We Test Marine Multifunction Displays

Helm space is the most valuable real estate on board, and to get the most navigation gear for the space, choosing from these multifunction displays with integrated sonar is key.

These touchscreen displays eliminate the black box for most forms of sonar systems, offering a built-in conventional sounder, chirp sonar and side-scan technology using a compatible transducer. Many also can be networked with radar, autopilot and other peripherals such as audio systems.

We’ve Analyzed

Nine-inch displays (measured diagonally) offer the optimal balance of screen size and cost. But each model is available in smaller 7-inch sizes and larger screens up to 16 inches.

All of the units here require optional transducers that connect directly to the back of the device. Basic conventional 50/200 kHz transducers work well with these models for finding the depth, structure and fish, and are affordable. For more advanced side–scanning and chirp -sonar used in locating fish and structure, a more expensive -transducer is required.

Key Features Offered by All

• Wi-Fi for firmware updates and some network capabilities
• NMEA 2000 (N2K) network interface
• High-definition screen resolution (1280×720)

Furuno TZtouch3-9 TZT9F

$2,495; furuno.com

Furuno is a gold-standard navigation-device brand among commercial fishermen. Its track record of durability is unparalleled, and I’ve been on two US Coast Guard Cutters and one small patrol boat using this equipment. Operating menus are easily accessible by swiping in from the screen sides, and the architecture of the TZtouch3 firmware is extremely intuitive. Until the introduction of the TZT3-9 in 2021, everything Furuno offered was a la carte in individual black boxes. The TZT3-9 is expected to be particularly popular among yacht owners who use smaller launches as tenders.

Top Features: Furuno’s worldwide weather forecasting is free, Wi-Fi-downloadable, and includes atmospheric conditions all boaters want, plus sea conditions that include wave height, surface temperatures, altimetry, currents and plankton—key info for anglers.

Analysis: Screen brightness is a weakness of the Furuno display, but is mitigated partially by outstanding color arrays. Furuno also offers a more powerful Total Sonar, which doesn’t have as broad an array as side scan, but marks fish and structure down to 1,000 feet—about 800 feet deeper than most side-scan systems. The free weather service could save hundreds of dollars a year if at-sea downloads aren’t important to you.

Cartography: NOAA raster and vector charts for the entire coastal US, MapMedia fishing charts, and satellite photos loaded for the coastal US come standard; supports C-Map, Navionics, CMOR and official hydrographic office charts for other countries.

Garmin 943xsv

$1,399; basspro.com

Garmin is a brand often factory-installed by boatbuilders. The operating system carries a reputation for simplicity, making its user interface easy to learn and dominate. Garmin units look graceful in the dash, and offer clear visuals to boaters at the broadest angles, and even through the polarized sunglasses they favor. Garmin was first to come to the water with LiveVu forward-looking sonar that allows anglers to spot and target fish in real time, giving skippers added safety by doing the same for underwater obstructions that could damage vessels.

Top Features: Garmin has a graphic user interface so logical and intuitive, most users can master the majority of it without the manual. In-plane switching (IPS), now the norm for most high-end MFDs, allows wide-angle viewing even with polarized lenses.

Analysis: This unit lacks the tactile buttons of other units, which might account for its comfortable price. A button pad can be added as an accessory. Reliability is equaled by a logical graphic interface. Drag-and-drop panes can be added to multipane screens and saved for easy access.

Cartography: BlueChart G3 coastal and LakeVu G3 charts come standard; supports C-Map, Navionics and more.

Humminbird Solix 10 Chirp Mega SI+ g3 CHO

$2,199; amazon.com

Humminbird was the first to come out with side-scanning sonar, and it’s taken a decade for others to catch up. It was also among the first to offer sonar recording for creating custom sonar contour charts, and was definitely the first to design units and firmware to do it directly in the box without having to transmit private fishing data to third parties for incorporation. Buy now

Top Features: A 10-inch display with 16-bit color offers outstanding resolution. If you use a Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor, then steering, autopilot and SpotLock are available via the MFD. You can even program a route or tell the trolling motor to follow a depth contour. Embedded Mega Imaging offers live forward scanning to see fish movement in cover, ideal for competitive anglers. This requires the right transducer.

