Nobody buys "a Simrad." They buy a screen, and then the screen decides everything else.
Pick an NSS 4 and you've picked your radar options, your autopilot path, your sonar ceiling, and how many displays you can network later. Pick a GO9 and you've picked a smaller, cheaper version of all of it. So this guide to the best Simrad products 2026 has to offer starts at the helm and works outward: displays, HALO radar, autopilots, sonar, and VHF, with the current NVN Marine price on every item.
We've installed Simrad on everything from 19-foot bay boats to 60-foot sportfishers with three NSO screens and a 6-foot open array. The brand has real strengths (HALO radar and the autopilot lineup are best-in-class in our opinion) and a couple of weak spots we'll get to.
How we picked the best Simrad products for 2026
Simrad is one of four brands under Navico Group, alongside Lowrance, B&G, and C-MAP, all owned by Brunswick since 2021. That matters more than any spec sheet. Simrad, Lowrance, and B&G share radar, autopilot computers, sonar modules, and a lot of transducers. A HALO dome runs on a Lowrance HDS. A NAC-3 course computer steers a B&G boat. The screens and software are where the brands diverge.
Our picks lean on three things: current 2026 pricing at NVN Marine, what we've seen fail or hold up on customer boats, and whether the product still makes sense now that the NSS 4 and NSO 4 have replaced the evo3S generation at the top of the line.
Multifunction displays: NSS 4, NSS evo3S, NSX, GO, and NSO
NSS 4 — the new flagship for most boats
The NSS 4 is where Simrad put its 2025–2026 development money. It comes in 10, 12, and 16 inches, runs the new Neon operating system, and is the display we'd spec on a new 25- to 40-foot center console today. It's brighter and quicker than evo3S, and it's the platform that will get updates for years.
- Simrad NSS4-10 MFD, no sonar $2,599.00
- Simrad NSS4-10 combo w/ U.S. C-MAP $3,199.00
- Simrad NSS4-12 MFD, no sonar $3,799.00
- Simrad NSS4-12 combo w/ U.S. C-MAP Discover X $4,499.00
- Simrad NSS 4-16 MFD, no sonar, no charts $5,799.00
- Simrad NSS 4-16 combo w/ U.S. C-MAP Discover X $6,499.00
Buy the combo unless you already own a sonar module. The $600–$700 gap roughly covers the chart card alone.
NSS evo3S — the smartest money on the page right now
Here's our blunt take. The NSS12 evo3S at $1,899.99 is the best-value 12-inch MFD we sell from any brand. It's the previous flagship, it runs HALO radar, NAC autopilots, Active Imaging, ForwardScan, and ActiveTarget, and it costs less than half an NSS4-12 combo. The NSS9 evo3S is $1,299.99. Read the listing carefully on the no-HDMI-out NSS12 variant (also $1,899.99) if you planned to mirror to a TV in the cabin.
The one we'd skip is the NSS16 evo3S at $5,499.00. At that price, the NSS 4-16 combo for $1,000 more is the better buy. We covered the evo3S in depth in our chartplotter roundup.
NSX — for owners who hate menus
NSX is Simrad's simplified line: an Android-based interface with big tiles, built-in Active Imaging support, and fewer layers between you and the page you want. It's not the hub for a four-screen Ethernet network. It is excellent for a 22- to 30-foot boat where one screen does everything.
- NSX 3007 7" w/ Active Imaging $1,299.00
- NSX 3009 9" w/ Active Imaging $1,699.00
- NSX 3012UW ultrawide w/ Active Imaging 3-in-1 $2,899.00
- NSX 3015UW ultrawide w/ Active Imaging 3-in-1 $3,549.00
- NSX 3012 + HALO20+ + Active Imaging bundle $4,799.00
GO series — the entry point that still runs radar
The GO7 XSR and GO9 XSE are small, cheap, and surprisingly capable. Both will run a HALO dome, which is rare in a sub-$1,000 display. The GO9 XSE with Active Imaging 3-in-1 and C-MAP Discover at $999.00 is the one we sell most. The GO7 XSR with Active Imaging 3-in-1 is $899.00, and the GO9 XSE + HALO20+ + Active Imaging bundle is $3,249.00.
The weak spot: GO processors are slow with radar overlay on the chart. It works. It's just laggy when you're zoomed out.
NSO — glass bridge
The NSO 4-16 ($6,599.00), NSO 4-22 ($10,099.00), and NSO 4-24 ($12,099.00) are for builders and big-boat refits. The previous-generation NSO evo3S 16" system pack is $6,999.00 if you're matching an existing evo3S helm.
HALO radar: the reason a lot of people buy Simrad
HALO is pulse-compression solid-state radar with instant-on (no magnetron warm-up), very low emissions, and Doppler target coloring on the newer units, which Simrad calls VelocityTrack. We think it's the best small-boat radar family on the market.
