NEW LOWRANCE LMS-240 IS FIRST COMPACT, HI-RES SONAR/GPS COMBO WITH DIGITAL RECORDING, BUILT-IN WAAS, AND EASY RECORDING MEMORY EXPANSION. Tulsa, OK – Lowrance Electronics has unveiled a new product innovation for 2002 that is the perfect, all-around combination fish finder and GPS unit for serious anglers.

With an ultra-high-resolution LCD display, tournament-grade sonar, precision GPS with custom mapping and built-in WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), plus an advanced recording feature using digital memory cards, the new LMS-240 is an impressive merger of technologies in one new compact package that’s modestly-priced.

Following in a long line of exclusive Lowrance "firsts," the LMS-240 is the newest and only combined sonar/GPS compact unit that accepts reusable digital Multi-Media Cards (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) memory cards for recording/playback of sonar graphs and GPS trip details, while offering new map-loading conveniences and instant mapping memory expansion to 128MB and more with ease.

Fantastic sonar and mapping readability is achieved with the LMS-240’s high-resolution, 5-inch diagonal, 240 x 240 pixel, Film SuperTwist display that renders exceptional contrast and mapping detail even in direct sunlight. Its unique programmable screen allows easy customization of the gray scale tones to the user’s preference. At night, dusk or dawn and in other low-light conditions, brilliant cold-cathode backlighting yields optimum viewing with a choice of multiple brightness levels.

For sonar and GPS navigation, the LMS-240 offers versatility in full-screen and split-screen displays with a zoom feature. These include full sonar or mapping, split sonar-mapping, split data-sonar or data-mapping, as well as custom screen display selections.

On the front of the LMS-240, a built-in slot protected by a waterproof door accepts a single MMC or SD memory card currently available from 8MB to 128MB memory sizes. Memory cards are used to digitally record and save sonar graphs and GPS trip details for playback on the unit, or on a personal computer using an optional card reader/interface.

Memory cards are also used to display optional, highly-detailed, user-created charts for GPS navigation, and offer the unique benefit of quick and easy recording memory expandability. With the LMS-240, available memory dedicated to display mapping is limited only by the capacity of the MMC or SD card utilized, and not by any internal memory space restriction.

In fish finding, the LMS-240 is a superior, high-performance sonar, capable of meeting the needs of serious anglers and tournament pros alike in any fishing encounter. Delivering 3,000 watts peak-to-peak power (375 watts RMS), it offers both advanced, adjustable sensitivity for excellent shallow water performance, and depth penetration to 1,000 feet. For even greater depth capability, an optional deep-water transducer with built-in temp sensor is available.

Adding to its sonar versatility is an integrated water surface temperature sensor built into the new wide-angle, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer® transducer with an effective fish detection area of up to 60-degrees with high sensitivity settings, and operates at boat speeds up to 70 m.p.h. (61 kts).

A new FishReveal™ feature incorporates ten levels of gray screen tones to expose fish hidden in surface clutter, thermoclines, weed beds, and other cover. To enhance fish finding, the LMS-240 includes the unique HyperScroll™ feature for locating and displaying fish targets at higher boat speeds.

Other LMS-240 performance extras include a line-up of pro-proven Lowrance innovations. The patented GRAYLINE® feature separates fish, on or near the bottom, from the actual bottom, and helps to define bottom composition and hardness. Advanced Signal Processing (ASP™) automatically adjusts sonar settings for the best pictures possible in nearly all fishing situations. Plus, Advanced Fish Symbol I.D.™ allows anglers to view underwater targets as fish symbols, and FishTrack™ displays the digital depth above each target.

For veteran sonar anglers who appreciate flasher performance, the LMS-240 offers FasTrack™ that displays flasher-style sonar returns in a vertical column, and shows the relative signal strength of each target as well.

For exceptional GPS/mapping navigation, the LMS-240 is an incredible performer with 12-parallel channel reception, quick satellite lock-ons, precision worldwide tracking, and selectable on/off WAAS for more precise position readings in selected locations.

An exclusive Lowrance custom background map is built-in to every LMS-240, and displays enhanced water, shorelines, coastal, and highway detail for America’s 48 contiguous states and Hawaii.

With the optional GPS Mapping Accessories Pack, users can easily create custom, highly-detailed mapping on their personal computer, and save those maps to MMC or SD cards for navigational display on the unit. The GPS Mapping Accessories Pack includes Lowrance MapCreate™ CD custom mapping software, personal computer reader/interface, and one 16MB MMC card.

Unlike other mapping software, the MapCreate CD includes a special memory-saving "cookie cutter" map chooser tool. This unique Lowrance feature allows the user to create and save detailed maps of specific areas needed, thereby maximizing MMC card memory space prior to inserting into the LMS-240 for display.

Covering both inland and coastal waters, the MapCreate CD mapping precisely details over 60,000 critical navigation aids and 10,000 wrecks and obstructions in U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters.

With over 30 map zoom ranges from 0.1 to 4,000 miles, and simplified one-touch control, a split-screen display mode allows simultaneous viewing of two different chart ranges. In addition to ultra-easy point-and-map route planning and cursor navigation, there’s a choice of 42 different graphic icons to mark favorite spots.

Mega-memory saves up to 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers, and 100 routes, along with the capacity for 10 savable plot trails with up to 10,000 points per trail. Other features include a one-touch Man Overboard function, compatibility with optional Navionics® electronic charts, and back-up memory that keeps stored sonar settings and GPS data safe and accessible for decades.

Along with a high-impact cover included to safeguard the screen and keypad when not in use, the new Lowrance LMS-240 is completely sealed and waterproof for use even in harsh saltwater environments, and is protected by a full one-year warranty.

For additional LMS-240 information and dealer locations, contact Lowrance Electronics at 1-800-324-1356 or visit www.lowrance.com.

Navionics is a registered trademark of NAVIONICS, INC.