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 depth sounder, chartplotter. Workshop recommendation by program. Transparent mention of Raymarine Axiom in FAQ (not distributed by Skysat).
B&G
4078 € HT
Pour qui : Sailboat racing IRC, serious regatta, 40-50+ foot 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 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 fishfinder (Garmin GSD or other brand via NMEA), 2nd cockpit display, €200 savings vs 1222xsv
View GPSMAP 1222Lowrance
2865 € HT
Pour qui : Motorboat or sailboat-motor 30-40 ft with fishing use, structured live sonar, fine fishing readout. 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 depth sounder | ForwardScan (optional) | Optional via transducer | CHIRP + integrated DownVu | No (network required) | Active Imaging HD + LiveSight |
| Sailing-specific 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 | 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 race + performance | Offshore cruising sailboat | Sail/motor dual-purpose | 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 VAT excluded) is our sailboat racing choice. The UltraWide screen displays SailSteer + chart + instrument data simultaneously without overlap. 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 the update rate. For racing boats, add a 2nd screen (Zeus SR 16" or Glass Helm) at the mast.
Total installed screen + chartplotter + GPS antenna cost: ~ €4,600 ex. VAT 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. Not the UltraWide of the SR, but SailSteer and real-time Layline are where it matters. Seamless NAC-3 + Halo + WS320 integration without a buffer. Saves €760 ex-VAT vs Zeus SR — useful if sensor/pilot budget is tight.
Budget screen + chartplotter + GPS installed: ~ $3,800 ex. VAT
View Zeus 3S 12"Mixed sail/power
The Garmin GPSMAP 1222xsv (€2,938 excl. 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.
Budget screen + CHIRP depth sounder + 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 unmatched underwater structure imaging for sailboats. SolarMAX HD is 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.
Budget screen + Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer: ~ $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" screen is already at the upper limit of practical readability. A 16" screen becomes relevant only on sailboats 50+ feet with an interior helm station. For 30-45 foot sailboats, the 12" screen 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 (usable for position, average wind) but not via proprietary protocols (SailSteer B&G, Reactor Garmin). 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 later. Adding the integrated fishfinder at purchase (1222xsv) costs 200 € net — far 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 your 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 (sail-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 5 references above cover sailboat uses without compromise.
Zeus SR (released 2024) delivers three major improvements over the 3S: an 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 VAT excluded extra), the SR justifies 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 via the Navico Ethernet network. However, the advanced functions 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 world preloaded + 12 months of updates. Navionics+ downloadable separately. Garmin GPSMAP 1222 / 1222xsv: BlueChart g3 Vision Europe preloaded (equivalent digital paper charts + 3D relief). Lowrance HDS-12 Pro: C-MAP DISCOVER X preloaded + access to Navionics+ charts via subscription. For specific areas (Caribbean, South Pacific, Patagonia), allow for premium charts (~ €200-400 VAT extra).
Three protocols coexist: NMEA2000 (universal standard, shares position/wind/depth), proprietary Ethernet (B&G/Navico network, Garmin Marine Network, Raymarine SeaTalkNG — shares radar, fishfinder, charts), 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 in the core = 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). 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 (mapping via Navionics or TimeZero app).
Skysat has distributed B&G/Navico, Garmin Marine, and Lowrance since 2018. Comparator 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, installation labor). Raymarine Axiom Pro listed in FAQ for transparency — not distributed by Skysat.
