Raymarine Axiom 7 RV

The Axiom multi-function displays are some of the newest fish finders and navigation units from Raymarine for 2017. There are 7-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch Axiom units available, and they come with different combinations of sonar, charts, and transducer. Today we’re going to address the Raymarine Axiom 7 RV, part number E70365-03-NAG, the model that comes with RealVision 3D sonar, the RV-100 transducer and the Navionics charts package for USA and Canada.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, with backlight, LightHouse 3 OS
• Sonar: RealVision 3D and 600W traditional sonar
• Transducer: RV-100
• Frequency and Coverage (with the supplied transducer):
  • 2D (traditional): 50/200 kHz / 25°
  • RealVision 3D: 180°
• Depth Capability:
  • Traditional 2D: 900 ft (274 m)
  • RealVision 3D: 300 ft (91 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

Some of the Raymarine fish finders in the Axiom series have a built-in sonar module; the Axiom 7 RV E70365-03-NAG, as its name suggests, comes with an integrated RealVision 3D sonar module, and also with a 600W traditional 2D sonar, which is capable of operating at 50/200 kHz. The traditional sonar doesn’t have CHIRP technology, though. However, the unit can be equipped with various external sonar modules (which are not included), and with them, it can also use SideVision, DownVision, or Broadband CHIRP sonar.

The RealVision 3D sonar offers a three-dimensional view of the underwater environment which can be customized, rotated, zoomed in and out, or moved in many ways, in order to help you understand perfectly the shape of the bottom and structure that your boat passes over, as well as the placement of the fish in relation to them. The frequency at which the RealVision 3D sonar operates is not specified, but the beam angle of the transducer is 180°, which means that it offers quite a lot of coverage.

The traditional sonar offers the classic 2D view. It can operate at 50/200 kHz but without CHIRP. For this type of sonar, the transducer emits a conical beam with an angle of approx. 25°.

Speaking of the transducer, the included model with the Raymarine Axiom 7 RV E70365-03-NAG is the RV-100 all-in-one transducer. It combines CHIRP Down Vision, CHIRP SideVision, High-Frequency CHIRP, RealVision 3D and classic 2D into one transducer housing. As we’ve mentioned above, the unit already has an integrated RV + 600W sonar module, but in case you opt for a CP100 CHIRP DownVision or a CP200 CHIRP SideVision external sonar module, you will also be able to use these type of sonar with this unit and the included transducer.

The RV-100 transducer is also a new generation type. It’s gyro-stabilized and compensates for boat movement in order to deliver a clear, life-like 3D sonar imagery. It integrates a water temperature sensor, comes with transom mount and all the necessary fittings, and has 26′ (8 m) of cable.

The system’s depth capability with the included transducer is 300′ (91 m) for RealVision 3D and 900′ (274 m) for the traditional sonar. This being said, the RV sonar isn’t exactly meant for deepwater use. But for lakes and most other in-land freshwater bodies, it is perfect and extremely useful.

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

The first feature to mention here is the GPS. The unit is equipped with a 72-channel, 10 Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver which updates your positions 10 times per second. Also, due to the fast processor of the unit, the movement of the boat will on the display appears smooth, without any jumps or freezes. Also, via GPS, the unit can calculate the speed of your boat.

Since this is the Raymarine E70365-03-NAG, it comes with the Navionics Nav+ US & Canada charts. 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 tide information and correction, deep water color, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range, and many more. The Axiom 7 RV 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.

The Axiom 7 unit has an Autopilot app. 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. Radar and AIS applications are also available with this unit, but you’ll need an AIS and Radar module in order to enable their functionality.

Last but not least, 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.

Display features and functions

The Raymarine Axiom 7 features a 7-inch, LCD display, with a pixel matrix of 800 x 480. It’s optically bonded, with LED backlight and offers excellent readability from different angles (60° / 70° / 70° / 70° – Top / Bottom / Left / Right). It’s IPX6 and IPX7 waterproof, which means it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

The display is a multitouch type; navigation through the menus and usage of apps and functions is done via touch, just as for any tablet. The unit comes with the LightHouse 3 Operating System, which offers an easy-to-learn and use interface. The main applications can be pinned to the main start page for quick and easy access, and you can create a split-screen in different manners with several applications in use at the time. It has very quick responsiveness to commands, due to the quad-core processor. Plus, it is equipped with a 4GB SSD internal memory.

In terms of external memory, the Axiom 7 is equipped with a microSD 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.

Finally, the unit comes with a trunnion bracket, a flush mount, and a gasket for surface mounting, as well as a sun cover.

The Pros

• RealVision 3D sonar and 600W 50/200 kHz traditional sonar;
• DownVision, SideVision and CHIRP sonar capabilities with optional external sonar modules;
• RV-100 all-in-one, gyroscopic 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;
• RealVision 3D sonar has a depth capability of only 300′ (91 m), great for freshwater, but not the best for off-shore fishing;
• 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 are only available in the next LightHouse updates, such as Audio Integration, or Remote control function.

Summary

The Raymarine Axiom 7 RV E70365-03-NAG is a multifunction display, featuring RealVision 3D and standard 2D (50/200 kHz) sonar, GPS and US/Canada Navionics+ charts. It includes the all-in-one RV-100 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 DownVision CHIRP sonar, SideVision CHIRP sonar and High 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. And finally, it offers an excellent value for the price.