NSS 4 Chartplotter and Fishfinder with SolarMAX HD Display

Description

NSS® 4 Chartplotter and Fishfinder redefines what’s possible out on the water. With a trio of hybrid controls, a lightning fast Qualcomm® 8-core processor, and built-in dual channel CHIRP sonar, NSS 4 is our premium, all-in-one offering for sportfishing enthusiasts and cruisers. Review: Better than the EVO 3 ? Fast but maybe not better. - Purchased the 12" NSS4 to replace one of my NSS Evo 3 MFD's and have been using it about 3 weeks now. The NSS4 uses a different operating system than the Evo 3. Pros- Very quick start up and toggling between "apps". Very high resolution screen and absolutely no glare. Very nice to be able to use either touch screen or Knobs/buttons, especially while underway in rough seas. Cons- Tracks functionality is not as good as the Evo3. You cannot select individual tracks to display, you can only select for periods of time. Not sure why they took this away as it is very helpful. Also, the default track color is light blue which is ridiculous as it blends in with the background chart color so it is very difficult to see. The default should be black. Black should also be a choice when choosing a color on the choice drop down. Set up. Be very careful and pay attention to the prompts during the set up. Go very basic to start and then you can adjust things as you get more used to the functionality. I had a lot of difficulty with my sonar and had to go back to the default settings to fix. Autopilot- still not sure why it doesn't recognize my autopilot unless the old autopilot unit is turned on. This is not the case with my Evo3. The autopilot icon is always available even if the old unit is not on. I can activate autopilot at anytime. Sonar- The unit recognizes my Simrad totalscan transducer but only sonar and downscan icons (apps) are available on my screen yet my Evo3 recognizes my sidescan and has the appropriate icon. Totalscan is the selected source on both. Navigation- really wish there was a navigation "app" like the Evo 3. Feel that navigating to a specific location was easier, especially with autopilot. Maps- I paid a little extra for the C-Map discover X chart card but wanted the Revel X which is not an option. You can download the Revel X chart for $149 after you purchase the unit but I like having the card because the download takes up a lot of space. Paid $249 before tax for the card. Would have been nice to have that offered at a discount when purchasing the unit, especially when your paying around 4k for a 12" unit. Seems like a money grab to me. Lastly- I am still unable to register my device with Simrad using the serial number because they only recognize it as a GO unit on their website. Waiting for them to resolve the issue. Overall- Like the unit, it is really fast. It has more bells and whistles then the EVO 3, seems like most of which are applicable to sailing vessels. Not so sure I like the new operating system. Maybe just takes so getting used to. Update- I changed my review from 4 stars to 5 for two reasons. First, Simrad tech has been amazing. Very quick to respond and provide excellent support and resolution to questions. Second, after using the unit for several weeks and understanding the changes (and similarities) to the EVO 3 system the positives vastly outweigh any negatives. I would highly recommend this product and Simrad products in general. Review: Nss4 fakeout - Returned nss 4. Early sales had no operators/installation manual. Simrad not helpful. Charting function superior to evo3S I didn’t think the other features much better for price. Could not install to replace the evo3S because unit menu poorly crafted. And, Bracket size different than 3s. Became an exercise in frustration. For 4k I said take back. Returned to west marine for full refund. 3S still great unit. Charting function improvement of nss4 not worth installation hassle. You will have to be a very good technician or get professional installer to put in your boat. Most disappointing. Simrad marketing for this unit a fake out! Will go to Garmin or furuno when my 3S unit dies.