Harbour Chandler's Electronics Team Picks
When it comes to upgrading your boat, marine electronics are one of the best investments you can make. The right equipment can help you find more fish, navigate with confidence, improve communication, and keep you safer on the water.
Our electronics department works with recreational boaters, serious salmon anglers, and offshore cruisers every day. These are the five products our team believes stand out in 2026—not simply because they're new, but because they solve real problems and deliver outstanding performance.
Whether you're fishing around Nanaimo, exploring Vancouver Island, or cruising the BC coastline, these are our top picks for the year.
1. Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 XL Live Sonar
Best for: Serious anglers who want to see fish react in real time.
If there's one technology that's changing the way anglers fish, it's live sonar.
The Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 XL gives anglers an incredibly detailed, real-time view of fish, bait, structure, and even their own lure. Instead of guessing where fish are holding, you can watch how they react and adjust your presentation instantly.
The new XL transducer provides a full 180° field of view across Forward, Down, and Scout modes using a single transducer, while HDS PRO users can even pair two systems together for an impressive 360° live sonar experience.
Why our team picked it
- Crystal-clear live sonar
- 180° viewing from a single transducer
- Forward, Down, and Scout viewing modes
- Quick switching between viewing modes
- Compatible with HDS PRO, HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon, and Elite FS displays
If you're passionate about salmon fishing or targeting structure-oriented species, ActiveTarget 2 XL is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to your boat.
2. Hawkeye® DepthTrax® 1H Handheld Depth Finder
Best for: Small boats, kayaks, inflatables, and backup depth readings.
Not every boat needs a large chartplotter.
Sometimes you simply want fast, reliable depth information wherever you are.
The waterproof DepthTrax 1H delivers accurate depth readings down to 300 feet while also displaying water temperature to the nearest tenth of a degree. Because it's completely handheld, it's perfect for inflatables, tenders, kayaks, aluminum fishing boats, or as a dependable backup for larger vessels.
Why our team picked it
- Instant depth readings
- Waterproof construction
- Measures depths up to 300 feet
- Built-in water temperature display
- Easy to carry anywhere on the boat
Simple, dependable, and surprisingly useful, the DepthTrax 1H has earned a permanent place on our team's recommendation list.
3. Shakespeare® Comm-Light™ VHF Lighted Antenna
Best for: Reliable VHF communication with a unique custom look.
Communication is one of the most important safety systems on any boat.
The Shakespeare Comm-Lightâ„¢ VHF Antenna delivers dependable VHF performance while adding customizable LED lighting that makes your boat stand out after dark.
Using the companion mobile app, you can choose from multiple colours, preset lighting effects, and dynamic lighting modes to match your style while maintaining the reliable communication Shakespeare antennas are known for.
Built with brass and copper antenna elements, a stainless-steel ferrule, and a durable high-gloss PMMA tube, it's designed to perform in demanding marine environments.
Why our team picked it
- Reliable 6 dB VHF performance
- Integrated LED lighting
- App-controlled colours and lighting effects
- Marine-grade construction
- Compatible with 12V and 24V systems
It's a great example of combining safety, functionality, and modern styling into one upgrade.
Shop Shakespeare® Comm-Light™
4. Garmin Signalâ„¢ VHF 400
Best for: Advanced communication and enhanced situational awareness.
The Garmin Signal VHF 400 is much more than a traditional marine radio.
With its built-in Class B AIS transponder, nearby AIS-equipped vessels can see your position while you monitor surrounding marine traffic directly from the radio or compatible Garmin electronics. Garmin also introduced an industry-first 3.5-inch colour touchscreen, adaptive noise cancellation, integrated GPS, and seamless networking with compatible Garmin marine systems.
Whether you're navigating busy harbours, fishing offshore, or cruising the coast, these features help improve communication and awareness when conditions become challenging.
Why our team picked it
- Built-in AIS transponder
- Bright 3.5-inch colour touchscreen
- Adaptive noise cancellation
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
- Garmin Marine Network and NMEA 2000 integration
For boaters looking to modernize their helm, the Garmin Signal VHF 400 is one of the most exciting communication products released this year.
5. FLIR M232 Thermal Camera
Best for: Night boating, fog, and improved safety.
Running before sunrise. Returning after sunset. Navigating through fog.
These situations are common for many BC boaters, and they're exactly where thermal imaging shines.
The FLIR M232 is one of FLIR's most compact pan-and-tilt marine thermal cameras, helping reveal vessels, navigation markers, floating debris, and other obstacles that may be difficult to see with the naked eye.
When paired with a compatible Raymarine Axiom multifunction display, the M232 also supports FLIR ClearCruiseâ„¢ intelligent thermal analytics, providing audible and visual alerts when non-water objects appear in view.
Why our team picked it
- Thermal imaging for day or night
- 360° pan-and-tilt viewing
- Detects vessels and obstacles in low visibility
- Compatible with most MFD's
- ClearCruiseâ„¢ object detection support
For anyone boating year-round on the BC coast, thermal imaging adds another level of confidence and safety.
Which Marine Electronics Upgrade Is Right for You?
Every boater has different priorities.
If you're wondering where to start, here's what our electronics department recommends:
- For serious anglers: Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 XL
- For smaller boats: Hawkeye DepthTrax 1H
- For dependable communication: Shakespeare Comm-Lightâ„¢ VHF Antenna
- For advanced marine safety: Garmin Signal VHF 400
- For low-light navigation: FLIR M232 Thermal Camera
Visit Harbour Chandler's Electronics Department
Marine electronics continue to evolve, and choosing the right system can feel overwhelming. Our electronics specialists are here to help you compare products, answer compatibility questions, and recommend equipment based on your boat and how you use it.
Whether you're upgrading a small fishing boat or outfitting a larger cruiser, Harbour Chandler carries trusted marine electronics from leading manufacturers to help you get the most out of every day on the water.
