Garmin GPSMAP 741XS Review
The Garmin GPSMAP 741xs is a combination of a plotter, combined with a sounder. It comes as a base unit but has the capability to be upgraded for use with the transducer that can best meet your specific needs.
With this unit, you will have clear visibility no matter whether you are out fishing during the day or at night. The unit provides autopilot capability, media integration, radar support and wireless connectivity. It is a very accurate and easy to use the unit.
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The Garmin 741XS Supports a Wide Range of Transducers
The Garmin 741xs is designed to be a complete navigation and mapping tool. There are many different transducers that can be added to this unit to extend its performance capabilities and uses.
This also saves the consumer money because you do not have to pay for a bunch of additional features that are built-in that you will never need. The professional has the option to use different responders without needed to pay for a separate base unit for each.
Special Built-In Features Are Designed To Aid With Sailing
The Garmin 741xs features many built-in tools to aid you if you are sailing. It includes a lay line view. There is an enhanced wind rose available for viewing.
Useful features include the course-over-ground lines so you can track the path of your trip to see if you need to make any course adjustments and to help you evaluate the performance of your ship and crew. There are also readings that will display true wind data fields, tide charts, current location indicators and a time slider.
The 741XS Features a Built-In Auto-Pilot Feature
This unit offers you the capability to enter and save waypoints. These can then be entered into the auto-pilot and it will take you to the pre-selected navigation point.
This can allow you more ability to relax and enjoy the trip because you do not need to focus on navigation all day. You can save money and time using this feature if you are running a commercial operation. You will not need to worry about straying off course.
Features & Specifications
- 7-Inch high-resolution intuitive touchscreen controls. Display size-6.1 x 3.4 inches, 7.0 inch diagonal
- NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 support for network connectivity, including autopilots, digital switching, weather, FUSION-Link, VHF, AIS and more
- Garmin Marine Network support for sharing sonar, including Panoptix sonar, maps, user data, radar and IP cameras among multiple units
- Preloaded U.S. LakeVü HD maps and Blue Chart g2 charts
- Weighs only 2.3 pounds.
- Compact size of 9 x 5.6 x 2.4 inches.
- Requires a 12-volt battery, not included, in order to operate.
- A combination of a plotter and a sounder to provide maximum visibility under any condition.
- Very fast 10 HZ GPS/GLONASS receiver.
- A transducer can easily be added to the unit in order to extend its capabilities.
- The unit includes built-in features to aid in sailing navigation.
- You can link to your apple device to the Garmin.
- The Garmin 741xs can be flush, flat or gimble-mounted to the front of the helm.
- Allows for media integration, and offers wireless connectivity.
- Built-in radar support.
- It updates heading and position up to 10 times each second.
- Offers a constant display with fluid on-screen location.
- Auto-pilot feature.
What Customers are Saying
Customers love how fast, accurate and easy the touch-screen pad is to use. The information is displayed very quickly. The Garmin can be hooked up to the engine interface so you can also view all the gauges, monitor the fuel system and more, right from the one panel.
The screen is only seven inches, as opposed to some of the other units that feature larger screens. Customers claim that the screen can be very difficult to read under certain lighting conditions, but stated that they though the larger screen would be easier to read, under many circumstances.
A seven-inch screen may not be ideal for those who are looking for a larger view screen, but the compact size is ideal for most small vessels and many larger vessels do not mind the small screen either.
This product is recommended because it offers solidly built in features, and is designed to be easily upgraded if you need more powerful tools.
Who Should Buy This Product?
This is a great product for anyone heading out into the open ocean. This is an excellent navigational tool. The unit can be upgraded for anyone who needs the additional power of a transponder.
The beautiful thing about this model is that it supports so many different kinds of transponders, you have the ability to select the ones that are perfect for you and if you need to use more than one kind of transponder, you can use all of them on this single base unit.
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Who Shouldn’t Buy This Product?
This may not be the ideal product for those who have small pleasure boats and are looking for a good navigations system. This unit can do the job but you can probably find a less expensive model if navigation is all you that you are really looking for.
This is a powerful unit that is designed to be upgraded for professional level applications. Most small boat owners just will not need such a powerful unit and can probably save money by choosing a different model.
Conclusion
This is a great addition for anyone heading out into the open water. It includes the capabilities that everyone needs but saves you money because you are not paying for expensive features you will never need.
You can upgrade easily if you need higher-end professional functionality. This unit can handle it all and you only pay for what you need.
Looking for a professional model? Check out our Garmin 1040xs review.
