Talk about a stalemate. The Furuno (bottom) and Raymarine (top) garnered identical ratings in almost every category of our test (see Value Guide).

Networked electronics are all the rage today and for good reason—versatility. You can start small and add on later, or install everything but the galley sink. These devices will display radar with ranges approaching 100 miles, interface with sounders rated up to 3000 watts, use multiple memory cards to display detailed chart information for whole continents at a time, and even display video or weather fax information—all on quality screens up to 15 inches.

Along with all this versatility come a lot of choices. You’ll need to put serious thought and planning into designing a system tailored to your needs. Like building a house, some decisions you make up front…