A good chartplotter is the one piece of marine electronics you’ll rely on every single trip — for navigation, tide and current data, AIS traffic and, on combo units, sonar too. UK and European waters bring their own demands: busy shipping lanes, changeable tides and detailed inshore charts, so mapping accuracy and screen clarity matter as much as raw sonar power. Here’s how the chartplotters we stock compare.
Chartplotter Comparison Table
| Chartplotter | Screen | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 86sc Handheld Marine GPS with BlueChart g3 Charts | Handheld | £574.99 |
| Simrad GO9 XSE with C-MAP Discover Charts and Active Imaging Transducer | 9-inch | £1148.99 |
| Simrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts | 9-inch | £1378.99 |
| Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv GN+ Multifunction Chartplotter | 10-inch | £2183.99 |
| Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer Bundle | 9-inch combo | £2298.99 |
| Raymarine AXIOM+ 12RV with LightHouse UK & Ireland Charts | 12-inch | £2563.99 |
| Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder | 12-inch | £2759.99 |
| Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 | 12-inch flagship | £2874.99 |
Best Handheld: Garmin GPSMAP 86sc Handheld Marine GPS with BlueChart g3 Charts
At £574.99, the Garmin GPSMAP 86sc Handheld Marine GPS with BlueChart g3 Charts is a genuinely useful backup or dinghy chartplotter — preloaded BlueChart g3 coastal charts, GPS and a sunlight-readable screen in a handheld that fits a pocket or lifejacket. Not a replacement for a fixed helm unit on anything but the smallest craft, but an excellent backup for bigger boats.
Best Value 9-inch: Simrad GO9 XSE with C-MAP Discover Charts and Active Imaging Transducer vs Simrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts
Both Simrad units sit in the £1148.99–£1378.99 range and share the brand’s clean, fast NSS-style interface. The Simrad GO9 XSE with C-MAP Discover Charts and Active Imaging Transducer is the more accessible entry point; the Simrad NSS9 evo3S 9-Inch Chartplotter Fishfinder with C-MAP Discover Charts steps up with the evo3S platform’s faster processor and broader networking options if you plan to add radar or a second display later.
Best Combo Unit: Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer Bundle
The Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder with GT56 Transducer Bundle bundles a GT56 transducer in with the chartplotter, so you get CHIRP sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar out of the box rather than buying a transducer separately — a sensible way to avoid a second purchase down the line.
Best 12-inch Displays: Raymarine AXIOM+ 12RV with LightHouse UK & Ireland Charts, Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder and Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3
For helm-mounted use on larger boats, a 12-inch screen makes split-screen chart and sonar views genuinely readable at a glance. The Raymarine AXIOM+ 12RV with LightHouse UK & Ireland Charts comes with UK & Ireland charts preloaded, which is worth factoring into the price versus units that need charts bought separately. The Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv GN+ Chartplotter Fishfinder and Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 sit at the top of the range for anglers and cruisers who want maximum chart and sonar detail on one screen.
What to Look for in a UK & European Chartplotter
- Chart coverage: confirm UK & Ireland or wider European chart cards are included or available — not every unit ships with local charts preloaded.
- AIS compatibility: useful in busy UK shipping lanes and the Channel; check whether an AIS receiver is built in or needs adding separately.
- Networking: if you might add radar, a second display or an autopilot later, check the unit supports NMEA 2000 or the brand’s proprietary network.
- Sonar bundling: combo units with a transducer included are usually better value than buying chartplotter and transducer separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a 12-inch chartplotter?
Only if you’re viewing it from a distance at the helm or want a large split-screen view. A 9-inch unit is plenty for most small to mid-sized boats.
Are UK charts included?
It varies by brand and bundle — the Raymarine AXIOM+ 12RV with LightHouse UK & Ireland Charts includes UK & Ireland charts, while some units require a separate chart card. Check the individual listing before you buy.
Can I network multiple chartplotters together?
Yes — Garmin, Simrad and Raymarine units in the same family can typically share sonar, radar and autopilot data across multiple displays on the same network.
Not sure which chartplotter fits your boat and network? Our team can help you spec the right screen size and chart coverage — browse the full range in our online shop.