Raymarine eS98 DownVision Navionics+

The Raymarine eS98 offers a similar range of features as the eS78, but with several extras, such as a wider display, extra connectivity ports, and more. It’s a multi-function display with a wide array of navigation capabilities and also provides CHIRP standard and CHIRP DownVision sonar. This unit includes the Navionics+ charts for North America. For reference, it’s the Raymarine part number E70275-NAG.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, LED backlight, LightHouse II OS
• Sonar: 2D CHIRP & DownVision
• Transducer: Not included
• Frequency & Coverage: Dependant on the transducer
• Operating Voltage: 12 / 24 V DC (10.8 V DC to 31.2 V DC)
• GPS: Internal, 10 Hz, 72-channels
• Maps: Navionics+
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 150; 3,000; 15 (10,000 pts / track)

Sonar features

As we’ve mentioned above, this Raymarine fish finder does not include a transducer. However, it’s compatible with various transducer models such as the CPT-100DVS, CPT-S, CPT-120 or CPT-110. Also, with an external sonar module, the unit can also provide SideVision sonar. It does not support RealVision sonar, though, and is not compatible with the RV-100 transducer such as the Axiom 9 model.

The recommended transducer for this unit is the CPT-100DVS which supports both 2D CHIRP and CHIRP DownVision types of sonar of the control unit. This transducer offers a depth capability of 900 ft (2D) and 600 ft (DV).

The unit offers a wide array of standard sonar features. Among them, we can count Amplitude Scope, Target Depth ID, Depth Lines, Range Lines, Bottom Lock, Sonar Scroll Back, alarms, etc.

Navigation features

The first notable navigation feature of the Raymarine eS98 is the 72-channel, 10 Hz internal GPS system. It provides fast and accurate position fixes, showing the vessel’s movement in real-time on the map. It can actually provide position updates 10 times per second. Needless to say, it shows the longitude and latitude coordinates for any point of interest. It can calculate the speed of your boat and can also use the GLONASS satellites if connected to a GNSS receiver.

The unit offers the possibility to create waypoints, routes and record trails. It can save up to 3,000 waypoints and up to 200 waypoint group. It can save up to 150 routes with up to 250 waypoints per route. It can also record up to 15 tracks, with up to 10,000 points per track.

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Raymarine part number E70275-NAG so it includes the Navionics+ charts for North America. These charts cover more than 20,000 inland lakes, the U.S. and Canada coastal waters, as well as a wide array of other navigation features. For example, they provide tide information and correction, SonarChart Live, depth shading, fishing range, and more.

The unit’s chart capabilities don’t stop here. It’s compatible with LightHouse Coastal Vector charts, and other Navionics chart bundles (i.e. for Central and South America). Also, C-MAP Essentials and C-MAP 4D MAX+ are planned for the future LightHouse updates.

Last but not least, the unit can support external GPS units, AIS units, and Radar units. Its internal operating system LightHouse II has applications that can work directly with various types of peripherals of this sort. It supports SiriusXM (USA only) radio. It also offers autopilot integration via Evolution autopilot systems and offers engine integration providing data with regards to generators, batteries, and more.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, the Raymarine eS98 features a 9-inch display which is optically bonded and has an adjustable LED backlight for improved readability even in direct sunlight and from sharp angles up to 80°. It has a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V providing sharp imaging for the maps, sonar, and other applications. It’s also IPX6 dust tight and IPX7 waterproofed (which means that it can withstand incidental water exposure).

The unit has HybridTouch™ technology. In other words, you can operate it via touchscreen as a tablet or via the keypad/dial on the right side. On top of that, it can also be operated via remote control, being compatible with the RMK-10 or RCU-3 Raymarine remotes.

The unit’s internal software is LightHouse II. This type of OS offers a very sleek, easy-to-use, and highly intuitive interface. Differently put, it’s similar to Android or Windows. It gives you the possibility to customize its home page with the most used applications in order to quickly access them or swap between them. Also, the unit is compatible with the new Raymarine OS version, LightHouse III and you can update it online.

In terms of connectivity, the unit has 2 RayNet ports, 2 Rx/1Tx NMEA0183, 1 NMEA 2000/SeaTalk port, also being WiFi and Bluetooth enabled. Via Wi-Fi you can sync it with your tablet or smartphone to send and stream data between apps.

The Raymarine eS98 MFD offers video camera and thermal camera support. It can support up to 10 IP cameras and one analog camera, allowing the view of up to 4 cameras simultaneously. Camera feed recording and snapshot features are available.

For data storage, the unit is equipped with a dual microSD card reader. Each card slot can hold microSD cards up to 32 GB.

And finally, the box includes a unit cover, a flush mount for surface mounting and the classic bracket mount.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D and DownVision sonar;
• SideVision sonar capable;
• Multiple sonar functions available such as Target Depth ID, Scroll Back, Bottom Lock, White Line, A-Scope, etc.
• Fast and accurate, 72-channel, 10 Hz internal GPS / GLONASS receiver;
• Navionics+ charts for North America;
• Compatible with other Navionics chart bundles, LightHouse Vector charts, and C-MAP charts;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Autopilot feature included;
• AIS and Radar capable;
• 800 x 480 resolution, optically bonded LCD, multitouch display, with LED backlight;
• IPX6 dust tight;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• LightHouse II OS, which offers a highly customizable, easy-to-use interface;
• Ethernet (RayNet) ports;
• NMEA 0183 input/output;
• NMEA 2000 support;
• Wi-Fi connectivity;
• Bluetooth connectivity and remote control support;
• Engine data integration support;
• Thermal and IP camera support;
• Dual microSD card reader (32 GB per slot);
• Classic and flush mounts included;
• Sun cover included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• A transducer is not included.

Summary

The Raymarine eS98 is a 9″ MFD which extensive navigation and fish finding capabilities. It has GPS, Navionics charts, 2D CHIRP and DownVision sonar, superior connectivity features such as NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It supports external AIS, Radar, GPS, EVO autopilot and various engine data sensors. It’s LightHouse II software provides a very easy to use interface. In all, it’s a highly versatile chartplotter and fish finder, great for a wide array of boats.