I just bought and instsalled a Simrad NSE 12 system for my boat, the Frantic PAce in Puerto Vallarta. I was initially excited to have available 3D navigation and satelite imagry. After I purchased the unit, I discovered that Navionics did not produce a Platinum level Chart for any of the PAcific, South of Cabo. As Such, I would not be able to take advatage of the advanced features of the Simrad NSE. I finally resolved myself to the Gold level charingting that covered this region. I just finished installing the system and was appalled to find that the gold level chart for this region, 3XG, only has one contour line for any area south of Cabo. Although spot soundings exist, there are no contours in Bahia Bandaras or offshore.

At the same time, I operate other systems that use C-Map cartagraphy and the detail on the C-Map charts is much more extensive than Navionics. I have tried to talk with Navionics to find out their intentions as far as expanding the level of coverage in the Mexico Cental America Pacific region, but they offer no response.

If you plan on navigating and especially fishing the Pacifc Ocean South of Cabo, I would strongly advise that you do not buy a system that runs only Navionics software.