Furuno has expanded its NavNet family with the TZtouchE series, introducing 9-inch TZT9E and 13-inch TZT13E multifunction displays for boats that need networked capability in a smaller footprint. The range brings much of the TZtouchXL software environment into more compact installations while retaining radar and fish-finder integration.
Both displays use sunlight-readable multi-touch screens and support TZ MAPS cartography, cloud-backed waypoint and route management, and a range of Furuno network sensors. The new series is intended to sit between simple stand-alone plotters and the larger premium displays normally found on expansive yacht helms.
Two display sizes target limited helm space
The TZT9E and TZT13E are designed for consoles that may not have room for larger hybrid-touch displays but still require a full networked navigation system. That makes them relevant to tenders, sailing yachts and owner-operated motor yachts where every centimetre of panel space is already allocated.
A smaller screen no longer necessarily means a reduced electronics ecosystem because the displays can share data with other NavNet equipment. Owners can therefore start with a compact helm and still add radar, sonar or a second station later.
Radar and sonar remain network options
Furuno says TZtouchE supports current NavNet DRS radars as well as networked fish-finder modules and advanced sonar products. The displays also include internal CHIRP and conventional fish-finder capability, depending on the transducer and installation.
That flexibility lets a builder avoid fitting more dedicated screens than the boat actually needs. A single MFD can handle routine navigation while specialist sensors are added only where the owner’s cruising or fishing programme justifies them.
Advanced routing reaches the smaller display range
The series supports features including Risk Visualizer and AI Avoidance Route, giving users tools that were previously associated with Furuno’s higher-end network platforms. TZ MAPS also combines official hydrographic information with bathymetry, satellite imagery and other data layers.
Automated route suggestions do not remove the skipper’s responsibility, but they can reduce workload by highlighting potential conflicts or proposing alternatives. The value comes from presenting that information clearly enough that the user understands why the system is making a recommendation.
The line bridges stand-alone and premium systems
Furuno already offers the stand-alone TZMAP9 and TZMAP13, while TZtouchE adds networkability for owners who want a system that can expand. That distinction gives buyers a clearer choice between a self-contained plotter and a scalable electronics architecture.
For sub-24-metre yachts, the TZtouchE range may be the more interesting option where radar, sonar and multiple displays are expected over time. It offers a path to a sophisticated helm without forcing the owner to start with the largest physical displays in the catalogue.
