Equipment Review: Raymarine A-Series (A70D)

A good GPS and fish finder are invaluable to the complete inshore sportsman… the ability to have real-time detailed satellite map info and HD sonar capability make finding the big ones a simple push of a button.  I also truly appreciate the reliability, simplicity, and rugged construction that Raymarine’s A70D gives me on the tour and in my guide business.  Don’t let its compact size fool you… the A70D has the same patented technology featured in some of the larger electronics offered by Raymarine but in a space saving platform!

Raymarine, a world leader in marine electronics, develops and manufactures the most comprehensive range of electronic equipment for the recreational boating and light commercial marine markets.  Most inshore anglers relate Raymarine to the blue-water market but the A-Series and C-Series offerings are quickly changing that mindset; especially for bay boat and skiff owners.  The Raymarine A70D features a bright and clear 6.4” display (640×480); an internal WAAS GPS receiver that provides precision chart-plotting accuracy, and when the Navionics Platinum card is inserted into the Raymarine A70D it features 3D and satellite cartography ability.  Navigating terrain like the intense Louisiana marsh and Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands are a snap now.  The A70D’s built-in digital sounder module packs a mighty 500 watts of power with a duel frequency (50/200 KHZ) transceiver for superior inshore & offshore performance… plus unmatched clarity and precision.  Raymarine’s HD digital technology enables true hands-free automatic operation, for optimal fish-finder display at all times including adapting to changing water and seabed conditions.  Also, enjoy full chartplotter integration… the A70D lets you mark fish targets or structure as waypoints… then easily switch screens back to the chartplotter and navigate right to your target.  In addition the A70D can boast about its water & shock proof construction (best I’ve ever seen) and its beefy bracket that holds the machine in place even during brutal sea conditions!  If you want to avoid those rough sea conditions, add a SR50 weather receiver and Sirius Radio to your Raymarine A70 and you’ll have up to the minute weather info at your finger tips. Finally, Raymarine offers a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on the A70D unit.

This past year Raymarine electronics has partnered with Ranger Boats… now the A-Series and C-Series are available as a factory installed option at Ranger (ask for the Flats Class electronics package) on the saltwater bay boat line-up  (models: 2000, 2200, 2310, 2400,2410). In short, I personally have found the reliable space saving Raymarine A70D to be a valued tool for exploring the backcountry effectively and for probing the depths to locate structure, bait, and game fish.

Keep’em Bent!