Garmin also has new GMR 18 and 24 xHD radomes, both of which are 4 kW with purported 48-mile maximum range. Both are also dual speed with automatic control, can work at dual ranges simultaneously and feature dynamic gain and sea filtering, all rendered on screen in "vibrant 8-bit color for greater detail of weather patterns or obstructions." I think that this is an important update for Garmin as their radomes (not their xHD open array radars) seemed weak in the comparative HD radome testing I did a few years ago. Hopefully, next season I'll get to see if they meet or even exceed the competition (and whether they'll network across fully and selectively networkable Garmin MFDs, which seems like a "maybe" at this point).
And how about Garmin Meteor 300 black box audio system that's sort of like Navico's SonicHub, but based on newer Fusion technology? So, it has Bluetooth streaming and control, and it can be accessorized with a NMEA 2000 remote and/or an Apple-connector-change-safe and Android-friendly dock (note that Lowrance and Simrad have also added SonicHub support for the Uni-Dock). Many GPSMAP models will porportedly be compatible with the Meteor 300 over N2K, and if that interface is like what I'm seeing with Fusion-Link on a Garmin 7212, which is very likely, it will be a fantastic way to run your stereo when you're at the helm.
Almost finally, the relationship between Garmin and their sailing instrument developer, Nexus Marine, has taken an interesting turn. The new gWind sensors, both wired and wireless, at least look exactly like the unique Nexus design I first saw at METS in 2006, which is just fine because it's earned a good reputation and, even better, Garmin's version comes with a GND 10 Black Box Bridge that apparently integrates Garmin's NMEA 2000 data system with the 0183-based Nexus Network. The box, which is available separately, even supports PC applications like NexusRace and Expedition, and is apt to make some sailors with existing Nexus systems very happy (and more likely to be Garmin customers if they aren't already).