2026 Comparator
5 12-inch multifunction displays compared based on criteria that matter in sailing: dedicated functions (SailSteer, Layline, ForwardScan), autopilot/radar/AIS integration, built-in or networked fishfinder, chartplotting. Workshop recommendation by program. Transparent mention of Raymarine Axiom in FAQ (not sold by Skysat).
B&G
4078 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat IRC racing, serious regatta, 40-50+ ft sailboat with full B&G ecosystem (Halo radar + NAC-3 autopilot + WS720/730)
View Zeus SR 12"B&G
3318 € HT
Pour qui : 35-50 ft cruising sailboat, existing or planned B&G ecosystem, budget < 3,500 € HT
View Zeus 3S 12"Garmin
2938 € HT
Pour qui : 35-45 ft sailboat with mixed sail/power program, existing Garmin ecosystem (GPS handheld, Reactor 40, Fantom radar)
View GPSMAP 1222xsvGarmin
2728 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat already equipped with a network sounder (Garmin GSD or other brand via NMEA), 2nd cockpit screen, €200 cheaper than 1222xsv
View GPSMAP 1222Lowrance
2865 € HT
Pour qui : Motorboat or motor-sailer 30-40 ft with fishing use, structured live sonar, fine fishing display. Not the best choice for pure sailboat.
View HDS-12 Pro2026 distributor prices in France, VAT excluded, display only (excludes transducer, external GPS antenna, premium charts).
| Criteria | B&G Zeus SR 12 | B&G Zeus 3S 12 | Garmin GPSMAP 1222xsv | Garmin GPSMAP 1222 | Lowrance HDS-12 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12" screen only unit price excl. VAT | ~ 4 078 € | ~ 3 318 € | ~ 2 938 € | ~ 2 728 € | ~ 2 865 $ |
| Screen type | 12" UltraWide IPS | 12" classic 16:9 | 12" backlit | 12" backlit | 12" SolarMAX HD |
| Integrated sounder | ForwardScan (optional) | Optional via sounder | CHIRP + integrated DownVu | No (network required) | Active Imaging HD + LiveSight |
| Dedicated sailing functions | SailSteer, Layline, RaceData, StartLine | SailSteer, real-time Layline | Basic (simple laylines) | Basic (simple laylines) | Limited (no SailSteer) |
| Included mapping | C-MAP + Navionics | C-MAP + Navionics | BlueChart g3 Vision | BlueChart g3 Vision | C-MAP + Navionics |
| Native autopilot compatible | B&G NAC-3, H5000 | B&G NAC-3, H5000 | Garmin Reactor 40 | Garmin Reactor 40 | Outboard Pilot Mercury |
| Native radar compatible | B&G Halo 20+/24 | B&G Halo 20+/24 | Garmin Fantom | Garmin Fantom | Lowrance HALO |
| Target program | IRC racing + performance | Offshore cruising sailboat | Mixed sail/power | Dual-station sailboat | Fishing + motorboat |
Our recommendation by navigation program, based on 200+ sailboat MFD installations 2020–2026.
Racing
The B&G Zeus SR 12" (€4,078 ex-VAT) is our sailboat racing choice. The UltraWide screen displays SailSteer + chart + instrument data simultaneously without overlap. SailingTime, Layline, and StartLine are native features (no firmware add-ons). Direct integration with H5000 processor and WS720/730 sensors — no NMEA buffer degrading update rate. For racing boats, add a 2nd screen (Zeus SR 16" or Glass Helm) at the mast.
Total budget screen + chartplotter + GPS antenna installed: ~ €4,600 ex. VAT per station
View Zeus SR 12"Cruising sailboat
The B&G Zeus 3S 12" (€3,318 ex-VAT) has been our go-to chartplotter for cruising sailboats for 5 years. It lacks the UltraWide screen of the SR model, but SailSteer and real-time Layline are where they matter. Direct integration with NAC-3 + Halo + WS320 without a buffer. Saves €760 ex-VAT vs. Zeus SR — useful if sensor/pilot budget is a priority.
Screen + chartplotter + GPS installed budget: ~ €3,800 ex. VAT
View Zeus 3S 12"Mixed sail/power
The Garmin GPSMAP 1222xsv (€2,938 ex-VAT) is the right choice when you alternate between sailing and powerboating, occasional fishing, and already have a Garmin ecosystem in place (handheld GPS, Reactor 40, Fantom radar). The integrated CHIRP fishfinder eliminates the need for an additional network sounder box. Basic sailing functions are adequate for coastal cruising.
Screen + CHIRP transducer + GPS budget: ~ €3,500 ex. VAT
View GPSMAP 1222xsvFishing / motorboat
The Lowrance HDS-12 Pro (€2,865 ex. VAT) is designed for structured fishing: Active Imaging HD + LiveSight provide underwater structure readings unmatched in sailing. SolarMAX HD readable in full Bahamian sunlight. Not the right choice for a pure sailboat — it lacks SailSteer/Layline functions and native B&G/Garmin integration. Limited to fishing boats / motorboats / day cruisers.
