Navico launches dedicated brand for digital marine solutions - GOFREE

EGERSUND, Norway - Nov. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Navico, the world’s largest manufacturer of marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad and B&G brands, announces the launch of its newest brand, GoFree.

Designed to deliver content and services to consumers in the way they have come to expect from modern electronics, the GoFree brand for use with Lowrance, Simrad and B&G Multifunction Displays (MFDs), as well as mobile devices, gives boaters access to what they want, when and where they want it. GoFree products include the Insight Genesis personalised mapping service with Social Map community data sharing, BioBase aquatic map SaaS, the online GoFree Shop which offers content from Jeppesen, NV Charts and more, wireless telematics solutions and the GoFree family of mobile apps for iOS and Android products.

On The Water

With the introduction of the GoFree brand, comes the unveiling of an industry-first innovation – the launch of the GoFree Shop within the User Interface of Lowrance, Simrad and B&G MFDs. GoFree Shop will provide the ability to download the latest software and purchase maps directly to an MFD via Wi-Fi, while enjoying a day on the water.

GoFree Shop revolutionises the way boaters obtain content for compatible Lowrance, Simrad and B&G branded displays by allowing purchase, direct download and immediate use of Insight Genesis (including Social Map) and 3^rd party maps from GoFree partners. This ensures boaters have access to the charts they need, where they need them most. GoFree Shop also guarantees users are always running the most up-to-date operating system, by providing all of the latest and greatest features for their MFD via automatic software update notifications, direct download and installation. GoFree Shop also allows registered Insight Genesis users to upload sonar logs to the Insight Genesis online service directly from an MFD for personal chart creation and Social Map community data sharing.

Available this January, GoFree Shop for compatible MFDs and navigation systems will require a one-time, free, software update, a GoFree WiFi-1 wireless gateway with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot or mobile tethered link. GoFree Shop will be available for Lowrance HDS Gen2 Touch, Simrad NSS Evo2, Simrad NSO Evo2 and B&G Zeus² series displays.

On The Web

In addition to the introduction of GoFree Shop on the MFD’s, the new GoFree Shop website will be launched. This will support GoFree-branded content giving customers the choice of downloading charts and software from the comfort of home. A fast and ultra-convenient resource for discovering and downloading content, the GoFree Shop website will provide instant access to the largest collection of marine maps. The ever-expanding online store allows users to browse, purchase and download content for a compatible Lowrance, Simrad and B&G-branded navigational device via memory card or USB flash drive. To make a purchase, boaters simply enter existing Insight Store/Insight Genesis account credentials or create a new account.

“There are significant advancements taking place in the world of data, telematics and cloud computing and we are pleased to be leading this revolution in the marine industry,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO, Navico. “The benefits of similar strides are visible in both the automotive and aviation markets, and with GoFree, Lowrance, Simrad and B&G, we will be able to deliver the most user-friendly products, with the most robust content, in the most convenient way.”

For more information on GoFree, the GoFree Shop, the GoFree App or the entire line of Lowrance, Simrad and B&G marine electronics, please visit www.navico.com