Garmin or Simrad?
03-24-2017 | 10:45 AM
#14
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 689
Likes: 16
From: OKlahoma City, Lake Tenkiller, OK
Here are some thing to think about:
1) Engine Data: Both units will display complete engine data. However the Simrad is authorized by Mercury and is able to use Smartcraft Vessel view screen. Both also have totally customizable engine pages as well. I would give the advantage to Simrad
2) Charting. Both units are easy to use. The Simrad has a hybrid touck with keypad to the side. This may be useful but cuts down allowable screen size. Chart capabliites on both are good. If you do not need buttons and want the biggest screen advantage Garmin.
3) Stereo control. If you are using the Fusion stereo head units and or CZone advantage Garmin for sure. Has one of the best media interfaces around.
4) Wifi, The Garmin units have built in wifi and apps for your phone that allow complete control of the unit. So if you have the stereo interfaced you can control from the dock or beach. Advantage Garmin
5) Cameras: Garmin has really nice VIRB HD wireless cameras that connect to the GPS directly so you can see video and control from the display. These are great for on board videos and or poker runs. Advantage Garmin
6) Pricing is about the same for both units depending on size.
If you have any other questions feel free to reach out via PM.
I am based in Fort Lauderdale.
1) Engine Data: Both units will display complete engine data. However the Simrad is authorized by Mercury and is able to use Smartcraft Vessel view screen. Both also have totally customizable engine pages as well. I would give the advantage to Simrad
2) Charting. Both units are easy to use. The Simrad has a hybrid touck with keypad to the side. This may be useful but cuts down allowable screen size. Chart capabliites on both are good. If you do not need buttons and want the biggest screen advantage Garmin.
3) Stereo control. If you are using the Fusion stereo head units and or CZone advantage Garmin for sure. Has one of the best media interfaces around.
4) Wifi, The Garmin units have built in wifi and apps for your phone that allow complete control of the unit. So if you have the stereo interfaced you can control from the dock or beach. Advantage Garmin
5) Cameras: Garmin has really nice VIRB HD wireless cameras that connect to the GPS directly so you can see video and control from the display. These are great for on board videos and or poker runs. Advantage Garmin
6) Pricing is about the same for both units depending on size.
If you have any other questions feel free to reach out via PM.
I am based in Fort Lauderdale.
11-14-2017 | 01:25 PM
#15
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
My buddy just got a Raymarine Axiom Pro on his Boston Whaler... one cool piece of equipment. If in the market for an MFD, take a look at it. The non-pro Axiom looks great as well.
If you're choosing between Simrad and Garmin, I've always preferred Simrad. Good article on some of the advantages Simrad has: https://citimarinestore.com/citiguid...tages-reviews/
I have the NSS9 evo2 with the broadband 4G radar. Took a little bit to get the software down, but it's one powerful beast. I believe they've just released the evo3 version as well, but not sure of what improvements it would bring over the evo2 versions.
If you're choosing between Simrad and Garmin, I've always preferred Simrad. Good article on some of the advantages Simrad has: https://citimarinestore.com/citiguid...tages-reviews/
I have the NSS9 evo2 with the broadband 4G radar. Took a little bit to get the software down, but it's one powerful beast. I believe they've just released the evo3 version as well, but not sure of what improvements it would bring over the evo2 versions.
11-14-2017 | 03:27 PM
#16
Registered
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 6,484
From: Chicago
Here are some thing to think about:
1) Engine Data: Both units will display complete engine data. However the Simrad is authorized by Mercury and is able to use Smartcraft Vessel view screen. Both also have totally customizable engine pages as well. I would give the advantage to Simrad
2) Charting. Both units are easy to use. The Simrad has a hybrid touck with keypad to the side. This may be useful but cuts down allowable screen size. Chart capabliites on both are good. If you do not need buttons and want the biggest screen advantage Garmin.
3) Stereo control. If you are using the Fusion stereo head units and or CZone advantage Garmin for sure. Has one of the best media interfaces around.
4) Wifi, The Garmin units have built in wifi and apps for your phone that allow complete control of the unit. So if you have the stereo interfaced you can control from the dock or beach. Advantage Garmin
5) Cameras: Garmin has really nice VIRB HD wireless cameras that connect to the GPS directly so you can see video and control from the display. These are great for on board videos and or poker runs. Advantage Garmin
6) Pricing is about the same for both units depending on size.
If you have any other questions feel free to reach out via PM.
I am based in Fort Lauderdale.
1) Engine Data: Both units will display complete engine data. However the Simrad is authorized by Mercury and is able to use Smartcraft Vessel view screen. Both also have totally customizable engine pages as well. I would give the advantage to Simrad
2) Charting. Both units are easy to use. The Simrad has a hybrid touck with keypad to the side. This may be useful but cuts down allowable screen size. Chart capabliites on both are good. If you do not need buttons and want the biggest screen advantage Garmin.
3) Stereo control. If you are using the Fusion stereo head units and or CZone advantage Garmin for sure. Has one of the best media interfaces around.
4) Wifi, The Garmin units have built in wifi and apps for your phone that allow complete control of the unit. So if you have the stereo interfaced you can control from the dock or beach. Advantage Garmin
5) Cameras: Garmin has really nice VIRB HD wireless cameras that connect to the GPS directly so you can see video and control from the display. These are great for on board videos and or poker runs. Advantage Garmin
6) Pricing is about the same for both units depending on size.
If you have any other questions feel free to reach out via PM.
I am based in Fort Lauderdale.
Last edited by ICDEDPPL; 11-14-2017 at 03:32 PM.
11-14-2017 | 03:40 PM
#17
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 55
From: Cape coral, FL
You want some of your best electronics answers go to fishing forums. Those guys know their electronics. In any cases you'll find simrad is preferred and size for size even model comparison a few hundred cheaper than a garmin.
