated to a preview of the next major release of Raymarine’s LightHouse User Interface.  LightHouse II is the ninth release of Raymarine’s successful multifunction display user interface, and has been completely redesigned to give Raymarine owners a simpler, more user-friendly experience with welcome new features.

Grégoire Outters, Raymarine’s General Manager, says, “In 2011 we released the first version of LightHouse when we launched the award winning e7 MFD.   Since then we have rapidly released 18 new multifunction displays models using the LightHouse interface and now we are very excited to announce our next big move, LightHouse II.  With its striking design and new features, LightHouse II is an exciting step into the future for Raymarine and our customers.  Best of all, LightHouse II is free for Raymarine owners, giving them a new, user-friendly, experience that’s almost like getting a brand new Raymarine multifunction display.”

LightHouse II’s new look is polished and professional, inviting users to explore the new interface and its latest features.  Users will first notice the new home screen with easy-to-read icons for all their favorite apps; now enhanced by completely new, high-contrast color scheme options for added clarity and readability in all light conditions.   In response to customer feedback, there’s a new LightHouse II menu system; reorganized for quicker access to frequently used features and controls, the improved visual indicators and touch-friendly slider controls make navigating LightHouse II as easy as using a smart phone.   

In addition to the redesigned user interface LightHouse II is engineered with an all-new chart engine to support Raymarine’s brand new chart format, LightHouse Charts.   

Derived from freely available NOAA raster and vector charts, LightHouse Charts are the simple solution for navigating U.S. coastal waters.   On release of LightHouse II, Raymarine users will have the option of navigating with free raster and vector charts of the US by simply downloading the charts from raymarine.com.   The LightHouse II chart engine is also engineered for the future, allowing Raymarine to offer new LightHouse chart types and regions from around the globe making it the most powerful version of LightHouse so far. LightHouse II also supports industry-leading Navionics vector charts including Navionics new community-sourced Sonar charts.

Other notable LightHouse II features and improvements include:
    •    aSeries multifunction displays with LightHouse II will now support multi-touch pinch-to-zoom
    •    Multiple network sonar support.  Users can now easily switch between digital and CHIRP DownVision™ sonars
    •    Greatly improved waypoint search and organization tools.  Users can now search waypoints by location, name or symbol
    •    All new and improved waypoint symbol library with larger waypoint symbols
    •    Support for importing and exporting waypoint and routes in the popular GPX file format
    •    Expanded waypoint and route ETA and TTG calculation displays
    •    New databar auto-hide feature for maximizing the screen displays

LightHouse II and LightHouse charts of the USA will be available in the form of free download in December 2013.  Raymarine users of latest generation aSeries, cSeries, eSeries and gS Series multifunction displays can download and install LightHouse II and LightHouse USA charts for free.  

About Raymarine:
Raymarine, leading marine electronics manufacturer, develops and manufactures the most comprehensive range of electronic equipment for the recreational boating and light commercial marine markets. Designed for high performance and ease of use, the award-winning products are available through a global network of dealers and distributors.

The Raymarine product lines include radar, autopilots, GPS, instruments, fishfinders, communications, and integrated systems. Headquartered in Fareham UK, Raymarine is a division of FLIR Systems, a world leader in thermal imaging. For more information about Raymarine please go to www.raymarine.com.

About FLIR Systems:
Pioneers in all aspects of infrared technology, FLIR designs, manufactures, and supports thermal imaging systems and subsystems for industrial, scientific, government, commercial, and firefighting applications. With almost 50 years of history in infrared innovation, over 100,000 systems in use worldwide, and development centres and sales offices in over 60 countries, FLIR is the world leader in thermal imaging technology. Visit the company's website at www.FLIR.com.

By Ocean Navigator