New Simrad NSS evo3s Package
Can the new Simrad NSS evo3s Package become a navigation and fishing game changer?
If there’s one area that fascinates me in the marine industry, it’s most certainly the evolution of marine electronics — particularly in the navigation and sonar department. When I look back 15-20 years, high-end marine electronics were something that only the wealthy commercial operations could afford. Now, that top technology has been refined, compacted, and incorporated into the common electronics brand names found in the marine industry. The bonus is that the recreational end-user is finally scoring due to the fierce competition between the brands. Across the board, we now have top-class technology built into units, the gear is quality, and best of all, there’s decent GPS/Sonar gear out there to suit all budgets.
A prime example of this would be the latest Simrad NSS evo3s package that we looked at on the Sea Devil 520
Manufactured by Navico, the Simrad brand is no new kid on the block when it comes to marine navigation and sonar, but it was a brand only seen on high-end sport fishing boats and superyachts. Well, that’s yesterday’s news as their new models range from entry level through to high-tech top of the range navigation and sonar gear at affordable prices.
The Simrad package that we recently looked at on the Sea Devil 520 was small trailer-boat’s electronics taken to the next level. Although it’s an easy 20 grand’s worth of gear, it’s something that’s more commonly seen now amongst the serious trailer-boat fisherman.
As a dedicated offshore game fisherman and marlin whisperer, the Sea Devil owner Richie Inglis went the full hog with his Simrad package. He fit the latest Simrad NSS evo3s head units with a C-Map Reveal chart, an Airmar B275 LHW transducer run through a Simrad S5100 high performance chirp sonar module, a Simrad AP44 VRF autopilot pack networked and operated through the 9-inch NSS evo3S, Simrad RS40 VHF Radio with AIS, high powered JL Audio sound system with amp, speakers and sub-woofer, and a truck load of other items to suit the full NMEA networked connectivity. Like all the modern technology out there, these new systems boast a plethora of new features and functions, of which I can only briefly touch on.
To suit Richie’s offshore game fishing, he went with a 9-inch flush mounted unit in the dash — solely used for navigation — and a 12-inch on a bracket mount dedicated to sonar. Now, aside from the abundance of new and improved features built into these evo3s units, I particularly like the all-weather touchscreen and keypad for total control in all conditions. The faster processing power also significantly improves the boot-up speed, giving you seamless and quick transitions between screen-switching and accessing menus. The high-definition screens are bright and clear to read in full sunlight with or without polarised glasses. The monitoring and control within the existing pages are better, allowing for instant chart orientation changes at the touch of a button, quick access to the expandable audio and instrument side bar, and (I really like this little feature) a new tide graph in the instrument bar to monitor tide changes. The large screens also allow for more information to be added to pages, enabling you to set up and save different navigation or sonar pages to suit.
The new NSS evo3s boasts faster and simplified networking, better connectivity, easier app integration, Simrad App link-up, and an extensive system expansion with real-time monitoring and control through the high-performance processor. So basically, you can integrate with more 3rd party technologies like CZone and Mercury VesselView, amongst others.
Onto the sonar properties — once again, another plethora of features and functions built into the system to enhance and improve your fish-finding capabilities. The new NSS evo3s units feature advanced sonar imaging through the built-in high-performance echosounder with 1kW CHIRP-enabled sonar, as well as the high-res performance through ActiveTarget, SideScan imaging, and DownScan imaging. They also have the new ActiveImaging functions available.
As standard, the Simrad NSS evo3s units are an easy plug-and-play system with good auto settings when used with the active imaging transducer, however, I personally like to fine tune my sonar to suit the conditions and areas that I fish on the day.
Taking it to the next level, Richie added the Simrad S5100 Sonar module and an Airmar B275 LHW transducer mounted in the keel. Featuring three fully independent sonar channels, these modules can connect to three single channel transducers, enabling you to cover all depths and ranges to suit target species. The powerful S5100 provides sharper resolution, wider coverage throughout the depths, advanced Chirp technology, and less noise and clutter.
One thing I will mention is the benefit of upgrading your transducers, and in this case the module too which most certainly made a significant difference in the deeper water. Finding the bait was simple, the resolution was crystal clear in the 80-100m that we fished, and the black marlin arches stood out like a sore thumb on the screen, amongst other larger fish.
Coupled and networked to the system through NMEA, the Simrad autopilot installed might seem like an overkill for such a small boat, however, if you can afford to add it, it’s an absolute win. Aside from simplifying standard navigation, the autopilot made life so much easier at low speeds whilst slow trolling for the marlin and moving back up for drifts. Available in the AP44 VRF pack (medium capacity), these systems include everything you need, however, in this case the owner opted to run the system through the NSS evo3s, instead of through the separate remote controller.
As previously mentioned, a Simrad RS40 VHF radio with integrated AIS receiver and a banger of a JL Audio sound system was also integrated into the system. The sound system comprised of JL MM100 controller, dual M6 770 speakers, an M6 880 sub-woofer, and M Series 4 channel amplifier. The sound system can be operated off the head unit, the NSS evo3s units, or through Bluetooth on your phone. Aside from producing crystal clear sounds with night club bass and volume, the JL Audio is a quality system designed to suit the marine environment, and another part of the gear that is well worth the extra spend if you appreciate quality sounds and tunes onboard.
Wrap
As previously mentioned, I’m only touching on what these electronics have to offer, and the full features, functions and specs would have to be a separate online read on their own. Overall, this loaded Simrad package is out there, and to some it might seem a bit over-the-top to have on a small trailer boat, but this high-end technology is a navigation and fishing game changer in all aspects.
For those on a tighter budget, you can run single NSS evo3s units without all the add-ons or get into one of their entry level models available at competitive and very affordable prices. These units will obviously have less features and slower processors, but still serve as decent navigation and sonar units.
Overall, the new Simrad NSS evo3s units are easy to operate, the touchscreens are responsive and quick, I like the dial-up and side button options, the pages are easily customisable and user friendly, and well suited to all styles of boats.