1 large or two smaller MFD

[Smashpjp]

I recently purchased a 2001 DA 340 and the electronics are largely stock with a Garmin GPSMap 498. I already updated to a Fusion Apollo radio system with the head unit below and am a Garmin Watch user, so I plan to stay in the Garmin Family for new chart plotters. I am Lake Erie/ great lakes bound mostly and may do some occasional Eye/perch fishing.

Currently I am planning on adding a 18 HD+ or 18xHD dome. I will look to add/replace/update Transducers this winter.

For the MFD, would you go with a single 1243Xsv or get a 943xsv upper mounted and a 743xsv on the bottom bend for a dual screen setup. The Dual unit set is actually cheaper and looks like the only thing that will be lost is the HDMI output the 1243xsv offers.

 

[ttmott]

I recently purchased a 2001 DA 340 and the electronics are largely stock with a Garmin GPSMap 498. I already updated to a Fusion Apollo radio system with the head unit below and am a Garmin Watch user, so I plan to stay in the Garmin Family for new chart plotters. I am Lake Erie/ great lakes bound mostly and may do some occasional Eye/perch fishing.

Currently I am planning on adding a 18 HD+ or 18xHD dome. I will look to add/replace/update Transducers this winter.

For the MFD, would you go with a single 1243Xsv or get a 943xsv upper mounted and a 743xsv on the bottom bend for a dual screen setup. The Dual unit set is actually cheaper and looks like the only thing that will be lost is the HDMI output the 1243xsv offers.

Single definitely. Garmin does a great job overlaying data and the screen can be somewhat customized so no real upside to having independent screens. Plus moving through the screens is lightning fast. I don't see any technical benefit to two small screens; in fact you loose screen area. If you could possibly get it to fit I would recommend the GPSMAP 8612xsv. It will bring so much more to the experience however the 1243xsv is a boat buck cheaper and you won't be disappointed.

 

[KevinC]

I recently purchased a 2001 DA 340 and the electronics are largely stock with a Garmin GPSMap 498. I already updated to a Fusion Apollo radio system with the head unit below and am a Garmin Watch user, so I plan to stay in the Garmin Family for new chart plotters. I am Lake Erie/ great lakes bound mostly and may do some occasional Eye/perch fishing.

Currently I am planning on adding a 18 HD+ or 18xHD dome. I will look to add/replace/update Transducers this winter.

For the MFD, would you go with a single 1243Xsv or get a 943xsv upper mounted and a 743xsv on the bottom bend for a dual screen setup. The Dual unit set is actually cheaper and looks like the only thing that will be lost is the HDMI output the 1243xsv offers.

Doubling down on @ttmott statement. I run dual 9" Axioms on my 340 and I would prefer at least on 12" display if possible however redundancy is also good if one fails. Ideally for me it would be a 12 and 9 but I can not easily fit it.

-Kevin

 

[Skybolt]

I recently purchased a 2001 DA 340 and the electronics are largely stock with a Garmin GPSMap 498. I already updated to a Fusion Apollo radio system with the head unit below and am a Garmin Watch user, so I plan to stay in the Garmin Family for new chart plotters. I am Lake Erie/ great lakes bound mostly and may do some occasional Eye/perch fishing.

Currently I am planning on adding a 18 HD+ or 18xHD dome. I will look to add/replace/update Transducers this winter.

For the MFD, would you go with a single 1243Xsv or get a 943xsv upper mounted and a 743xsv on the bottom bend for a dual screen setup. The Dual unit set is actually cheaper and looks like the only thing that will be lost is the HDMI output the 1243xsv offers.

I am also a Garmin user as is @ttmott, I have the 1243 for navigation only I am not interested in Sonar. I totally agree with one larger over two smaller units. As Tom states Garmin does a great job with split screen and overlays etc. But you mentioned fishing, the 1243xsv only supports one transducer the 86xx support three natively. That might be the deciding difference. But the 7 or 9 inch screen should not be a decision, the 12 is much nicer over two small ones.

EDIT: The 8612 and 1243 are the same size and features except for the fore mentioned three transducer support of the 8612. The depending on the sonar module used (if you upgrade) would cost more then the boat buck difference between the 1243 and 8612. The 8612 could be a smarter buy if you fish enough.

 

[b_arrington]

I'll also suggest the larger single screen vs. 2 smaller ones. Having 2 screens is awesome, but they need to be large enough to be effective and efficient. The smaller screens tend to be harder to see the data. A 12 inch screen still does very nicely with different data overlays. You can split the screen, but also still have the info on one larger screen if needed. You can't do that with 2 small screens.

 

[tdschafer]

I'm gonna go against the tide a little bit here. I had a near lightening strike while docked a few years back. The result was loss of my Garmin MFD, stereo, AC & the #2 electrical panel. I ended up replacing the MFD but also added a 5" unit on the lower part of the helm as well as a second VHF. I have dual antennae & GPS antennae. At the time I was doing ocean runs out east every year and really was comforted by all of the redundancy. When using the GPS during distance runs I like to zoom out the smaller unit to get approximate location while utilizing upper unit to catch buoys etc.
But, that's just my preference. YMMV

 

[RollerCoastr]

Interesting - I'd have predicted some more votes for 2 displays. I'm definitely in the multiple display camp!

