Jim Maier

In 2019 Simrad has introduced their new Cruise Series.  These units are offered in 5, 7 and 9 inch versions.  If you are in need of a full featured chartplotter and a capable sonar then the Cruise should be all you need.  And with the low price point, you may be able to get a larger screen size than you could with other units.  The Cruise Series is ideal for boats with simple navigational needs.  Wakeboard boats, small fishing boats, express cruisers and sail boats. 

Simrad Cruise - What you need to know:

• They share a similar menu and interface to Simrad top of the line series. 
• There is an internal GPS antenna
• The built-in Sonar is CHIRP, it uses the Lowrance Hook2 style plug. There is an adapter available to allow older Simrad/Lowrance 7 Pin Blue transducers to work on it.  The unit will only handle 83/200 frequencies. 

Garmin has recently discontinued their proven 7600 Series and upgraded their 10", 12: and 16" units up to their "best in class" 8600 Series standards. Let's dive into these new units and see what they are all about.  This article will only be discussing the 10", 12" and 16" and will not include the larger displays.

What you need to know:

• Garmin 8600 Series units are available in 10", 12", and 16" displays, and are offered as a networkable chartplotter or as a chartplotter/sounder combo. The chartplotter/sounder combo models are followed by "XSV", such as 8612XSV.  The screens are sunlight viewable and have very wide viewing angles.   The high resolution they offer makes them some of the most crisp screens in the business.
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