2026 Comparison
5 twelve-inch multifunction displays compared on the criteria that matter in sailing: dedicated functions (SailSteer, Layline, ForwardScan), autopilot/radar/AIS integration, integrated or networked fishfinder, charting. Workshop recommendation by program. Transparent mention of Raymarine Axiom in FAQ (not stocked at Skysat).
B&G
4078 € HT
Pour qui : Racing sailboat IRC, serious regatta, 40-50+ foot sailboat with full B&G ecosystem (Halo radar + NAC-3 autopilot + WS720/730)
View Zeus SR 12B&G
3318 € HT
Pour qui : 35-50 foot cruising sailboat, existing or planned B&G ecosystem, budget < 3 500 € HT
View Zeus 3S 12"Garmin
2938 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat 35-45 ft 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 saving vs 1222xsv
View GPSMAP 1222Lowrance
2865 € HT
Pour qui : Motorboat or power-sailer 30-40 ft with fishing use, structured live sonar, fine fishing display. Not the best choice for pure sailboats.
View HDS-12 Pro2026 distributor prices excluding VAT in France, screen only (excluding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price ex-VAT 12" screen only | ~ 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 fishfinder | ForwardScan (optional) | Optional via fishfinder | 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) |
| Mapping included | 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 race + performance | Offshore cruising sailboat | Sail/power hybrid | Dual-station sailboat | Fishing + motorboat |
Our recommendation by navigation program, based on 200+ MFD sailboat installations 2020-2026.
Racing
The B&G Zeus SR 12" (€4,078 ex VAT) is our sailboat racing chartplotter pick. The UltraWide display shows 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 display (Zeus SR 16" or Glass Helm) at the mast.
Total installed screen + chartplotter + GPS antenna cost: ~ 4 600 € HT per station
View Zeus SR 12Cruising
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 display of the SR model, but SailSteer and real-time Layline features are present where it matters. Direct integration with NAC-3, Halo, and WS320 without a buffer. Saves €760 ex-VAT vs. the Zeus SR — useful if sensor/pilot budget is a priority.
Screen + chartplotter + GPS installed budget: ~ 3 800 € HT
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 sufficient for coastal cruising.
Screen + CHIRP depth sounder + GPS budget: ~ 3 500 € HT
View GPSMAP 1222xsvFishing / motorboat
The Lowrance HDS-12 Pro (2 865 € HT) is designed for structured fishing: Active Imaging HD + LiveSight provide unmatched underwater structure clarity, even in bright Bahamian sunlight. Not the right choice for a pure sailboat — it lacks SailSteer/Layline functions and native B&G/Garmin integration. Reserved for fishing boats / motorboats / day cruisers.
Screen + Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer budget: ~ 3 100 € HT
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 a 1.5 m cockpit reading distance, a 12" display is already at the upper limit of visual usefulness. A 16" becomes relevant starting from a 50+ ft sailboat with an interior helm station. For 30-45 ft sailboats, the 12" is the optimal pivot. Savings: €1,500 to €2,000 ex-VAT vs a 16".
Garmin and B&G/Navico communicate via NMEA 2000 (adequate for position, average wind) but not via proprietary protocols (B&G SailSteer, Garmin Reactor). Result: half the 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 fishfinder box (~ 800 € HT) if you want a fishfinder retrofitted later. Adding the integrated fishfinder at purchase (1222xsv) costs an extra 200 € net — far cheaper than GSD-26 + wiring + installation labor. The 1222 without a fishfinder only makes sense if the boat already has a dedicated fishfinder on the network.
4 questions to identify the 12" chartplotter suited to your sailboat and existing 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 (sailing-specific), 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 sailing uses without compromise.
Zeus SR (released 2024) brings three major improvements over the 3S: UltraWide screen (wider aspect 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 Halo functions (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 all the 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), plan for premium charts (~ 200-400 € excluding 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 2 brands in the core = losing 30-50% of advanced functions.
Standard workshop: 2 displays. One 12" at the interior chart table (detailed chart + radar + AIS reading), a second 12" at the cockpit (quick navigation + autopilot + GPS reading). Racing sailboats add a 3rd display (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 tablet 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+ MFD installations for sailboats 2020–2026, coastal cruising, offshore, transatlantic, IRC racing. 2026 indicative distributor prices in France, screen only (excludes transducers, premium charts, external GPS antennas, installation labor). Raymarine Axiom Pro listed in FAQ for transparency — not distributed by Skysat.
