When Simrad released the Go series of multi function displays I was impressed, very impressed, the menus were intuitive, the integration with music systems and engines was flawless, software updates over WiFi were easy, the best bit was how easy the screen was to see in daylight.
The Go series is still available but by the look of things its going to be phased out by the NSX series of plotters, at time of writing there is no 5" model any more for the Go range and there has not been a 5" model launched for the NSX range.
When the NSX first arrived I was frankly livid. I was so used to the Simrad go menus, updates and how it integrated with Mercruiser motors, added to which, my demeanor was in no way improved by the arrival of the Smartcraft Connect system so that engine data can be viewed on screen, the air was turning bluer by the minute as my frustration grew, but was it all a storm in a teacup?
Now with many more hours, software updates and deliveries of boats with the new NSX, has my opinion changed? Read on to find out.
Go series overview
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| Home screen Simrad Go |
When used as a standalone screen or single installation, they are pretty much perfect and have more options and abilities than most will need.
NSX overview
.JPG "Simrad NSX home screen") |
| Simrad NSX home screen |
Apps are available so you can control certain functions from your phone, part of the setup process is connecting to the app, its actually a bit of a nuisance on the NSX series, because if you decide that you do not want to have the app on your phone or tablet, the set up process shows as not being completely finished. The apps for Go and NSX are different.
Similarities
The usual functionality of a multi function display is all there, no complaints at all, if I am honest, right now I think Simrad probably have the best user interfaces going.
Depth sounder
The sounder functions are all there, just add the appropriate transducer for functionality, forward scan, side scan, down scan and chirp are all there. Actually, nothing nowadays is really just for depth, long gone are those days, even the most basic setup will show the image of the seabed below you.
Keypad
Neither screen has any physical keys for adjustments, both being fully touch screen, however, the Go series does have the option of an external keypad, I have been trying to find out if the external keypad (plugs into the NMEA 2000 network) is compatible with the NSX range but at time of writing I have been unable to confirm, I cannot see any reason why it would not be and I would consider it quite an oversight on the part of Simrad if it was not. I really like the external keypad, even if it is quite expensive.
Reasons to use the external keypad;
- Some boats have strange shaped or deep reach dashboards, so getting to the touch screen is a long reach or you end up leaning over the steering wheel, can be uncomfortable, having the remote keypad nearby makes for less stretching.
- Left handed, if like me you have a tendency to use electronics more left handed, like phones, computer mouse etc. the keypad mounted exactly where you want it for easy reach is a bonus.
- Radar, this is a big one for me anyway, using touchscreens for range adjustments on radar is more difficult that using a rotary controller. There are two other important features on radar that might need adjusting frequently, EBL (estimated bearing line) and VRM (variable range markers), for me they are much easier using the rotary controller that is part of the external keypad.
Instruments
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| Two views of the instruments screen, Go above and NSX below |
This is my favourite function of both the Go and NSX, the ability to build your own screens with the data you want to see and how you want to see it, digital, analogue, bar graphs etc. In both models there are some built in instruments screens to get you started, motor, navigation of various types. This function for me is one of the most important aspects of an MFD and Simrad probably has the highest level of customization, its all drag and drop from easy to use menus.
Sidebar data
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| 3 different sidebars Left: New NSX Centre: Go fuel management Right: Modified cruise bar |
This is another of my favourite things about the whole Simrad range, there are built in sidebar information screens that you can customize according to needs, there are certain pieces of information that no matter what main screen I have open, I want certain fields such as depth, SOG, COG, fuel and battery always there.
One noticeable difference and I'm on the fence about it, the extreme right of the screen has shortcuts to the most recently used icons, you can see it in the lower photo of the main comparison image of the two screens. In the photo the sidebar is quite populated probably because it was during the equipment test. This is very much a nod to the idea that Simrad want to make this multi function screen operate more like a tablet or computer.
