Your chartplotter's display is your window to the world below and around you. A larger screen allows for better split-screen views, letting you see your map, sonar, and radar all at once without squinting. Consider your boat's console size and your viewing distance when making a choice.
- Under 7 inches: Best for very small boats, kayaks, or as a secondary unit. They are compact and consume less power but offer limited viewing space, especially for split-screen functions.
- 7 to 10 inches: This is the sweet spot for many boaters. These units offer a great balance of screen real estate, physical size, and price, making them suitable for a wide range of small to mid-sized boats.
- 11 to 13 inches: A significant step up in clarity and functionality. Ideal for those who rely heavily on split-screen views for fishing or complex navigation. They require more console space and budget.
- 14 inches & Larger: These are command-center-worthy displays. They offer an unparalleled view, allowing you to monitor multiple data sources in large, clear windows. They are best suited for larger offshore boats with ample space and power.
Ultimately, buy the biggest screen you can comfortably fit on your console and afford. You'll rarely regret having a larger, clearer display when you need it most.
The choice between a touchscreen and keypad often comes down to personal preference and boating style. Many modern units actually offer a hybrid approach, giving you the best of both worlds.
- Touchscreen: Offers fast, intuitive control, much like a tablet. Pinch-to-zoom on maps and quickly tapping through menus is seamless. However, they can be challenging to operate with wet hands or in rough seas.
- Keypad Control: Provides positive, tactile feedback. Every button press is deliberate, which is a major advantage in bumpy conditions where an errant touch could change a critical setting. They are reliable and unaffected by water on the screen.
If you often fish in rough or wet conditions, a unit with keypad controls or a hybrid system is a very safe bet. For fair-weather cruising, the speed of a pure touchscreen is hard to beat.
This is arguably the most important feature for anglers. The right sonar technology transforms your chartplotter from a simple navigation aid into a powerful fish-finding tool. Many units combine multiple technologies into one transducer.
- CHIRP Sonar: This stands for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse. Instead of a single frequency, CHIRP sends a continuous sweep of frequencies. The result is dramatically clearer target separation (seeing individual fish in a school) and less noise. This is the modern standard for basic 2D sonar.
- Down Imaging: This technology provides a high-frequency, picture-like view of the structure and fish directly beneath your boat. It's excellent for understanding what that blob on your 2D sonar actually is, be it a tree, rock pile, or bait ball.
- Side Imaging: Similar to Down Imaging, but it scans out to the sides of your boat, sometimes hundreds of feet. It's an incredible tool for quickly searching large areas to find fish-holding structures without having to drive directly over them.
- Live Sonar: This is the cutting edge. Live sonar, sometimes called forward-looking, shows you fish and your lure in real-time as they move under and around your boat. It's a genuine game-changer for serious anglers, allowing you to watch how fish react to your presentation.
- 3D Sonar: This technology scans the bottom and creates a three-dimensional, explorable model of the underwater terrain. It gives you an amazing perspective on how structure is laid out, helping you understand drop-offs and contours like never before.
For most anglers, a combination of CHIRP, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging provides a complete picture. If you're a tournament angler or tech enthusiast, Live Sonar is the ultimate tool to add to your arsenal.
Pay close attention to the preloaded maps. "Basemap" often means very little detail, while premium charts for coastal or inland waters provide incredible contour detail, navigational aids, and points of interest.
- Worldwide Basemap: This is the most basic level. It will show coastlines and major bodies of water but lacks the detail needed for serious navigation or fishing. Think of it as a blank canvas.
- US Inland / US Coastal: These are much more detailed map sets focused on a specific environment. Inland maps will have high-definition contours for lakes and rivers, while coastal charts focus on depth soundings, navigational markers, and seafloor data.
- Contour Mapping: Many premium chart packages, like Garmin's Navionics+ or Humminbird's LakeMaster, offer high-resolution contours, often in 1-foot increments. This is essential for anglers looking for specific underwater structures like points, humps, and ledges.
Ensure the unit you buy comes preloaded with detailed charts for the waters you frequent. If not, be prepared to purchase a separate map card, which can be a significant additional expense.
