Garmin has introduced a new 360-degree sonar package built around the GT360UHD transducer and motorised Spy Pole, giving users a bird’s-eye view of fish and structure around the boat. The system was announced in March 2026 and is designed to keep sonar direction independent from the steering angle of the trolling motor.
The combination produces both 2D and 3D views around the vessel and allows a selected area to remain in view without repeatedly rescanning it. Garmin is also positioning the Spy Pole as a dedicated control platform for LiveScope transducers, extending the usefulness of the live-scanning system when the boat is holding position.
The transducer scans around the whole boat
The GT360UHD creates a continuous 360-degree picture of underwater structure and targets rather than forcing the user to point a conventional sonar beam in a new direction each time. That wider awareness can make it easier to understand what is happening around the boat before deciding where to focus a live-scanning transducer.
For a tender or sport boat, the benefit is situational awareness without adding another manually operated pole at the bow. The operator can survey the surrounding water while keeping the helm and fishing position organised.
Spy Pole separates sonar aim from boat control
The motorised Spy Pole allows a LiveScope transducer to be aimed independently of the trolling motor, so users can keep watching a target while the motor holds position. Garmin says the system can be controlled from a compatible chartplotter or through physical controls, depending on the installation.
That separation is especially useful when the trolling motor is in anchor-lock mode because the propulsion system can make its own steering corrections while the sonar continues to face the chosen direction. It reduces the compromise between keeping the boat stationary and keeping the sensor pointed at the area of interest.
SpyLink connects the pole to Force Pro
Garmin’s SpyLink technology can synchronise the speed and direction of a Force Pro trolling motor with the Spy Pole and lets users command the pole from the trolling-motor foot pedal. The system therefore ties sonar control into an existing propulsion interface rather than adding another unrelated control device.
The Spy Pole is offered in 42-inch and 49-inch lengths and is compatible with any LiveScope transducer. That gives owners some flexibility to match the installation to freeboard, deck arrangement and the type of boat carrying the electronics.
A specialist tool joins the networked helm
The product is clearly aimed at serious fishing use, but its broader significance is the continued move toward networked sensors that can be commanded through the same helm environment. Instead of treating sonar as a stand-alone box, Garmin is increasingly connecting sensors, displays and propulsion controls around common software.
That approach is relevant to luxury-yacht tenders because owners often want sophisticated capability without a cluttered console. Spy Pole adds a specialist function while still fitting into Garmin’s wider electronics architecture.
