Simrad Yachting has just rolled out a powerful new feature designed to make life easier—and safer—on the water. The new AutoTrack™ upgrade for the Simrad® HALO® 2000 and HALO 3000 radar systems brings advanced target detection and tracking into the hands of everyday boaties and commercial skippers alike.
Released with the latest V8.2.0.32 software update, AutoTrack automatically identifies and monitors moving targets in your vicinity—prioritising those most relevant to your vessel’s course and surroundings. The result? Enhanced situational awareness without overcomplicating the experience.
This move marks another leap forward in Simrad’s mission to deliver smart, intuitive navigation tools that help keep boaters in control, especially in busy or limited-visibility conditions like those often found in New Zealand’s coastal regions.
“AutoTrack isn’t just a feature—it’s a smarter way to stay aware on the water,” says Kevin Steinbraker, VP and General Manager of Digital Systems at Navico Group. “It adds a layer of awareness without creating clutter or confusion.”
Smarter safety, built in
With AutoTrack switched on, users can automatically track up to 50 moving targets at a time across a 24-nautical mile range. The radar’s display overlays target vessels and hazards with easy-to-read trajectories and movement data. The system uses intelligent prioritisation to ensure you only see the most important information—helping you stay focused without becoming overwhelmed.
Even when the radar screen isn’t actively in use, AutoTrack keeps working in the background. A small dynamic widget displays real-time alerts about nearby activity—so you’re never caught off guard, whether you’re fishing, cruising offshore, or navigating a narrow inlet.
This makes it especially useful for Kiwi boaties cruising areas like the Hauraki Gulf, Marlborough Sounds, or around the Bay of Islands, where boat traffic and changing weather conditions demand fast decisions and situational clarity.
Seamless integration with Simrad displays
AutoTrack works natively with the HALO 2000 and 3000 systems, and it’s designed to feel like a natural extension of the Simrad interface. Compatible Simrad displays include:
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NSS and NSO evo3/evo3S (with software version 25.1 or later)
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NSX, NSX ULTRAWIDE, and NSS 4 displays (with software version 2.1 or later)
No extra hardware is needed—just install the software update and toggle the feature on through the radar settings.
Looking ahead, Simrad plans to bring AutoTrack to its wider radar lineup, including the HALO dome radars used across the Simrad®, B&G®, and Lowrance® brands.
A navigation aid—not a replacement for seamanship
It’s worth noting that AutoTrack is an aid, not a replacement for solid navigational practice. It doesn’t substitute for lookout duty or prudent seamanship. The system supports better decisions on the water, but it’s not a collision avoidance tool on its own.
Where to next?
With Simrad continuing to push boundaries in marine electronics, features like AutoTrack help deliver the confidence and awareness boaters need in an increasingly dynamic marine environment. For boaters who’ve already invested in the HALO 2000 or 3000 series, this is a welcome free update that takes performance and safety to the next level.
More information is available at www.simrad-yachting.com.
About Simrad Yachting
Simrad Yachting is part of Navico Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation, (NYSE: BC), and features leading marine electronics and navigation products including chartplotters, fishfinders, radars, autopilots, trolling motors and more for both commercial marine and recreational boaters with a history going back 75 years. The Simrad trademark is licensed for use to Navico Group which distributes Simrad products in over 100 countries worldwide. For more, visit www.simrad-yachting.com.
About Navico Group
A division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Navico Group is the world’s leading supplier of integrated systems and products to industries ranging from marine to recreational vehicle and beyond. The Navico Group portfolio is comprised of industry-leading brands in power management, digital control & monitoring, networked devices, and marine electronics. Some of the many brands that make up Navico Group include: Ancor, Attwood, B&G, BEP, Blue Sea Systems, C-MAP CZone, Lenco, Lowrance, Marinco, Mastervolt, Progressive Industries, ProMariner, RELiON, Simrad, and Whale.
