Chartplotters range from focused, no-sounder navigation displays to full sonar/radar-ready multifunction units. Here’s how the current lineup breaks down by use case and budget.
Best Overall: Raymarine Axiom Pro 9 S
The Raymarine Axiom Pro 9 S HybridTouch Chartplotter ($1,669.97) ships with Navionics+ North America charts preloaded and HybridTouch controls (touchscreen plus physical keys, useful in rough water when a wet touchscreen gets unreliable), making it a strong all-around choice for boaters who want charts ready to go out of the box.
Best for Adding to an Existing Sonar Setup: Axiom+ 9 (No Sounder)
The Raymarine Axiom+ 9 Multifunction Display (No Sounder) ($1,319.99) is priced lower specifically because it skips a built-in sounder — the right choice if you already have dedicated fish finder hardware and just need a networked navigation display alongside it.
Best With Built-In 3D Sonar: Axiom+ 9 RV
The Raymarine Axiom+ 9 RV with RealVision 3D ($1,199.99) bundles Raymarine’s 3D sonar imaging with LightHouse charts in one unit, a strong value pick if you want chartplotting and modern sonar imaging from a single display without buying components separately.
Best for Large Helms and Offshore Boats: Garmin GPSMAP 8616
The Garmin GPSMAP 8616 GN+ 16-Inch Display Unit ($2,899.99) is built for boats running a full networked helm — radar, multiple sonar sources, AIS, and autopilot all on one large, bright display. It’s an investment, but it’s the category most serious offshore and center-console owners land in.
Best Budget Combo Unit: Humminbird HELIX 10 G4N
The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N ($1,099.00) combines CHIRP sonar, MEGA side imaging, and full GPS chartplotting in one display at a noticeably lower price than the Raymarine and Garmin options above — a strong choice if a single all-in-one unit at a lower price point matters more than networked expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need “Plus” charts included, or can I buy them separately?
Most units can accept additional chart cards later, so a lower-priced no-sounder or base-chart unit isn’t a dead end — but buying with your primary cruising region’s charts preloaded, like the Axiom Pro 9 S with Navionics+ North America, saves an extra purchase.
What’s the real benefit of a networked multifunction display over a standalone unit?
A networked MFD shares data across every connected device — sonar return on the chart screen, radar overlay on the map, autopilot waypoints from the chartplotter — instead of juggling separate displays for each function.
Is a touchscreen-only chartplotter reliable in rough water?
Capacitive touchscreens can be less responsive with wet or gloved hands; units with HybridTouch or physical keypad backup, like the Axiom Pro line, hold up better in genuinely rough conditions.
Still deciding between a phone app and a dedicated chartplotter?
Our chartplotter vs. phone GPS apps guide breaks down exactly when each makes sense.
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