Garmin, Raymarine, and Simrad are the three most common brands on recreational boat helms across New Jersey. Each one builds quality equipment, and each one has a loyal following. The challenge for a boat owner is figuring out which ecosystem fits their boat, their fishing style, and their budget.
At Chart House Marine Electronics, we’re authorized dealers and installers for all three. We don’t push one brand over another. Here’s an honest look at where each one excels and where it falls short.
Garmin
Garmin is the most popular brand on center consoles, and for good reason. The GPSMAP series offers fast, intuitive touchscreens, excellent sonar integration, and a broad ecosystem that includes radar, autopilot, trolling motors, and audio. The OneHelm platform pulls engine data, digital switching, and third-party accessories into the display, making it a true command center.
Garmin’s sonar lineup is the deepest in the market. Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar, Panoptix LiveScope, and traditional CHIRP all run through the same display. For a boat that fishes both inshore and offshore, this versatility is hard to beat.
Where Garmin is weaker: their autopilot and radar systems, while capable, aren’t as refined as Simrad’s on larger vessels with complex steering systems. And the closed ecosystem means you’re locked into Garmin peripherals once you commit.
Simrad
Simrad’s strength is in integrated helm systems for larger boats. The NSX and NSOevo3S displays are powerful, and the brand’s autopilot and radar integration is the most polished in the recreational market. For sportfish boats with hydraulic steering, Simrad’s NAC autopilot controllers and Halo radar provide precise, reliable performance that tournament captains depend on.
Simrad sits under the Navico umbrella alongside Lowrance and B&G, which means cross-brand compatibility. You can run Simrad displays with Lowrance sonar modules or B&G sailing instruments. For boats with mixed equipment or specific component preferences, this flexibility is valuable.
Where Simrad is weaker: the display interface has a steeper learning curve than Garmin, and their sonar options (outside of the S5100 module) aren’t as broad. Pricing tends to run higher across the product line.
Raymarine
Raymarine’s Axiom series offers a clean, user-friendly interface with solid charting and radar performance. The LightHouse operating system is well-organized, and the Quantum 2 dome radar is one of the lightest, most efficient scanners on the market. For boats where weight and power consumption matter, Raymarine is a strong choice.
Raymarine also has the strongest thermal camera integration through FLIR (now Teledyne). If thermal imaging is part of your safety plan, Raymarine displays handle the camera feed natively.
Where Raymarine is weaker: the sonar product line isn’t as advanced as Garmin’s, and the brand doesn’t have the same depth of peripheral devices (trolling motors, audio, switching) available within the ecosystem. Third-party integration helps, but it’s not as seamless as Garmin’s OneHelm or Simrad’s cross-brand Navico network.
Making the Decision
If you’re outfitting a center console with outboard power and want the most complete, plug-and-play ecosystem, Garmin is the most likely fit. If you’re building a sportfish helm with complex steering, tower displays, and high-end radar, Simrad is the natural choice. If you value lightweight radar, thermal camera integration, and a clean user interface, Raymarine deserves a close look.
The best way to make this decision is to see all three in action. Schedule a visit to Chart House Marine Electronics and we’ll demonstrate each platform on the display wall. We’ll walk through the features, talk through the trade-offs, and help you pick the system that actually fits your boat.
