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Simrad GO7 XSE Review

Rating
2.4/5
 
Simrad GO7 XSE has an average rating of 2.38 out of 5 based on 8 user reviews.

SimradG07XSE

VendorPrice
BassPro$749.00
Cabelas$749.00
WestMarine$749.00

The differences between personal and marine electronics continue to fade as manufacturers take inspiration and technologies from the smart phones that are an increasingly significant part of our lifestyles. The electronics we want on our boats are becoming more connected to the technologies the cloud provides access to, and we see the benefits in not just increased performance and user-friendliness, but in the flood of data we have even out on the water. Nothing exemplifies this more than the Simrad GO7 XSE.

If you’ve been using the same old fishfinder for years, you might be astonished by what you get in today’s technology products, and at a price that may be even cheaper than yesterday’s models, especially considering what you get in return. Upgrades are always crucial to better performance, and if you want to maximize results from your fishing excursions as well, it’s time to upgrade your fishfinder.

Newer Technology

The XSE looks like the standard 7″ screen you’ve seen before, but inside there’s state-of-the-art marine technology. Generally priced at $549 and up (depending on the transducer bundle you choose), the Simrad GO7 XSE can fill the role of a stand-alone plotter/fishfinder with a variety of useful features, all packed into one compact display. The XSE uses a bright multi-touch LED screen with a format that’s easy to navigate and retains clarity even in direct sunlight. Throw in high-speed 10 Hz GPS, StructureScan hi-def, CHIRP sonar, autopilot, built-in Echsounder, GoFree Wi-Fi capability, and SonicHub 2 audio integration, all powered by Simrad’s new TripIntel trip computer, and you’ve got a powerful unit that will satisfy most any need you can conceive of getting from a fishfinder.

TripIntel provides a number of useful features for planning your routes. It can calculate fuel needs, even when updated with detours, tide levels, and maintain an archive of previous trips with all the captured data on routes and performance for reference.

The XSE also allow engine monitoring by connecting to NMEA2000-compatible sensor devices to track information such as speed, fuel flow, fluid levels, and more.

Charting

Simrad’s GO5 through GO7 models provided numerous features with user-friendly interfaces, but the XSE has optimized all of that. It’s advantage over the standard GO7 lies in the HEROIC tablet-like interface, and in the XSE’s ability to utilize the new TotalScan sonar skimmer transducer. This allows readings as deep as 1,000 feet using short pulse lengths and wide-frequency band detectors. Another unique advantage is the Cruise Charting View feature, integrating navigation data with maps to create a single screen with plenty of useful charting information. The GO7 XSE’s Navionics cartography supports a number of platforms including C-Map Max-N, NY Digital Charts, and Insight Genesis.

User-friendly Operation

The XSE offers touch-sensitive controls that mobile device users will find familiar, integrated with an intuitive menu navigation that requires no special instruction. Starting from the home screen, a simple tap allows boaters to select or create waypoints, pinch to zoom, and drag across charts. Customizable layouts and adjustable split-screens allow users to adjust the environment to their particular tastes without sacrificing quick access to functions like DownScan imaging or ForwardScan sonar. Distinctive, captioned icons make the XSE remarkably easy to use for a fishfinder and plotter with so many extras.

Anglers can couple the built-in sounder with the proper transducer to track depth precisely and in real time in order to detect shoals. The GO7 XSE records the navigation routes and makes them available for recall, including the depth info, to make it easier to return to favorite spots. ForwardScan coupled with the HD imaging allows you to view photo-quality images of the sea floor around the boat and to track marine targets even in deep water.

Conclusion

However, NOAA charts are not supported. Neither does it have Ethernet compatibility, neglected in favor ot the newer Wi-Fi, which may make it difficult to use with older legacy equipment. Another complaint has been the quality of the bracket mount. But those relying on the flush mount and updated technologies will find the XSE has little to complain about. You can get a great deal on Simrad GO7 XSE here.

