gpsmap 741xs by garmin
- Thread starter jkswor
- Start date
SounderSolutions
New member
The 741xs is base Multifuction Display (MFD) that you can plug whatever else you want in to. Each of the modules aside from GPS charting (to a degree) are purchased seperately and plugged into the unit. For Radar, you can choose any of the Garmin radar products to plug in and away you go. You can also go all in and purchase the sounder, radar, DownVu, SideVu, CHIRP and other modules.
As far as 'is there anything better', that all depends on what you want and is very subjective. The best thing to do is go trial one at West Marine on the shelf. Take a look at the resolutions and diplays and ask lots of questions. Also, remember that the simulation and demo modes show the best possible screens and examples and your actual displays may vary.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Soundersolutionswa.com
As far as 'is there anything better', that all depends on what you want and is very subjective. The best thing to do is go trial one at West Marine on the shelf. Take a look at the resolutions and diplays and ask lots of questions. Also, remember that the simulation and demo modes show the best possible screens and examples and your actual displays may vary.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Soundersolutionswa.com
The 741xs comes with preloaded excellent charts of all coastal US (and I believe Canada--at least my 1041xs does) and Lake Vu High Def. inland waters--again these are very good resolution charts.
The GPS is the latest 10 hz (vs most being 1 hz--so 10x faster) with both GPS (US) and GLONASS (Russian Satellites) GPS systems.
The redraw time and reception are fast enough so that as long as the boat is moving you will get good overlay for the radar over the chart. I have checked this at both 3knots and 25 knots with the 1041 xs
The 7x1 series, is touch screen--and some like that. I have the 740S (older version, but touch screen, and it is nice.
The xs series communicates with the I pad and i phone, so you can see the same information as on the chart--and this may give you a larger radar image if you wish.
The sonar is good--is it the best? That is hard to say--but for fishing and the down scan, it seems to be as good as any I have seen.
The radar works fine--the 7" , especially if you use half the screen for fish finder/sonar, makes a fairly small screen, but it is a good picture. I went with the 10" because even with half for sounder it is good enough for any poor visibility work. It may get a little crowded with AIS, chart, sounder and radar all on one…But radar alone is a good radar image. If I wanted the best for near targets, I probably would go with Simrad G4. But for a longer range Radar the Garmin is good enough.
The GPS is the latest 10 hz (vs most being 1 hz--so 10x faster) with both GPS (US) and GLONASS (Russian Satellites) GPS systems.
The redraw time and reception are fast enough so that as long as the boat is moving you will get good overlay for the radar over the chart. I have checked this at both 3knots and 25 knots with the 1041 xs
The 7x1 series, is touch screen--and some like that. I have the 740S (older version, but touch screen, and it is nice.
The xs series communicates with the I pad and i phone, so you can see the same information as on the chart--and this may give you a larger radar image if you wish.
The sonar is good--is it the best? That is hard to say--but for fishing and the down scan, it seems to be as good as any I have seen.
The radar works fine--the 7" , especially if you use half the screen for fish finder/sonar, makes a fairly small screen, but it is a good picture. I went with the 10" because even with half for sounder it is good enough for any poor visibility work. It may get a little crowded with AIS, chart, sounder and radar all on one…But radar alone is a good radar image. If I wanted the best for near targets, I probably would go with Simrad G4. But for a longer range Radar the Garmin is good enough.
I am about to update my chartplotter and would like to add radar as well. Last year I couldn't get excited about the options, but now I have two "contenders." One is the Garmin 741xs and the other is the Raymarine A97. I'm waiting until I can play with the A97 in person. I like the idea of the slightly larger (taller) 9" screen on the Raymarine.
It does seem hard to beat the value of the 741xs if the screen size is large enough for you. But as far as "better".... who is to say? What are you looking for in a chartplotter? I think people could help you better with more information from you.
When I last really looked, there was a bigger "price penalty" for a larger screen in the Garmin line (whereas the 741sx seems like a great deal), but the 7" screen seemed a bit small for me. Raymarine has a 9" screen that is a logical jump up in price from a 7", but not "too much." I have not re-checked that though, so there may be a clear Garmin contender in the ~9" size that I don't know about.
