Humminbird APEX 16 MSI+ Chartplotter - 16" Full HD Touchscreen

The Humminbird APEX 16 MSI+ Chartplotter is the company's flagship 16-inch helm multifunction display - the largest screen size, the highest resolution, and the most capable feature set in the Humminbird line. The APEX series is a from-the-ground-up redesign that combines all the company's best sonar imaging technology (MEGA Side Imaging+, MEGA Down Imaging+, MEGA 360, MEGA Live) with the best chartplotter capabilities (precision GPS, extensive built-in cartography, full network connectivity) on the largest helm display Humminbird sells. For owners building out a top-tier helm electronics suite where the chartplotter is the central command center, this is the right call.

16-inch Full HD display, 1920 x 1080 resolution. The display is the largest helm screen Humminbird offers - 16 inches diagonal at 1920 x 1080 native resolution (Full HD). Why size matters: at 16 inches you can run multi-pane displays (chart + sonar + radar three-pane, or chart + sonar + side imaging four-pane) without cramping any window to the point of uselessness. The Full HD resolution means the imaging detail Humminbird's MEGA-class sonar delivers actually shows on the screen rather than being limited by display pixel count. For helms where the display is in direct sunlight, the high-brightness IPS LCD handles bright conditions without washing out.

Cross Touch interface. The APEX uses Cross Touch - a hybrid interface that lets you operate the chartplotter by touchscreen tap-and-gesture OR by physical soft-key buttons (or both, depending on the operation). Why this matters: touchscreen is fast and intuitive for most operations in calm conditions, but becomes unreliable in rough water, with wet hands, or in cold weather with gloves. The physical soft-keys give you reliable control regardless of conditions - feel for the right button without looking. The hybrid Cross Touch approach is genuinely better than either pure touchscreen or pure keyed - you get the best of both worlds.

MEGA Side Imaging+. The MSI+ in the model name signifies MEGA Side Imaging Plus - extends out to 200 feet on either side of the boat with 20 percent more detail than the original MEGA Side Imaging. Side imaging looks left and right of the boat with angled high-frequency transducer beams, painting the bottom contour and any objects on the bottom in a high-detail black-and-white image. The extended 200-foot range covers more area per pass. the 20 percent better detail resolves smaller objects and finer bottom features. For finding fish-holding cover (rocks, sunken trees, ledges, reef structure) that's NOT directly under the boat, MEGA SI+ is the imaging mode that makes structure fishing systematic rather than guesswork.

MEGA Down Imaging+. Pairs with MEGA SI+ for the down-looking imaging mode. Extends to 200-foot depth with 20 percent more clarity than original MEGA Down Imaging. Down Imaging shows the water column directly below the boat in extreme detail - fish appear as fish-shaped objects, bottom structure shows in photographic detail, individual rocks and submerged objects are clearly identifiable. Combined with MEGA SI+ side coverage, you get full 360-degree imaging coverage of the area immediately around the boat.

MEGA 360 Imaging compatibility. The APEX 16 supports MEGA 360 Imaging - sweeps up to 125 feet in every direction around the boat to deliver imaging even when the boat isn't moving. Critical for pre-fishing scouting (find structure before deciding where to cast) and stationary fishing applications (anchored at a productive spot, see the structure around you in real time). MEGA 360 requires a separate MEGA 360 transducer (sold separately) - the APEX 16 has the processing and display capability but the transducer is a separate purchase.

MEGA Live compatibility. The APEX 16 supports MEGA Live - the company's real-time live-action sonar that delivers MEGA-clarity imaging of fish and structure in real time. Live sonar is the next-generation imaging that lets you literally see fish swimming around your bait or lure as you fish. Required separate MEGA Live transducer (sold separately). MEGA Live has transformed certain fishing techniques (vertical jigging, ice fishing, structure-fishing for bait-following species) where seeing fish behavior in real time changes the technique entirely.

Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar. CHIRP (Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse) transmits a frequency-swept pulse instead of single-frequency, which gives better target separation, better small-target detection, and meaningful resistance to interference. Dual Spectrum CHIRP transmits across two frequency bands simultaneously - typically the lower band for deep-water work and the higher band for shallow-water detail. The dual-band approach gives you full sonar coverage from immediately under the boat down to the deepest water you'll typically fish with one transducer.

