In this post, we’re going to put side by side the Simrad GO7 XSE 000-12672-001 and the Raymarine E70364-02-NAG. They’re some of the latest, most versatile multi-function displays for fishing and navigation at the moment. They’re both touchscreen, come with a down scanning transducer and sonar, similar internal GPS, and similar charts. However, there are many differences between the two fish finder and chartplotter systems and in here we’ll try to put at least the major ones in view.
Simrad GO7 XSE HDI – Short Description
The Simrad GO7 XSE HDI, or by its part number Simrad 000-12672-001 is a 7-inch multifunction display, with an 800H x 480V pixel matrix, 16:9 aspect ratio, WVGA color TFT, with adjustable LED backlight. It has NMEA 2000 connectivity and a microSD card reader with one card slot. It supports various peripherals such as temperature sensors, AIS units, it has SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth® Audio Integration and also has a built-in Wi-Fi element.
The unit’s sonar application is capable of 2D Broadband CHIRP sonar, DownScan, SideScan, and ForwardScan. However, this particular unit, the 000-12672-001, comes with the HDI Skimmer transducer, which is only capable of 2D CHIRP sonar and DownScan. So, if you want to use SideScan, you’ll need a TotalScan transducer, and if you want to use ForwardScan you’ll need a ForwardScan transducer (which evidently are not included). The system can use two beams for 2D and two beams for DownScan, though, and can use Medium Range CHIRP and High CHIRP for its 2D sonar. Its depth capability with the included transducer is 1,000 ft (305 m).
The Simrad GO7 XSE 000-12672-001 is equipped with a 10 Hz GPS system. It comes with the Insight charts for the US, which offer advanced details for over 8,000 US lakes and bodies of water, contour lines, etc. However, the unit is capable of using several types of premium charts, such as Insight Pro, Navionics+, or charts from C-MAP… Read Full Review.
Raymarine Axiom 7 DownVision – Short Description
The Axiom 7 unit from Raymarine is sold under various part numbers. Depending on the part number, the included sonar, transducer, and charts can differ. The model that we’ve selected for our comparison here is the Axiom 7 E70364-02-NAG, the one that comes with 2D CHIRP sonar, CHIRP DownVision sonar, and the Navionic charts for US and Canada.
The transducer included with this unit is the new CPT-100DVS model, which is only for 2D and DownVision sonar. The unit is also capable of RealVision 3D and SideVision, but in order to use these types of sonar, different transducers and external sonar modules are required.
The Axiom 7 E70364-02-NAG uses only one sonar beam for its 2D traditional view sonar and only one beam for DownVision. With this transducer, the unit’s operating frequencies are 170-230 kHz for 2D and 320-380 kHz for DownVision. Its depth capability can reach 900′ (274 m).
Similar to the Simrad unit, this Raymarine Axiom unit is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS. It can update position 10 times per second, shows coordinates and calculates the speed of your boat. The unit can store up to 10,000 waypoints, 150 routes, and 16 tracks. It has an autopilot application and can support AIS and Radar modules, as it also has an internal Radar app… Read Full Review.
The Main Differences
Operating frequencies. The main operating frequencies for the Simrad GO7 XSE HDI are 83/200 kHz for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for DownScan. The Axiom 7 DownVision system uses only one CHIRP interval for 2D, this being 170-230 kHz, while for DownVision it can also use CHIRP, with a modulation between 320-380 kHz. The Simrad unit does not use CHIRP for its DownScan sonar, but the unit has the Overlay DownScan feature which blends the 2D sonar with the DownScan sonar, in order to bring some of CHIRP power to DownScan.
Sonar beam coverage. The Simrad fish finder uses 22°/52° conical beams for 2D and 56°/32° fan-shaped beams for DownScan. The Raymarine fish finder unit uses a 25° conical beam for its 2D sonar, and a 60° fan-shaped beam for DownVision.
Depth capability. These two fish finders offer similar depth capabilities, at least for their traditional 2D sonar. Raymarine states the depth capability of the CPT-100DVS transducer to be 900 ft (274 m) for 2D and 600 ft (183 m) for DownVision, while the specified depth capability of the HDI Skimmer included by the Simrad unit is 1,000 ft (305 m) for 2D, and 350 ft (106 m) for DownScan.
DownScan Overlay. This is a sonar feature specific to Lowrance and Simrad fish finders. It combines the DownScan sonar view with the 2D view, which can be helpful in understanding the relation between fish and structure. The Garmin units don’t have such a feature.
Other sonar capabilities. All the Raymarine Axiom are capable of RealVision 3D sonar, but with the RV-100 transducer, and of SideVision with the optional external SideVision sonar module. The Simrad GO7 XSE is capable of SideScan and ForwardScan, but also requires different transducers for it.
Transducer. Both transducers are 2D and down scanning capable, and temperature capable, but the Raymarine CPT-100DVS has a longer construction and a urethane cover, while the HDI Skimmer is smaller and wider, with a plastic shell. They both include transom mounts, though.
Charts. As we’ve mentioned above, the Simrad 000-12672-001 includes the USA Insight charts. These 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′. The Axiom 7 E70364-02-NAG comes with the Navionics Nav+ US & Canada chart bundle. Most users would classify the Nav charts a bit better than the US Insight. They cover more than 20,000 in-land lakes and the U.S. / Canada coastal waters, offer tidal information and correction, deep water color, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range and many more.
Charts compatibility. Simrad unit is a bit more versatile for this matter. It can use C-MAP MAX N charts, Navionics, Insight, and charts created with the Insight Genesis software. The Axiom 7 unit can use Lighthouse Coastal Vector charts and Navionics Nav+ Central and South America charts. C-MAP charts are planned for a future software update (at least at the moment).
TripIntel. This is a feature specific to the Simrad unit. It allows a safe trip planning, along with making smart decisions with regards to fuel consumption, future tide levels, etc. Premium charts from Garmin offer the possibility to use Enhanced Auto Guidance which is somewhat similar, but not the pre-loaded charts.
Cruise Charting View. This is another feature that only the Simrad unit has. it brings together crucial navigation data and charts in one easily readable display allowing you to edit on-screen data items.
Sonic Hub 2 and Audio Integration. The Simrad unit 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.
SeaTalkNG support. SeaTalkNG is an interconnection bus for Raymarine products. Evidently, it’s a feature specific to the Axiom 7.
Radar support. Only the Axiom unit can support Radar. The Simrad 5″ and 7″ units are not Radar capable.
Operating system. The Raymarine Axiom units come with the custom LightHouse 3 OS. The name of the Simrad unit OS is not specified, but it is quite similar. Both systems allow you to create custom split-screens, have an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, and allow you to create shortcuts for the most-used apps. The usage of the apps and navigation through menus is done exclusively via touchscreen technology for both units.
Operating voltage. The specified operating voltage for the Raymarine unit is 12V DC (8 V to 16 VDC), while for the Simrad unit is 12V DC (10 V to 17 VDC)
Mounts. The Axiom unit comes with a trunnion bracket but also a flush mount kit. The Simrad unit only has the U-bracket.
Side by Side Comparison Table
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Pricing and Final Conclusions
The Axiom 7 E70364-02-NAG costs approx. $200 more than the Simrad 000-12672-001, but offers 3D sonar capabilities (even if it doesn’t come with the 3D transducer), which the Simrad unit doesn’t have. It also offers Radar support. Other than that, these two units are versatile fish finders and chartplotters, both offering excellent navigation and sonar applications. They’re both easy to integrate into an NMEA network and can serve well for both off-shore and inland fishing and navigation.
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