Simrad turns 80 this year. Instead of looking back, it has pushed forward with a new flagship display, the NSO 4.
Kiwi boaters can see it for themselves at the Auckland Boat Show, where Simrad is on display. In New Zealand, the range is distributed through Advance Trident.
The Simrad NSO 4 chartplotter is a ground up rethink of how a modern helm should work, especially on larger launches and serious offshore fishing boats.
NEON brings a cleaner, faster helm experience
At the heart of the Simrad NSO 4 chartplotter sits the new NEON operating system. Anyone who has spent time with older generation multifunction displays will know how quickly screens can become cluttered. Layers build up. Menus multiply. Simple tasks take too many steps.
NEON feels different. The layout is pared back. Key functions sit closer to the surface. A swipe to reveal activity bar gives fast access to tools without digging through sub menus. It is a small change in theory, but at sea, small changes matter.
The system runs on a Qualcomm eight core processor. Boot up is noticeably quicker. Route calculations are faster too. If you are planning a run across Cook Strait or picking your way through reef country up north, that speed reduces the stop start feel some systems still suffer from.
Displays come in 16, 22 and 24 inch formats. The larger sizes will suit enclosed flybridges and custom helms where screen real estate is not in short supply. The SolarMAX IPS panel remains clear in bright sun and through polarised sunglasses, something many of us have learnt to check the hard way.
The glass to edge finish gives it a tidy, integrated look. On a well designed helm, it will not look like an afterthought bolted in later.
More than a plotter
The Simrad NSO 4 chartplotter is designed to sit at the centre of the boat’s electronics network.
It links with Simrad sonar modules including S3100H and S5100, supports Active Imaging and Active Imaging HD, and works with HALO radar systems. Bird Plus mode will interest offshore anglers who rely on birds to find workups.
There is also support for FishCast, powered by ROFFS. Overlaying current and temperature data onto your chart is not a gimmick when you are chasing pelagics. It helps narrow the search area.
For cruising skippers, features such as auto routing, chart safety alerts and radar target tracking aim to take some of the load off the helm. Lighting, audio and engine data can be accessed from the same screen, which makes sense on boats where dash space is at a premium.
The unit pairs with C-MAP DISCOVER X and C-MAP REVEAL X charts. Updates can be managed directly online, and users can select specific coverage areas rather than buying broad regions they may never use.
A serious bit of kit
International pricing for the Simrad NSO 4 chartplotter starts at $6,499 USD. Local pricing will reflect New Zealand supply and configuration.
For many owners, this will sit firmly in the premium bracket. That said, electronics are now as central to boating as engines and hull design. On offshore boats in particular, reliability and clarity at the helm are not luxuries.
With Simrad showcasing the NSO 4 at the Auckland Boat Show and support available locally through Advance Trident, New Zealand skippers have the opportunity to judge for themselves.
If your boating regularly takes you beyond the harbour heads, and you rely on your electronics every time you leave the marina, this is a system worth a proper look.
