Most blokes walk into an electronics upgrade the same way - old sounder is dying, mate just got a new Garmin, or the chartplotter is so out of date it no longer has the marina on the chart. Whatever the trigger, if you are shopping for marine electronics in 2026, there are some genuinely good options at every price point right now.

We install a lot of gear up and down the NSW coast - Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, and everywhere in between. Below is what we are actually recommending to customers this year, and who each setup suits.

What We Are Fitting Most in 2026

1. Garmin GPSMAP 8400 Series - the sweet spot for NSW fishing boats

The 8412xsv is the unit we fit more than anything else. If you are running a centre console, a half-cab, or anything in the 5-8 metre range and you do any serious fishing - estuary, reef, or offshore - this is the one. Twelve-inch screen that you can actually read on a bright summer day, CHIRP sonar that gives you a clear picture of what is below, and full LiveScope compatibility if you want to go down that path later.

The 8416xsv is the same unit in a 16-inch screen. Worth it if you have the dash space and are doing serious offshore work where you want everything on one screen without squinting.

• Best for: fishing boats 5-8m, centre consoles, half-cabs, offshore targeting
• Popular models: 8412xsv (12"), 8416xsv (16")
• Key features: built-in CHIRP, ClearVu, SideVu, LiveScope ready

See also: Garmin GPSMAP 8412xsv - installed and tested in Port Macquarie

2. Garmin GPSMAP 9000 Series - when you are building a full system

The 9000 series is what we spec when someone is doing a full electronics refit - multiple screens networked together, radar, autopilot, AIS. The processor handles the load better, the screen is noticeably sharper, and the whole thing feels more solid in your hands.

The 9013xsv is the most popular size we fit in this range - 13 inches is big enough to read everything clearly without taking over the whole dash. If you are running a larger game boat or a vessel with a proper helm station, the 9017xsv at 17 inches is worth a look.

• Best for: game boats, larger vessels, full system builds with radar and autopilot
• Popular models: 9013xsv (13"), 9017xsv (17")
• Key features: faster processor, premium display, full NMEA 2000 networking

See also: Garmin GPSMAP 9000 vs 8000 Series - which should you choose?

3. Simrad NSS Evo3S - the go-to for smaller boats and Simrad systems

If you are on a trailer boat or a smaller vessel where a 12-inch screen is just too much for the dash, the NSS Evo3S 9-inch is a seriously good unit. Clean touchscreen, solid CHIRP sonar, and if you already run a Simrad autopilot it connects cleanly without extra hardware or hassle.

Plenty of first-time MFD buyers also go down this path because the interface is straightforward and the price sits below the Garmin 8400 series. It does not have LiveScope compatibility - if that is important to you, Garmin is the right call.

• Best for: trailer boats, smaller centre consoles, existing Simrad autopilot owners
• Popular models: NSS Evo3S 9", NSS Evo3S 12"
• Key features: touchscreen, CHIRP, Navionics and C-MAP compatible, clean autopilot integration

See also: Simrad NSS Evo3S installation in NSW - what you need to know

4. Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro - for the navigator more than the fisho

The Axiom 2 Pro is not the unit we recommend first for an offshore snapper chaser, but if you do a lot of passage-making, overnight cruising, or extended coastal work, it is a very good piece of kit. The display is excellent in direct sunlight and the RVM models add RealVision 3D sonar which gives you a genuinely different view of what is under the hull.

We fit a fair few of these on cruising yachts and larger power cruisers around the NSW coast. Solid build quality and LightHouse OS is a clean, well-thought-out interface once you know it.

• Best for: cruising boats, passage-makers, navigation-focused users
• Popular models: Axiom 2 Pro S, Axiom 2 Pro RVM
• Key features: RealVision 3D sonar (RVM), sunlight-readable display, LightHouse OS

5. B&G Zeus 3S - if you sail, this is your unit

If you are fitting an MFD to a sailing boat, B&G is a different conversation entirely. The Zeus 3S is built specifically for sailing - it understands tacks, gybes, and sailing performance data in a way that a generic fishing MFD does not. The sailing autopilot integration is a big deal if you do coastal passages or offshore racing.

We fit B&G across NSW on everything from club racers to serious offshore passage-makers. If you sail, do not just grab the first Garmin you see - give us a call and let us spec the right setup for your boat.

