The Only Garmin 741xs Review You Need

Garmin’s GPSMAP 741xs has both a plotter and a sounder in one device. It has a basic device, but you can change it to use the transducer for the maximum depth capacity that fits your needs.

Regardless of the time of day or night, you’ll be able to see the water condition very well with this device. The device has autopilot mode, media integration, radar assistance, and wireless capability. It is very accurate to determine water bottom type and user-friendly device.

Display

The display has an 800×480 resolution and a 7-inch diagonal. The display was bright and easy to see in direct sunshine and shade. The display is also quite bright and easy to notice with polarized sunglasses. However, polarized sunglasses may make the screen utterly opaque from extreme angles.

Since the screen size is appropriate, the quality of the coastal charts is enough, and all of the data is legible. In addition, Garmin has introduced an automated screen brightness adjustment. The automated adjustment seems to have a wide selection. Even in the middle of the night, the display adjusted its brightness to a perfectly visible level.

Garmin 741xs

Interface

The interface and menu layout will be familiar to anybody using Garmin’s most current marine devices. The power button is the single physical button on the device. On the touch screen, you can use all of the extra features of the device.

To access the main menu, press the home button on the screen. From there, you may choose several options. Unfortunately, only one element on this screen was difficult for me to understand. My search for navigation info or settings on the main home screen would often lead me to the bottom of the screen, where they were instead spread out.

Garmin 741xs Review

A chart, sonar technology, or a mix of the two may be selected from the home screen. If you have XM weather, an interface to engine diagnostics or other sensors installed, you may see additional choices on the home page. You may dive down to find the specific feature you need using the home screen. A standard, top-down chart, or 3D chart view may be selected once you choose “Chart,” for example.

The Home menu may be rearranged and reordered by adding and removing screens from the list. This will assist you in avoiding having to go through the options to get the screen you want. However, you can’t remove any of Garmin’s pre-installed options from the menu. For example, “Combination 1” was added to the default list in the screenshot above. It’s possible to change the names of the combination screens so that they are easier to read and understand.

Making waypoints and routes on the touch screen is a breeze. As soon as you hit a spot on the map, you can set a waypoint there. With the on-screen QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad for manually inputting lat and long, you’ll wonder how you managed without a touch screen in the previous generation.

While on the ocean doing tests on its DSC-capable VHF radio, I got a mayday call from a sinking sailboat. I quickly typed in the lat/lon and found out where I was, and I was given the correct answer.

The touch screen makes programming a breeze in a calm sea. However, it may be nearly impossible in a rough sea and deep water. Rubber hardware buttons are perfect for avoiding accidental button presses. You can’t do it with a touch screen.

While tossed around by rough waves, it became difficult to input waypoints without pressing the wrong buttons. A touch-screen gadget may not be the best choice if you often travel by water.

There was usually a row of buttons at the bottom of the pre-loaded charts screen. In the “landscape” position, those buttons eat up a significant portion of the chart’s lower right-hand side. You can’t make these buttons go down the right side of the screen or go away. As a result, the full-screen chart has an odd aspect ratio.

Supported Transducers for Garmin 741XS

As a navigation and mapping device, the Garmin 741xs excels. To expand the unit’s capabilities and applications, you can connect several transducers, including CHIRP transducer.

There is no need to pay for extra features like CHIRP technology integration, which saves money for the user. A professional may employ a variety of responders without purchasing a separate base unit for each.

Sailing Assistance

Numerous features integrated into the Garmin 741xs make it an excellent sailing instrument in a standard body of water. It supports the view of up to 2000 ft salt water. A view of the lay line and depth contours are shown. In addition, viewers may have a look at a more advanced wind rose.

The course-over-ground lines are an excellent tool for keeping tabs on your progress, determining whether or not any course corrections are necessary, and gauging the efficiency of your vessel and its crew. In addition, premium charts like true wind statistics, tide charts, position indications, and a time slider are available.

Garmin 741xs Reviews

Autopilot Compatibility in the 741xs

Waypoints may be entered and saved with this device. There are 2 card slots for memory cards. To use the autopilot, you’ll need to input the pre-selected destination.

Because you won’t have to keep your eyes on the road all day, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the journey. This function may save you money and time while operating a business. Also, you won’t have to worry about getting back on track if you get lost.

Navigation

Many recreational boaters like to use the highway screen as a graphical representation of the waypoints and routes they have programmed into their GPS. The highway screen terminology seems to have been eliminated from the menu structure by Garmin, although the GUI idea is still alive and active. Perspective 3D is now under the Chart menu, and the screen most comparable to the highway screen has been renamed. In addition, the chart data has been added to this screen.

The Nav Info menu option on the Home Screen makes it simple to locate waypoints and routes. The Waypoints menu displays a list of your waypoints, arranged from closest to furthest away. The “Search by Name” option covers offshore services, waypoints, routes, and tracks. This POI data enables you to search for various services you may need when boating, such as fuel, repairs, groceries, restrooms, boat ramps, marinas, etc. The pre-installed Bluecharts or an extra chart provides the data for this report.

my Garmin 741xs Review

What People Say about Garmin 741xs

Customers like the touch-screen pad’s speed, accuracy, and use. The data is shown in a matter of seconds. If you connect the Garmin to the engine interface, you’ll see all the gauges, track the fuel system, and more from a single chartplotter screen.

Compared to some other devices, this one has a smaller screen, at only seven inches. When it comes to lighting situations, customers say the screen is hard to see. However, they believe that the bigger screen would be easier to read in most cases.

Seven-inch screens are not ideal for people wanting a bigger view screen, but the compact size works well for most small fishing boats, and many larger boats do not mind the little screen either.

Since this product is meant to be readily updated, we suggest you connect it with Garmin Express if you want more powerful tools.

What I Like about Garmin 741xs

This is a fantastic tool for anybody who plans to go out sailing. This is a great way to find your way around the site. You can upgrade this device if you want to connect a transponder.

You can use many transponders with this model, so you can pick the ones that best fit your needs and use many on the same base unit.

To see the current price difference on Amazon, click here.

What I Don’t Like about Garmin 741xs

This may not be the best option if you have a tiny pleasure boat and want a decent navigation system. However, if navigation is all you need, you may be able to find a more affordable option with this device.

This powerful machine has surprisingly good power consumption; it is designed for professional-level tasks. Nevertheless, most small boat owners don’t require a powerful unit and may save money using a less powerful one.

Final Thoughts

This is a must-have for anybody planning a trip out on the vast ocean with a mobile device. Because it doesn’t offer things you won’t use, it saves you money because you won’t be paying for them.

If you want more advanced professional features, upgrading is a simple process. You just pay for what you use, so it’s a no-brainer. Just make sure you know your power usage, so it won’t die in the middle of the journey.


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