Cutting-Edge Marine Tech: A Deep Dive into Navico Group’s Latest Innovations

There’s something cinematic about skimming at speed over the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean aboard an Axopar 37, salt spray catching the light and the thrum of a powerful pair of Mercury’s adding to the excitement. However, today isn’t just about the thrill of the ride—it’s about discovery. Tucked into the dash and bolted to the transom are some of the most exciting new releases from the Navico Group. On top of the refined control of the Lenco Pro Control™ trim tabs and the crystal-clear insights of Simrad’s new NSS 4 chartplotter multifunction display, we were in for a hands-on experience with a trolling motor and marine electronics like no other.

The Navico Group is a leading supplier of integrated marine systems and has an impressive portfolio of 16 world-renowned brands such as Simrad, Lowrance and B&G. I was recently given the opportunity to test some of their latest marine systems at their brand new Experience Centre in the historic port of Alicante. Navico has heavily invested in this cutting-edge facility which offers dealers, customers and marine professionals the opportunity to explore and interact with the products and to meet the extremely knowledgeable team. This vibrant hub offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know so many world-beating systems under one roof. However, there’s nothing like seeing how they perform on the water, so having downed a few excellent coffees, I headed out into Alicante bay aboard the Axopar 37 Sun Top, excited to put these innovations through their paces.

First up on the water was the Lenco Pro Control™ system—and it didn’t take long to appreciate just how transformative this tech really is. Lenco has long been a trusted name in trim tab technology with more than 30 years in the field, but the Pro Control system—available in both Auto and Assist versions—feels like a genuine leap forward. The Auto version actively counteracts dynamic running conditions in real time, making rapid, near-instant adjustments to keep the boat perfectly level. At speed the impact was unmistakable: a fast hole shot, reduced bow rise, and a silky transition into auto-levelling that kept the ride composed even as conditions varied. According to Lenco, the system offers a 74% improvement in auto-levelling versus baseline tests, and delivers an industry-best 24% reduction in re-entry impact, meaning you land softer and stay on course with greater confidence.

To reinforce Lenco’s claims I tested the boat with the system turned off and the effect was immediate—bow attitude was much higher getting onto the plane whilst the boat seemed a little less sure-footed underway. Lenco claims that a 15% pitch reduction keeps passengers on a more even keel and with 2 crew and 4 journalists on board and a one-metre swell, the Axopar certainly felt comfortably placed on the water. In addition skippers can opt for the Assist model which offers the same advanced features with a chunky, easy-to-grab dial that gives manual users full command—plus NMEA 2000® connectivity and position presets. The system plugs straight into Mercury’s SmartCraft network and lets you control your trim tabs—and even surf features—directly from your main display, with no extra switches or clutter at the helm. This is clever kit that does exactly what it promises—making life easier at the helm and the ride better for everyone on board. After a day running with and without it, I’d say Lenco’s new system is a leap forward in trim tech that delivers where it counts.

At the helm of the Pershing GTX80, the sleek, glass-to-edge finish of the Simrad NSS® 4 looked right at home on this luxury high-performance motor yacht. Anglers have long been fans of the Simrad NSS 3 and they’ll find the key elements that they know and love have been turbo-charged here in a win for all skippers and not just anglers. Simrad has redefined what a multifunction display can deliver, with a powerful new 8-core Qualcomm® processor that made screen transitions and route plotting almost instantaneous, which gives control in any sea condition. Swapping between applications was seamless with no lag even at speed and under my not-so-nimble fingers!

So what does the NSS 4 actually do? In short, it’s the nerve centre of the boat. It acts as your chartplotter, sonar hub, and systems controller, all rolled into one. It displays detailed marine charts and routes, tracks fish and structure using advanced sonar, and links seamlessly to everything from radar and autopilot to onboard lighting, music, and even trolling motors. The built-in CHIRP sonar delivers exceptional underwater detail, and for serious anglers, the ability to display up to four sonar sources simultaneously is a game-changer. Whether you’re offshore fishing or coastal cruising, it keeps you fully informed and in control.

Available in 10-, 12- and 16-inch sizes, the NSS 4’s trio of hybrid control options—touchscreen, rotary dial, and keypad—gives skippers total command in any conditions. Connectivity and integration are where the NSS 4 truly excels and Simrad boast extensive support for third-party tech including IP cameras, CZone® digital switching, audio and lighting. Able to communicate with Mercury®, Honda, and Suzuki engines—offering onscreen cruise control, fuel monitoring, and real-time diagnostics—it also works well with, naturally, Simrad’s own RECON™ trolling motor. The improved functionality, seamless integration, and clear visibility—even in full sun—make this a solid step up. And with 2025 pricing not far off what units cost back in 2010, it all adds up to seriously compelling kit.

A quick transfer from the Pershing to the Robalo 19ft open day boat gave me the opportunity to experience Lowrance’s new Recon trolling motor. Ideal for boats up to around 8 metres, this new generation of motor is built for both fresh and saltwater use, the latter being a welcome first for anglers. Recon is built to put anglers on the target and keep them there and it certainly did what it said on the tin. With enough power and thrust to get you into position, the highly accurate GPS anchor holds you within an incredible 3ft radius. You can nudge the boat diagonally, shift your anchor point on the fly, or just hold steady in a spot without having to fight the wind or tide.

The standout feature for me was the FreeSteer joystick remote—a lightweight, wearable unit that gives you 360-degree steering. A wireless foot pedal with programmable keypad completes the setup and, combined with the joystick remote, means that anglers can focus on fishy matters rather than stressing over systems. What impressed me most was how quietly it went about its work. The brushless motor is near-silent so won’t spook fish and the weedless prop allows you to go into weedy areas with no loss of control. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. This is a proper bit of gear for anglers who want reliable positioning, quiet operation, and full control which is easy to manage.

One of the other journalists on the trip—a keen angler—was genuinely excited when we fired up the new Lowrance Eagle Eye. I’m not an angler myself, so I wasn’t expecting to be so taken with it, but it is genuinely impressive kit. Built by anglers, for anglers, it brings together live sonar, CHIRP, and DownScan in a single, compact transducer, paired with C-MAP charts on a sharp, glare-resistant IPS display. Best of all, it’s accessible—not just in how it works, but in price too.

Live sonar offers focused down and forward view so you can literally see fish reacting to your lure in real time. I was mesmerised by the quality of the images—even the mooring blocks some 5 metres deep were clearly defined. Lowrance’s FishReveal™ separates the fish from these structures giving a properly detailed picture of what’s happening below. The image quality is smooth and consistent too, with the kind of resolution you’d expect from something much higher up the range. The new IPS display is sharp and bright, even in full sun with polarised glasses, and you can tweak the colour palette to suit the conditions. For anyone who wants live sonar without diving into the deep end of their wallet, this is smart, fish-first tech.