Simrad GO7 XSE HDI Insight

The GO7 XSE HDI is one of the Simrad multi-function displays released in 2016. The unit itself is the same as the for the 000-12671-001 model, the one that we’ve previously covered here. However, as the title suggests, this bundle includes the HDI transducer. For reference, this is the Simrad part number 000-12672-001.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel matrix, 16:9 aspect ratio, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight
• Sonar: 2D CHIRP, StructureScan (DownScan)
• Depth Capability:
  • 1,000 ft (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar
  • 350 ft. (106 m) for DownScan
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • Broadband CHIRP:
    • 200 kHz (22°)
    • 83 kHz (52°)
  • DownScan:
    • 455 kHz – fore to aft 2.8°, port to starboard 56°
    • 800 kHz – fore to aft 1.6°, port to starboard 32°
• Transducer: HDI Skimmer
• Power Output: Max 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 12 vDC (10-17 vDC min-max)
• Power Consumption: 950 mA @ 13.5 V
• GPS: 10 Hz internal
• Charts: U.S. Insight
• Waypoints: 10,000

Sonar and transducer

The Simrad GO7 XSE fish finder unit has several sonar technologies, including 2D Broadband CHIRP, StructureScan (DownScan and SideScan), and ForwardScan. However, this is the 000-12672-001 part number which comes with the HDI Skimmer transducer which only covers the DownScan sonar and the 2D Broadband CHIRP. If you want to use SideScan as well you will need a TotalScan transducer. For FordwardScan a specific transducer is required as well.

The unit’s sonar is capable of multiple frequencies, including 50 kHz for deepwater scanning. However, the included HDI Skimmer transducer cannot cover this frequency. The system’s depth capabilities with this transducer are 1,000′ (305 m) for 2D, and approx. 350′ (106 m) for DownScan. Also, the maximum speed at which the transducer can keep a bottom reading is 55 MPH, but in order to obtain the best quality and a maximum of targets, it’s recommended to scan at speeds lower than 10 MPH.

The HDI Skimmer transducer covers the 83/200 kHz frequencies for 2D, so the system is capable of Medium Frequency CHIRP and High-Frequency CHIRP. In order to use Low-Range CHIRP for greater depth capabilities (up to 3,000′), you will need a 50/200 kHz transducer.

The transducer included with this Simrad fish finder unit uses conical beams for the 2D Broadband sonar. Their coverage is approx. 52° @ 83 kHz and 22° @ 200 kHz. For DownScan, however, the beams are very thin, similar to the beams of a scanner. Their coverage is approx. 56° side-to-side and 2.8° fore to aft @ 455 kHz, and 32° side-to-side / 1.6° fore to aft @ 800 kHz.

The Simrad GO7 XSE makes available several standard sonar functions, such as Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Temperature Graph, Depth Line, Split-Zoom, Overlay DownScan, Sonar Recording etc. In case you don’t know what these functions can do, we’ll cover each one, in short.

Overlay DownScan, as its name suggests, allows you to overlay the DownScan imaging over the 2D broadband sonar view. By doing this you can have a better view of certain targets displayed by the 2D sonar, in relation to a structure that is defined better by the DownScan.

Fish ID is a function that replaces the fish arches, or at least the sonar returns that are interpreted as fish, with fish icons. For this function, you can opt to have the depth of each fish target displayed next to it. A-Scope is a vertical flasher that appears next to the 2D sonar view. It indicates the real-time echo of the sonar or differently put, the information caught by the most recent sonar echo.

Depth Line gives you the possibility to add a line to the bottom surface in order to make it easier to distinguish the bottom from fish and structure. Bottom Lock is useful when you want to view echoes close to the bottom. As its name suggests, it allows you to lock the sonar image to the bottom, and a selected depth range from the bottom up.

When it comes to Sonar Recording, the unit allows you to save the recording into its internal memory or on a microSD card, in order to have a second look later, if necessary. If more than one channel was recorded in the selected echo file, you can select which channel to display.

