The Center Console Electronics Cheat Sheet

Garmin vs. Simrad vs. Lowrance · Every tier · What to actually run

The number that surprises everyone is the transducer. Run the right one for your depth and bottom type and the unit almost doesn’t matter. The unit gets the glory. The transducer does the work. This sheet covers both — plus which brand wins at each price point and why.

Garmin Marine

Market leader · Widest dealer network · Best overall ecosystem

Entry tier · $600–$900

Unit: ECHOMAP UHD2 7” or 9” — the most-installed CC chartplotter. Touchscreen + keypad hybrid. CHIRP sonar built in. Best bang for inshore.

Transducer: GT20 or GT22HW-TM. Transom mount. Good to 800ft. Fine for most inshore/nearshore work.

Network: Entry units don’t support full Garmin network. Standalone only.

Mid tier · $1,500–$2,500

Unit: GPSMAP 923xsv or 1023xsv. Networked. Supports radar, VHF, autopilot, Fusion audio. The sweet spot for most 23–28ft CCs.

Transducer: GT52HW-TM or GT56UHD. ClearVü + SideVü + traditional CHIRP. Good to 2,500ft with the right transducer.

Network: Full NMEA 2000. Radar-ready. Fusion audio via network. VHF integration.

Premium · $3,000–$5,000+

Unit: GPSMAP 1243xsv / 1343xsv / Quatix 6 helm integration. Offshore-capable full build.

Transducer: GT56UHD or external thru-hull. LiveScope™ forward-facing sonar if nearshore fishing is priority.

Notes: Garmin ActiveCaptain app syncs charts and waypoints to phone. Navionics integration. Best app ecosystem of the three.

Simrad

Offshore heritage · Larger screens · Best for offshore & big builds

Entry tier · $700–$1,100

Unit: Simrad GO7 XSR or GO9 XSE. Clean touchscreen. Strong offshore chart rendering. Better UI than Garmin entry at same price.

Transducer: TotalScan transom mount included with most GO units. CHIRP, DownScan, SideScan all in one.

Network: Limited at entry. GO7 is essentially standalone.

Mid tier · $1,800–$3,500

Unit: NSS evo3S 9” or 12”. Simrad’s workhorse offshore unit. Bigger screen standard. Best mid-tier pick for 26–32ft offshore CCs.

Transducer: Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. CHIRP, SideScan, DownScan. Excellent target separation offshore.

Network: SimNet native. Autopilot, radar, VHF. Integrates with Navionics and C-MAP.

Premium · $4,000–$8,000+

Unit: NSO evo3S blackbox + 16” or 19” MO monitor. Custom helm builds and serious offshore rigs.

Transducer: Thru-hull CHIRP at this tier. B175H or Airmar P79 depending on boat design.

Notes: Simrad’s Structurescan 3D at mid-premium is the best bottom-reading technology in the market. Worth the step-up if offshore bottom fishing is primary use.

Lowrance

Freshwater roots · Tournament proven · Best for bass & inshore fishing

Entry tier · $400–$800

Unit: Hook Reveal 7 or 9. Best entry-level unit if you’re fishing structure and bottom. Dominant in bass tournament circles at entry price.

Transducer: TripleShot transducer included. CHIRP, SideScan, DownScan. Exceptional value at this price point.

Network: Hook Reveal is standalone. Not networkable.

Mid tier · $1,200–$2,200

Unit: HDS Pro 9 or 12. Lowrance’s serious fishing unit. LiveSight forward-facing sonar competes directly with Garmin LiveScope. Best sonar imaging in the mid-tier for structure fishing.

Transducer: Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 plus optional LiveSight transducer if running the forward-facing system.

Network: NMEA 2000 and Ethernet. Autopilot integration. Less polished than Garmin/Simrad but functional.

Premium · $2,500–$4,500

Unit: HDS Pro 16. Full offshore capable. Strong tournament following means active firmware support and frequent updates.

Transducer: Thru-hull for serious offshore builds. Stick with Active Imaging HD transom mount for most CC applications.

Notes: Lowrance’s C-MAP chart subscription is the weakest of the three offshore. If you’re running to the canyons use Garmin or Simrad instead. Lowrance wins inshore and structure — not blue water.

The Transducer Rule

The transducer is where half the money goes and half the people cheap out. Every unit above performs to the limit of its transducer — not the screen. A $3,000 chartplotter paired with a $150 transducer gives you $150 sonar imagery. Match the transducer spec to your primary use:

  • Inshore structure fishing → DownScan + SideScan
  • Offshore bottom fishing → deep-water CHIRP, good to 3,000ft+
  • Trolling offshore → traditional CHIRP only

Install cost runs $200–$600 depending on thru-hull vs. transom. Budget it before you buy the unit.

Screen Size by Boat Length

  • 17–21 ft — 7” unit · Entry tier
  • 22–26 ft — 9–10” unit · Mid tier
  • 27–32 ft — 12” unit · Mid-premium
  • 33–38 ft — 12–16” unit · Premium
  • 38 ft+ — Multi-display build

My Pick by Situation

  • Inshore bay + flats — Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 9” + GT20. Done.
  • Nearshore CC 23–28ft — Garmin GPSMAP 923xsv + GT52. Networked. Ready to grow.
  • Offshore 28–36ft — Simrad NSS evo3S 12” + Active Imaging. Offshore DNA.
  • Tournament bass / structure — Lowrance HDS Pro + LiveSight. Best sonar wins.
  • Custom offshore build — Simrad NSO evo3S + thru-hull + autopilot. Professional.

Total Installed Cost

  • Entry build — $800–$1,400
  • Mid build — $2,000–$3,500
  • Premium build — $4,500–$8,000
  • Custom offshore — $10,000–$25,000+
  • Transom mount transducer — $0–$150 labor if DIY
  • Thru-hull transducer — $300–$600 at a marine shop
  • Radar — $800–$2,500 installed
  • Autopilot — $1,500–$4,000 installed
  • VHF with AIS — $300–$600 installed. Non-negotiable offshore.

Questions? Comment TIDES on any @sandbarsyndicator post and I’ll DM you back.

@sandbarsyndicator · sandbarsyndicator.com · Everything between the tides.