Music integration
Fusion (owned by Garmin) is the market leader in marine audio, its easy to see why, it just works, their app is excellent and the after sales is top notch. Their stereos integrate straight onto the Simrad screens, I am sure other brands do, probably any that can connect to an NMEA2000 system.
The usefulness of having music integration is when someone wants to say something or you are trying to listen to a broadcast on the VHF, your phone (the defacto source for music streaming) could be well out of reach or in a cabin, so being able to mute the music from the screen is handy. If you have multiple zones, such as bow, cockpit, tower, transom, they can be controlled individually too.
Digital switching
Something I can personally live without, especially on a small boat, flicking through screens to just switch on a water pump rather than a button or switch to me seems overcomplex, but, as I am constantly reminded, I am old fashioned and seemingly the market needs to be able to switch things on an off via networked modules and you can still do that. Czone (another Brunswick company) is a leader in digital switching.
Differences
Home button
On the Go series, the home button (return to main screen) was in the top left, on the NSX its located at bottom right, this took some getting used, but actually is an improvement, depending on the physical installation of the screen, you can rest your wrist on the dash to push to return to the home screen.
Mapping software
.JPG "CMap chart on NSX, Southern Spain") |
| C-Map chart card, notice the side bar on the right |
I do not know the reason for this, possibly a pre-emptive strike against Garmin who bought Navionics? Maybe to promote their own brand of chart cards? I can tell you there is nothing to worry about, the CMAP cards are excellent, clear, easy to read, easy to use and the speed at which the NSX can process request for zooming in and out and panning side to side, up and down is also good.
Talking on chart cards, one of the most annoying things is installing and removing chart cards, there is a rubber door on the back side of the screen where you must insert the chart card and if you are doing this on an already installed screen, in can cause no end of problems, the door is too small, not enough space behind the screen and so on, the new NSX screens have a much larger cover for the chart cards and this is a significant improvement.
Some of the other, larger and pricier screens from Simrad have the ability to install the cards remotely of the screen, this is brilliant, I don´t know if this is available on the smaller units, it would be handy but seeing that these screens are really intended for smaller, single station installations I could see why they would not offer it.
Smartcraft
The other screens in the Simrad range can connect to Mercury via a Vesselview Link module, the NSX has to use a new module called Smartcraft Connect, which is also compatible with Raymarine and Garmin screens, it makes sense to produce fewer modules and devices. I think this is more of a dig at Mercruiser as setting up Smartcraft Connect if you don't have the official Mercury G3 software is a laborious process.
Once it is connected and updated (the time consuming bit) it looks pretty much the same as the Vesselview Link, all important engine data can be seen in a very easy to use app with bright, clear graphics.
Smart Tow
Cruise Control
I really liked this feature on the Go series, when engaged you could fine tune the engine revolutions or speed to get the optimum blend of speed and economy, the electronics are far better at fine tuning the motor at 50 rpm intervals or small speed increments than I am by hand with the throttle. I have used a very similar feature on Caterpillar diesel engines and its so useful. As of writing, this feature is not available on the NSX range.
My guess as to why the cruise control and smart tow are not available (yet) is because the interface box between the NSX and Mercury Mercruiser is not unique to Simrad, it works on Garmin and Raymarine too, perhaps a liability issue or the inability to write software to make the functions work with all brands.
Summary
My old iPhone was poorly, it had done sterling service for the last six or seven years, the battery was not lasting any more, very kindly someone gifted me their old iPhone, a much newer version than my old one, the migration was as straightforward as ever, mostly familiar but with a few things that had changed, some of which, until I got used to them were a nuisance, and now, its as though I had always had the new phone. That's what the NSX is to the Go, once you get used to it, it feels familiar.
Doubtless there will be new software updates, new features unlocked, and, once all the old features from Vesselview Link migrate to Smartcraft Connect are available, the NSX will probably replace the Go series altogether.
One product I am looking forward to trying is the new NSX Ultrawide, a cinema type large screen plotter, looks great in the photos and will be easier, cheaper and less fuss to install than two separate screens.
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