Marine NavigationAustralia · 2026

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Compare marine electronics

Compare radar, depth, transducers, VHF, AIS, fishfinders and brand ecosystems. Check sourced specifications, compatibility and installation needs before buying.

Radar comparisons · 5Depth instruments · 2Fishing transducers · 2VHF radios · 2AIS transponders · 1Fishfinders · 1Brand ecosystems · 5Technology decisions · 3

Radar comparisons

Compare radomes and the display systems they require.

A radar display showing range rings, a rotating sweep, a coastline return, an approaching vessel with a velocity vector, a receding vessel and a rain cell. 6 NM · DOPPLER

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Furuno DRS2D-NXT vs DRS4D-NXT: compact or larger dome?

Compare Furuno’s 19-inch and 24-inch NXT radomes, separating native beamwidth from RezBoost claims and checking display compatibility before purchase.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Confirm the exact NavNet display and software before ordering.Also needed Exact scanner and supported display/software

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A radar display showing range rings, a rotating sweep, a coastline return, an approaching vessel with a velocity vector, a receding vessel and a rain cell. 6 NM · DOPPLER

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Garmin Fantom 18x vs 24x: size, beamwidth and installation

Compare Garmin Fantom 18x and 24x radomes using manufacturer specifications, with practical guidance on mounting, power and a complete installation quote.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Neither maximum range nor beamwidth guarantees detection of every target.Also needed Exact scanner and supported display/software

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A radar display showing range rings, a rotating sweep, a coastline return, an approaching vessel with a velocity vector, a receding vessel and a rain cell. 6 NM · DOPPLER

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Simrad HALO20+ vs HALO24: which radome fits your boat?

Compare HALO20+ and HALO24 beamwidth, size, power and installation requirements. Decide whether the larger dome earns its place on your boat.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Display support and mounting space can outweigh the scanner price.Also needed Exact scanner and supported display/software

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A radar display showing range rings, a rotating sweep, a coastline return, an approaching vessel with a velocity vector, a receding vessel and a rain cell. 6 NM · DOPPLER

Head-to-head

Raymarine Quantum 2 vs Garmin Fantom 18x: which system fits?

Compare Quantum 2 and Fantom 18x radar for a complete helm refit, including published power, mounting weight and the cost of changing displays.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Changing the display ecosystem can dominate the complete cost.Also needed Exact scanner and supported display/software

Buying Guides3 min read

Read the guide A radar display showing range rings, a rotating sweep, a coastline return, an approaching vessel with a velocity vector, a receding vessel and a rain cell. 6 NM · DOPPLER

Head-to-head

Simrad HALO20+ vs Raymarine Quantum 2: a compact radar comparison

Choose between HALO20+ and Quantum 2 for a compact boat, weighing display compatibility, electrical demand and a practical installation plan.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Published rotation and power figures are not a common sea trial.Also needed Exact scanner and supported display/software

Buying Guides3 min read

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Depth instruments

Dedicated navigation depth displays and their required sensors.

A cross-section of the water beneath a hull: the transducer cone spreading downward, a dashed thermocline layer, arch-shaped fish returns and a contoured seabed. THERMOCLINE CHIRP

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Raymarine i40 vs i50 Depth: which instrument should you buy?

Compare Raymarine i40 and i50 Depth displays, SeaTalk connections and dated Australian prices. Understand display-only costs before choosing a transducer kit.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Display-only prices exclude sensors, conversion and hull work.Also needed Display and confirmed compatible depth sensor

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A cross-section of the water beneath a hull: the transducer cone spreading downward, a dashed thermocline layer, arch-shaped fish returns and a contoured seabed. THERMOCLINE CHIRP

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NASA Clipper Depth vs Raymarine i40 Depth: standalone or SeaTalk?

Compare NASA Clipper Depth and Raymarine i40 Depth for a cruising yacht, including package contents, retained sensors and the full replacement job.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Do not assume either display accepts an unidentified old sensor.Also needed Display and confirmed compatible depth sensor

Buying Guides3 min read

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Fishing transducers

Compare the sensors beneath the hull, separately from the display.

A cross-section of the water beneath a hull: the transducer cone spreading downward, a dashed thermocline layer, arch-shaped fish returns and a contoured seabed. THERMOCLINE CHIRP

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Airmar B175M vs B175HW: depth reach or wider coverage?

Compare B175M and B175HW CHIRP transducers by frequency, beam coverage and installation. Match the sensor to your fishing and sounder before buying.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Frequency, beam coverage and sounder support matter more than the family name.Also needed Exact sensor, housing, tilt and connector

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A cross-section of the water beneath a hull: the transducer cone spreading downward, a dashed thermocline layer, arch-shaped fish returns and a contoured seabed. THERMOCLINE CHIRP

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Airmar B75M vs B175M: does your fishing justify 1 kW?

Compare B75M and B175M CHIRP transducers by acoustic band, beamwidth and installation work before paying for a higher-power sonar system.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first The B75M page has conflicting generic specifications; obtain its model-specific sheet.Also needed Exact sensor, housing, tilt and connector

Buying Guides3 min read

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VHF radios

Fixed-radio models, interfaces and installation choices.