- HALO20 20" dome w/ 10M cable $1,999.00
- HALO20+ 20" dome, 60 RPM, Doppler, 10M cable $2,499.00
- HALO24 24" dome w/ Doppler $3,299.00
- HALO 2004 4ft open array, 50W, 20M cable $7,244.00
- HALO 3004 4ft open array, 130W, 20M cable $8,924.00
- HALO 3006 6ft open array, 130W, 20M cable $9,449.00
Pay the $500 for the HALO20+ over the plain HALO20. Doppler and the 60 RPM short-range rotation are what make a 20-inch dome useful in a crowded inlet. The HALO24 is the one we put on most center consoles over 28 feet; its narrower beam separates targets better at 3 to 6 miles. Step to an open array (the 2003 3ft starts at $6,719.00) only when you run 30-plus miles offshore through squalls. We break down that trade-off in our best marine radar guide.
Field note: a HALO without heading data can't do MARPA and won't overlay cleanly on the chart. Every autopilot pack below includes a Precision-9 compass, which solves it. More on why in MARPA radar explained.
Autopilots: AP44, AP48, AP70 MK2, and the NAC computers
Simrad autopilots are two pieces: a control head you touch and a course computer you don't. The course computer is sized to the drive unit.
| Course computer | Best for | NVN price |
|---|---|---|
| NAC-1 | Small boats, light drives | $686.00 |
| NAC-2 | Low-current pumps, most outboard hydraulic under ~30 ft | $987.00 |
| NAC-3 | High-current pumps and big mechanical drives (30 A continuous) | $1,699.00 |
| NAC-D | Steer-by-wire systems | $1,199.00 |
For heads, the AP44 at $699.00 is the workhorse. The AP48 at $1,099.00 adds a glass front and a bigger rotary knob that's easier to use in a seaway with wet hands. The AP70 MK2 control head ($1,639.99, SOLAS wheelmarked) pairs with the AC70 course computer for commercial and big-yacht work; the AP70 MK2 basic pack is $3,509.99.
The packs are the way to buy. The AP44 VRF medium capacity pack (AP44, NAC-2, Precision-9, Pump-2) is $2,849.00, and the AP44 VRF high capacity pack with NAC-3 and RPU160 is $3,749.00. If your MFD will be the control point, the NAC-3 VRF core pack at $2,249.00 skips the head entirely.
VRF (Virtual Rudder Feedback) means no rudder sensor to mount, which saves real install time on outboards. It's fine for most boats. On a single-inboard boat with a lot of prop walk, we still install a physical rudder feedback unit because the pilot holds a tighter line. Add the SteadySteer flow switch ($519.00) on hydraulic steering so a hard turn of the wheel disengages the pilot. If you're new to how these pieces talk, start with how marine autopilot systems work, then compare brands in our best marine autopilot roundup.
Sonar: Active Imaging, ForwardScan, and ActiveTarget
Simrad's sonar is Lowrance's sonar with different screen software, and that's a compliment. Active Imaging 3-in-1 gives you CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan from one transom transducer, and it's bundled with most GO, NSX, and NSS combos above. ForwardScan (a separate forward-looking transducer, roughly $600–$800 street, not currently listed at NVN) shows depth ahead of the bow and is genuinely useful for sailors and anyone creeping into skinny water.
For live sonar, Simrad NSS 4, NSS evo3S, and NSX displays run Navico's ActiveTarget 2 (street price around $2,000 for the transducer and module; not carried at NVN right now). It's the same unit Lowrance sells. We compared it head-to-head in ActiveTarget 2 vs Garmin LiveScope Plus.
Honestly, if fishing is the main reason you own the boat, a Lowrance HDS Pro screen is the more fishing-focused interface on the same Navico hardware. Our Lowrance HDS-16 Live review explains why. Simrad's interface leans toward navigation and cruising.
VHF and AIS: RS20S, RS40, and RS100
Simrad radios are underrated. The RS20S with GPS is $423.00. The RS40 with DSC and AIS receiver is $741.00, and the RS40-B with Class B AIS transceiver and internal GPS at $1,271.00 puts your boat on everyone else's AIS screen without a separate black box. The HS40 wireless handset ($264.00) is worth it on a flybridge.
The RS100-B black-box VHF with Class B AIS ($1,907.00) is for glass-helm boats where panel space is gone. One caution: the RS40-B shares a single antenna between VHF and AIS through an internal splitter. That's fine, but a tired antenna or a corroded PL-259 hurts both. See our best AIS transponders guide and DSC VHF explainer for setup details.
