07 Jul NSX & NSS4 Support Update
Last Updated: July 2026
We continue to receive questions about support for the Simrad NSX and NSS4. We appreciate everyone’s patience while we work through the development process.
Why Support Is Delayed
Last year we invested heavily in supporting Navico’s new operating system by purchasing new production equipment and expanding our team. Development is well underway, but we’ve encountered unexpected delays outside of our control.
The new chip programming machine required for this platform developed a technical issue and had to be shipped back to Europe for repair. At the same time, the software used to create the new chips still has stability and efficiency issues when working with our unusually large mapping dataset.
Unlike most chart creators, Florida Marine Tracks produces both extensive inland and offshore mapping. Some of the software features required for our workflow are rarely used by anyone other than C-MAP, and we’ve uncovered performance and crash issues that weren’t previously identified because no one else pushes the software to this extent.
We’re actively working with C-MAP to resolve these software issues while the chip manufacturer repairs or replaces our production equipment. Unfortunately, both are handled by third-party companies overseas, so our timeline depends on their progress as much as our own.
We hope to complete NSS4 support before the end of the year, but at this time we cannot provide a firm release date.
Current Development Status
Development is actively progressing, and our mapping data is not the source of the delay.
The remaining obstacles involve:
- Repair or replacement of the new chip programming equipment
- Software improvements needed to efficiently build our large datasets
- Final testing once both systems are fully operational
Because these factors are outside our control, we don’t want to make promises we can’t keep.
For that reason, we do not recommend purchasing an NSS4 based on the expectation that Florida Marine Tracks support will be available by a specific date.
Should You Buy an NSS4?
We’ve heard from customers who purchased new boats that came equipped with the NSS4, as well as others who assumed our charts were already supported.
Some have been disappointed to learn that support is still in development and have chosen to replace the NSS4 with an EVO3S so they could immediately use our charts. Others have decided to wait while development continues.
If you’re purchasing new equipment specifically to run Florida Marine Tracks, we recommend making your decision based on today’s compatibility rather than future expectations.
NSS4 vs. EVO3S: Our Perspective
We frequently get asked whether the NSS4 is a significant upgrade over the EVO3S.
After spending time with the NSS4 at the Miami Boat Show and speaking with numerous current EVO3 users, our impression was that the improvements were fairly modest.
Many of the issues our customers have asked us to relay to Navico over the years remain unchanged, including:
- Limited customization of boat icon size and color
- Color accessibility concerns for color-blind users
- Desire for additional icons
- Updated tide functionality
- More flexible screen layout options
- Data overlay similar to Lowrance without requiring the large instrument bar
- More durable metal rear connector collars instead of plastic
While the NSS4 introduces some new capabilities, none stood out to us as compelling enough to replace a properly functioning EVO3S solely for those features.
Some customers appreciated improvements such as:
- A cleaner bezel design
- Faster hardware performance
- The ability to attach smartphone photos to custom waypoints
However, these weren’t features our customers have frequently requested.
From the many conversations we had during the show, most current EVO3 users didn’t see enough functional improvement to justify upgrading.
What Excites Us About the New Platform
Although we haven’t yet seen major advantages in the current software, we’re optimistic about the platform’s long-term potential.
The new operating system is reportedly much more flexible than previous Navico systems and should allow for features that weren’t possible before.
One capability we’re especially excited about is support for much larger chart cards.
As development continues, we plan to expand our charts using 256 GB (or larger) chips to include extensive multibeam shaded relief data covering waters from Texas through Maine.
We’re also hopeful that future software updates will allow users to toggle between multiple map views, such as:
- Aerial imagery
- Shaded relief imagery
Our own customer surveys consistently show that for shallow inshore waters with excellent image clarity, approximately 90% of users prefer aerial photography over shaded relief. If Navico eventually adds a view toggle, users could choose whichever presentation best fits their needs.
Looking Ahead
Our goal remains the same: deliver the highest-quality chart product possible for the NSX and NSS4.
We’re investing the time necessary to ensure the finished product meets the standards our customers expect, rather than releasing something before it’s ready.
Development continues every day, and we’re doing everything we can to complete support as quickly as possible. At the same time, we’re dependent on hardware and software improvements being made by our partners overseas.
We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we work through this process.
As soon as we have a reliable release timeline, we’ll post an update here.
