Simrad GO9 XSE Active Imaging 3-in-1 C-MAP Pro

The GO9 XSE 000-14840-001 is one of the fish finder and GPS combos released by Simrad in 2019. As opposed to the older Simrad GO9 XSE 000-13212-001, this model has built-in Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar with the FishReveal feature and supports the new Active Imaging transducers. The Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer is included with this unit, as well as the C-MAP Pro charts.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ 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′ (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar
• 300′ (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

As we’ve mentioned above, the new Simrad GO9 XSE has Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar which includes 2D CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan. The performance for AI 3-in-1 sonar, as well as for the 3-in-1 transducer is slightly superior to the older units and to the older TotalScan transducer. The unit also supports ForwardScan sonar, but in order to use this type of sonar, you will need the ForwardScan transducer.

The included Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer has an internal temperature sensor and features 25′ (7.6 m) of cable with a 9-pin connector. For the unit’s 2D CHIRP sonar it supports the Mid Range CHIRP and High Range CHIRP channels, operating at 83 kHz and 200 kHz. For the 2D CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses conical beams; it can scan depths up to 1,000′ (305 m) when using the 83 kHz beam.

For SideScan and DownScan, 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 unit also offers a wide array of standard sonar features. The first on the list is the new FishReveal. This is a smart targeting feature which defines the fish arches when you are using the DownScan sonar. This being said, it allows you to see the positioning of fish in relation to structure and vegetation. Among other features, we can count Fish ID, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Temperature Graph, and more.

Navigation features

The Simrad GO9 XSE has an internal 10 Hz, 32-channel GPS receiver. This being said, it provides position updates 10 times per seconds. It also has WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS position augmentation and a GPS speed function.

The unit can save up to 6,000 waypoints in its memory. It also has route creation and trackplotting functions; it can save up to 500 routes with up to 100 waypoints for each route, and 50 tracks, with up to 12,000 points per track. Each recorded track can be converted into a route if you want to re-trace it and add waypoints to it.

As the unit’s name suggests, it 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. Of course, the unit is also compatible with various other charts. The list includes Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP MAX N+, C-MAP Genesis, NV-Digital and more.

It is important to mentions that this Simrad GO unit does not have the new Genesis Live mapping feature. It will probably be introduced in one of the newer software updates. It only has the StructureMap feature which allows you to combine the view of the SideScan sonar with your map.

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.

The Simrad GO9 XSE also 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.

Control unit features

The Simrad GO9 XSE 000-14840-001 features a 9-inch display, full color, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It has LED backlight and offers excellent readability even in direct sunlight, from angles up to 80°. It is also IPX6 and IPX7 waterproof, which essentially means it can withstand incidental water exposure and even immersions in freshwater.

The unit is touchscreen controlled; it does not have a side keypad like the Lowrance units. It responds to all the touch commands just as any tablet or smartphone. Its interface is user-friendly, highly intuitive and highly customizable, and you can pin to its home page all the applications that you use the most for quick access. Also, the unit can be operated from distance by 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.

Wireless connectivity is also on the list of features for this Simrad unit. This gives you the possibility to connect it to a WiFi hotspot in order to download software updates, charts, or access other online features. Plus, the unit has two microSD card slots, so you can use a card with charts and a card for other data simultaneously, without the need to continuously swap cards.

Last but not least, the new Simrad GO9 XSE supports Fusion-Link and SonicHub. 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 XSR 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 (2 slots);
• 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 GO9 XSE 000-14840-001 offers Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar, internal GPS, the C-MAP Pro charts. It includes the AI 3-in-1 transducer for 2D CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan. It has Ethernet and offers NMEA 2000 support. It also offers wireless connectivity. It’s an excellent unit for a wide array of boats, for both off-short and inland fishing and navigation.