How your chartplotter communicates with other electronics determines how integrated and capable your system can be. This is key for building a comprehensive onboard network.
- NMEA 2000: This is the modern plug-and-play standard for marine electronics. It allows your chartplotter to share data with engines, autopilots, VHF radios, and sensors from various manufacturers on a single network backbone. This is a must-have for most setups.
- Ethernet: This is a high-speed connection used to share large amounts of data, like sonar and radar imagery, between multiple displays or accessories from the same brand. If you plan on having more than one screen, you'll need Ethernet.
- Wi-Fi: Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your chartplotter to a mobile device for software updates, chart downloads, and sometimes even screen mirroring or remote control through a brand's app.
- NMEA 0183: This is the older, slower data protocol. While largely replaced by NMEA 2000, it's still useful for connecting to older VHF radios or AIS units.
For a future-proof system, prioritize NMEA 2000 and Ethernet capabilities. Wi-Fi is an incredible convenience feature that makes keeping your system up-to-date a breeze.
These features can add significant value and capability, allowing you to control more of your boat directly from your primary display. Consider which of these integrations will enhance your time on the water.
- Radar Ready: This means the unit has a dedicated port to connect a radar dome. Radar is a crucial safety tool for navigating in fog, at night, or in high-traffic areas by allowing you to "see" other vessels and obstacles.
- Autopilot Control: Many units can integrate with and control your boat's autopilot system. This allows you to set a course, follow a route, or even navigate to a specific waypoint directly from the chartplotter screen.
- Trolling Motor Control: For anglers, this is a huge advantage. It allows the chartplotter to control compatible trolling motors to anchor electronically (Spot-Lock), follow a specific depth contour, or navigate a saved route.
- AIS Support: AIS (Automatic Identification System) displays the position, course, and speed of other AIS-equipped vessels on your chart. It's a major safety feature, especially for coastal and offshore boaters.
Think about your five-year plan for the boat. Even if you don't plan on adding radar or an autopilot today, choosing a unit that is "ready" for those upgrades gives you valuable flexibility down the road.
This is a critical detail to check before you buy. An "all-in-one" transducer can provide CHIRP, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging from a single unit and is perfect for many users. However, more advanced setups may require specialized transducers purchased separately.
- Transducer Included: These bundles are convenient and cost-effective for most common installations. The included transducer is guaranteed to be compatible and is typically designed to provide the unit's core sonar features.
- No Transducer (Head Unit Only): This option is for boaters who have an existing transducer they want to use, or for those who need a specialized, high-performance transducer (like one for thru-hull mounting or a specific Live Sonar system) that isn't offered in a bundle.
If you're setting up a new boat or doing a complete electronics overhaul, a bundle with an included transducer is often the simplest and most economical choice. If you have specific performance needs, buying the head unit separately allows you to build a custom system.
Brand choice can often come down to user interface preference or experience with a particular ecosystem. It's wise to go to a store and get your hands on the display models to see which menu system feels most intuitive to you.
- Garmin: Known for their extremely user-friendly interfaces and strong integration across their entire product line, from chartplotters to watches. Their LiveScope sonar is a leader in the live sonar category.
- Lowrance: A long-time favorite among freshwater and tournament anglers. They are known for their powerful sonar technology, especially their ActiveTarget live sonar and highly detailed C-MAP charting.
- Humminbird: Famous for pioneering Side Imaging sonar. They are very popular in the freshwater fishing world and offer excellent integration with Minn Kota trolling motors. Their MEGA Imaging technology is known for its incredible sharpness.
- Simrad & B&G: Both are part of Navico (along with Lowrance). Simrad is aimed at the offshore sportfishing and powerboat cruising market, with powerful networking and radar options. B&G is the dedicated brand for sailors, with unique sailing-specific software features.
- Raymarine: A brand with a long history in both power and sail. They are known for their rugged hardware and powerful Lighthouse operating system, with excellent radar and thermal camera integration.
You generally can't go wrong with any of these top-tier brands. The best choice often depends on your specific type of boating and which brand's ecosystem and user interface you prefer.
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