With both the 741xs and the A97, as Bob mentions, you don't need a heading sensor as the GPS is fast enough.
One last point of comparison that I have not found an answer to yet: The 741xs will work with either the regular or "new fancy" sounders (you have to buy the transducer of course). Since Raymarine offers the A97 for regular and A98 for "fancy" I don't know if you have to lock in when you buy. I, for example, would like to use a regular transducer now, but would like to be able to upgrade (without changing chartplotters) in future.
I'm in research phase myself, so there could be mistakes in this post.
Sunbeam
It does seem hard to beat the value of the 741xs if the screen size is large enough for you. But as far as "better".... who is to say? What are you looking for in a chartplotter? I think people could help you better with more information from you.
When I last really looked, there was a bigger "price penalty" for a larger screen in the Garmin line (whereas the 741sx seems like a great deal), but the 7" screen seemed a bit small for me. Raymarine has a 9" screen that is a logical jump up in price from a 7", but not "too much." I have not re-checked that though, so there may be a clear Garmin contender in the ~9" size that I don't know about.
With both the 741xs and the A97, as Bob mentions, you don't need a heading sensor as the GPS is fast enough.
One last point of comparison that I have not found an answer to yet: The 741xs will work with either the regular or "new fancy" sounders (you have to buy the transducer of course). Since Raymarine offers the A97 for regular and A98 for "fancy" I don't know if you have to lock in when you buy. I, for example, would like to use a regular transducer now, but would like to be able to upgrade (without changing chartplotters) in future.
I'm in research phase myself, so there could be mistakes in this post.
Sunbeam
I have this model in the garage with a new radar and transducer waiting for me to install them. The recent update supporting android devices over wireless closed the deal for us over the proven 740s. We can use a tablet for a second or third station anywhere on the boat with the helm app. The sounder is integrated and the size is perfect for us. Got xhd radar and I will relay our thoughts after we get some time with it next month.
Greg
Greg
The Garmin 840xs series comes with a single transducer (see below), suitable for conventional dual frequency, fish finding, and for down scan . It is only $100 more than the regular price of the 741xs with out a transducer--or the 840xs without a transducer. (in other words, the "regular price of the 840xs and 741xs are the same, without the transducer) If you want both side scan, chirp and down scan, you have to buy the GCV 10 and then one of several transducers, which runs the price of all of these units considerably.
The Garmin All-in-one HD-ID and DownVu Transducer (8-pin)
All-in-one HD-ID and DownVu Transducer (8-pin) for all of these units is $99.
One has to be a little careful to see what "extras" are necessary.
About new out of the box, installed and somewhat used for about 2 weeks, my
741xs is the master screen and interfaces via NMEA 2000 the radar, sonar, AIS,
GPS, weather and autopilot. All appears satisfactory except the below. The
hard wired US coastal charts are superior.
A mysterious quirk, actually 2 quirks: the vessel icon shows onscreen moving
backwards on course about 90% of the time and the touch screen does not show
an "X" when you touch a position for a waypoint. I have recalibrated the touch
screen a half dozen times, works a couple times, then reverts to malfunction.
Of course, the unit can obtain a waypoint differently, but loss of this touch the
screen is at least inconvenient.
Aye.
741xs is the master screen and interfaces via NMEA 2000 the radar, sonar, AIS,
GPS, weather and autopilot. All appears satisfactory except the below. The
hard wired US coastal charts are superior.
A mysterious quirk, actually 2 quirks: the vessel icon shows onscreen moving
backwards on course about 90% of the time and the touch screen does not show
an "X" when you touch a position for a waypoint. I have recalibrated the touch
screen a half dozen times, works a couple times, then reverts to malfunction.
Of course, the unit can obtain a waypoint differently, but loss of this touch the
screen is at least inconvenient.
