Simrad Multi-Function Display Systems
Simrad 000-13233-001 NSS evo3 7-Inch Multifunction Display with CHIRP Sonar
What Is a Marine Multi-Function Display System?
Simrad Multi-Function Display (MFD) systems are the command center of any modern boat. MFDs serve as the interface for marine electronics and other digitally-enabled equipment, bringing GPS navigation, sonar, radar, chartplotting, and full vessel control together into a single, touchscreen-driven hub. Whether you are running a small center console or the bridge of a superyacht, an MFD transforms the way you interact with your boat and the water around you.
Modern boating demands precision, situational awareness, and speed of information. Rather than juggling separate devices for navigation, fish-finding, and radar, an MFD consolidates all of these functions into one screen — or an array of networked screens — that can be configured exactly to your needs. Using an MFD-equipped helm, you can select precisely the single or multiple information windows needed for any given situation, exercise control, and check essential data all in one place.
What Can a Simrad MFD Do?
The capabilities packed into a modern Simrad MFD go far beyond basic chart display. Even in a straightforward installation, these systems typically incorporate:
- Chartplotter — Plot courses, set waypoints, and navigate with detailed marine charts from sources like C-MAP® and Navionics
- Fishfinder / Sonar — Locate fish and read bottom structure with integrated CHIRP sonar and StructureScan® HD imaging technology
- Radar integration — Connect a dome or open-array antenna for collision avoidance and target tracking
- AIS receiver — Monitor nearby vessel traffic for enhanced situational awareness and safety
- Autopilot control — Manage your autopilot, steer routes, and monitor heading directly from the display
- Vessel systems monitoring — Track engine data, fuel levels, bilge pumps, lighting, and other onboard systems from a single interface
More advanced setups take this further. Wired Ethernet, NMEA 2000®, and J1939 networking provide broad integration options, from vessel-wide multi-screen display arrays to radar, sonar, and third-party technology ecosystems. Built-in wireless connectivity on many models also allows remote viewing, control, and over-the-air software upgrades via mobile devices.
Why Simrad?
Simrad's roots stretch back to 1946, when founder Willy Simonsen began converting surplus wartime radios for use aboard commercial fishing vessels in Norway. From those origins, the brand evolved through decades of engineering milestones — echo sounders, fish-finders, radar, and eventually the sophisticated multi-function display platforms available today. That deep heritage of building equipment for some of the most demanding marine environments on earth continues to define Simrad's engineering philosophy.
Today, Simrad is part of the Navico Group, one of the world's largest leisure marine electronics organizations, and its MFD lineup spans vessels of every size — from small runabouts and sportfishing boats to luxury cruisers. Product lines like the NSS evo series and the NSO evo series feature ultra-bright SolarMAX™ IPS displays engineered for all-day sunlight readability, high-performance processors for fast screen response, and support for C-MAP® coastal charts right out of the box. The result is an MFD platform designed not just for today's needs, but one that grows with your boating ambitions.
Key Considerations When Shopping for a Marine MFD
Before choosing a Simrad MFD, consider screen size and placement — displays ranging from 7 inches up to 24 inches allow flexibility for single-helm installs or multi-screen glass cockpit setups. Think about integration: what radar, sonar transducers, autopilot hardware, and instruments do you already have aboard, and how will the new MFD connect to them? Also evaluate the chart ecosystem you prefer, touchscreen vs. keypad control preferences, and whether wireless connectivity for remote access and software updates matters to your workflow on the water. The right MFD is one that fits seamlessly into your existing electronics network while giving you room to expand.