Lowrance, a brand by Navico, a leading global manufacturer of leisure navigation electronics, has won a top industry award for its new Endura Sierra handheld GPS.
The Lowrance Endura Sierra, the top of the range unit, gained accolade in the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD 'Best Accessory' category at the Outdoor Show in Friedrichschafen, Germany on July 16.
The Lowrance Endura series consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds: the flagship Sierra - the most powerful and complete outof-the-box GPS available; the Safari - a versatile navigator for any outdoor activity; and the Out&Back - setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use.
Now in its fourth year, the OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD, hosted by Messe Friedrichshafen and organized by iF, has a solid reputation among manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Some 242 entries were submitted from 18 different countries with a total of 63 products chosen as prizewinners.
A pan-European judging panel comprised of professional adventurers, outdoor magazine editors, and seasoned industry executives evaluated the product entries based on strict criteria including innovation, design quality, functionality and workmanship.
The innovative Sierra GPS device received praise for its design and advanced technical capabilities, and impressed judges with its combined touch-screen functionality and quick access buttons. The Sierra, along with the Safari and Out&Back, also offer unrivalled flexibility and access to the widest possible range of third party and community content.
Navico EMEA Operational Marketing Manager, Jo Bainbridge, said: "The Endura series continues to impress those with an active interest in the outdoors with its stylish design and impressive functionality. Our New Zealand based design agency, 4ormfunction and our internal mechanical designer Pablo Eynon have both done a fantastic job."
"Earlier this year Lowrance welcomed Europe's leading outdoor and technology journalists to a special Endura preview launch event in the Lake District. We received some very positive feedback and some excellent reviews in the outdoor and national press. This award is further recognition from industry experts of the quality and functionality of the Endura units."
Lowrance received its award at the official ceremony on July 16 in Germany. Further award categories were 'Apparel', 'Backpacks', 'Mountain Climbing Equipment', 'Camping Equipment', 'Sleeping Bags', and 'Products with High Ecological and Sustainable Value'. Winning products are showcased on the IF website www.ifdesign.de
Comments from the panel of judges included:
"One thing became very apparent in the 63 awards that were presented in this competition: Design, coupled with innovation, is still the essential principle in the outdoor industry. Product design is becoming more sophisticated, the workmanship of the products and the overall level of quality have improved significantly."
(Mark Held, European Outdoor Group)
"The OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD is one of the most important awards in the outdoor industry and rewards the industry’s unabated innovative strength. Although there are not really that many revolutionary innovations, the continuous fine-tuning done on existing products over the years results in outdoor equipment that is getting better and better all the time."
(Frank Wacker, Editorial team outdoor, Motor Presse Stuttgart)
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Notes to Editor
About Navico and Lowrance
The Lowrance brand is wholly owned by Navico Holding AS, a privately owned, international electronics company. A leader in outdoor recreational GPS electronics and currently the world's largest marine electronics manufacturer, Navico is the parent company to five well-established brands: B&G, Eagle, Lowrance, Northstar and Simrad. Visit www.lowrance.com and www.navico.com