AIS software NEON™ OS 2.5

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Overview
NEON™ OS 2.5 is a major software update for Simrad® chartplotters delivering expanded fishing, integration, customization, and usability enhancements across the platform. Designed to provide a more connected and capable on‑water experience, this release expands sonar support, system integration, UI personalization, and larger‑system capability for anglers and recreational mariners.

UI & Ease of Use

• The new Activities Bar and App Drawer replace the traditional home screen to reduce menu navigation, keep frequently used apps and splitscreens within reach, allow repositioning of the Activities Bar, and pin shortcuts for personalization.
• Light and Dark themes, customizable shortcuts, and a redesigned Quick Access Menu enable interface tailoring for daytime or nighttime operation.
• Enhanced alerts and a new status bar provide clearer system feedback with improved descriptions, actionable prompts, and real‑time visibility into radar, autopilot, GPS, and connectivity status for easier troubleshooting and greater system awareness.

Advanced Fishing & Sonar
Built for serious anglers, NEON™ OS 2.5 expands sonar capabilities and fishfinding performance.

• ActiveTarget® & ActiveTarget® 2 support: NEON™ OS 2.5 supports Lowrance® ActiveTarget® and ActiveTarget® 2 live sonar systems, including combined viewing modes and support for the ActiveTarget® 2 XL transducer for expanded live sonar viewing of fish movement and structure in real time.
• Enhanced CHIRP, SideScan® & DownScan®: performance improvements deliver better clarity, improved target separation, and greater control with adjustable scroll speeds to improve fishfinding in changing conditions.
• Forward‑looking sonar integration: third‑party EchoPilot support offers forward‑looking sonar awareness ahead of the vessel with integrated split‑screen functionality and on‑screen control.

Expanded Vessel Integration
Deeper integration across engines, anchoring systems, and onboard controls.

• Expanded Mercury® and Yamaha® integration including Mercury Smart Tow functionality to expose more vessel data and controls on the Simrad® display.
• Native Power‑Pole® integration for shallow‑water anchor and trolling motor control directly from the chartplotter to improve positioning and simplify boat control while fishing.
• CZone® app integration: native digital switching control and monitoring from compatible NEON™ displays enables control of lighting, power management, tank monitoring, climate systems and more without additional hardware.

Bigger System Capability
Support for larger integrated systems and improved routing and splitscreen performance.

• Six‑way splitscreen support: NSS® 4 and NSO® 4 users can use six‑way layouts to monitor charts, sonar, radar, engine data, cameras and more simultaneously.
• Improved Auto Routing: smarter channel and fairway following, bridge clearance consideration, and improved routing calculations when paired with up‑to‑date chart data.
• Easier route & waypoint management: updated editing workflows make building, editing, organizing, and adjusting routes directly from the display more intuitive while underway.

And Much More
Additional updates and system‑wide enhancements include:

• Improved chart management tools
• Colored AIS targets for enhanced situational awareness
• Seabed area overlays and marine protected area support
• OP55 remote controller support and improved chart inspection tools
• Various usability and system performance improvements across the NEON™ ecosystem

Compatibility
NEON™ OS 2.5 is available for compatible Simrad® multifunction displays including NSX®, NSX® ULTRAWIDE, NSS® 4, and NSO® 4. Certain features may vary by display model, screen size, connected accessories, and supported hardware integrations.

How to Update

• Start the update from Settings → General → Software Updates on the display.
• Or update via the Alerts pop‑up when card/USB is inserted.
• Or connect the chartplotter to Wi‑Fi and update over the air through the Settings app.

Specifications

• Product type: Software / operating system for chartplotters (firmware/OS)
• Version: NEON™ OS 2.5
• Brand: Simrad®
• Main compatibility: NSX®, NSX® ULTRAWIDE, NSS® 4, NSO® 4
• Key features: Activities Bar & App Drawer, Light/Dark themes, Quick Access Menu, enhanced alerts and status bar, ActiveTarget® & ActiveTarget® 2 live sonar support, CHIRP/SideScan®/DownScan® improvements, forward‑looking sonar (EchoPilot) integration, Mercury® & Yamaha® expanded integration, Power‑Pole® and CZone® native integration
• System: improved splitscreen (up to six‑way), enhanced auto routing, improved route & waypoint editing
• Update methods: on‑device software update, USB/card alert, or OTA update via Wi‑Fi