Raymarine Axiom 7 DownVision

In one of our previous posts, we have covered the Raymarine Axiom 7 RV (part number E70365-03-NAG), the one that comes with the built-in RealVision 3D sonar. The Raymarine Axiom MFD that we’re going to address here today, is the E70364-02-NAG, the one that has the built-in DownVision sonar module, the 2D CHIRP sonar, and comes with the DownVision transducer. In every other aspect, this system is similar to the Axiom 7 RV.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, with backlight, LightHouse 3 OS
• Sonar: DownVision and CHIRP 600W traditional sonar
• Transducer: CPT-100DVS
• Frequency and Coverage (with the supplied transducer):
  • 2D (traditional): 170-230 kHz / 25°
  • DownVision: 320-380 kHz / 60°
• Depth Capability:
  • Traditional 2D: 900 ft (274 m)
  • DownVision: 600 ft (183 m)
• Max. Power Output: 600 Watts (RMS)
• Operating Voltage: 12V DC (8 V to 16 VDC)
• GPS: Internal, 10 Hz, 72-channels
• Maps: Navionics for U.S. and Canada
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 150; 10,000; 16 (10,000 pts / track)

Sonar and transducer

To begin with, the Raymarine Axiom E70364-02-NAG has two types of sonar, 2D CHIRP sonar, and DownVision CHIRP sonar. The unit’s internal sonar app is also ready for SideVision sonar and RealVision 3D; but in order to be able to use these types of sonar with this MFD, you will need a CPT200 SideVision external sonar module for SideVision, and an RV-100 transducer for RealVision 3D. So, to be clear, this unit with the included transducer is for DownVision and 2D High-Frequency CHIRP only.

The unit comes with the new CPT-100DVS transducer which basically has the same capabilities as the old CPT-100 transducer, but has a different layout. It’s a urethane transducer; as its name suggests, it works with both DownVision and 2D CHIRP sonar available with the unit. It also has a water temperature sensor, a transom mount and 33 ft (10 m) of cable.

With the included transducer, this Raymarine fish finder uses a conical beam with a coverage of 25°, operating in a CHIRP frequency interval of 170-230 kHz. For DownVision, it uses a fan-shaped beam, with a coverage of 60° in a CHIRP interval of 320-380 kHz.

The system’s DownVision sonar offers a slightly better depth capability than the RealVision 3D. It can scan waters up to 600 ft (183 m) deep, while the 2D sonar can reach depths up to 900 ft (274 m).

In terms of other sonar-related aspects, the unit offers several useful functions. A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Depth Lines, Range Lines, White Line, as well as Sonar Scroll Back are some of them.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Raymarine Axiom E70364-02-NAG. Therefore, it has the Navionics Nav+ US & Canada chart bundle built-in. These charts not only that cover more than 20,000 in-land lakes and the U.S. / Canada coastal waters, they also open multiple useful features. Among them, we can count tidal information and correction, deep water color, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range and many more. The Axiom 7 DV MFD can also use Lighthouse Coastal Vector charts and Navionics Nav+ Central and South America charts. Plus, for the future LightHouse updates, C-MAP Essentials and C-MAP 4D MAX+ compatibility is planned.

Just like the other Axiom units, the E70364-02-NAG is equipped with a 72-channel internal GPS/GLONASS system. This means it provides 10 position updates per second, showing the movement of your boat on the map in real-time. Needless to say, the GPS system shows the coordinates of your position or any point of interest or waypoint that you’ve marked. The speed of your boat is also calculated by the GPS system.

The Axiom 7 unit can record up to 10,000 waypoints, offering various icons for them, allowing you to suggestively mark your points of interest. The waypoints can be grouped up to 200 per group. There are also routes and tracks functions. The unit gives you the possibility to create up to 150 routes with up to 250 waypoints per each route. And finally, you can record up to 16 tracks, with up to 10,000 track points per track.

The Axiom 7 multi-function display has an autopilot application. However, to use it as an autopilot unit, it must be integrated with an Evolution autopilot system. This way, it will act as the autopilot’s controller. It also has AIS and Radar applications, but in order to function as an AIS or Radar unit, it needs the external AIS or Radar module.

Control unit features

The first aspect to mention here is that the Axiom 7 comes with the LightHouse 3 OS. This type of operating system is similar to Windows 10. It has a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface. It gives you the possibility to pin shortcuts for the most used apps on your homepage. It allows you to create a split-screen in various ways for multiple applications in use. It’s very fast, as it integrates a quad-core CPU and also has a 4GB SSD internal memory.

The Raymarine Axiom 7 Down Vision is a full touchscreen unit. Any tablet users will find its operation very familiar. Most of the commands are done in a similar way to any type of tablet. For example, you can pinch to zoom, tap to open an app or mark a waypoint or drag to surf across the charts or view the sonar history.

The unit has a 7-inch, color display, optically bonded, with LED backlight, offering excellent visibility from different angles. Its pixel resolution is 800H x 480V which means that the images are quite sharp. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, so it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

The included mounts are the classic trunnion bracket and a flush kit with gasket for in-dash mounting. A protective cover is also included.

In terms of external memory, the Axiom 7 is equipped with a microSD card reader with 1 card slot, situated at the back of the unit. It also has a USB port for data transfer or external data storage.

As networking features, there are several to be mentioned. To begin with, the unit offers an Ethernet port for sonar modules and other devices. It has an NMEA 2000 port, while for the SeaTalkNG it requires an A06045 DeviceNet female (F) adapter cable. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing connection to the latest Raymarine apps for tablets and smartphones.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D and DownVision sonar;
• RealVision 3D and SideVision capable;
• CPT-100DVS DownVision and CHIRP transducer included;
• Multiple sonar functions available such as Scroll Back, Bottom Lock, White Line, A-Scope, etc.
• Fast and accurate, 72-channel, 10 Hz internal GPS / GLONASS receiver;
• Navionics+ charts for U.S. and Canada included;
• Various navigation features powered by Navionics, including tide information and correction, deep water color, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range and many more;
• Autopilot feature included;
• AIS and Radar capable;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• 800 x 480 resolution, optically bonded LCD, multitouch display, with LED backlight;
• LightHouse 3 OS, which offers a highly customizable, easy-to-use interface;
• Ethernet and NMEA 2000 ports;
• Wi-Fi connectivity;
• USB and microSD card reader (1 slot);
• IPX6 & IPX7 waterproof;
• Trunnion and flush mounts included;
• Sun cover included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Not compatible with LightHouse 2;
• Touchscreen display may also be a downside for a fish finder, as you’ll have to constantly wash your hands if you’re fishing, or constantly clean the display;
• Some features will only be available in the next LightHouse updates, such as Audio Integration, or Remote control function.

Summary

The Raymarine Axiom 7 DownVision E70364-02-NAG is a multifunction display, featuring DownVision and 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS and US/Canada Navionics+ charts. It comes with the new CPT-100DVS transducer. It’s a multitouch unit, powered by the LightHouse 3 OS, which offers a very easy to understand and operate interface. It offers a wide array of navigation functions, connectivity features, also being a highly versatile unit as it can also use RealVision 3D sonar, SideVision CHIRP sonar and Low CHIRP standard sonar, LightHouse raster charts, other Navionics charts and in the future LightHouse updates, C-MAP charts as well. It’s compatible with Autopilot EVO units, AIS and Radar units. Finally, since it only has DownVision sonar and comes with the DV transducer, it costs a couple of $100 less than the RV model. In all, it offers excellent value for the price.