Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv - Almost Great
It's a solid chartplotter (released 2019) with some frustrating shortcomings that hold it back from being great.
The Good
Once properly set up, it holds up well in real-world navigation.
The 943xsv draws around 22-23 watts, compared to roughly 9 watts for competing Raymarine Axiom+ units. On a sailboat where every watt counts, that 2.5x difference adds up.
Here's how it stacks up on power draw against comparable 9-inch units:
| Unit | Max Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raymarine Axiom+ 9 | 8.95W | Only unit in this class under 10W |
| B&G Zeus S 9 | 18.8W | Current sailing-focused gen, C-MAP only |
| B&G Vulcan 9 | 20W (12W typical) | Older gen, sailing-focused, C-MAP only |
| Simrad NSS9 evo3S | 21W | |
| Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv | 22W | Navionics sync via ActiveCaptain only, IPX7 only |
| Furuno TZT9F | ~28W | Discontinued |
| Lowrance HDS PRO 9 | ~40W |
Navionics sync. The current process is a 4-step chore: export from the Navionics iOS app, import to ActiveCaptain, then connect to the chartplotter WiFi and sync to the plotter. The chartplotter isn't on your boat's WiFi network, so once you're done, you have to switch back to the boat WiFi. Simrad, B&G, and others offer direct Plotter Sync support. Garmin should add native sync.
WiFi mode. The 943xsv only runs in host mode - it can't join an existing boat network. Other chartplotters support client mode, which is essential for integrated onboard networks.
The Memory Card Issue
Out of the box, the unit shipped with a slow Class 4 SD card. This caused significant lag when panning charts - nearly unusable. On and off troubleshooting over weeks (firmware updates, factory resets, adjusting chart detail) didn't help.
The fix: I replaced the stock card with two 32GB SanDisk Extreme PRO cards and performed a full chart update via Garmin Express using one of the new cards. The difference was dramatic - zero lag, smooth panning. All menus now respond instantly.
Garmin stock card vs SanDisk Extreme PRO
Garmin's support pages mention faster (Class 10) cards, but why do they ship a Class 4 card with a $$$$ device? If you're experiencing lag, try a faster card first.
The Takeaway
GPSMAP 943xsv is a decent chartplotter that could be great with lower power draw, direct Navionics sync, and WiFi client mode. If you're buying now, look hard at Raymarine's Axiom+ for the power savings. And for heaven's sake, replace that SD card.