In 2018, Evinrude announced it had entered into a partnership agreement with NAVICO in which NAVICO would make Evinrude proprietary engine data available for display on their Lowrance and Simrad chart plotters. In addition to just being able to display data, the revised firmware in these displays would also be able to send proprietary data to the E-TEC engine for specialized functions, such as initiating engine self-winterization.
Evinrude wrote:Lowrance and Simrad displays can now give users access to vital engine and vessel information such as engine RPM, temperature data, and fuel and oil levels, as well as custom Evinrude messages for engine functions such as, water in fuel and overheating warnings, and other detailed engine messages and recovery actions.
In addition to displaying engine data, the new functionality also gives users remote control of Evinrude’s iTrim intelligent trim control system and iSteer Dynamic Power Steering feature directly through the touchscreen devices. Boaters can also initiate Evinrude E-TEC G2’s convenient “one touch” auto-winterization functionality.
The press release is archived here and available for download.
A similar agreement was announced with GARMIN in early 2019. In an internal announcement to dealers, Evinrude said:
Evinrude wrote:Evinrude and Garmin Marine have partnered to create an integrated experience for consumers utilizing the Garmin navigation and sonar products with Evinrude E-TEC G2 engines. This integrated software update (Version 2018.1219.1 ) will our allow mutual customers to access:iDock system notifications are NOT available at this time via the software update. Evinrude iDock installations require a premium Evinrude display (Nautilus 3.5, ICON 4.3. ICON 7.0).
- Premium features for Evinrude E-TEC G2 including iTrim, iSteer, hand-to-foot throttle transfer, trim/tilt calibration, and one-touch auto-winterization
- Custom Evinrude messages for the below engine functions:
- Fuel and oil levels
- Water in fuel, overheat, and other detailed engine messages, along with recovery action
Software update 2018.1219.1 ONLY applies to Garmin GPSMAP products that are currently equipped with version 14.10.
Version 10.90 and lower will not be eligible for this update. Garmin echoMAP products are not included In this update and will see Evinrude Integration later in calendar year 2019. A full list of compatible devices can be found at https://www8.garmin.com/support/note.jsp?id=8743. Again, please note devices without 14.10 distinction are not supported.
Note that these non-Evinrude displays are revised for use with E-TEC G2 engines. Their ability to work with legacy E-TEC engines is not known. For legacy E-TEC engines, use of an Evinrude display that has specific legacy E-TEC capabilities is likely to be a better solution that using a non-Evinrude display.