I have 3 now, but I keep finding myself looking at the dash for a place to fit a fourth. I completely agree with Mott that Garmin does an excellent job of overlaying data and allowing customized screen layouts, but I don't agree that there aren't benefits to a separate display. My 12" can show basic audio controls, and basic fuel data, and overlay radar on the plotter screen and show AP info, but damn that's a cluttered screen!

I much prefer to dedicate displays to the functions I need at a given time. I have one that's my assumed plotter. Another splits duties of AP data and audio controls and the third is usually showing me a full screen of fuel consumption data, but may also provide a nice clean plotter screen while radar is overlayed on another.

 

[Skybolt]

Interesting - I'd have predicted some more votes for 2 displays. I'm definitely in the multiple display camp!

I have 3 now, but I keep finding myself looking at the dash for a place to fit a fourth. I completely agree with Mott that Garmin does an excellent job of overlaying data and allowing customized screen layouts, but I don't agree that there aren't benefits to a separate display. My 12" can show basic audio controls, and basic fuel data, and overlay radar on the plotter screen and show AP info, but damn that's a cluttered screen!

I much prefer to dedicate displays to the functions I need at a given time. I have one that's my assumed plotter. Another splits duties of AP data and audio controls and the third is usually showing me a full screen of fuel consumption data, but may also provide a nice clean plotter screen while radar is overlayed on another.

Multiple display are good, in fact great! But the OP had a choice of 5 and 9 inch or a single 12 inch. It was that decision that prompted the single 12". There is more real-estate on a single 12 then the the other two put together because of the overlays and data bars that provide quick switching.

I couldn't agree more that multiple MFD's are the way to go. I have twin 12's and an 8 for the reasons you described. The 8" is always on at the dock for digital switching and music etc.

 

[b_arrington]

Multiple display are good, in fact great! But the OP had a choice of 5 and 9 inch or a single 12 inch. It was that decision that prompted the single 12". There is more real-estate on a single 12 then the the other two put together because of the overlays and data bars that provide quick switching.

I couldn't agree more that multiple MFD's are the way to go. I have twin 12's and an 8 for the reasons you described. The 8" is always on at the dock for digital switching and music etc.

I feel the same. I do really like 2 units also. I went from a boat with 2 12” units to a boat with a since 16” and a secondary gauge screen. I do miss the 2nd large screen and would like to add an additional 12" unit (another 16" won't fit).

But...in this case I think the single 12" unit will provide more usable screen real estate. My FIL has a smaller Garmin unit and I find it hard to see the screen.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Another benefit to multiple, smaller MFD's is future upgrades. As the PO noticed, large MFD's come with large price tags. My 8212 was $4k new and is so out of date it's ridiculous, but by adding a cheap 7" unit on the network with it I gained a built-in sounder module. By adding another 7" unit, I enabled the full-suite of WiFi Active Captain features on the old big plotter. So by adding and swapping smaller, much less expensive units I can stay current with features that are important to me without breaking the bank.

 

[Riptide III]

I’m of the more is better mindset if networked

 

[Smashpjp]

Wow, Right now I am using an old ipad with WP case, sea sucker mount, and Navionics for my main unit, but it will become backup. Spent most of last night trying to figure out how to fit a 12" unit into the dash opening. I'm weighing the 1243 vs the 8612 now. As for transducers, that's a whole other discussion, but agree that the 8612 can handle 3. Or I can add a 743 to get another tranducer port... I need to print some actual templates and map it all out now.

 

[Smashpjp]

Did a mock up and the 12 inch was a difficult fit. Then I found a deal on the 8410xsv with a 18 xHD Radar bundle that save a couple hundo. I think the 8410xsv fits perfect. It wasn't worth another $1400 for another 1.5" of screen space. Also removed the Add on VHF speaker. I think its plenty load until I figure out a long term solution to the mount location. Have some holes to plug or I may order a cherry burl dash panel.

 

[Smashpjp]

and why do pictures only post sideways

 

[Fill Ess]

I was watching a video the other day (think it was a 390 DA) for sale in Australia.

There was a big empty flat spot on the dash. Looking at it, you would to expect to find at least a 12" MFD there.

The guy doing the video goes: you could put a chart plotter here if you want. You yanks love to put as many screens as possible.

 

[bobeast]

I'd say you need at least one large screen. Then if you can find room for additional smaller screens, all the better. I tend to keep my sonar on the smaller screen and pretty much everything else on the 8612xsv. You might be able to find some additional real-estate by using a black-box style VHF.

 

[Chris-380]

and why do pictures only post sideways

To get the pics to have the same orientation as your phone, just slightly crop it, then when you load it to the page, it will maintain it. Not sure why, but it works