11-14-2017 | 07:15 PM
#18
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 12
From: Pompano Beach, FL
So you work for garmin then? Some of your points for garmin, Simrad also does.. one of them : Simrad Go series has Wifi and an app where any unit can be controlled from any device, Simrad also has a video in etc etc<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://33outlaw.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v125/p2337955912-4.jpg"/>
Last edited by Double Rigged; 11-14-2017 at 07:21 PM.
11-14-2017 | 09:31 PM
#19
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 29
I’m set with twin VV7 and a Garmin 7610. I control all switching with CZone, all VIRB cameras front rear and 360, full stereo control with Fusion BB 300 from the Garmin 7610. I also have an APP which allows me to control all these functions from my phone or IPad. I upload all my routes and points of interest from my iPad using Garmin Blue Charts or Navionics. Garmin Blue Charts will even overly real time weather. With CZone I even have a Key chain remote which allows me to control battery switches interior lighting U/W lights and stereo. Ron set these up bench top sent me a blue print and I installed myself during my build. They work flawlessly and Garmin even sent us a custom startup Skater screen. I have a build thread in the Skater section.
The data from VV7 is also available on the Garmin and fully customizable.
The data from VV7 is also available on the Garmin and fully customizable.
11-15-2017 | 06:58 AM
#20
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,895
Likes: 124
From: Chicago, IL; Onekama, MI
I've just went round and round on what to go with in my boat. It was between Garmin, Simrad and Raymarine. I quickly eliminated the Garmin as I wanted a touch screen and buttons. Yes Garmin has a 10" unit that has both, but I don't have room in my dash to mount that.
Then it was down to Raymarine and Simrad. This was really tough, as both are great units. All of the units are very similar, but for me I would rate my priorities as:
1. Navigation
2. Stereo Integration
3. Data (speed, depth, water temp)
Navigation- I would say that both Raymarine and Simrad are equals here. You have a wide variety of charts that you can pick from.
Stereo integration- Raymarine is the clear winner here. Just about every GPS has the Fusion link, but I think Fusion stereos are overly basic in what they offer and are overpriced. Simrad has the Sonic Hub, but it is even more basic than the Fusion stereos. Raymarine teamed up with Rockford Fosgate, and they integrate beautifully. The Rockford units are far more robust than the fusion units, or JL Audio for that matter. For example, instead of just bass, mid, treble adjustments, you get a 7 band EQ. This is important to me, to be able to tweak the sound from the source unit. I have some ability to fine tune with my JL amps, but once mounted, the controls are not accessible. With both the Raymarine and the Simrad you can use the dial to control the volume. That is a big plus, trying to use the touch screen to turn up or down the volume when in rough seas would be a joke. There are a lot of pluses for actually having a volume KNOB at the helm.
Data- Here again, I wasn't looking for much. Speed, depth, and water temp. All the units offered this. I would give the slight edge to Simrad, but the stereo integration was sub par compared to the Rockford/Raymarine option. Now if the Rockford would connect to the Simrad, I would go that route, but when I read the Simrad manual of supported head units it was not listed. I am not building a glass dash, so having a customizable instrument panel is not important. I just wanted to eliminate a stand alone Speedo, depth gauge, and add stereo control. The Raymarine Es did that. I agree the Axiom Pro is an incredible unit, and a nice step up from the Es, but it really didn't do anything that the Es didn't do, and they didn't make one that would fit where I wanted to mount it.
All have Wi-Fi, bluetooth, and can be controlled from your smartphone. There are a lot of great choices, and I don't think there is a bad one. It just comes down to what are your priorities and what one fills those priorities the best. For me it was the Raymarine Es.
Then it was down to Raymarine and Simrad. This was really tough, as both are great units. All of the units are very similar, but for me I would rate my priorities as:
1. Navigation
2. Stereo Integration
3. Data (speed, depth, water temp)
Navigation- I would say that both Raymarine and Simrad are equals here. You have a wide variety of charts that you can pick from.
Stereo integration- Raymarine is the clear winner here. Just about every GPS has the Fusion link, but I think Fusion stereos are overly basic in what they offer and are overpriced. Simrad has the Sonic Hub, but it is even more basic than the Fusion stereos. Raymarine teamed up with Rockford Fosgate, and they integrate beautifully. The Rockford units are far more robust than the fusion units, or JL Audio for that matter. For example, instead of just bass, mid, treble adjustments, you get a 7 band EQ. This is important to me, to be able to tweak the sound from the source unit. I have some ability to fine tune with my JL amps, but once mounted, the controls are not accessible. With both the Raymarine and the Simrad you can use the dial to control the volume. That is a big plus, trying to use the touch screen to turn up or down the volume when in rough seas would be a joke. There are a lot of pluses for actually having a volume KNOB at the helm.
Data- Here again, I wasn't looking for much. Speed, depth, and water temp. All the units offered this. I would give the slight edge to Simrad, but the stereo integration was sub par compared to the Rockford/Raymarine option. Now if the Rockford would connect to the Simrad, I would go that route, but when I read the Simrad manual of supported head units it was not listed. I am not building a glass dash, so having a customizable instrument panel is not important. I just wanted to eliminate a stand alone Speedo, depth gauge, and add stereo control. The Raymarine Es did that. I agree the Axiom Pro is an incredible unit, and a nice step up from the Es, but it really didn't do anything that the Es didn't do, and they didn't make one that would fit where I wanted to mount it.
All have Wi-Fi, bluetooth, and can be controlled from your smartphone. There are a lot of great choices, and I don't think there is a bad one. It just comes down to what are your priorities and what one fills those priorities the best. For me it was the Raymarine Es.