Aye.
ok ver 3.70 releases this month
Change History
GPSMAP 741/741xs software version 3.70
as of July 15, 2014
Changes made from version 3.60 to 3.70:
Fixed a defect introduced in Release 3.60 where the Sonar data graphs would not display the line graph.
Added support for A-scope visibility when traditional sonar is displayed in a custom combination.
Fixed the software update mechanism to support older GMR radars.
Changes made from version 3.50 to 3.60:
Added support for sharing internal sonar across the Garmin Marine Network.
Added ability to select the sonar source for traditional sonar, DownVü, and SideVü if multiple sources are available.
Added support for synchronized scroll rates between traditional sonar, DownVü, and SideVü. Includes improvements to scroll rates and new and improved Auto scroll rate.
Added customization options for sonar data overlays.
Added the ability to hide individual data fields on overlays.
Added support for Garmin Helm on Android devices. Note: This requires version 1.20 of the Garmin Helm app for compatibility.
Added support for NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 GPS sensors.
Improved sailing (wind) gauge page.
Added support for hiding the menu bar while on full screen functions.
Improved the user experience for marking waypoints on paused sonar.
Fixed a shutdown when powering off device while adjusting media volume.
Fixed an issue where water speed wheels wouldn't function with DownVü transducers.
Fixed a shutdown on the engine page when the system language is Russian.
Fixed an issue with tides and currents dates being incorrect.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 3.40 to 3.50:
Improved drying heights map presentation to be more readable.
Fixed output of RMB NMEA0183 sentence when not navigating.
Fixed a potential issue with calculating Auto Guidance paths when using certain LakeVü HD Ultra map cards.
Improved Wi-Fi connection reliability.
Several fixes to improve system stability.
Fixed issue when receiving Masterbus alarms over NMEA2000.
Changes made from version 3.30 to 3.40:
Fixed an issue with certain Yamaha engines not being recognized.
Fixed a potential issue that caused some sonar frequencies to not be recognized.
Fixed an issue introduced in Release 3.00 where AIS SART/MOB/EPIRB messages would not display if the database was full.
Fixed a potential issue that would cause "Unsupported Transducer Connected" to display with a supported transducer.
Removed the "No DGPS Position" message that was incorrectly displayed when a differential WAAS GPS fix was lost.
Fixed a potential lock-up after configuring dynamic lake level on a very large number of lakes.
Fixed the traditional sonar scroll rate when selecting Fast, Medium, or Slow.
Fixed software update issues when updating software via the network.
Changed the demonstration inactivity timeout to 1 minute.
Changes made from version 3.10 to 3.30:
Added support for LakeVü HD Ultra MaxDef content.
Added support for automatically synchronizing waypoints, routes, and saved tracks via the Garmin Marine Network. Go to Nav Info->Manage Data->User Data Sharing to enable feature.
Added tide & current slider to quickly see tide & current conditions at different times. Go to Navigation Chart->Chart Setup->Tides & Currents-Tide & Current Slider to view the feature.
Added support for Garmin Helm app for remote viewing and control. (Note: use also requires downloading Garmin Helm from App Store)
Added support for enabling or disabling output of the HCHDM NMEA 0183 sentence.
Added support for displaying the compass tape on the sonar combination pages.
Improved the usability of the user defined sea surface temperature scale.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 3.00 to 3.10:
Improved Garmin GCV 10 sonar black box (DownVü/SideVü) support.
Re-added support for Airmar® B75 and B175 Chirp transducers, which were unsupported in version 3.00.
Fixed a lock-up when displaying the Engine page after updating to version 3.00.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Change History
GPSMAP 741/741xs software version 3.70
as of July 15, 2014
Changes made from version 3.60 to 3.70:
Fixed a defect introduced in Release 3.60 where the Sonar data graphs would not display the line graph.
Added support for A-scope visibility when traditional sonar is displayed in a custom combination.
Fixed the software update mechanism to support older GMR radars.
Changes made from version 3.50 to 3.60:
Added support for sharing internal sonar across the Garmin Marine Network.
Added ability to select the sonar source for traditional sonar, DownVü, and SideVü if multiple sources are available.
