Simrad GO7 XSE Active Imaging 3-in-1 C-MAP Pro

The Simrad GO7 XSE fish finder and chartplotter comes in various bundles, with or without a transducer, and with different maps. We’ve already covered here the 000-14077-001 which comes with the TotalScan transducer and basemaps. Therefore, in this post, we’re going to cover the GO7 XSE 000-14838-001, the one that includes the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer and the C-MAP Pro charts.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, 16:9 aspect ratio, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight
• Sonar: Active Imaging 3-in-1
• Transducer: Active Imaging 3-in-1
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  1,000 ft. (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan and SideScan
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  83/200/455/800 kHz
  300′ (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan
  100′ (30 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan
• Power Input: 10-17 VDC
• Power Consumption: 20 W (max), 12 W (typical)
• GPS: 32-channel, 10 Hz internal
• Charts: C-MAP Pro
• Waypoints, routes, tracks: 6000, 500, 50

Sonar and transducer

All the new Simrad GO units released in 2018 have Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar. This means they are compatible with the Active Imaging transducers and can use 2D CHIRP sonar, SideScan Imaging, and DonwScan Imaging. As opposed to the older SideScan and DownScan, the Active Imaging sonar technology also has the smart fish targeting feature called FishReveal. This feature helps you easily distinguish fish from structure and vegetation when using DownScan imaging. The unit also supports ForwardScan, but in order to use this sonar technology, you will need a ForwardScan transducer. Also, it’s important to mention here that this Simrad unit does not support the new Lowrance LiveSight sonar technology.

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Simrad GO7 XSE 000-14838-001 which includes the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. As its name suggests, this transducer covers the three main sonar technologies supported by the unit – 2D traditional CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan.

In terms of 2D sonar, the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer basically offers Mid/High CHIRP scanning possibilities. It uses the 83 kHz and 200 kHz channels and casts conical beams directly under the boat for this type of sonar. Their exact coverage and the exact CHIRP intervals are not specified, but the maximum depth capability of the 83 kHz beam can reach depths up to 1,000 ft (305 m).

For DownScan and SideScan sonar, the 3-in-1 transducer uses the 455/800 kHz channels. It offers scanning capabilities up to 300 ft (91 m) at 455 kHz, while the side range of the SideScan beams reaches 300 ft (91 m) on each side at 455 kHz, and 150 ft (46 m) at 800 kHz (a bit better than the TotalScan transducer). The shape of the transducer beams is oval; their exact angles are not specified.

The transducer comes with a metallic transom mount and the top jackplate which allows trolling mounting. It has an integrated temperature sensor, 25 ft (7.6 m) of cable with a 9-pin connector.

Along with the new FishReveal feature, this Simrad fish finder makes available numerous other standard sonar features. The list includes Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Overlay DownScan, Sonar Recording, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, and more. A Temperature Graph function is also available.

Navigation features

The Simrad GO7 XSE 000-14838-001 includes the C-MAP Pro charts. These offer full coverage of the US Inland and Coastal waters. Their database covers more than 9,000 US lakes with 1′ to 3′ contouring. They also offer a lot of other information, including fishing hotspots and other lake-specific points of interest. The unit is also compatible with various other premium charts. Among them, we can count Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP MAX N+, C-MAP Genesis, NV Digital, and more.

It’s important to mention here that this Simrad unit does not have the Genesis Live mapping feature which is included with the Lowrance Ti2 units. It only has the StructureMap feature. This allows you to overlay recorded images from the SideScan sonar on your maps, for better awareness. Also, since the unit is compatible with Navionics charts, it also supports the SonarChart sonar mapping feature.

The unit is equipped with a 32-channel 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It provides position augmentation via EGNOS, WAAS, and MSAS. It also has a GPS speed function which can calculate the speed of your boat from the GPS data.

The unit can save up to 6,000 waypoints in its memory offering an extensive icon palette in order to personalize your waypoints better. It can record up to 50 tracks with up to 12,000 points per track. It also has a route creation function and can store up to 500 routes into its memory, with up to 100 waypoints per route.

