Si-Tex’s NavStar series brings advanced navigation and situational awareness to a compact, user-friendly package. The NavStar 10 (10-inch) and NavStar 12 (12-inch) multifunction displays combine radar, sonar, chart plotting and onboard entertainment into single dashboard units designed for use on a wide range of recreational and light-commercial vessels. With both modern touchscreen controls and traditional physical buttons and knobs, these displays suit skippers who prefer direct tactile control as well as those who like a glass helm experience.
At the heart of each NavStar unit is a 4-kW dual-range radar system that is engineered to show targets both near and far. The radar’s dual-range capability helps users maintain close-in awareness around the boat—useful in crowded marinas, channels and around buoys—while simultaneously tracking distant vessels or weather echoes. The plotter supports radar/chart overlay, so radar returns can be visually combined with C-MAP 4D cartography on the same screen for improved situational awareness and easier decision-making when navigating or planning routes.
Charting is powered by C-MAP 4D maps, providing detailed coastal and inland cartography. The combination of reliable mapping and radar overlay allows skippers to correlate electronic chart information with real-time radar imagery, improving route planning and collision avoidance. The NavStar’s user interface is designed for straightforward map interaction, route creation and waypoint management whether you are navigating a familiar harbor or plotting a longer offshore passage.
For anglers and bottom-hunters, the NavStar units include a dual-frequency sonar (50/200 kHz) that delivers clear views of bottom structure, composition and suspended fish schools. The split-frequency sonar gives users a balance between deeper, wider coverage and higher-resolution detail, making it useful for locating structure, drop-offs and aggregations of fish. Sonar returns are presented on the same display, enabling quick interpretation of underwater features without switching between separate devices.
Connectivity options expand the units’ versatility. Built-in Bluetooth and wireless LAN support provide entertainment and convenience features—such as streaming audio or integrating with mobile devices—while eliminating clutter from separate consumer electronics on the helm. Wireless capability also simplifies updates and networked installations where multiple devices share chart and radar data. The combination of touchscreen responsiveness and traditional manual controls ensures safe, reliable operation in rough conditions or when wearing gloves.
Installation flexibility makes the NavStar 10 and NavStar 12 suitable for boats where display size, viewing distance and dash layout vary. The two size options let buyers choose a footprint that matches their console space and viewing preferences. Both models maintain the same core functionality—radar, chartplotter, dual-frequency sonar and wireless features—so the choice largely depends on screen real estate and personal preference.
Si-Tex has positioned these displays with competitive starting prices: the NavStar 10 begins at $2,199 and the NavStar 12 starts at $2,999. These price points aim to offer a complete multifunction solution combining radar, charting and sonar into a single integrated unit rather than requiring separate components from multiple manufacturers.
For prospective buyers, the NavStar series is worth considering if you want an integrated helm display that blends robust navigation tools with modern connectivity and user-friendly controls. Its radar/chart overlay, C-MAP 4D support and dual-frequency sonar make it suitable for coastal cruising, offshore passages and serious fishing trips, while Bluetooth and wireless LAN features add convenience for everyday boating and entertainment at the helm.
Si-Tex Marine Electronics, Riverhead, New York, (631) 996-2690. si-tex.com
This article originally appeared in the July 2017 issue.