Added support for synchronized scroll rates between traditional sonar, DownVü, and SideVü. Includes improvements to scroll rates and new and improved Auto scroll rate.
Added customization options for sonar data overlays.
Added the ability to hide individual data fields on overlays.
Added support for Garmin Helm on Android devices. Note: This requires version 1.20 of the Garmin Helm app for compatibility.
Added support for NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 GPS sensors.
Improved sailing (wind) gauge page.
Added support for hiding the menu bar while on full screen functions.
Improved the user experience for marking waypoints on paused sonar.
Fixed a shutdown when powering off device while adjusting media volume.
Fixed an issue where water speed wheels wouldn't function with DownVü transducers.
Fixed a shutdown on the engine page when the system language is Russian.
Fixed an issue with tides and currents dates being incorrect.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 3.40 to 3.50:
Improved drying heights map presentation to be more readable.
Fixed output of RMB NMEA0183 sentence when not navigating.
Fixed a potential issue with calculating Auto Guidance paths when using certain LakeVü HD Ultra map cards.
Improved Wi-Fi connection reliability.
Several fixes to improve system stability.
Fixed issue when receiving Masterbus alarms over NMEA2000.
Changes made from version 3.30 to 3.40:
Fixed an issue with certain Yamaha engines not being recognized.
Fixed a potential issue that caused some sonar frequencies to not be recognized.
Fixed an issue introduced in Release 3.00 where AIS SART/MOB/EPIRB messages would not display if the database was full.
Fixed a potential issue that would cause "Unsupported Transducer Connected" to display with a supported transducer.
Removed the "No DGPS Position" message that was incorrectly displayed when a differential WAAS GPS fix was lost.
Fixed a potential lock-up after configuring dynamic lake level on a very large number of lakes.
Fixed the traditional sonar scroll rate when selecting Fast, Medium, or Slow.
Fixed software update issues when updating software via the network.
Changed the demonstration inactivity timeout to 1 minute.
Changes made from version 3.10 to 3.30:
Added support for LakeVü HD Ultra MaxDef content.
Added support for automatically synchronizing waypoints, routes, and saved tracks via the Garmin Marine Network. Go to Nav Info->Manage Data->User Data Sharing to enable feature.
Added tide & current slider to quickly see tide & current conditions at different times. Go to Navigation Chart->Chart Setup->Tides & Currents-Tide & Current Slider to view the feature.
Added support for Garmin Helm app for remote viewing and control. (Note: use also requires downloading Garmin Helm from App Store)
Added support for enabling or disabling output of the HCHDM NMEA 0183 sentence.
Added support for displaying the compass tape on the sonar combination pages.
Improved the usability of the user defined sea surface temperature scale.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 3.00 to 3.10:
Improved Garmin GCV 10 sonar black box (DownVü/SideVü) support.
Re-added support for Airmar® B75 and B175 Chirp transducers, which were unsupported in version 3.00.
Fixed a lock-up when displaying the Engine page after updating to version 3.00.
Other performance improvements and bug fixes.
colbysmith
Active member
Looking at updating my electronics. Not real impressed with my garmin GPSmap 541s, as the depth sounding is pretty lousy. I also have an older ray marine B&w radar, and the Navman that came on the boat as backup depth/fish finder. Looking seriously at the garmin 741xs package with radar and the glc10, or whatever number the downvu sideview box is... I want to be able to see gps chart plotter and depth sounding all the time, with radar also on when necessary. When fishing or interested in bottom structure I can just look at that without the chart plotter navagation always on. I see Bobs post on the larger units also, but don't want to break the budget or get something so big I lose sight out my windows. 
