New Garmin GPSMap 741sx, 741, etc.; signs of what's to come?
I believe that Garmin has had a tremendous run with the GPSMap 700 Series introduced in January, 2010, but consider all that's different in the new premier models announced this morning (along with new 500 Series models too). That 7-inch WVGA screen is multi-touch, that sleeker casing can be flat as well as flush mounted, and the processor inside is purportedly 60% faster. Yes, it includes WiFi for easy integration with BlueChart Mobile and apps to come. And there's more...
The new GPSmap 741 also includes both U.S. coastal and lake cartography and the sounder included in the "sx" model not only features 1kW of something called "HD-ID sonar technology" but also a 600W {corrected 11/15} version of Garmin's Spread Spectrum CHIRP capabilities previously available only in the GSD 26, a black box that costs more than this plotter/fishfinder combo. Meanwhile, the similar but even less expensive echomap 70s (below) -- aimed at freshwater users -- lacks the CHIRP technology but includes the sx's ability to record sonar. And all the new 7-inch displays have an analog camera input, and, though not listed, I've learned that the 7X1 models have Bluetooth and Ant wireless as well as WiFi. Plus I detect some interesting updates to the Garmin touch interface, like that bottom menu and the "back" button...
Note that like previous 7XX chart plotters and combos, the new 7X1 "premier" models and the 70x will only network with each other and Garmin 4XXX and greater MFDs over NMEA 2000, not over Ethernet. Thus the sharing of radar, sonar and g2 Vision chart cards is not possible, though the design does include an Ethernet port for direct hookup of a Garmin radar. (In fact, the new 7X1 models seem to have two Ethernet ports though I don't yet know what the second one is for.) Also note that the 7X1 and 70s use microSD cards instead the full size ones, which I consider unfortunate. On the other hand, all of Garmin's new displays, including the GPSmap 5XX models and echomap 50s include a GPS/GLOSNOSS receiver that refreshes position, SOG and COG tens times a second!
Probably the best place to start investigating these units is at the new mini site garmin/combos. There you'll also find a clever new tag line -- the "Power of Simple" -- along with this tease: "And you will definitely find the Power of Simple in all the new Garmin marine products coming your way in 2013." Now it's time for first look opinions. How well did Garmin parry all the competition that's appeared in the 7-inch and smaller combo/MFD category? How will Garmin's latest features translate into the inevitable refresh of their fully networked series? (I'm glad to add that Kees Verruijt will be at METS this week and will hopefully gets his hands on this new gear.)
PS 11/14: Garmin sent me a booty shot of the new GPSmap 7X1 plotter/fishfinder and it explains the two Ethernet ports, I think. We may need to see actual products and manuals to know more, but this sure is a highly connected 7-inch display, particularly for one that doesn't claim to be fully networked or even multifunction. (Also, I have already asked how a port can be power and NMEA 0183 with only two pins ;-)
PPS 11/16: Garmin sent an updated booty shot of the new GPSmap 7X1 plotter/fishfinder which will answer some of the questions raised in the comments and also holds out hope for future expandability (the Network port!). I'll take down the earlier image soon.
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I've been looking at the gallery images on the mini site...
http://sites.garmin.com/combos/gallery/
...and think that the very flat, mostly glass face design of the new 7-inch displays is significant. Something I've learned from the Furuno TZT is that some touch commands are easier when there's no protruding bezel (especially in the corners). The design is also going to look sharp when flat or flush mounted.
Is there any doubt that this design will come to Garmin's bigger screens?