 
 
 Lowrance Elite 7 TiHumminbird Helix 7 SI GPSSimrad GO7 XSE
lowranceelite7tihumminbirdhelix7SISimradGO7XSE
Screen Size7 in7 in7 in
Screen Resolution480 x 800 pixels480 x 800 pixels480 x 800 pixels
Display TypeWVGA color TFT LCD256 Color TFT displayWVGA Color TFT LCD
TouchscreenYesNoYes
Imaging2D, Down Imaging, Side Imaging2D, Down Imaging, Side Imaging2D, Down Imaging, Side Imaging
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit Power500 W (RMS)
4,000 W (peak to peak)
500W RMS
4000W Peak-to-Peak
500 W (RMS)
Sonar Frequency(50/200 or 83/200 kHz) + 455/800 kHz83/200 kHz 2D
455 kHz Side Imaging and Down Imaging
Traditional: 83/200 kHz
CHIRP (mid and high)
DownScan: 455/800 kHz
StructureScan: 455/800 kHz
Maximum Depth1000 ft1500 ft 2D
100 ft Side Imaging
1000 ft
GPS Antenna Type10 Hz Internal high-sensitivity WAAS/EGNOS/MSASInternal10 Hz Internal
Waypoint Storage3000450010,000 points total combined waypoints / route points
Routes10045
Plot Trails100 trails with up to 10,000 points per trail50 w/20,000 points each
Preloaded MapsInsight USAHumminbird ContourXDN/A
MSRP$799$699$749
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by Timothy Cregger

  • 5/5
5

Great unit I have panoptix also on my boat and took it off the go7 xse does it all I put a go5 xse on front of my bass boat and they have paid for themselves in the tournaments I won. I won the last 4 1st place in a row I could not have done that without these units best thing that happened to bass fishing since the interdiction of soft plastics

Posted by east coast searay

0

service response for simrad products is……terrible.

Posted by Kevin D.

  • 5/5
5

I bought my Simrad GO7 XSE 4 months ago and I love using it. It’s replacing a Garmin, and the insight maps are terrific. The Simrad was very easy to set up. It was a toss-up between a Simrad and a Lowrance, and I picked the Simrad GO7 because it had the full touch-screen capability. The transducer was the same for both units, since Navico owns both. It’s a bigger transducer than expected. The Chirp sonar and down-scan imaging work great. The only limitation is that it won’t work with the SI and DI at the same time.

Posted by Graham Thomson

  • 1/5
1

Bought new in April 2016. Great to begin with, even after many many hours downloading the maps. Got four trips fishing and eventually got to grips with things, then it went pear shaped.
The fifth boat trip resulted in old fishfinder being used. The Simrad Go7 xse would not switch on. Took it back to dealer who replaced it for a new head unit, which arrived within 1 week. Thought this would be an isolated incident, but when the boat went out last Saturday (2/11/17) the replacement unit would not switch on, and froze with the red Simrad symbol on the screen. It would not do anything else. So the second Go7 xse, like the first one, went back to the dealer today. (2/15/17). We are now waiting to see what the outcome is. I / we are very disappointed, and almost angry that there seems to be something very wrong here. Have no confidence whatsoever in Simrad / Navico. Will my third replacement unit also fail to perform, and leave me with a useless piece of junk which will probably end up being out of warranty? NOT happy. Would not recommend these to anybody unless Simrad get there act together and resolve the problems for good.

Posted by Mike H

  • 3/5
3

As with Mr. Thomson, I had my unit less than a month (Mar 2017), factory install on a new boat. The unit would not turn on. In text with the dealer, attempted hard reset with no luck. Pulled out of the water and went to the dealer. No apparent issues with the electrical system or connection with the head unit, so another unit is on order now. Hopefully they have figured out the issue and the replacement unit will work without anymore incidents. Up until now, I am impressed with the unit and its capabilities. Fingers crossed!!

Posted by GaryDoug

  • 1/5
1

No good, display stopped working on the second day. It must be the backlight that is bad because I can see images if I shine a flashlight on the screen. Useless.

Posted by thruhiker97

  • 1/5
1

2nd day into fishing trip, the simrad shut off, and never came back on..Hard Reset would not even work. Called simrad, and they said that they could start a claim, but it would probably be quicker to go through the dealer (cabelas). I guess timely replacement of defective equipment is not their top priority. Had to remove it all, and reinstall my garmin for the rest of the trip..Sent it all back to Cabelas, and will get a Garmin when my refund processes.

Posted by Gerry Lisenby

  • 2/5
2

Poor customer support. I’m sending mine back for a refund and will go garmin like I should have done in the first place. Garmin has satellite view maps free and simrad wants to charge 200$ and I don’t think it’s even satellite view. After 5 days and still no word from the CS department I’m done

Posted by David Shear

  • 1/5
1

Will not give me proper depths even in 15 ft of water, screen becomes hot enough to fry an egg. Worked twice that’s it

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