The unit supports Halo, Broadband, and HD Radars. It can communicate with AIS units via NMEA 2000 as well. Plus, if an AC12N, AC42N, SG05, or a NAC-1 autopilot computer is connected to the unit via NMEA 2000, autopilot functionality is available.

Last but not least, TripIntel and Cruise Charting View are two other notable navigation features to mention here. The Cruise Charting View puts all the crucial data and charts available in one easily readable display. TripIntel tracks and displays the key information you need to plan your trip safely. With this feature at hand, you can make smart decisions with fuel range overlaid on charts, easy access to current and future tide levels, and a detailed history of your previous trips including the route you took and how your boat performed. Plus, a boating instruments page is also available. You can set it to show fuel information, engine, or tank data.

Control unit features

The Simrad GO7 XSE Active Imaging 3-in-1 features a 7″ display. It’s full-color, WVGA type, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It has adjustable LED backlight (1,200 nits), offering an excellent view of the sonar and charts data even in direct sunlight; the maximum angle visibility is 80°. It is also IPX7 waterproof which means it can resist incidental water exposure and even immersions in freshwater.

The unit features a multi-touch interface without any side keypad. Its interface is user-friendly and highly intuitive. You can pin the most used applications to its home screen for ease of access. It can also be controlled via an OP40 or OP50 controller, or you can sync it with your smartphone and use your smartphone as its controller.

In terms of networking, the unit has an Ethernet port for Radar and an NMEA 2000 Micro-C port. It does not have any NMEA 0183 ports but can export NMEA 0183 via WiFi. The other two connectors on the back of the unit are for the power cable and for the transducer.

The unit’s wireless connectivity gives you the possibility to connect to a WiFi hotspot in order to download software updates, charts, and access various other online features. You can also mirror the display of the unit on a tablet or on your smartphone.

A microSD card slot is available on the back of the unit. Therefore, not only that you can use various chart cards, you can also share data via microSD card, or get software updates.

Finally, the unit offers SonicHub and FUSION-Link support. This being said, if a SonicHub server or a FUSION marine entertainment system is connected to the NMEA 2000 network, you can use the GO XSE to control and customize the audio system on your vessel. When connected to a WM-3 Satellite module with an active subscription, you can include SiriusXM products on your system.

The Pros

• Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar (2D CHIRP, DownScan, SideScan);
• ForwardScan capable;
• Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer included;
• 1,000 ft. depth capability (3,000 with a 50/200 kHz transducer);
• Fast chart updates, fast navigation through menus;
• Easy to use, intuitive interface, with touchscreen technology;
• Super-bright display, excellent readability;
• Various sonar functions, such as FishReveal, Overlay DownScan, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording, etc;
• 10 Hz internal GPS, 32-channel;
• C-MAP Pro charts included;
• Compatible with a wide array of custom charts, including Nautic Insight PRO and HD, Navionics HotMaps Premium, Fishing HotSpots, Navionics+, Lake Insight PRO and HD, C-MAP MAX-N, and Insight Genesis;
• TripIntel™ and Cruise Charting view;
• GPS and sonar overlay data possibilities, via Insight Genesis;
• Supports AIS;
• Supports 3G/4G and Halo Radars;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• NMEA 2000 connectivity;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• Simrad SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth Audio Integration;
• Sun cover included;
• Available in multiple language packs;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Does not have Genesis Live like the new Lowrance Ti2 units;
• The flush mounting kit is not included.

Summary

The Simrad GO7 XSE 000-14838-001 is a multifunction display offering Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar, 10 Hz GPS, and the C-MAP Pro charts. It includes the AI 3-in-1 transducer and is compatible with various other charts from Navionics and C-MAP. It offers superior networking possibilities, featuring Ethernet Radar and NMEA 2000 ports. It also has built-in wireless connectivity. It’s an excellent system for a wide range of boats, for inland and off-shore fishing.