A few more aspects to add here are with regards to the HDI transducer. First of all, it has approx. 20′ (6 m) of cable. It incorporates a temperature sensor, so the unit can display the temperature of the top water layer. The transducer has a transom mount.

Navigation features

The Simrad GO7 XSE 000-12672-001 comes with the Insight USA charts. These charts offer advanced details for over 8,000 US lakes and rivers, with detailed contour lines, relief shading, shoreline details and depth soundings to 1,000′. However, the unit is compatible with Navionics Hotmaps and Hotspots, Navionics+ and C-MAP MAX-N charts.

The Simrad GO7 XSE can also use Insight Genesis charts. Even more, you can upload your sounder logs to Insight Genesis in order to create custom maps.

TripIntel™ is another useful feature for navigation available with this unit. It 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.

The unit features a 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. It’s a high-speed GPS module, which updates your position 10 times per second, being ideal for fast-moving boats. The boat’s movement will be tracked smoothly and in real-time, without jumps from point to point. Via the GPS system, the unit can also calculate the speed of your boat.

This Simrad unit has waypoints, routes, and tracks functions. It can stock up to 10,000 waypoints offering a decent palette of icons for them. For routes, the system included support for Navionics Autorouting and C-MAP Easy Routing. As for tracks, the unit is set to automatically track and draw the vessel’s movement on the chart panel. The recorded tracks can be saved and converted to routes, to re-use.

Control unit features

As the unit’s name suggests, the Simrad GO7 XSE features a 7-inch diagonal display, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V. It’s an LCD WVGA color unit, with LED backlight (1200 nits) and multi-touch technology. In fact, as opposed to the Elite-7 Ti from Lowrance that we’ve compared it with, this Simrad unit doesn’t have any keypad. The navigation through menus and functions is done in a similar way to a tablet. Nonetheless, it features a very intuitive, customizable, and easy-to-use interface.

The unit comes with a U-bracket, and the box includes a sun cover. It’s IPX7 waterproof, which essentially means that it can withstand incidental water exposure, rain, snow, and even immersions in freshwater, up to 1 meter.

In terms of connectivity and data transfer, this Simrad chartplotter and fish finder unit features an NMEA 2000 port and a microSD card reader with one card slot. This being said, the unit can connect to any other NMEA 2000 capable equipment on your vessel, including outboard and inboard engines, fuel level and flow meters, speed heading, temperature sensors, AIS units, etc. It gives you the possibility to create custom digital instrument displays, condensing a lot of information of the most crowded dash while keeping a clean look.

The Simrad GO7 XSE offers SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth® Audio Integration, which means it gives you the possibility to stream music from Bluetooth devices, play MP3 files from a USB flash drive, or listen to the SonicHub 2’s built-in AM/FM radio. It also has a built-in Wi-Fi module and provides direct access to GoFree cloud services, including map downloads, software updates etc.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D sonar and DownScan
• ForwardScan capable;
• SideScan capable;
• HDI Skimmer 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 DownScan Overlay, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording, etc;
• High precision, 10 Hz GPS;
• Insight USA 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;
• AIS capable;
• MicroSD card slot reader for data backup and transfer;
• NMEA 2000 connectivity;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• Simrad SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth Audio Integration;
• Sun cover included;
• Available in 14 language packs;
• Easy to install;
• Warranty 1 year.

The Cons

• Touchscreen technology 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.
• Only transom mount for the transducer.

Summary

The Simrad GO7 XSE (000-12672-001) is a chartplotter and fish finder combo, featuring a wide array of navigation and sonar functions. It offers Broadband CHIRP (2D) sonar, DownScan sonar, Insight USA charts, and a powerful 10 Hz internal GPS. It’s also capable of SideScan and ForwardScan with the appropriate transducers, and compatible with various chart bundles from Navionics and C-MAP.

It offers excellent networking possibilities via NMEA 2000, also having a Wi-Fi module for GoFree connection and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s a touchscreen unit with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. In all, it’s quite a versatile unit, perfect for small to medium recreational boats, for inland and off-shore fishing, offering an excellent value for the price.