Simrad GO12 XSE Active Imaging 3-in-1 C-MAP Discover

Although the Simrad GO12 XSE has been around for a while, the model with the C-MAP Discover (part number 000-14834-002) is a newer version released in 2021. Apart from the newer charts, it also comes with a few extra software improvements over the older models.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 12-inch diagonal, 1280H x 800V pixel matrix, WVGA color, 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 ft. (91 m) on each side – 455 kHz SideScan
  150 ft. (46 m) on each side – 800 kHz SideScan
• Power Input: 10-17 VDC
• GPS: 10 Hz internal
• Charts: C-MAP Discover
• Networking: NMEA 2000, Ethernet, wireless connectivity

Sonar and transducer

The Simrad GO12 XSE has Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar which combines three sonar technologies. These are standard CHIRP sonar, DownScan, and SideScan. It also supports ForwardScan if paired with a ForwardScan transducer. It does not support StructureScan 3D or ActiveTarget sonar. In terms of frequencies, the unit supports 50/83/200 kHz for the standard CHIRP sonar, and 455/800 kHz for DownScan/SideScan.

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Simrad part number 000-14834-002 that comes with the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer which has 25 ft. (7.6 m) of cable with a 9-pin connector. It also integrates a temperature sensor and the unit can show water temperature.

For the standard CHIRP sonar, the transducer supports the 83/200 kHz frequencies. The exact CHIRP ranges are not specified. The beams cast by the transducer for the CHIRP sonar are conical. Their exact coverage is not specified, but as a general idea, the 83 kHz beam is wide and has a better depth range (1,000 ft.), while the 200 kHz beam is narrower and has a shorter range.

For SideScan and DownScan, the beams are fan-shaped and very thin. Again, their exact coverage is not specified. The DownScan beams have a depth range of 300 ft. (91 m) @ 455 kHz, and 150 ft. (46 m) @ 800 kHz. The side beams have the same range, but needless to say, they cover 300 ft. (91 m), and respectively 150 ft (46 m) on each side of the boat.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. The list includes A-Scope, Depth Line, Zoom Bars, Fish ID, Bottom Lock, Temperature Graph, Sonar Recording, and more. Similar to the Lowrance Elite-12 Ti2, it has the FishReveal feature which allows you to bring the fish arches caught by the 2D CHIRP sonar into the DownScan window for a better understanding of the fish positioning, and size.

Navigation features

The Simrad GO12 XSE is also a chartplotter. It is equipped with a 10 Hz GPS receiver, so it can provide fast position updates up to 10 times per second. It also supports GLONASS, MSAS, EGNOS, and WAAS for position augmentation. The unit has track recording, route creation, and waypoint saving functions. Plus, it has the TripIntel feature that lets you store and recall information on trips. For example, you can check distance traveled, time traveled, average speed, maximum speed, fuel consumption, and other data regarding each trip.

The unit comes with the C-MAP Discover chart platform. These offer ultra-wide coverage for inland and off-shore U.S. and Canadian waters. They come with several new features including High-Res Bathymetry, Vector Charts, Custom Depth Shading, Tides & Currents Information, Easy Routing, Detailed Marina Port Plans, and more.

The unit supports various premium charts from Navionics and C-MAP. The list includes Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP MAX N+, C-MAP Genesis, NV-Digital, and more. It’s important to mention, though, that this Simrad fish finder does not have a Genesis Live or a different bathymetric mapping feature. However, if paired with a Navionics charts card, it can use the SonarChart Live feature for this purpose.

StructureMap is also available with this Simrad unit. This feature offers the possibility to overlay recorded SideScan Imaging on the map. You can also use a live source for the overlay, and in this case, the SideScan Imaging is shown as a trail behind your vessel on the map.

Among other important navigation features, we can count radar support, SteadySteer support, Mercury SmartTow, as well as engine data information. It can serve as a display for Broadband 3G/4G and Halo radars. SteadySteer serves as autopilot enhancement for NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers fitted with RPU drive pumps.

Control unit features

The Simrad GO12 XSE is a full touchscreen multi-function display. It does not have a keypad or side buttons like the of the NSS Evo models. It has a 12-inch TFT color display, with a pixel resolution of 1280H x 800V, and LED backlight with a >1200 nits brightness. It offers an angle visibility of 70° left/right, 50° top, and 60° bottom. It is also IPX7 and IPX6 waterproofed.

The unit has a pretty fast internal processor and a highly intuitive, easy-to-use interface. You can customize its homepage with various shortcuts for different applications. You can also work with up to four applications in split-screen.

The GO12 XSE also excels in networking features. To begin with, it has a micro-C port for NMEA 2000 so you can connect it to an already existing boat grid. With the release of the 20.2 software update, the Ethernet port which previously worked only for a radar connection, now allows access to charts and echosounder sources from other networked devices. Plus, it has two microSD card slots so you can work with two chart platforms, or use a chart card and a blank card for data backup.

Wireless connectivity is also one of the unit’s core features. Not only that you can mirror the display of your chartplotter on a smartphone or tablet, but you can also connect with your chartplotter to a WiFi hotspot for chart downloads, other data downloads, and software updates.

Finally, the unit comes with the standard tilt bracket mount and an in-dash mounting kit. A sun cover is also included.

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 Discover charts card 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 broadband 3G/4G and Halo Radars;
• Supports SteadySteer;
• Mercury Smart Tow enabled;
• Engine data view;
• Two microSD card slots;
• NMEA 2000 connectivity (1 Micro-C port);
• Ethernet connectivity;
• Wireless connectivity;
• Simrad SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth Audio Integration;
• Sun cover included;
• In-dash mounting kit included;
• Available in multiple language packs.

The Cons

• Does not have the Genesis Live feature.

Summary

The Simrad GO12 XSE 000-14834-002 is a fish finder and chartplotter equipped with Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar, 10 Hz internal GPS, and the C-MAP Discover charts. It also includes the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. It has superior networking features such as NMEA 2000, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity. It also supports radar, autopilots, and more. It’s a versatile multi-function display, great for a wide array of boats, for both off-shore and in-land fishing.