my intent is to get rid of the individual units and just go with the one screen. Any suggestions or advice or reviews on the garmin units? I intend to stick with garmin due to already owned software and chart chips. Thanks, Colby
my intent is to get rid of the individual units and just go with the one screen. Any suggestions or advice or reviews on the garmin units? I intend to stick with garmin due to already owned software and chart chips. Thanks, ColbyColby, I've had both Garmin and Lowrance on my boats (Garmin on the previous 22 and Lowrance on the current boat) and I've used Raymarine on the boats of a few different friends. Garmin is by far the easiest/best user interface, Raymarine is by far the most difficult/worst user interface and Lowrance is in the middle but closer to Garmin. Lowrance has the better fish finder/sonar but the Garmin units are getting very good in this regard. The digital radar of Garmin and Lowrance are comparable and have very high spatial resolution at short distances. These low power digital radars aren't as good for long range (> 4-8 miles) but for avoiding collisions, they are excellent the short range (which is the most common use). As far as sticking with a single screen, you might want to reconsider. I just got done installing a secondary chart plotter on my current boat (a Lowrance HDS5 gen 2) to go with an HDS 8 gen 1. The HDS Gen 1 was giving me some troubles on a recent trip and was frequently re-booting. When it was rebooting, I had my backup ipad for navigation but was without radar and sonar. This was on a VERY wet and foggy day and the lack of a radar backup was particularly annoying. I've always had multiple backups for navigation but hadn't really given much thought to a backup display for radar until now. Keeping 2 domes for radar is impractical so I don't really have full backup for the radar but it is nice to have a backup display at least for GPS and sonar.
So if I were you, I'd consider getting the Garmin package but keeping the 541s as a secondary display. A 7" display is OK for a single screen but 8" or 10" is better. Once you have more than one display, you'll find yourself using it in unanticipated ways. For example, I frequently run with my ipad chart plotting software zoomed out for a large view and my HDS8 zoomed in to see potential hazards close to the boat. I've found that very handy as the large view lets me choose my course for more efficient long range travel, and the close view allows me to correct that for local hazards/obstacles. Alternatively, while trolling for salmon or jigging for rockfish, I might devote the entire HDS8 screen to sonar so I can see it more easily from the cockpit. Then I leave the chart plotter on the ipad zoomed in to the local area. There are a lot of option for display combinations if you have more than one display.
So if I were you, I'd consider getting the Garmin package but keeping the 541s as a secondary display. A 7" display is OK for a single screen but 8" or 10" is better. Once you have more than one display, you'll find yourself using it in unanticipated ways. For example, I frequently run with my ipad chart plotting software zoomed out for a large view and my HDS8 zoomed in to see potential hazards close to the boat. I've found that very handy as the large view lets me choose my course for more efficient long range travel, and the close view allows me to correct that for local hazards/obstacles. Alternatively, while trolling for salmon or jigging for rockfish, I might devote the entire HDS8 screen to sonar so I can see it more easily from the cockpit. Then I leave the chart plotter on the ipad zoomed in to the local area. There are a lot of option for display combinations if you have more than one display.
colbysmith":3i7zitwq said:
On the Garmin 741xs, you can select 1/2 screen GPS chart plotter, 1/2 screen
sonar OR radar; not all 3. With chart plotter and depth sonar selected on screen,
the radar can be in "transmit" mode and viewed alone on screen almost
immediately by touching the screen twice ("HOME" then "RADAR").
Aye.
rogerbum":2lengiyd said:
Have you tried one of the newer Raymarines? I'm kind of hoping not as I just bought a Raymarine A98. A friend demoed it for me and it seemed fairly intuitive (I'm used to my Garmin 2006c, which is great that way).
I strongly considered the Garmind 741XS. NIce Garmin interface and my newish triducer would have transferred over. But the screen was just a wee bit too small for my liking. Simrad NSS Evo was really nice, had touch screen and buttons, but was pricey (plus even the 9" screen seemed small to me - maybe because it was relatively low and wide, but the 12" was huge). The A98 seemed to hit the sweet spot, and even though I was "against" Raymarine from past experience, I decided to give it a try. Here's hoping!
