20 Best Chartplotter For Sailing (2022 Updated)

This is an excellent and fairly priced radar/plotter system by Garmin. I have other Garmin components and all are excellent so stayed with Garmin for new radar. This was purchased to replace an ageing and inop radar and chartplotter on my Grady-White that was no longer economic to service or repair.

Installation of this system is straightforward with clear online install instructions. You can easily do it all yourself. The radar dome typically needs a separate mount to raise it off your roof and a wedge to get the angle level when cruising.

Both are available from SeaView and compatible with this unit. If you are fishing the cables downhill from your roof, tower or through pipes or tight spaced you’ll need to ignore the instructions to “not cut” the network cable.

The Chartplotter end of the radar network cable has an impossibly large plug and screw on watertight fitting that cannot be fished through anything. Cut it and buy the Garmin kit and an RJ 45 punch down tool to re attached a new network plug at the chartplotter end.

Use the one you cut off as a template for the wire color sequence to the new connector. The power cable is just a pair of wires without an integrated connector. Tape it to the cut net cable and fish them together.

Setup and operation is easy and intuitive with the touch screen and excellent built-in menus and maps. I separately added a Garmin transom transducer for depth, also an easy installation and setup.

Well so far I like it, Just put it in the water for the first time on 12/29/21. I had watched videos for days by different people and thought I understood how to set it up for operating, But when I turned it on it was all very different, most video are about units that do not have the knob.

so I had to just fool with it for a while and got it close enough to use it for a little while, 2 hours and the wind got up to much, so I am waiting for my next trip. now we have 4 or 5 days with cold and wind, so will wait for a more calm day.

I would love to have a video of how to set it all up like the unit i have. I have not figured out yet how to see my bait better, just got a glimpse of it a few times, I believe maybe I can increase the Gain a little or decrease the forward gain.

am at 60 but will try to raise it just a bit. If you can e mail me a video to really study my unit. Thanks for you e mail. Nathan Griffith. have a 1022.

This and a 942 are perfect for my flybridge/salon helm positions. The selection of screens – all of any one choice, or combos of sonar, nav chart, radar, give me exactly what I need. I had Fantom radar installed at the same time, and it’s a great pairing.

Enlarging the target size makes the Fantom so much more useful. Old conventional sonar provides a great picture on this MFD. 100% happy, except having to switch from built in manual to screens and back takes more effort that I prefer.

A paper manual I could take home and study would be preferable. Helm occupies dash in front of helm chair, 1242 is flush mounted off the the left, sunshade would be helpful. 942 in salon is very bright.

Bought 2018, delighted with improvement over 15 year old competitor model.

I installed it myself, and Im not a pro. I used the mounting bracket that was included. The most difficult part for me was hooking the power cable up to the boat. The wires are small, and I had to be careful when skinning them.

I used two ring connectors (not included) to attach the wires to the screws on the boat. The transducer wire was adequate length for my boat (an Eastern Sisu 22). Rather than drill screw holes in the transom to mount the transducer, I bought a stick-on mounting block, and put the screws into it.

Im learning to use the unit, and it seems to be user-friendly.

Amazingly beautiful and well-made device for this price. Easy to use, perfectly meets all my expectations. If I use it in an old wooden kite from 1970, unfortunately the sonar probe cannot stick in the wooden cover, wood absorbs the pip.

I made a small, light rustproof construction with the probe at the bottom at the place of the lateral flotation slide motor and can now screw it on there if necessary, works perfectly. Broken mast and sheet to everyone from Lake Constance.

Handles the gulf like a champion, Navigates like a pro, and gives very accurate directions. I have not used the fish finder because I have a separate system for that. very easy to use and always a 5bar signal on the gulf.

Never loses track of where you are and gives even a turn by turn with a split screen of both chart and nav! All around. a VERY good product and wonderful 9″ display to greatly see at night! Bravo!.

Really excellent product, using high quality materials. Easy to install and works well even though it doesn’t have an external gps antenna. The transducer was epoxied through the hull and works perfectly.

Easy to fine tune background noise to give a clear image. The display is very sharp and easy to navigate through the menus. Startup time is good and is quickly ready to use. I looked at a few different makes and decided on the Simrad because of the well known high quality of their products.

I am highly delighted with the product and definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality product that’s very accurate and easy to use.

