Understanding marine electronics can be daunting, but the tech at the helm can make navigating and running your boat easier. Thanks to contemporary navigational instruments and marine electronics devices, captaining the boat is a lot less confusing and complex than it once was. The marine navigation systems have made tasks like navigation as straightforward as swiping on a touchscreen. The marine electronics products list you must learn about is relatively straightforward for recreational boat owners.

Chart plotter overlay or radar
Most chart plotters or GPS with radar can superimpose their radar picture on top of the navigation chart. So, with these marine navigation systems, you will have a real-time image of the surrounding boating traffic and other objects in your proximity. All you have to do is connect the heading sensor or electronic compass with a suitable output rate to a plotter, and the compass signal from the autopilot will do the job without any additional expense.

Multifunction displays
Also known as the MFDs, the multifunction displays are the brain of your boat. They incorporate all or most of the systems into a single interface. While some marine electronics products may have a keypad control, others may have a touchscreen. It may seem overwhelming to include all the different systems into one. But fret not. Multifunction displays are surprisingly simple to learn and use, as most modern versions employ a user interface similar to your smartphone. Their home screens have pages with app-like, tap-to-activate icons. So, you can pick from the different customizable pages and functions that let you bring together a mix of operations in the split-screen mode.
When you buy a new boat that employs the most powerful technology, you will find that MFD controls the boat’s electrical systems and marine electronics, courtesy of its digital switching technology. With digital switching, you can switch any device on or off through your MFD screen.

Engine monitors
Engine monitors are other essential marine electronics devices that provide digital gauges, such as engine temperature, tachometers, and fuel level. This functionality may come via your multifunction displays, or you can have a dedicated screen to show you nothing more than the engine data. People usually like have dedicated screens as monitoring the powerplant all the time is crucial. Please note engine monitors consume a lot of space in MFD, so standalone screens work best if that is the problem.

VHF Radio
A VHF radio is one of the marine electronics that are more than just a nice-to-have product. It is a must-have safety equipment that you will need on board. When offshore or inshore boating, you cannot say when the cell phone might lose service, or the battery may die. In such emergencies, a VHF radio comes in handy. You can use it for communication with the US Coast Guard or local law enforcement.

Depth sounder or fish finder
Depth sounders and fish finders help you learn the depth of where you are. As per the latest marine electronics news, it is a mandatory inclusion on the boats as they come in handy, especially in areas prone to underwater hazards and large rocks. You can also use them to navigate through a region with a vast tidal exchange because the actual depth can be 10 feet or more off (depending on the tidal height) from what you see on the chart. Fish finders release a sonar signal that helps assess if anything is solid underneath the water. You can use them to locate large schools of fish-like reef formations and wrecks for divers. You can find an immense variety of fish finders. Keep a tab on the marine electronics news to know which will work best for your boat. In addition, they may have tactile interfaces or touch screens and come with multiple settings for better performance.

Cellular range and Wi-Fi boosters
While navigating on boats, you might often travel to remote areas where the mobile signals are weak or out of range. It is where the phone range or Wi-Fi boosters come in handy. These can keep you connected with the world even while you are out of the typical range in the water. They are affordable; you can find a quality booster at $50.

Bottom Line
So, these are the top marine electronics devices for boating enthusiasts. If you have these electronics on board, you must also learn the basic DIY marine electronics repair. Then, of course, you can find technicians with marine electronics jobs to troubleshoot the devices, but knowing the routine marine electronics repairs can save time and money.