Choosing between two used marine electronics for sonar navigation can feel like a toss-up when one is a chartplotter display sold for parts and the other is a GPS signal simulator meant for testing. Both are used units, but their condition tells very different stories. The Simrad is clearly a repair project; the Navionics is a ready-to-use service tool. The Simrad NSS7 EVO2 and Navionics GPS Signal Simulator Ver 3.0 serve completely different needs, so your decision comes down to whether you need a repair donor or a working test tool.
Quick verdict: If you need a parts source for a Simrad NSS7 EVO2 system, the $219.99 Simrad is the pick even though its display won't show anything. If you need a working GPS signal simulator for marine electronics testing, the $299 Navionics is the more useful tool. The gap between their prices reflects that difference in utility.
| Product | Price | Condition | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIMRAD NSS7 EVO2 (FOR PARTS) | $219.99 | Used | No Warranty | Spare parts donor |
| Navionics GPS Signal Simulator Ver 3.0 | $299.00 | Used | 90 Day | GPS signal testing |
Where each product wins:
- Simrad NSS7 EVO2 wins when you have a non-working NSS7 EVO2 chartplotter display and need a donor unit for replacement parts. It's the lower-priced option in this head-to-head, but you're buying a blank screen. This is a repair-focused purchase, not a navigation solution.
- Navionics GPS Signal Simulator wins when you need a working device to send GPS signals to a chartplotter for testing. It's in perfect working condition and comes with a 90-day warranty. For a used electronic tool, that warranty is a meaningful advantage.
Simrad NSS7 EVO2
The Simrad NSS7 EVO2 is a used boat chartplotter, fishfinder, GPS, and radar unit display, but it is explicitly sold for parts. The unit turns on and buttons make sounds, but the screen is not usable or showing anything, so it cannot serve as a functioning navigation display. No returns are accepted. For someone repairing an existing NSS7 EVO2 unit, this could be a useful donor at the lower price in this head-to-head. The trade-off is that you're buying a non-working display, not a functioning chartplotter. Choose it only if you have a specific parts need and you're comfortable with a parts purchase.
Navionics GPS Signal Simulator Ver 3.0
The Navionics GPS Signal Simulator Ver 3.0 is a used marine navigation testing unit in perfect working condition. It's designed to simulate GPS signals for testing boat marine navigation chartplotters, making it a practical tool for anyone who works on marine electronics. The 90-day warranty provides a safety net for a used electronic device. As the higher-priced unit in this head-to-head, it offers a clear advantage: it's functional and ready to use for testing. It is not a chartplotter display or fishfinder, so it won't serve as your primary navigation screen. Instead, think of it as a service tool for checking GPS-based marine navigation gear.
Final choice by use case: Choose the Simrad NSS7 EVO2 if you're sourcing parts for an NSS7 EVO2 system and can accept a blank screen with no returns. It's a niche purchase for a specific repair. Choose the Navionics GPS Signal Simulator if you want a working signal generator for testing marine navigation gear. It's the more functional option for anyone who needs a tool that works, not a display that only powers on.