• Best for: sailing vessels, cruising yachts, coastal and offshore sailors
• Popular models: Zeus 3S 9", Zeus 3S 12", Zeus 3S 16"
• Key features: sailing-specific software, wind data integration, sailing autopilot

6. Garmin LiveScope - the add-on that actually changes how you fish

If you already have a compatible Garmin MFD and you have not added LiveScope, this is the conversation worth having. It is not a gimmick - it gives you a live real-time picture of what is in front of or below the boat. You can watch fish react to a jig, see bait schools moving, and work structure in a way that traditional sonar just cannot show you.

The LiveScope Plus (LVS62) suits shallow water and inshore use. The LiveScope XR (LVS34) is the one for offshore and deeper water - designed for working deeper water and performing better at depth and in current. If you are not sure which suits your fishing, that is a quick conversation.

• Best for: any fisho who wants to actually see fish, not just guess
• Models: LiveScope Plus (LVS62) - inshore; LiveScope XR (LVS34) - offshore and deep
• Requires: compatible Garmin MFD (8400 series, 9000 series, ECHOMAP Ultra 2)

What About Furuno?

Furuno TZTouch series is in its own category - it is what commercial operators and serious offshore crews choose when they want gear that simply does not let them down. More expensive, built to a higher standard, and it shows over time.

If you run extended offshore, a commercial vessel, or you just want the most reliable kit on the water regardless of price - Furuno is worth a conversation. We are authorised dealers and can put together a package.

How Do You Pick the Right One?

Honestly, the biggest mistake we see is buying based on specs on a website rather than what the boat actually needs. Here is what we ask before we recommend anything:

• What size is the dash and how much room do you actually have?
• Where do you fish - inshore estuary, coastal reef, or offshore?
• What is already installed that you want to keep or integrate with?
• Are you fitting it yourself or do you want us to handle the install?
• What is the budget - and do you want to stage the build over time or do it all at once?

We are not going to push you toward the most expensive unit on the shelf. We will tell you what makes sense for your boat and your fishing. That is the whole point of buying through a specialist instead of a big box retailer.

Supply Nationally. Install Across NSW.

We supply packages Australia-wide with a minimum order of $2,500. For bigger builds - multi-screen systems, radar, full refits - we regularly ship to Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and WA.

Installation is available across NSW - Port Macquarie, Laurieton, Taree, Forster, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Sydney, and Pittwater. If you are somewhere else in NSW, talk to us and we will work it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand is best for NSW fishing?

Depends on what you are fishing and what is already on the boat. For most recreational fishing boats on the NSW coast, Garmin GPSMAP 8400 series is the one we recommend most. Simrad is a better fit for smaller boats or if you already run Simrad autopilot. Sailors should look at B&G. Commercial and serious offshore operators should consider Furuno. Ring us and we will tell you straight.

Do I need a sparky to fit a new chartplotter?

For a straight screen swap on an existing mount with existing wiring - sometimes you can do it yourself if you are handy. Anything involving NMEA 2000 networking, transducer installation, radar, or running new cable - get a professional. One wiring mistake can cause issues across the whole system that cost more to fix than the install would have.

Can you ship to me interstate?

Yep. We supply packages Australia-wide. Minimum order is $2,500. Contact us with what you need and we will put a quote together.

What is actually in a supply package?

The MFD, the right transducer for the package, mounting hardware, and cables as specified. Installation is not included - that is a separate job through Port Macquarie Marine Services. Contact us if you want supply and install quoted together.

How long does a full electronics install take?

A single screen swap is usually half a day. A full build with radar, multiple screens, transducer, and autopilot integration can be two to three days depending on the vessel. We will give you an accurate estimate once we know what you need.

Do you look after warranty and support after the sale?

Yep. We are authorised service agents for every brand we sell. If something goes wrong under warranty, or you need help with a firmware update or setup question, we are here. That is the difference between buying from us and buying from a random online retailer with no local presence.

Related Reading

• Garmin GPSMAP 8412xsv - Installed and Tested in Port Macquarie 2026
• Garmin GPSMAP 9000 vs 8000 Series - Which Should You Choose?
• Simrad NSS Evo3S Installation in NSW - What You Need to Know