12" GPS/Sounder recommendations?
 

I'm considering upgrading my older (circa 2011) Lowrance HDS-7 GPS/Depth sounder to a new 12" display model. I like the flat touch screen style with no knobs. Currently I'm considering the Garmin 1243 xsv and also the SIMRAD Go 12 xse. Does anybody have any experience on these models or have other recommendations? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Don't have any experience with either of those, but I think the Simrad will be easier to integrate with a NMEA network should you decide to go that route.

I have the Simrad G09 and it works great, and I'm told the G12 has an even faster processor which makes it a better unit.

Thanks for the above replies and to the PM's I have received on this topic. If I proceed with this project, I'm leaning toward the Garmin 1243 xsv (12" viewable / Touch screen). Below is a primed painted version of a custom fiberglass dash extension piece I made. The 12" Garmin will fit nicely per my mock up. The first pic is the current setup with my Lowrance HDS-7.

I'm a Garmin fan - touch screen operations are intuitive. They lack a bit in chart flexibility.

I have a Garmin 5000 touchscreen on my Tsunami. I like it but would not go full touch screen again if I were doing it over. Buttons and knobs would be easier to manipulate while moving. The biggest problem is that the screen is tough to see with polarized sunglasses. Hopefully they have fixed that issue in the last decade. Good luck.

I've always had Garmin and just do not care for their charts anymore. I'm leaning toward Simrad with Navionics next.

Hmmm, I thought Garmin owns Navionics now?

I haven't shopped for new recently but if they offer it in their units then great. I had a 10" and currently a 7" and the charting sucks.

Off topic I may have to copy that fiberglass dash piece you made, great idea!

I have no experience with Simard, but have been buying Garmin because of reliability, i have had a lot of luck with their units lasting and not cropping up bugs or issues which makes it hard for me to switch since I have had so much luck with them.