Rare is it that in the quickly advancing technology space, one finds a near-perfect device! And with a few exceptions, maybe a data block that does not respond right off the jump when first turned on... I cannot recommend this unit with the FMT chip combo enough for several reasons.
- The display technology works great even in bright sunlight and even while wearing polarized sunglasses. Those like my newer Bajio NATO shades (more on those in another review) that I have enjoyed testing after I bought them last fall, I can look down and still see my SIMRAD screen! I remember, and it was not all that long ago, having to lift my sunglasses to see my Chart plotter screen while running, which is not always a good thing with one hand on the helm, and the other on the throttle/trim tab switches. Or worse, taking a flying insect hit at 30 plus knots right in the face, and it about rolling me off the back end of the Skiff... It's nice to keep them on now, for sure!
- Easy to configure menu system! Now granted, I have an IT background in several different market sectors, so making my way around in a computerized device is not foreign to me at all! Some of these brands have a little learning curve, but I find the SIMRAD menu system easy to use and akin to using your iPhone with just a little time spent working with it. Personally, I had a more challenging time learning and programming my Nikon Cameras! Thankfully, though, there is some excellent YouTube content (or as I call it, YouTube University) is now posted on them, and it never fails to amaze me what I can find on YouTube using the correct keyword searches 😊
- The zoom knob beside the display screen is worth the cost of entry alone! As discussed on some of our Podcasts, found by clicking Here. There is no better or faster way to zoom in or out on your mapping screen than using that excellent little feature.
You can also listen to this one, where we go very in-depth on this combo, with Glenn of Florida Marine Tracks on our newer YouTube channel here:
I have owned units, including several Lowrance Models over the years with rocker switches or (trying) to use your fingers on the touch screen simply does not compare (period). And forget it if your hands are wet, which is not uncommon when flying along in the Skiff while carving up some winding Creek in search of that prized Game-fish that you are looking to pick a fight with! The touch screen simply does not want to respond or respond as quickly as needed, when making these types of turns and worse in low light conditions. If it is new water to you or low visibility, you need to know what lays ahead, and the zoom knob is simply hard to beat. If not, you can get High and Dry in the blink of an eye and now, stuck for hours waiting for a tide change or for someone to reach you and pull you out of it...
- The mounting bracket for those like myself that have it mounted on top of the console (unlike other brands I have seen) is built like a Battleship! This is not some lightweight unit that uses a plastic type of screen. As such, it has some heft and needs a solid and secure mount to hold it in place. SIMRAD (at least for the 12-inch screen quite sure are sizes are equally as strong) is just solid. Other brands in the past had me looking for aftermarket types of mounts, knowing how it would get jolted around while flying (literately) over the waves, and made me question just how secure or how long they would last. Simply not so with the SIMRAD mounting bracket in my eyes.
- Like most computerized devices boot-u times and the ease of updating the software are important, I think you will be quite pleased with both aspects of the SIMRAD system.
- Chart plotter use is easy, and FMT chip support is phenomenal!
Some default / supplied charts look like a coloring book in comparison and serve little to zero purpose when running in skinny water. The safety and environmental benefits alone are worth the cost of FMT Chip no matter the visibility or weather conditions, and the SIMRAD NSS series units really make other chips shine!
Now for some not-so-great news... The SIMRAD NSS Evo3 is no longer being produced and is now replaced by the updated NSS Evo3 (S) model. The Evo3 (S) is a great unit also and, as reported (though I have not found it to be the case myself yet) an even faster unit.
Quite sure future software releases on the Evo3 (S) variant by SIMRAD will better harness the increased hardware levels it has. As such, the newer (S) one is more expensive (quite a bit so) than the prior NSS Evo3 model. So, if you are looking to secure the SIMRAD NSS Evo3 you might have a hard time finding one. I found very few on Amazon (mostly just the NSS Evo3 S models), and the only place I am aware of that still has some stock of any quantity might be just eBay by now.
So, if you are looking to upgrade what you currently have, or build a new Skiff or Bay Boat? I would shop around Online and see what is still left as New / Old Stock or even a factory refurbished unit if any are still in the system now.
And for those that have the current SIMRAD GO units (which will also run some third-party chips, just not as easily since they do not have the Zoom Dial) those are also going to become harder to find and buy. And maybe less appealing for the GO Series replacements, the new NSX Touch screen units that SIMRAD is replacing them with, simply will not run any 3rd party maps at this time... I understand the need to build new hardware to support the newer OS system SIMRAD is using on them. Flip side of that coin though, I think it is a mistake by SIMRAD to not consider that and I suspect till that is addressed, it might cost them some Market share.
If you are looking to make some upgrades or review the future offering plans I hope this helps! In due time, the only option you will have is to get the newer and much more expensive SIMRAD NSS Evo3 S units for around another (roughly) extra $2000.00 more (at the time of this writing) in cost to run... Thus, making what currently is a great deal for the SIMRAD NSS Evo3 units as long as you can still find them!
In the meantime,
We invite you to take in a few other Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when working or traveling and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go, on these links:
Our main podcast page works great for your mobile device since it will stream right on your phone/tablet. It can be found by clicking Here
Our newer Flats Nation YouTube Channel can be found by clicking here and sharing it with family and friends if you find it entertaining and educational! We have some great guests in the works and planning stages on a wide range of topics and product coverage soon.
Also, The "Flats Nation" Merch and Swag collection, if you like our content, has some new works, from T-shirts to our newer Technical wear, just in time for Tarpon Season, which can be found Here.
Tight Lines, and God Bless!
Dave and the Team