Bought and installed this unit on my Grady White. Easy install. Easy setup. Very user friendly. Was able to launch and set way points in minutes. Down scan and side scan features amazing. I bought the bundle package with the Halo 20 Plus Radar.

Feel very comfortable taking her out to sea. Thanks Simrad for designing such a great product that is so easy to use. And thank you Guys at West Marine for the guidance and tech support along the way of install.

I think the product has a much faster processor but it lacks many things. The system is currently not compatible with Sirius Weather, it doesn’t work with other chart options and won’t communicate amongst multiple screens to share sonar.

As of right now, I would not recommend this product. It still needs a lot of work and Simrad does not have a date for when these features will be available.

I’d give Rating Average to Fair. After purchasing new unit and I used it for 6-7 months without any problems, but after approx. 7 months it started to give the following problem: In the morning I can not turn on the unit.

I have to swipe the power button for 10-15 min just to be able to turn on this expensive electronic box. After that, using the warranty, my only 7 months old unit was exchanged with god knows how old refurbished unit.

Again, first 6 months without any issues and on the 7th month the same problem occurs. When I asked: “How we should proceed fixing this issue which comes already as a trend? “, I was suggested to buy remote keypad RMK-100,which costs insane money, just to be able to turn on the Flagman of the company.

This is ridiculous. After contacting Technical support and checking all points like: faults in the installation of the unit, updating to the last software version and gentle sliding ontop the power swipe button I was asked to send my unit to Raymarine’s reliability team to look at it without supplying an exchange unit while to examination lasts.

So in this time of COVID restrictions and so on it may take up to a month or more to be without sonar unit, which means I can not spend my leisure time practicing my hobby. Just amazing. Also I had been told that even my unit is warranty exchanged, the warranty period will not be extended with the receiving of new unit.

Which means that if this problem continue to occur, after the warranty expires I’ll have expensive electronic box which takes 15min to start and a lot of prayers. And NO, definitely I’ll not recommend this unit to a friend.

Better spend more money but buy from the competition like: Hummi or Lowrance.

I really appreciate the integration of the various Raymarine items out there (I have an Axiom 7, Quantum 2 radar, i70P, autopilot, AIS 700, and Ray 63) and how easy it is to add new items to the network.

That said, the display is laggy and appears to be using an underpowered chip to run (what I presume to be) the custom Android OS for which Lighthouse was built. My biggest complaint, however, is the bezels.

For a product that came out in 2020, they are absolutely massive which causes the screen to be smaller and very much less usable. I would love to see a new axiom come out that greatly reduces the bezels (and also bump up the pixel density) with the same form factor.

This would enable the Axiom 7 to have a 9-10” screen size and increases across the board of displays. I would jump on the pre-order list if this were made and would be a good product to position as a premium over this product so that you can hit both ends of the product range.

I just bought the Axiom 9 MFD for my sailboat and installed on the center steering console- in the quick release bracket mode so I can remove the unit when not in use. Comment – I did not see any accessories from RM for Axiom – i.

e. a carry/storage case when not in use, so I bought a generic one and modified to protect and store. I do not see any cover/plug/protection when not in use for power and Transducer (hanging out of console) – multi pin connections sitting out exposed to dirt/dust/rain etc! seems issue not thought about.

The back of the MFD has covers, but nothing for cables. contacted RM support and answer was no cover or plug protection for cables. Now I will resort to using a zip lock sandwich bag!!.

Great plotter with lots of features. Screen in bright and can be seen great with or without polarized glasses.

A great unit i have 5 and they work great. If you have any problems garmin is just a call away and they were great when a had a setup problem!!

Easy plug and play fast to figure it out easy to learn

I just purchased an Axiom+ 12 MFC to replace my 20 year old RC 80 chart plotter. The older monitors have an aspect ratio of 1:1 mounted in square holes. The new wide screen monitors have an aspect ratio of 16:9.

The two vertical brackets provided will not work because the opening is too large vertically, but two horizontal brackets would work because I have to make the opening wider. Would Raymarine consider providing horizontal brackets?.

Purchased the Axiom+ to replace a 13 year old navigation unit for a new to me boat. The Axiom+ slotted in with minimal technical fuss with OEM depth sounder/ fish finder, which provided the flexibility to upgrade the depth sounder at a convenient time.

The Axiom+ has turned out intuitive as I saw with the demo models, and works seamlessly with Navionics card. The unit is the corner stone of my plans to modernise the electronics on the boat, with plans to integrate new sound system and battery management system.

