Raymarine Axiom 9 DownVision

Raymarine sells their Axiom multi-function displays in various bundles. Last time we’ve addressed the Axiom 9 RV (E70367-03-NAG), the model that comes with the RV-100 transducer. In this post, we’re going to cover the Raymarine Axiom 9 DownVision, part number E70367-02-NAG. This model includes the DownVision transducer (not the RealVision one) and has the Navionics (NAG) charts for the US and Canada.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ 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

As we’ve mentioned above, the transducer included with this Raymarine fish finder is the new CPT-100DVS model. To be clear, this is a 2D / DownVision transducer, and it is not capable of RealVision 3D sonar. It comes with a transom mount, has 33 ft (10 m) of cable, and also integrates a water temperature sensor.

However, the unit’s internal sonar application is ready for SideVision and RealVision 3D. If paired with a RV-100 transducer, for example, it can use the 3D sonar mode. And as sonar functions for the 2D mode, the unit has A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Depth Lines, Alarms, White Line, Range Lines, Sonar Scroll Back, and more.

With the included CPT-100DVS transducer, the system can use two types of sonar, 2D CHIRP, and DownVision CHIRP. The CHIRP frequency interval used for the 2D sonar is 170-230 kHz, while the for DownVision it is 320-380 kHz. CHIRP sonar technology offers a better separation and determination of targets, whether they’re fish, structure, rocks, or vegetation. The images created on the display are clearer and with less clutter.

For 2D the transducer uses a conical beam with a coverage of 25° while for DV the beam is fan-shaped, 1-2 degrees wide fore to aft, but with a side to side coverage of approx. 60°. The returns from both beams can be viewed simultaneously in split-screen.

The system’s depth capability with the included transducer is not bad at all. It can reach depths up to 900 ft (274 m) when using the 2D sonar mode, and up to 600 ft (183 m) when using DownVision. These being said, it’s a great unit for both inland and off-shore fishing, as long as you won’t scan extreme depths.

Navigation features

The Raymarine fish finder Axiom 9 E70367-02-NAG is also a chart plotter and GPS system. It features a 72-channel internal GPS/GLONASS receiver. This being said, it can provide 10 position updates per second, while the movement of your boat will appear on the display in real-time, without jumps from a point to another. Like any advanced GPS unit, it shows your coordinates or the coordinates of any point of interest. It can also calculate the speed of your boat.

In terms of charts, this Raymarine Axiom multi-function display is equipped with the Navionics Nav+ US & Canada charts (or the NAG 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 tidal information and correction, deep water color, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range and many more. The unit 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 9 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 unit has AIS and Radar applications. It can be connected to an AIS or external Radar unit, and the corresponding apps will give you full access and operation over these units. It also has an autopilot application, being compatible with Evolution Autopilot Systems.

Control unit features

As its name suggests the Raymarine Axiom 9 features a 9-inch diagonal display, WVGA type, full color, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It’s optically bonded and has LED backlight (1,200 nits), these feature considerably enhancing readability in various conditions, from direct sunlight to complete darkness. It also offers excellent readability from different angles, up to 60° / 70° / 70° / 70° – Top / Bottom / Left / Right.

The unit’s box includes a trunnion mount, but also a flush mounting kit. A sun cover is also included.

The unit is IPX6/IPX7 waterproof, which means that not only it can withstand incidental water exposure or rain, it should also survive immersions (in fresh water, up to 1m).

The unit’s internal operating system is the LightHouse 3, which offers a very user-friendly interface, straightforward and easy to learn and use. For example, it allows you to pin your main applications to the start page for quick access, to create a split-screen with different running applications, it has the same functions as the touchscreen of a tablet, recognizing commands such a pinch, tap, or double-tap. It’s highly responsive to commands as it is equipped with a quad-core processor and an internal 4GB SSD internal drive.

The unit has several ports, including an Ethernet port, an NMEA 2000 port, while for the SeaTalkNG networking 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 unit is also equipped with a microSD card reader with one card slot for chart updates, software updates or data transfer, and a USB port micro B rear for 0.5A charging, external storage device, or RCR-SD/USB Accessory (A80440).

The Axiom 9 unit can be paired with optional FLIR M100 and M200 compact marine thermal cameras. It’s also compatible via NMEA 2000 capable marine audio systems like Rockford Fosgate.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D and DownVision Sonar;
• RealVision 3D and SideVision capable;
• CPT-100DVS DownVision 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;
• Thermal camera capable;
• Compatible with marine audio systems such as Rockford Fosgate;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• 800H x 480V 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 9 E70367-02-NAG is a multi-function display offering DownVision, 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and the Navionics charts for US and Canada. It comes with the CPT-100DVS DownVision transducer, but the unit is also capable of RealVision 3D and SideVision sonar. It’s also compatible with various other navigation units, such as Radar, AIS or EVO autopilots. It’s an excellent unit for both inland and off-shore fishing. It’s not one of the most affordable units, but definitely offers excellent value for the price.