2026 Comparator
5 multifunction displays 12 inches compared on the criteria that matter in sailing: dedicated functions (SailSteer, Layline, ForwardScan), autopilot/radar/AIS integration, built-in or networked fishfinder, charting. Workshop recommendation by program. Transparent mention of Raymarine Axiom in FAQ (not distributed by Skysat).
B&G
4078 € HT
Pour qui : IRC racing sailboat, serious regatta, 40-50+ ft sailboat with full B&G ecosystem (Halo radar + NAC-3 autopilot + WS720/730 wind transducer)
View Zeus SR 12"B&G
3318 € HT
Pour qui : 35-50 ft cruising sailboat, existing or planned B&G ecosystem, budget < €3,500 ex. VAT
View Zeus 3S 12"Garmin
2938 € HT
Pour qui : 35-45 ft sailboat mixed sail + motor program, existing Garmin ecosystem (GPS handheld, Reactor 40, Fantom radar)
View GPSMAP 1222xsvGarmin
2728 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat already equipped with a network fishfinder (Garmin GSD or other brand via NMEA), 2nd cockpit screen, €200 cheaper than 1222xsv
View GPSMAP 1222Lowrance
2865 € HT
Pour qui : 30-40 ft motorboat or sailboat-motor with fishing use, structured live fishfinder, fine fishing display. Not the best choice for pure sailing.
View HDS-12 Pro2026 distributor prices in France, VAT excluded, display unit only (excluding depth sounder, 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 price HT (unit 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 depth sounder | ForwardScan (optional) | Optional via transducer | CHIRP + DownVu integrated | 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 charts | 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 | Mercury Outboard Pilot |
| 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+ MFD installations on sailboats 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, and instrument data simultaneously without overlapping layers. SailingTime, Layline, and StartLine are native features (not firmware add-ons). Direct integration with the 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 budget screen + chartplotter + installed GPS antenna: ~ €4,600 ex. VAT per station
View Zeus SR 12Sailboat cruising
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 features are present where they matter. Native integration with NAC-3, Halo, and WS320 without an intermediary. Saves €760 ex-VAT vs the Zeus SR — useful if sensor and autopilot budget is the priority.
Budget screen + chartplotter + installed GPS: ~ €3,800 ex. VAT
View Zeus 3S 12"Sailboat/motorboat mix
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 to add a network sounder box. Basic sailing functions are sufficient for coastal cruising.
Budget screen + CHIRP sonar + GPS: ~ €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 unrivalled underwater structure imaging for sailboats. 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. 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 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 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 (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 fishfinder box (~ 800 € HT) if you want to add a fishfinder later. Buying the integrated fishfinder from the start (1222xsv) costs 200 € net — significantly less 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 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 (sailing-only), 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 five references above cover sailing use cases without compromise.
Zeus SR (released 2024) brings three major improvements over the 3S: an UltraWide screen (wider aspect ratio = more data displayed simultaneously), a 2× faster processor (instant page transitions vs 1-2 sec on 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 premium 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 functions of the Halo (MARPA, colorized Doppler, custom scan 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 features. Avoid for serious racing/cruising sailboats.
B&G Zeus (SR and 3S): Preloaded C-MAP DISCOVER X worldwide + 12 months of updates. Navionics+ downloadable separately. Garmin GPSMAP 1222 / 1222xsv: Preloaded BlueChart g3 Vision Europe (equivalent to paper charts in digital + 3D relief). Lowrance HDS-12 Pro: Preloaded C-MAP DISCOVER X + access to Navionics+ charts via subscription. For specific areas (Caribbean, South Pacific, Patagonia), expect premium charts (~ €200-400 VAT excluded additional cost).
Three protocols coexist: NMEA2000 (universal standard, sharing position/wind/depth data), proprietary Ethernet (B&G/Navico network, Garmin Marine Network, Raymarine SeaTalkNG — sharing radar, fishfinder, chartplotter data), and NMEA0183 (legacy, still useful for AIS). Workshop recommendation: stick to a single ecosystem for the "core" system (MFD + autopilot + radar) and add NMEA2000 for third-party sensors (anemometer, instruments). Mixing two brands in the core system results in losing 30-50% of advanced functions.
Standard workshop: 2 displays. One 12" at the interior chart table (detailed chart + radar + AIS readout), a second 12" at the cockpit (quick navigation + autopilot + GPS). Racing sailboats add a 3rd screen (Zeus SR 16" or Glass Helm) near the mast for the tactician. On a 35-foot cruising sailboat: a single 12" cockpit display is enough, with an iPad at the chart table (navigation via Navionics or TimeZero app).
Skysat has distributed B&G/Navico, Garmin Marine, and Lowrance since 2018. Comparison based on 200+ MFD installations on sailboats from 2020–2026, including coastal cruising, offshore, transatlantic, and IRC racing. Indicative 2026 distributor HT prices, screen only (excluding transducers, premium charts, external GPS antennas, and installation labor). Raymarine Axiom Pro listed in FAQ for transparency — not distributed by Skysat.
