Headhunter Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Looking to put a 12 inch machine on the Maverick. I currently have a Lowrance HDS9 on the boat. Some of the sale prices right now on Navico with their new Pro line out are pretty hot. The lowrance has served me well but their 12 inch machine will not fit but for another few bucks I can go Simrad and it might. I looked at the specs and as far as performance is concerned the HDS resolution is 1280x720 and the simrad is 1280x800. Everything else looks about the same but the Simrad may fit. The lenco trim switched stick up to far for the lowrance to fit. Does anyone know the real differences are like processor speed and how the Simrad does in sunlight? Any other thoughts are appreciated. PS I don't care about the knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 I have an HDS 12 Carbon on my Pathfinder and a Simrad EVO3 NSS9 on my Beavertail. Both do well in sunlight. Neither are flush mounted, the Simrad was and I moved to on top of the console. Flush mounted units are much less functional being behind the steering wheel and so far out of line of sight when driving. Do not think I would get too caught up on processor speed, if they are newer versions you will be fine. Have used FMT on both with zero issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 I'm running a 12" Carbon in the 2300 and Elite TI's on the mud boat they work well, talking with electronic guys at standard mapping they seem to think the Simrad EVO3 smokes the Lowrance. I've never run a Simrad hopefully others will comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Thanks George. That’s what I am hearing but I can’t get any specifics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 From what I understand it’s processors in Simrad like NC Tribune said, standard mapping techs have stated this also. All have done well in what I want them to do in sunlight with the Carbon being a bit better in sun light, I guess find the one that fits your boat the way you want it. I’m sure it makes a difference when you add radar, FLIR video input, weather reporting where the better processor comes into play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 These units are nothing more than a computer. You look at the processor/chip and try to understand performance and speed that it works. Simrad plays games with the Lowrance and Simrad brands to keep us guessing. Cadillac or Chevrolet, you can add enough extras to get Cadillac frills on a Chevrolet but it is not a Cadillac A new Lowrance may be as good as the simrad until the simrad is updated which follows fairly close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Unless you are using radar and auto pilot, you will not come close to maxing out the processor. For a flats skiff, any higher end unit that has been made in the last 5 years has more processor capability than you will ever need. It is like stressing over whether a car will go 140 mph or 160 mph, when the max speed limit is 75 mph, non-issue. BPS/Cabelas has the Lowrance HDS Live 12 (HDS PRO is the most current model) on sale for $1,999.97 starting on Nov 20th, including the 3in1 transducer. Originally a $3,450 unit. Likely other stores will have similar sales. Looks like the best price on a Simrad EVO3S is ~$2,200 without a transducer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK922 Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Oh darn, this thread made me have to get out of my chair and go downstairs to look at my favorite skiff. 2018 18hpxv nss evo3 12” fits the console. They did have to dremel out a little piece of the cover so it could fit over the trim tab switches to get it on and off. As far as processing goes, I’m no computer whiz but you start adding fmt imagery chips and I can tell you my nss works way better and faster than my old go9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 BK so you just cut the cover but it fit otherwise? The GPS store has them for $2300 and I can hardly resist it but I am scared to death about making it fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Headhunter, curious about which aspect of the plotter you care about most - the mapping or the sonar aspects? That may be the bigger driver of your decision. If mapping, I'm out of my element, but if finding fish and/or bottom features, there are other considerations. Things are different up here in NC, but when my Lowrance HDS G3 died, I had to consider all brands. It became pretty obvious that -from a sonar use stand point, H'bird crushed the other major brands in side scan, Garmin with livescope, and Lowrance was sort of good at everything. I'm always amazed at my buddy's H'bird. He has all three on his boat (he's a bass guy at heart) so I get to see all three looking at the same terrain. Livescope has been a major game changer for me, and 'bird and lowrance have a long way to go with their active sonar to catch up. Like I said, I don't use mine for mapping much, but I do like the Active Captain app that Garmin uses. Not sure the rest of their mapping software is as strong as the brands you are looking at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Which..........it's mostly about the mapping. I run FMT and it lets me go pretty safely to the fish when I travel. I use side scan for dock and bridge fishing as my second biggest use. As I get old this stuff on the screen looks smaller everyday 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaSerpent123 Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 I have the simrad 12 inch and love it! WIll never go back to garmin but then again, the FMT chip doesn't work in Garmin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 I really like my Simrad NSS evo3 12". It's my 3rd Simrad and have had great experiences with all of them. I do not recommend in-console mounting due to heat issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK922 Posted November 15, 2023 Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Headhunter. I just bought this boat a couple months ago. The guy before had them do it either at the factory or dealer not sure. But it does fit. I can take some more pics for you if you want some other look at it. Far as I can tell the cover is the only thing modified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all wet Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 I'm glad I looked at this thread. I was going to upgrade my GPS from a 9" Simrad NSS evo3 to a 12" after the holidays. Saw Headhunters comment about the GPS store having them at a lower price than usual. Originally $3,699 now sale price of $2,299. Darn good deal, I ordered one this morning. I have been buying my electronics from them for a while now, and am surprised I didn't get a black Friday email notification from them. Oh well, Christmas coming early for me. I'll have my current 9" display in the classifieds soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 just saw that West Marine has some deals on Simarad - not sure how good they are compared to what's above, but thought I'd pass along: https://www.westmarine.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted November 16, 2023 Report Share Posted November 16, 2023 I ran my FMT on both a Lorance HDS unit and now my new Simrad NSS12. Night and Day difference in functionality. Love the zoom knob. Don't know the unit that well but I'm primarily using for FMT. Lots of $ invested in that thing just for some cheat sheets in the glades but wouldn't change a thing. Simrad for the win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted November 17, 2023 Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 You can't go wrong with a hybrid machine that is touch screen and has a control knob for those really rough days when touching a screen doesn't work well. I miss my Raymarine eS78 with both functions. I've considered adding a eS128 as a main unit and using my Axiom 9 as the primary sounder display. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted November 17, 2023 Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZvepyIF6dZ/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 Bought the Simrad today at The GPS Store $2299, no tax, no shipping. Great deal. Thanks everyone. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 On 11/17/2023 at 2:53 PM, Headhunter said: Bought the Simrad today at The GPS Store $2299, no tax, no shipping. Great deal. Good Call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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