Multiple sonar frequencies. The APEX 16 supports a wide range of sonar frequencies through different transducer compatibility: 50 kHz (deep-water bottom and large-target), 83 kHz (medium-depth wide-beam), 200 kHz (shallow-water high-detail), 455 kHz (high-detail imaging), 800 kHz (extreme high-detail short-range), and 1.2 MHz (MEGA-class imaging). Each frequency targets a specific depth and detail tradeoff. the APEX handles them all natively without needing different chartplotter models for different sonar setups.

2 kilowatt auxiliary sonar port. The APEX 16 includes a dedicated 2 kW auxiliary sonar port that accepts external 2D CHIRP transducers up to 2 kW transmit power. For deep-water offshore applications (deepwater bottom fishing, deep-water trolling for swordfish / tuna), the 2 kW port lets you pair a high-power Airmar transducer for serious deep-water performance beyond what the standard transducer port can drive. Critical capability for offshore boats.

Built-in GPS and mapping. Internal precision GPS receiver provides accurate position fixing for waypoints and boat positioning. Built-in cartography includes detailed charts of more than 10,000 inland lakes plus coastal coverage for the continental United States. For typical US recreational use, the built-in maps cover most of where you'll actually go without needing additional chart cards. Optional chart upgrades are available for international cruising or specific premium chart features.

NMEA 2000 networking. Standard NMEA 2000 connectivity integrates the chartplotter with engine instruments, autopilots, wind / depth / speed sensors, AIS receivers, VHF radios, and other modern marine electronics on the boat. NMEA 2000 is the modern boat electronics standard - if your boat has any current marine electronics, they probably integrate via NMEA 2000.

HDMI in/out. The HDMI connectivity is unusual for marine chartplotters - HDMI input lets you display video from external sources (engine room cameras, navigation cameras, entertainment sources) on the chartplotter screen. HDMI output lets you mirror the chartplotter display to additional screens (helm-station overhead displays, captain's quarter monitors, fly-bridge repeater screens). For large boats with multiple display locations, HDMI output is meaningful capability.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Built-in wireless connectivity for mobile device integration, app integration, and wireless software updates. Connect compatible Bluetooth devices (phones for navigation alerts, wireless audio for system audio output). Connect to Wi-Fi networks for software updates and chart updates without removing media cards.

One-Boat Network integration. The APEX 16 is the central command center of the One-Boat Network ecosystem - the connectivity standard that ties Humminbird chartplotter, compatible trolling motors, and Cannon Optimum downriggers into one integrated system. Control sister-brand trolling motors directly from the APEX touchscreen, manage Cannon Optimum downriggers wirelessly, share waypoints between devices, see motor status on the chartplotter display. For boats running the integrated ecosystem, the One-Boat Network capability is the killer feature that turns separate devices into one cohesive system.

Cross-brand compatibility. Through One-Boat Network, the APEX integrates with: compatible trolling motor brands (sister-brand QUEST and Ulterra series motors), Cannon Optimum downriggers, MEGA imaging transducers, AIS receivers, autopilots, and the broader Humminbird ecosystem. The result is a single chartplotter that controls and monitors essentially every electronic system on a serious recreational fishing boat.

Power and electrical. 10.8 to 20V DC operating range covers both 12V and 24V boat electrical systems. 4.3 amp current draw at typical operation. Use a 6-7A circuit breaker on the chartplotter circuit. Don't share the circuit with other heavy loads - voltage drop on shared circuits can cause display issues.

What's in the box. The kit includes the APEX 16 control head (the main chartplotter unit), the XM 14 HW MSI T transom mount transducer (the included starter transducer with MEGA Side Imaging capability), screen cover for transport / storage, complete mounting hardware, power cable, and the gimbal mounting bracket for surface mounting. For a complete install, you have everything except boat-specific mounting hardware (longer bolts for thicker dashes, etc - source from any marine fastener supplier).

Install. Mount the chartplotter at the helm using the gimbal mount (or flush mount with optional kit, sold separately). Connect 12V or 24V power via the supplied cable through a 6-7A circuit breaker. Mount the included transom transducer per its install guide and run the cable to the chartplotter. Connect to NMEA 2000 backbone if you have one. Connect any HDMI / Ethernet / additional sensor cables as needed. Configure chartplotter settings on first boot. Total install runs 4-8 hours for someone with reasonable mechanical and marine electrical skills - the transducer install is the longest single item.

Limited 2-year warranty. Humminbird backs the APEX 16 with a 2-year limited warranty. Service through the Humminbird warranty network. Save the receipt and original packaging if practical for warranty service.