Analysis: The Solix looks beautiful on a bracket-mount system. Step up to the Apex model to achieve the flush-mount aesthetics of the competition. Still, the 10-inch diagonal display is the largest in its class. We found the graphic user interface to be a little awkward, requiring us to toggle down through each menu item instead of scrolling past them. Tide tables are not integrated into the system.

Cartography: Humminbird Basemap with Autochart Live; supports LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics

Simrad NSS9 Evo3S

$2,499; amazon.com

Simrad stepped out first with its GO series, integrating the most demanded sonar and radar functions into compact displays. Initial models were not networkable, but there is a growing list of networkable functions supported by the Evo3S. Simrad’s business M.O. is similar to Apple’s, providing timely application enhancements via firmware updates and keeping the unit new for years. Buy now

Top Features: Simrad’s displays are the backbone of Mercury’s VesselView systems, and so VesselView has all of Simrad’s chart-plotting, networking and sonar capabilities, while all Simrad displays have all of Mercury’s VesselView functions embedded.

Analysis: This is Simrad’s top-shelf system incorporating chirp, SideScan and DownScan sonar, plus a conventional 50/200 kHz sounder. It flush-mounts beautifully, and if you run Motorguide’s iPilot or Lowrance’s Ghost trolling motor, it will interface with them to set a course or route, follow a contour, or lock on a specific spot.

Cartography: C-Map Enhanced is standard; Insight, Navionics (Gold, Nav+, Platinum+), C-Map (Max N, Max N+), NV Digital (raster US charts).

Raymarine Axiom+

$1,399; amazon.com

Raymarine’s 3D sonar is probably the best on the market. It requires a black box, but is the one I would make space for as an angler. The displays are crisp, the color spectrum is vivid, and the daytime display in full sunlight is unparalleled thanks to a 1,500-nit backlit LCD screen. Raymarine is also a popular factory-installed product for many boat brands, including Boston Whaler and Sea Ray. Network capabilities include FLIR, VGA cameras, engine functions and audio controls.

Top Features: The 1,500-nit screens are bright for daylight reading in full sun. The LightHouse II user interface is logical, versatile and easy to master.

Analysis: Quad-core processing makes the Raymarine Axiom+ quick when redrawing, zooming or panning on the chart, or scrolling back on sonar displays. Ample memory assists in operations and stores large tracks. The 1,500-nit color screens are the brightest on the market. It lacks a button and the dial interface of the Axiom Pro, but at a savings of over $1,000.

Cartography: Raymarine LightHouse Charts come standard, plus Navionics and C-Map.

Read Next: Electronics Mounts for Boats

Lowrance HDS-9 Live

$1,899 with transducer; basspro.com

Lowrance is the oldest name in recreational fish-finding technology and one of the first to embrace GPS chart plotting for boaters. Its touchscreen controls are augmented with tactile buttons, and side-scanning, down-scanning, chirp and conventional sonar are built in. Connectivity with Motorguide and Lowrance Ghost trolling motors allows autopilot control of them while fishing. Buy now

Top Features: Live sonar with active imaging is embedded and only requires the appropriate optional transducer. With it, the screen can display cover and fish in motion and watch responses to lures.

Analysis: The HDS is most often found on inshore and freshwater fishing boats, and its design leans toward bracket mounts on a dashtop. Live imaging is becoming essential for competitive anglers but holds little value for average boating needs. Ample standard cartography makes it a great buy.

Cartography: Standard C-Map US Enhanced Basemap (AMER models), C-Map World Background (ROW models), Navionics basemap (AMER and ROW models); optional C-Map (Max N, Max N+), C-Map Genesis, C-Map Precision Contour HD (AMER only), Navionics (Gold, Nav+, Platinum+), Insight (Pro and HD), Lowrance regional mapping partners.