Furuno vs Garmin

Greetings!

My search for the best way to upgrade electronics on my TomCat 24 for a cruise Down East has brought me to two finalists:

Furuno TZT9
http://www.furunousa.com/products/productdetail.aspx?product=TZT9
MSRP US$3,695 Defender US$2,885

Garmin GPSMAP 7610
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-water/chartplotters/gpsmap-7610/prod151678.html
MSRP US$2,499 Toronto CD$2,630

They are the largest MFDs I have space for at the helm console. The plan is to pair the MFD with radar:

Furuno DRS4W
http://www.furuno.com/en/products/radar/DRS4W
MSRP US$1,695 Defender US$1,325

Garmin GMR 18 xHD
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-water/radar/gmr-18-xhd-radome/prod86235.html
MSRP US$1,599

Questions for you:

Any first-hand experience or knowledge with the above?

Is Furuno worth the premium price?

Is it advisable to shop at discounters like Defender?

Your input will be much appreciated.

--Georgs, TomCat 24 At Last!, Frenchman's Bay, Ontario

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