My only wish I had the dashboard space for a larger unit!.

This unit is at the lower helm that is used less than the flybridge. She is interfaced to a larger Axiom Plus as well as the Radar, AIS, sonar, autopilot and IP cameras. She interfaced without difficulty.

The cost savings is nice since the second unit will share pretty much everything the master unit has attached including the data card. The interface is built in and is easy as plugging in a cable, since that’s all you have to do.

Nice unit, does what it advertises and some.

The unit seems good, but it is hard to get working properly. The raymarine forum hasn’t been working since june 2020 so it is hard to get technical assistance. I have the element HV connected in a NMEA2k network to an emtrak B921 AIS.

The element is not displaying any AIS locations. The AIS appears to be transmitting on NMEA according to its diagnostics, by the element does not have any diagnostics like the MFD axiom to actually troubleshoot.

I cannot see any settings to fix this. I have a navionics map sd card which I have selected as the map source. When I first used it, the proper level of detail displayed. Now it seems to have switched to extremely low resolution.

I can’t find any setting which fixes this. The GPS location is accurate and I am 99% sure the navionics card is not yet corrupted. The element should be able to obtain power from the NMEA2k network. However this doesn’t seem to work.

It will only power on if separate power cable that connects with the nmea2k cable into a single connector is connected to the battery. Lastly the unit should have shipped with a HV100 transducer but this was not present.

I have contacted support but this has not yet been resolved.

I would give the Element 7HV a 3. 5 rating so far – after about 1/2 a dozen uses so far. The unit’s speed and responsiveness when switching screens is excellent, as advertised. The function of the hypervision, sidevision, and downvision has been quite good.

However the standard CHIRP function has been quite sensitive to noise – I have had to frequently adjust the sensitivity and noise rejection settings to get a reasonable, usable display and I often lose the depth reading when the setup is not just right.

Also, I recall reading or watching a video somewhere that suggested that several desirable features may be added in the future with software updates – for example, perhaps the ability to use a remote display app like you have in the past with other products.

However, the website shows the most recent software update to be over a year old at this time. It would be nice for the user base to know what updates may be available in the hopefully very near future.

I bought this unit for my kayak and could not be any happier! I was moving up from another brand (Lowrance Hook 2 7) that did not last 2 years. Upon installing and using the Element 7, the first thing that was very clear is it is night and day different.

It should be since it is in a much higher price range. The images are crystal clear, the functionality is quite simple and user friendly. I still have a lot to learn with it but feel like I will be very happy for many years to come! To be fair, there is one negative that I have noticed.

When on a mapping screen, there is a lag between movement of my kayak and when it shows on the screen. I heard Gene Jensen mention the same thing so I know it isn’t just me. I wish it updated the on screen icon a little faster.

Aside from that I am very happy with my purchase. It feels like it is built very solidly, actually has some weight to it. I am very hopeful that it will last many years.

My unit came with a new boat purchase in the fall of 2021. My simplified evaluation is that it tries to be all things to all boaters rendering the would be simple tasks as difficult, hidden, dependent or impossible.

There is a lack of programming cohesion – most functions have multiple approaches but there is no similarity between similar functions. Many functions are just plain annoying: a simple touch of the screen executes a cursor command knocking your screen out of essential situational navigation, you can restrict visibility of waypoints and routes on the chart screen but they appear and clutter the navigation screen making it essentially unusable.

“Easy Routing” is totally useless. I boat in Mid Coastal Maine and a simple route puts you in peril or even on dry land. It has no AI capability and is simultaneously annoying and dangerous. Great screen, Tides is a great addition, Yamaha integration is helpful, Processor speed is very quick, Integrating audio, video, phone, etc.

on a single screen is consistent with automotive development and points to the future. Some good, some “not quite fully developed” but pointed in the right direction and some just not right.

Not a freindly Sonar unit. Way to many unknown menu items with little to no explaining what they do or how to us the feature. The owners manual is over simpified and the You Tube videos are great but leave you trying to remember what you just learned.

Re-booting the system every trip with NO SOURCE displayed at weird times. Losing the Radar the Sonar and the Mapping drives me crazy. So shut down mid trip, re-boot and they will all come back. I have owned Lawrance, Garmin, Humminbird units.

All are easier to use than this system. Tons of money spent with tech support at local marine centers and the result is more issues. I cannot recommend this flakey system to anyone. SORRY!.

