Simrad NSS9 or NSS7 - anyone have one?

[ZZ13]

My 2001 vintage RL80C display finally died. So I am going to join the modern plotter/radar world. My first choice is Simrad NSS9 Evo2 with Broadband 4 radar. I really, really want the broadband radar and I really, really want the hybrid display interface. I do not want only touchpad capability. The NSS9 is the biggest I can fit in the RL80C location (NSS12 is too big). My concern is that the NSS9 has the same display resolution as the NSS7 at only 800x480. So, the NSS9 is basically a NSS7 with a magnifying glass on it. Seems like a poor decision to pay over 2x for a magnifying glass ($1199 for NSS7 vs. $2499 for NSS9). So then I am worried the NSS7 will be too small. Does anyone have either one of these installed?

My backup plan is Garmin 7610 or 7608 with 24HD radar. But then I have the only touch interface thing.

 

[velooce]

Go as big as you can period. The new chart plotters have so much available information the smaller screens get awful busy.

 

[Billfletcher]

Check out hull truth forum.

literally hundreds of threads re Simrad gear on there.

 

[MExcelsior]

I replaced my c80 with nss 9 evo2. Great unit! I also thought about the Garmin too! I decided with the simrad because I also got a vessel view 7.

 

[SR400DB]

I have the Simrad NSS12 and love it. My only complaint is they no longer support the unit (but they do support the NSS evo units). My radar upgrade that is in progress is a Furuno unit though. Most consider Furuno to be the leader in radar and I tend to agree having run a number of boats large and small with them. Whatever you decide, its a huge step forward from your existing gear!

 

[ZZ13]

I have the Simrad NSS12 and love it. My only complaint is they no longer support the unit (but they do support the NSS evo units). My radar upgrade that is in progress is a Furuno unit though. Most consider Furuno to be the leader in radar and I tend to agree having run a number of boats large and small with them. Whatever you decide, its a huge step forward from your existing gear!

Since we have the same boat, where did you mount it? It didn't seem the NSS12 would fit where the RL80C is now.

 

[SR400DB]

Not the best image, but you can see I have (actually had now) a Northstar 6000i where the Raycrap gear was originally installed. The NSS12 fits (barely mind you) in the panel area below the radar unit.

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks. I have a factory installed Ray L760 Fishfinder where your NSS12 is. It also has chart plotter capability and still works, so I swapped the Seatalk, power, and chart cards to it from the RL80C so I can still do charting. Just no Radar.

 

[bankyf]

Just curious, why do you want the Simrad Broadband radar? I really wan't to want the Simrad radar as it would integrate with my vessel view 7, but based on all the reviews I read it does not seem to be the most favored Radar unit, particularly for weather purposes. I do absolutely love my VV7 which is unlocked as an NSS7

 

[420]

I just went the other way. Previous boat I installed the Garmin 7215 with all the goodies, sold that and new boat has the Simrad NSS9 (installed 2015). I would really challenge you to look hard at the Garmin gear and run like hell from anything Simrad. If you navigate by GPS noone makes better chart plotting than Garmin. Period. You indicate your into radar, and if your navigating via radar and not GPS, then you might want to look at Furuno (best radar period). I'm really disappointed with the Simrad equipment. It's bass boat kind of garbage. Doesn't belong on boats larger than 15 feet or anyone interested in chart plotting. It's way point navigation is cumbersome, it doesn't have half the auto navigation features as Garmin (auto routing, auto turn, auto wind/current correction). Chart plotting detail is poor. There's 2 known reefs in my area that are marked by the coast guard and don't appear on the Simrad charts - no matter what detail level you look at. Helping a buddy spec 2 custom boats right now - one is a Palm Beach 55 and the other a Donzi 58 - both are getting the black box Garmin 8000 series. Lots of very neat integrations on the black box technology (auto trim tab for example). Just my $0.02.

 

[ZZ13]

Just curious, why do you want the Simrad Broadband radar? I really wan't to want the Simrad radar as it would integrate with my vessel view 7, but based on all the reviews I read it does not seem to be the most favored Radar unit, particularly for weather purposes. I do absolutely love my VV7 which is unlocked as an NSS7

I rarely if ever have a need to use the radar, but its on all the time and I try to learn from it being on. So the low power solid state aspect of the "broadband" interested me over the inefficient high powered magnetron. Regarding the chart plotting, I really don't want an exclusive touch pad interface. I have been doing that with the Navionics on my iPad and its full of error opportunities. I want some buttons and knobs to work with. I am not particular about the features of the plotter. I'll adapt to what it has and will be just fine with that. I tend to figure everything out with charts in my head long before I start the cruise, much like I do with maps in my car (I don't have a map device in my car and I don't use cruise control) and I don't cruise by autopilot unless I am in a straight line offshore (then its just hitting the +1/-1/+10/-10 buttons as needed). I'll take another look at the Garmin stuff. I can fit a bigger display with finer resolution if I go with that.

 

[420]

If you like the garmin gear, and don't want touch screen, look at an older series called the 4200. They come in a 8" and 12" display I believe. Total button control.

 

[ZZ13]

I have the Simrad NSS12 and love it. My only complaint is they no longer support the unit (but they do support the NSS evo units). My radar upgrade that is in progress is a Furuno unit though. Most consider Furuno to be the leader in radar and I tend to agree having run a number of boats large and small with them. Whatever you decide, its a huge step forward from your existing gear!

So I am thinking a bit out loud here (sorry about that), but this may be the best solution for me. I use Navionics on an iPad for chart plotting along with a Raymarine L760 Fishfinder for a second chart plotting screen. Its slow, but I set it to high distance to give me a relative location. I use the iPad for up close look. So, now I am strongly considering replacing the RL80C and its dome with the Furuno 1715 monochrome unit bundled with the 18" dome. It gives me the radar I need for emergencies in fog/storms, has a similar physical profile to the RL80C and is about $2500 less than the other options I am considering which include a third chart plotting capability I don't really need. Then, one day when the L760 dies I'll pop the latest and greatest plotter in that spot.

 

[SR400DB]

I looked at that unit (easily fits in the original electronics space) but wanted some of the features of the Navnet 3D. My one suggestion would be get the 24" dome, its lighter than your current rig. Also if you shop around the price gap is not that much. BTW, I got my Navnet MFD 8 and the 24" dome for just under $3400 delivered. Make sure you shop the ole interweb for the best deal. You wont be unhappy with the Furuno radar.

 

[ZZ13]

I looked at that unit (easily fits in the original electronics space) but wanted some of the features of the Navnet 3D. My one suggestion would be get the 24" dome, its lighter than your current rig. Also if you shop around the price gap is not that much. BTW, I got my Navnet MFD 8 and the 24" dome for just under $3400 delivered. Make sure you shop the ole interweb for the best deal. You wont be unhappy with the Furuno radar.

Thanks. That looks like a nice unit. Although, it looks like it doesn't have internal gps and you have to buy and mount a gps antenna.