SEAMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2017 53A word on pricing: It’s diffi cult to
compare prices accurately because different
brands combine different functionality and
certain sensors, antennas and transducers
may sold separately. Also, just because
units from different brands are the same
size doesn’t mean they are equivalent in
their sophistication. It’s important to know
what one is comparing before making a
choice based on price. In the same-sized
but somewhat disparate examples I’ve used
so far, Raymarine’s Axiom 9-inch RV is
around $1,650, Garmin’s GPSMAP 942xs
is $1,300 and Simrad’s comprehensively
outfi tted NSS 9 evo3 is around $2,300.
Don’t take the prices at face value, however,
because these units are targeted at different
audiences. Instead, buyers should consider
their application and research carefully
what they really need and want to pay for.
THE 9-INCH REVOLUTION
Besides advanced glass and bundled
features, the focus of this year’s entries
was on the 9-inch MFD. As you may have
noticed from the examples above, this
seems to be the sweet spot for a variety of
reasons.
First, this size is large enough for older
eyes to see easily and bigger hands to inter-
act with effectively. These touchscreens
react to a variety of swipes, pinches and
pokes — commands that can be tough to do
on smaller screens.
Second, although there are more
compact entry-level displays (four, fi ve and
seven inches) a 9-inch screen can still fi t on
a smaller dashboard or even in a bracket
on an aluminum fi shing boat with plenty
of room to spare. If multiple screens are
desired side-by-side, two 9-inch models
offer a fl exible solution that will fi t.
Finally, a 9-inch MFD makes a great
second station backup on the fl ybridge, for
reference in the master stateroom, or even
at a remote aft steering station. Maybe
this is why new boat and aftermarket
applications will both benefi t from this
size segment, making 2017 the year of the
9-incher.SET NO LIMITS
Navigation, communication, onboard
monitoring, entertainment and fi shing
come together in today’s superstar MFDs,
which have never been easier to use or,
frankly, more compelling to view. I for one
will try keeping one eye outside the boat
and the other squarely on the hot new
displays. Screen time limits be damned,
mom.Simrad NSS9 evo3