Simrad lineup at a glance
| Family | Sizes | Radar | Autopilot | Live sonar | NVN price range | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO XSR / XSE | 7", 9" | HALO20/20+ | Yes (NAC) | No | $799–$3,249 | Bay boats, first radar |
| NSX | 7"–15" UW | HALO | Yes | ActiveTarget 2 | $1,299–$4,799 | One-screen boats, simple UI |
| NSS evo3S | 9", 12", 16" | All HALO | Yes | ActiveTarget | $1,299.99–$5,998 | Value buyers, existing evo3 helms |
| NSS 4 | 10", 12", 16" | All HALO | Yes | ActiveTarget 2 | $2,599–$6,499 | New builds and refits 25–45 ft |
| NSO 4 / evo3S | 16"–24" | All HALO | Yes | Yes | $6,199–$12,099 | Glass bridge, 40 ft+ |
Where Simrad falls short
Software updates can be rough. We've had evo3S units need a second firmware pass to recognize a HALO after an update, and the fix was a full power cycle of the radar breaker, not just the display. Budget an extra 20 minutes on install day.
The Navico transducer compatibility story is mostly good, but not perfect. Older 7-pin Simrad transducers need adapters on newer 9-pin units, and the adapter is one more salt-exposed connection. Replace, don't adapt, if the transducer is more than five years old.
Five questions before you buy Simrad
What's your boat length and helm space? Under 22 feet, a GO9 XSE. 22 to 30 feet with one screen, NSX or NSS evo3S 12. Over 30 feet, NSS 4 or NSO.
Is radar in the plan within two years? If yes, skip anything that can't run HALO24. Every current display can, but GO units struggle with overlay.
Hydraulic, cable, or steer-by-wire steering? That decides the NAC computer before you look at a control head.
Do you already own Navico gear? A Lowrance or B&G network accepts Simrad HALO and NAC hardware directly. Mixed helms work over Ethernet and NMEA 2000. Our NMEA 2000 network setup guide covers the backbone.
Fishing or cruising first? Cruisers and sailors lean Simrad. Hardcore anglers usually end up on Lowrance screens with the same radar and pilot.
The bottom line
If we were rigging a 26-foot center console from scratch this fall, we'd buy the NSS12 evo3S at $1,899.99 while it's still in stock, a HALO20+ at $2,499.00, and the AP44 VRF medium capacity pack at $2,849.00. That's a full radar, sonar, and autopilot helm for about $7,250, which is less than an NSS 4-16 and a HALO24 alone.
Building for the next ten years instead of the next five? Swap the evo3S for the NSS4-12 combo at $4,499.00 and keep everything else the same.
Want us to size the NAC computer to your pump or check your cable runs? Call (212) 688-0550 and talk to someone who's installed it.
Authorized Simrad dealer · Same-day shipping before 3 PM EST · Full manufacturer warranty
Shop All Simrad Products at NVN Marine →Frequently asked questions
Is Simrad the same company as Lowrance and B&G?
Yes. Simrad, Lowrance, B&G, and C-MAP are all Navico Group brands, owned by Brunswick. They share HALO radar, NAC autopilot computers, most sonar hardware, and C-MAP charts. The displays and software differ: Simrad focuses on navigation and sportfishing, Lowrance on fishing, and B&G on sailing.
Should I buy the Simrad NSS 4 or the NSS evo3S in 2026?
For a boat you'll keep five years or less, the NSS12 evo3S at $1,899.99 is the better value and runs the same HALO radar, autopilots, and sonar. For a new build or long-term refit, the NSS 4 is the current flagship, gets future software updates, and has a faster processor and brighter screen.
Which Simrad HALO radar should I buy?
For most boats under 28 feet, the HALO20+ at $2,499.00, because it adds Doppler and 60 RPM short-range rotation over the base HALO20. For center consoles over 28 feet, the HALO24 at $3,299.00 separates targets better. Open arrays like the HALO 2004 and 3004 are for boats running well offshore in heavy weather.
What's the difference between the Simrad NAC-2 and NAC-3?
Current capacity. The NAC-2 drives low-current hydraulic pumps typical on outboard boats up to about 30 feet. The NAC-3 handles high-current pumps and large mechanical drives, up to 30 amps continuous. Match the course computer to your drive unit first, then choose a control head like the AP44 or AP48.
Will a Simrad HALO radar work on my Lowrance or B&G display?
Yes. HALO radars are Navico hardware and work on current Lowrance HDS and B&G Zeus displays as well as Simrad units. Check that your display's software is up to date before installing, and give the radar heading data from a compass or autopilot for MARPA and chart overlay.
Does Simrad support live sonar?
Yes. Simrad NSS 4, NSS evo3S, NSX, and NSO displays support Navico's ActiveTarget live sonar, the same system Lowrance sells. It shows fish and structure in real time in forward, down, and scout views. Street price is around $2,000 for the transducer and module.