A yacht masthead antenna radiating to a coast station across the horizon, with a separate satellite communication path shown from above. VHF · DSC · SATELLITE

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Icom IC-M330GE vs Standard Horizon GX1400GPS: compact VHF choice

Compare two compact GPS-equipped fixed marine radios, with dimensions, package checks and practical advice for a crowded Australian boat helm.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first No independent range or audio test supports an unconditional winner.Also needed Exact Australian radio variant and mounting kit

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A yacht masthead antenna radiating to a coast station across the horizon, with a separate satellite communication path shown from above. VHF · DSC · SATELLITE

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Icom IC-M510E vs IC-M510E EVO: the networking difference

Compare the original IC-M510E with the EVO version, separating built-in NMEA 2000 from optional interfaces and AIS receiver variants.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first AIS reception depends on the exact variant and does not provide AIS transmission.Also needed Exact Australian radio variant and mounting kit

Buying Guides3 min read

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AIS transponders

Compare antenna sharing and data connections.

A plot of two AIS targets on converging courses, with the closest point of approach circled and CPA and TCPA values labelled. CPA 0.2 NM TCPA 8 min CLASS B · SOTDMA

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em-trak B952 vs B954: separate AIS antenna or built-in splitter?

Compare em-trak B952 and B954 AIS installations, focusing on antenna sharing, wireless connections, power budget and commissioning.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first A shared antenna is also a shared point of failure.Also needed Exact transceiver and compatible receiving displays

Buying Guides4 min read

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Fishfinders

Compare the actual screen, transducer and expansion plan.

A cross-section of the water beneath a hull: the transducer cone spreading downward, a dashed thermocline layer, arch-shaped fish returns and a contoured seabed. THERMOCLINE CHIRP

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Lowrance Eagle 9 vs Elite FS 9: standalone fishing or expansion?

Compare Eagle 9 and Elite FS 9 for a fishing boat, including controls, chart bundles, sonar packages and the cost of future live-sonar expansion.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first A basemap and expansion readiness are not complete charts and included hardware.Also needed Exact display and transducer bundle

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide

Brand ecosystems

Compare the whole system before committing to a display family.

THREE PATHS TO VERIFYSensor dataRadar imageryElectrical powerChosen displayA data standard does not prove radar compatibilityConceptual dependencies · not a wiring diagram

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B&G vs Raymarine: sailing systems and refit tradeoffs

Compare B&G and Raymarine sailing systems using documented features, retained equipment, pilot requirements and practical budget or offshore briefs.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Exact model, software, sensor and installation requirements must be confirmed.Also needed A complete installation, power and commissioning plan

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide THREE PATHS TO VERIFYSensor dataRadar imageryElectrical powerChosen displayA data standard does not prove radar compatibilityConceptual dependencies · not a wiring diagram

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Garmin vs Simrad: compare complete powerboat systems

Compare Garmin and Simrad powerboat systems by controls, radar and sonar compatibility, regional bundles and complete installation costs.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Exact model, software, sensor and installation requirements must be confirmed.Also needed A complete installation, power and commissioning plan

Buying Guides3 min read

Read the guide THREE PATHS TO VERIFYSensor dataRadar imageryElectrical powerChosen displayA data standard does not prove radar compatibilityConceptual dependencies · not a wiring diagram

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B&G vs Garmin for sailing: choose a complete system

Compare B&G and Garmin sailing systems by wind data, laylines, controls, radar dependencies and retained equipment, with budget and offshore examples.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Exact model, software, sensor and installation requirements must be confirmed.Also needed A complete installation, power and commissioning plan

Buying Guides3 min read

Read the guide THREE PATHS TO VERIFYSensor dataRadar imageryElectrical powerChosen displayA data standard does not prove radar compatibilityConceptual dependencies · not a wiring diagram

Head-to-head

Raymarine vs Garmin: a cruising navigation system comparison

Compare Raymarine and Garmin for cruising boats: display controls, sailing tools, radar networks, retained sensors and complete refit costs.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Exact model, software, sensor and installation requirements must be confirmed.Also needed A complete installation, power and commissioning plan

Buying Guides3 min read

Read the guide THREE PATHS TO VERIFYSensor dataRadar imageryElectrical powerChosen displayA data standard does not prove radar compatibilityConceptual dependencies · not a wiring diagram

Head-to-head

Furuno vs Simrad: radar, fishing and cruising systems

Compare Furuno and Simrad by exact radar support, sonar package, helm controls and installation scope for fishing boats and motor cruisers.

Decision Compare the two options against your existing system and installation.Check first Exact model, software, sensor and installation requirements must be confirmed.Also needed A complete installation, power and commissioning plan

Buying Guides3 min read

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Technology decisions

Understand the equipment classes before choosing a model.

Two vessels at the same range on slightly different bearings: a wide beam merges them into one return, while a narrow beam separates them into two. WIDE BEAMNARROW BEAM merged resolved

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Radome vs open array

The honest answer is that beam width is real physics and windage aloft is real seamanship. Which wins depends on the boat, not the budget.

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A plot of two AIS targets on converging courses, with the closest point of approach circled and CPA and TCPA values labelled. CPA 0.2 NM TCPA 8 min CLASS B · SOTDMA

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Class A vs Class B AIS

Most private yachts do not need Class A simply because they go offshore. The real decision is SOTDMA versus CSTDMA, and whether to transmit at all.

Buying Guides4 min read

Read the guide A single narrow transmit frequency returning one blurred mass above the seabed, beside a CHIRP frequency sweep resolving the same water into three separate targets. SINGLE FREQUENCYCHIRP SWEEP one blur three targets

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CHIRP vs traditional sonar

CHIRP genuinely separates targets a single frequency merges. Whether that is worth paying for depends entirely on the question your boat asks the water.

Buying Guides4 min read

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Need the foundations first?

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