I was able to connect my mercrusier engine to my simrad and now I have all the information I need. I use the ecogps function to dial in my best trim and engine rpm to get the best mileage possible. I know my fuel range as displayed on the chart.

I know how much fuel I have used on the current trip and all previous trips. The screen views are all fully customizable as well as the information side bars. If you can not find the information you are looking for , you don’t need it.

Also I found the product support guy I was talking to quite knowledgeable and always available , no waiting.

It’s a hybrid of a Echomap series and GPS series chartplotter with the best sonar compatible features and has a large UHD screen with more pixels then the 9 inch echo maps for greater detail in maps and sonar returns.

Right away you can tell it’s a heavier duty build than the 7 and 9 series Echomap. This unit will not record livescope thru active Captain so beware if you think it’s the ultimate sonar machine. The LVS12 port is additional feature for live sonar but beware had had bad reviews and less popular than the LVS32 and don’t know if a LVS 12 data can be shared to a 93 unit I know my 93 unit has a LVS 12 simulation so why can’t it share LVS 12 data if the ultra does the software translation to the network.

I know Garmin could update software to allow better networking and sonar recording features but opt not to for marketing strategy and older Echomap plus is discontinued and updates have stopped so you can’t even get the new vivid colors I have though many picky comments for being invested into the Echomap series over $4000.

00 and you do find limits for your hardware and it’s software too. they will always be coming out with faster bigger and better units with improved performance so to get units on clearance is the only way I purchase my echomaps and good prices with free shipping and a gift card plus a promo is how to get the most amazing deals on this unit.

I recommend only buying the Echomap series on clearance because they are always onsale from a latest model coming out. The 93plus sv met all expectations for a live image sonar unit so the 106sv is a huge upgrade can’t wait to get my hands on a GT56 and look at those new color pallets and pray someday Garmin figures out how to live sonar record on the app for as on their GPS xsv series plotters.

So is it recommend for the professional angler yes it is ,for the you tuber wanting to record livescope no it’s not unless you go pro it up close. Clearance priced echo maps and free shipping is huge savings and the echo map series I have bought all my units for amazing cheap deals for the best live sonar and user friendly menus I have ever seen.

The force trolling compatible controls is one of the units best features for chartplotting a course and really does out more fish in the boat giving you more time to fish instead of driving. I was amazed at pre programming a course and the turns and really just sit back and fish while the Garmin networked Echomap does everything you would want in a Sonar/GPS navigation system.

Not recommend for ice fishing the power consumption is high and will chew thru batteries because all the processing features but could be used if increased the battery AH to accommodate the draw. Dual memory cards for mapping and memory.

Can see the faster map processing for sure zooming in and out with a 10hz receiver compared to the 5hz in the 7 and 9 series. 2 network ports can host a variety of networking options for other echomaps or panoptix transducers.

Only thing though my lake is not available on this and my first Echomap it was with lake vu us lakes You would think ultra maps would only improve a lakes detail. Not enough customer service on mapping and the Echomap support doesn’t clarify mapping.

4 screen split is a new option.

Fantastic unit, exceptional clarity/accuracy and works as it should. If you bought it boxing day you got a heck of a deal. I find It comedic that people are reviewing this badly. Considering the fact that if Cabela’s doesn’t have in stock how is that a reflection of the quality of the unit if anything that states really good as they can’t keep it in stock.

The other review with the gentleman complaining about how Manitoba Lakes aren’t there maybe should have read what was included in the map coverage so he knew ahead of time. Also, none of the Inland maps in any of the NavTronics or overly great.

You are way better off to use the mapping feature in this unit to make a more accurate underwater maps. That is also not specific to this unit, but any unit. Moral of the story is do your research before you buy any fish finder.

But if you are going to buy one, this is a good one.

I bought this 93SV with the GT56 transducer a couple of months ago to replace my broken Humminbird Onix. The Onix was HB’s top of the line model when I bought it, and worked well for me for many years.

The Garmin does have better side and down imaging, but I do not like the user interface as much as the HB. It is often confusing and not intuitive. HB does a much better job there, IMO. I also miss the ability to split the screen in 4 parts (3 is the max on the 93SV) so I can have Nav, down, side and 2d all on one screen.

I’ll get used to it over time, I’m sure. But it was not the big step up in tech I was thinking it would be. I’m glad I didn’t update just to update. I’m not sure the value would have been there from the Onix.