colbysmith
Active member
Thanks Roger. Right now my intent is to keep the 541S for a backup, but get rid of my current radar and navman. I too have a concern about everything on one screen. And like you, I have used my radar several times where it has come in very handy in thick fog, or even at night. My iPad only has wireless, so use of that as a nav aid is pretty much worthless. Nor do I have a smart phone. (To cheap to get into all the cell data stuff....) I'm thinking I should maybe look a little more into the 8" and 10" garmin units. The 10" may very well be too big for what space exists. Again, I like to see out the windows too. The 8" may be a compromise and not too much more expensive. Also debating if I should buy one soon just to get a few more weeks trial out of it, or just wait until spring. (That would give me more time to review them more and perhaps some sale prices in the spring...) Those with the Garmin units, how many have the GCV10 Sonar bundle, and are you happy with it? Does anyone have the GPSMAP 841 unit? Same goes for the radar. I see several Garmin radar domes will work, but trying to keep costs down some, I would be looking at the Garmin GMR 18HD 4KW High Definition Digital Radar (not the 18Xhd model). Think what it comes down to, is I'm really considering the Garmin GPSMAP 741xs, compared to the next two larger units. Would like to know if others have these units and how they are working for them, and what other electronics they have attached to them. Lastly, wondering how I could use sidevu, or if it is worth it. (The downvu makes sense...) Colby
The 8" may be a compromise and not too much more expensive. Also debating if I should buy one soon just to get a few more weeks trial out of it, or just wait until spring. (That would give me more time to review them more and perhaps some sale prices in the spring...) Those with the Garmin units, how many have the GCV10 Sonar bundle, and are you happy with it? Does anyone have the GPSMAP 841 unit? Same goes for the radar. I see several Garmin radar domes will work, but trying to keep costs down some, I would be looking at the Garmin GMR 18HD 4KW High Definition Digital Radar (not the 18Xhd model). Think what it comes down to, is I'm really considering the Garmin GPSMAP 741xs, compared to the next two larger units. Would like to know if others have these units and how they are working for them, and what other electronics they have attached to them. Lastly, wondering how I could use sidevu, or if it is worth it. (The downvu makes sense...) Colby
colbysmith
Active member
TO clarify, when I speak of using the chart and depth sounding together, I'm thinking of my current unit where I mostly run it in "Chart", but it still shows depth. (I can go to Sonar page to get the sonar picture, or I can select split screen sonar and navigation. But mostly I just run it in Navigation where it shows the GPS chart, but has one box showing my depth...at least when it's working correctly... rather than just flashing... :-( I don't remember offhand without going out to the boat and turning it on, but I believe the navigation page allows me to set up a few boxes on it, and depth was one I like to keep in front of me all the time.
We have the 741xs unit and XHD 18 radar and are liking the combo very much. We use the vision charts for quick, automated, route planning on the unit itself and are impressed with the radar performance over our regular HD unit in the past and also love the wifi options for display. I have setup some combo screens to show three panels at once so I think radar, sonar, and chart would be possible but the screen gets a little small for that much info. I use a small color Garmin 78s (I trust it most) with G2 charts to always show the chartview as a backup or complement to our 741. That allows me to have the 741 showing all sonar or sonar and fisheye view full screen. If I were to have just one unit and not any second screens, I would go to the 8-10 inch size for a better split view experience. I really like to see a couple of chart scales at once while driving. One zoomed in, one zoomed out. The 7 inch screen is best for one good view at a time or two for limited periods. I have good vision so that is not a factor for me.
The boat came with a Lowrance Gen 1 unit like roger replaced and it did not make me smile even with added charts. I am a navigation device person (GIS field data specialist and wilderness nav instructor) and have limited patience for subpar devices/data. I know a slick unit when I see it and the 741 is one of those for sure. The only problem we have had was that radar did not show up as existing on the screen one day until I restarted the unit. Has not re-occurred again?
Greg
The boat came with a Lowrance Gen 1 unit like roger replaced and it did not make me smile even with added charts. I am a navigation device person (GIS field data specialist and wilderness nav instructor) and have limited patience for subpar devices/data. I know a slick unit when I see it and the 741 is one of those for sure. The only problem we have had was that radar did not show up as existing on the screen one day until I restarted the unit. Has not re-occurred again?
Greg