Screen + Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer budget: ~ €3,100 ex. VAT
View HDS-12 ProThe 3 mistakes that come up when a customer chooses their MFD without a workshop audit.
A 16" screen weighs more, takes up more space, and consumes more power. At 1.5 m viewing distance from the cockpit, a 12" display is already at the upper limit of visual usability. A 16" becomes relevant only on sailboats 50+ feet with an interior helm station. For 30-45 foot sailboats, the 12" is the optimal choice. Cost saving: €1,500 to €2,000 ex-VAT vs a 16".
Garmin and B&G/Navico communicate via NMEA 2000 (adequate for position and average wind) but not through proprietary protocols (SailSteer B&G, Reactor Garmin). Result: half of sailing functions are lost when switching Garmin to an existing B&G platform. Always stay within a single ecosystem: all B&G, all Garmin, or all Lowrance.
The 1222 is 200 € HT cheaper than the 1222xsv but requires a Garmin GSD-26 network sounder box (~ 800 € HT) if you want to add a sounder later. Buying the integrated sounder from the start (1222xsv) costs 200 € net — far cheaper than GSD-26 + wiring + installation labor. The 1222 without a sounder only makes sense if the boat already has a dedicated sounder on the network.
4 questions to identify the 12" chartplotter suited to your sailboat and existing onboard ecosystem.
Skysat does not distribute the Raymarine MFD range (Axiom, Element). Our editorial choice is to focus on the ecosystems for which we install complete systems: B&G/Navico (pure sailing), Garmin (mixed use), and Lowrance (fishing). Raymarine Axiom is a good chartplotter — if you already have a complete Raymarine ecosystem (Evolution EV-200 + Quantum 2 + Tacktick), stay with it. Otherwise, our 5 references above cover sailboat uses without compromise.
Zeus SR (released 2024) brings three major improvements over the 3S: UltraWide screen (wider ratio = more data displayed simultaneously), a processor twice as fast (instant page transitions vs 1-2 sec on the 3S), and enhanced SailSteer (native StartLine + RaceData). In standard cruising, the difference is minimal. In IRC racing where you monitor 4-5 data points simultaneously + chart + laylines, the SR is a game-changer. At the current price (€760 ex-VAT difference), the SR is worth the extra cost if you race or do serious offshore sailing.
Partially, yes. The Lowrance HDS Pro and B&G Halo are both part of the Navico Group, and the HDS Pro can display a Halo radar via the Navico Ethernet network. However, the advanced features of the Halo (MARPA, colorized Doppler, custom scanning modes) are better utilized on a Zeus display from the same family. On the HDS Pro, you get a functional radar but without the full sailing-specific refinements. To be avoided on serious racing/cruising sailboats.
B&G Zeus (SR and 3S): C-MAP DISCOVER X worldwide preloaded + 12 months of updates. Navionics+ downloadable separately. Garmin GPSMAP 1222 / 1222xsv: BlueChart g3 Vision Europe preloaded (equivalent to paper charts in digital + 3D relief). Lowrance HDS-12 Pro: C-MAP DISCOVER X preloaded + access to Navionics+ charts via subscription. For specific areas (Caribbean, South Pacific, Patagonia), expect premium charts (~200-400 € VAT extra).
Three protocols coexist: NMEA2000 (universal standard, sharing position/wind/depth), proprietary Ethernet (B&G/Navico network, Garmin Marine Network, Raymarine SeaTalkNG — sharing radar, fishfinder, chartplotters), and NMEA0183 (legacy, still useful for AIS). Workshop recommendation: stick to a single ecosystem for the "core" (MFD + autopilot + radar) and add NMEA2000 for third-party sensors (anemometer, instruments). Mixing two brands at the core means losing 30–50 % of advanced functions.
Standard workshop setup: 2 displays. One 12" at the interior chart table (detailed chart + radar + AIS readout), a second 12" at the cockpit (quick navigation + autopilot + GPS readout). Racing sailboats add a 3rd screen (Zeus SR 16" or Glass Helm) near the mast for the tactician. On a 35-foot cruising sailboat: 1 12" cockpit display is sufficient, with an iPad at the chart table (chartplotting via Navionics or TimeZero app).
Skysat has distributed B&G/Navico, Garmin Marine and Lowrance since 2018. Comparator based on 200+ installations of sailboat MFDs from 2020–2026, including coastal cruising, offshore, transatlantic, and IRC racing setups. Indicative distributor HT prices for 2026 (screen only, excluding transducers, premium cartography, external GPS antennas, and installation labor). Raymarine Axiom Pro listed in FAQ for transparency — not distributed by Skysat.
