In 2026, marine electronics manufacturers introduced several new generations of chartplotters—navigation devices that integrate electronic charts, satellite positioning, and information from other onboard systems. These units are installed on motorboats, fishing vessels, and yachts, helping the crew track the vessel's position, plot routes, monitor depth, and receive data from radar, sonar, AIS, and other devices.
Notable new products for 2026 include the Raymarine Axiom 2 and Axiom 2 XL, Simrad NSO 4, B&G Zeus SRX, Furuno NavNet TZtouchE TZT13E, and Furuno TZMAP9. They are designed for various types of vessels, ranging from small boats with compact screens to large yachts featuring multiple displays and sophisticated onboard networks.
The main difference between modern models and a standard GPS navigator lies in their integration capabilities. A chartplotter can receive GPS/GNSS coordinates, sonar data, and vessel system information via NMEA 2000, exchange data over Ethernet, and connect to a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. As a result, a single screen becomes the hub of the boat's navigation system.
However, the capabilities of these models vary significantly. For example, the Furuno TZMAP9 is a more compact, standalone unit featuring navigation and a fishfinder, whereas the Raymarine Axiom 2 XL and Simrad NSO 4 are designed to integrate a wide range of equipment. Some models feature built-in sonar, while others rely on external modules for fishfinding functions.
Below, we examine the screens, communication systems, power options, GPS/GNSS capabilities, charts, sonar, and network interfaces featured in these navigators, as well as the types of boats they are designed for.
1. Raymarine Axiom 2
Specifications: screen — 7/9/12″ | resolution — 1024×600 / 1280×720 / 1280×800 | power — 12 V DC, operating range 8–16 V | power consumption — 9.84/11.98/18.96 W | GPS/GNSS — built-in | Wi-Fi — 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth — 4.0 | Ethernet — 1× RayNet 10/100/1000 Mbps | NMEA 2000 — 1× DeviceNet | microSDXC — 1 slot | USB — Micro-B | sonar — RealVision 3D (in the corresponding version) | protection — IPX6/IPX7 | memory — 64 GB.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi is used for network and mobile app connections; RayNet Ethernet for integration with radars, additional displays, and other network devices; and NMEA 2000 for data exchange with onboard instruments, sensors, the autopilot, and other systems.
2. Raymarine Axiom 2 XL
Specifications: screen — 16/19/22/24″ | resolution — 1920×1080 (1920×1200 for 24″) | power — 12/24 V DC | operating range — 8–32 V | power consumption — 76.56–94.25 W at 12 V | Ethernet — 3× RayNet 10/100/1000 Mbps | Wi-Fi — dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth — 4.0 | NMEA 2000 — DeviceNet | HDMI — input/output | analog video — 2× BNC | USB-A/USB-B | memory — 64 GB | GPS — TNC connector for external antenna | protection — IPX6/IPX7.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz | Ethernet — up to 1 Gbps | NMEA 2000 | HDMI | analog video | Bluetooth. This is a full-fledged central display for an integrated onboard system.
3. Simrad NSO 4
Specifications: screen — 16/24″ | resolution — 1920×1080 | power — 12/24 V DC | reverse polarity and overvoltage protection (up to 32 V) | Wi-Fi — Wi-Fi 5, 2.4/5 GHz | Ethernet — 4× Gigabit Ethernet | GPS — external antenna via NMEA 2000 | NMEA 2000 — 1× | NMEA 0183 — via adapter | USB — touch input support | SD — 2 slots, up to 256 GB | HDMI — Video In/Out | internal memory — 128 GB | weight (16″) — 4.23 kg | brightness — 1200 nits | IP — marine-grade, operating temperature −15…+55 °C.
Connectivity: 4× Gigabit Ethernet — primary high-speed network | Wi-Fi 5 — wireless connection | NMEA 2000 — engines, sensors, AIS, VHF, and other instruments | HDMI — video | USB — peripherals | external GPS antenna connects via NMEA 2000.
4. B&G Zeus SRX
Specifications: screen — 12/16/22″ | resolution — 1280×800 for 12″ and 1920×1080 for 16″ | power — 12/24 V DC | operating range — 10–31.2 V | power consumption — up to 40 W (12″) / 43.5 W (16″) | GPS/GNSS — built-in, 10 Hz | support — GPS/GLONASS and Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS combinations | Wi-Fi — Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ax) | Bluetooth — 4.0 | Ethernet — Gigabit | NMEA 2000 — 1× Micro-C | microSD — 2 slots | HDMI — video input | IP cameras — up to 4 | sonar — external network modules S3100/S5100 | protection — IPX6/IPX7.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 | Gigabit Ethernet | NMEA 2000 | Bluetooth | HDMI | IP cameras. There is no built-in fish finder; compatible network modules are used for sonar.
5. Furuno NavNet TZtouchE TZT13E
Specifications: screen — 12.8″ | resolution — 1920×1080 Full HD | power supply — 12–24 V DC | current consumption — 2.4 A at 12 V / 1.2 A at 24 V | Wi-Fi — IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, 2.401–2.473 GHz | Ethernet/LAN — 1× 100BASE-TX | NMEA 2000 — 1× | NMEA 0183 — 1× output | USB — 1× USB 3.0 | microSDXC — 1 slot | sonar — built-in TruEcho CHIRP | CHIRP Side-Scan — 230/455 kHz | GPS/GNSS — built-in | IPX6 | weight — approx. 3.6 kg.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi — Internet, updates, charts, and mobile device connection | Ethernet — integration with radar and networked devices | NMEA 2000 — onboard systems and sensors | NMEA 0183 — compatible equipment | USB 3.0 — external devices/storage. The TZT13E is a networked MFD, allowing for expansion with Furuno radars, sounders, cameras, and other systems.
6. Furuno TZMAP9
Specifications: 9″ screen | color Multi-Touch LCD | 12–24 V DC power | built-in TruEcho CHIRP Fish Finder | CHIRP Side-Scan | TZ MAPS | GPS navigation | built-in Wi-Fi | smartphone/tablet connection via wireless network | USB Type-C | stand-alone MFD | no network connectivity | US manufacturer's price: $1,595 | sounder power: 300/600 W or 1 kW, depending on configuration.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi — for internet access, software updates, and downloading weather data and charts; Wi-Fi can also create a local network for a smartphone or tablet. However, the TZMAP9 is not a networked MFD: Furuno explicitly designates it as "Non-Networkable," so it cannot be integrated into a networked system with other MFDs in the same way as the TZT13E.
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