Key Facts | Full Specs | Manuals | Videos
HIGH PERFORMANCE | HybridTouch Display
Last Updated by NavGuy: 9/13/2023
Raymarine eS78 | Review
The Raymarine eS78 – Can be used as a single all-in-one chart, radar, and sonar navigation display or expand into a navigation network with multiple displays. You can add CHIRP SideVision sonar, a 2nd radar, thermal night vision, video, and a bunch more.
The HybridTouch 7″ display – allows for simple touchscreen control or control using the rotary unicontroller with the integrated joystick and the built-in keypad.
The optically bonded screen is sunlight-viewable with sharp colors and a nice contrast in all conditions. The sleek glass bridge design comes with 3 mounting options… bracket mount, surface mount, or fully recessed flush mounting.
Built on the LightHouse II operating system, the eS Series is pretty simple and easy to use. Setup is pretty straightforward and customization can be done in just a few steps. Setting up your favorite, most-used apps is pretty quick.
With just a few swipes from the home screen, you will quickly become an expert. LightHouse II makes it easy to customize the display with full or split-screen windows for charting, radar, sonar, and any other items you connect.
Software updates are done using a MicroSD card and seem daunting at first but are mostly smooth following the instructions from Raymarine. See the Resources section below for the software update link.
Excellent Chart Options – LightHouse II gives you a lot of choices when it comes to charts. Choose charts from C-MAP by Jeppesen, premium Navionics and Navionics community-sourced sonar charts, and Raymarine’s expanding LightHouse chart catalog including vector and raster charts of US waters.
Networking – Expand the network with any Lighthouse II powered Raymarine MFD like another eS Series or the eSeries units. Up to 10 LightHouse powered MFDs can be connected using SeaTalkhs. See the integration table below for more on compatibility.
Additional sensor options include… onboard video monitoring, thermal night vision, digital switching, engine monitoring via NMEA2000 or ECI-100v, the evolution autopilot, and a bunch of other NMEA2000 and SeaTalkNG instrumentation.
BlueTooth | WiFi – Bluetooth for remote and MP3 control & Wi-Fi for mobile app integration.
Built-In Sonar – The eS78 has 2 x CHIRP Sonar Channels, 1 traditional sonar – conical beam sonar, and 1 DownVision wide, port & starboard and thin, fore & aft fan beam. The maximum depth range is about 600ft.
If you need a bit more power, you can add the advanced CP370 1kW digital sonar option for bluewater fishing or the offshore-ready 2kW CP470 or 4kW CP570 CHIRP black box sonar modules.
For high-performance CHIRP SideVision sonar, the eS78 is compatible with CP200.
Chartplotter/MFD – Built-in Sonar
The Raymarine eS Series HybridTouch comes in 3 screen sizes, 7″, 9″ and 12″, and have mostly the same features, options, and connections. The differences are mainly in the sonar options.
The rear connections also differ somewhat on the 7″ units in regards to video and network ports.
eS78 | Home Screen App Controls
The LightHouse II – operating system is designed to give you feature control using Apps. Functions are very similar to how we use smartphones like tap and swipe.
Feature Apps – are opened from app page icons available on the Home screen. Additional apps are added as additional devices are added to the network like radar, autopilot, or a thermal camera. Multiple apps can be displayed simultaneously by creating custom split-screen app pages.
LightHouse II software updates – You can get the latest updates and see new release features for Lighthouse II here.
Home Screen Control – Each eS Series display features the simplicity of touch screen control and the use of full keypad control when seas are rough.
eS78 | KeyPad Controls
1. Touch Screen | Common Functions & Menus
2. Home | Return to the home screen
3. Menu | Open/Close Menu
4. UniControl | Joystick/Rotary control & OK button
5. OK – Push Button
6. Back
7. WPT / MOB | Waypoints & Man Overboard
8. Power | On/Off
9. Card reader slot | 2 – MicroSD Slots
10. Pilot | Autopilot control
11. Switch Active Pane | Splitscreen Control
Networking for the eS78 includes Raynet Ethernet, NMEA2000, WiFi, and BlueTooth. You can connect multiple displays or expand with radar, thermal cameras, engine gauges, autopilots, and additional instrumentation.
See the table below for a list of items that can be added to the network.
Bluetooth connectivity – has been added for connecting with the Raymarine RCU-3 Remote and for Media player control (such as a smartphone).
Raymarine eS78 | Bluetooth Control
1. MFD
2. Bluetooth connection
3. Bluetooth media player
WiFi Connections – Video Streaming and remote control
1. RayRemote – MFD remote control from a mobile device.
2. RayView – Mirror MFD screen directly to a tablet or smartphone.
3. RayControl – Good for tablets: 2-way control between your MFD and tablet.
These apps are available through the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes.
eS Series | Remote Control Apps
The eS Series MFDs are compatible with a wide range of devices that use various protocols to transfer data between devices in the system.
The image below shows some examples of additional devices that can be connected and the type of connections that might be used.
Reference:
eS78 | Networking Example
Compatible eS Series Devices – here are some details on which devices can be connected to the eS Series, and the type of connections (in terms of protocols and physical interfaces). Might be helpful for planning purposes.
Device Type | Suitable Devices | Connection |
Remote Control 1- Per MFD |
Raymarine RCU-3
|
Bluetooth |
Mobile device 1- Per MFD |
For Raymarine wireless video • Android device with minimum • Amazon Kindle Fire • Apple iPhone or iPad • Any Bluetooth-enabled device
|
• Chartplotter sync with • Video streaming and remote • Media player control: Bluetooth |
Vessel tank sensors • Up to 5 x fuel.
|
Third-party NMEA 2000 interfaces |
NMEA 2000 (via optional |
GNSS Receiver
|
Any combination of the following:
|
SeaTalk | SeaTalkng NMEA 0183 |
Instruments – Raymarine Max# – As determined by |
SeaTalkng: SeaTalk (via optional SeaTalk to
|
SeaTalk | SeaTalkng |
Pilot control heads — Max# – As determined |
SeaTalkng: SeaTalk (via optional SeaTalk to
|
SeaTalk | SeaTalkng |
Autopilots – Raymarine Max 1 |
SeaTalkng: SeaTalk (via optional SeaTalk to
|
SeaTalk | SeaTalkng NMEA 0183 |
AIS – Raymarine Max 1 |
• AIS350
|
SeaTalkng | NMEA 0183 |
AIS – third-party Max 1 |
Third-party NMEA 0183
|
NMEA 0183 |
Trim tabs Max 1 Pair
|
Third-party NMEA 2000 interfaces |
NMEA 2000(via optional |
Analog video/camera Max 1
|
Composite PAL or NTSC video |
BNC connectors |
IP cameras Max – Multiple |
CAM200IP Note: While third-party
|
SeaTalkhs network |
Lifetag (Man overboard alert) Max 1 – Base
|
All Raymarine Lifetag |
SeaTalk (via optional SeaTalk to |
Engine Interface Max – 1 unit for each engine CAN bus
|
ECI-100 |
SeaTalkng |
Engine Interface Max – 1
|
Third-party NMEA 2000 interfaces | NMEA 2000 (via optional DeviceNet adaptor cables) |
Transducers Max 1 |
Analog transducers:
|
SeaTalkng (via optional iTC-5 |
Transducers and Max 1
|
• DT800 Smart Sensor |
SeaTalkng (via optional iTC-5 converter) |
External Display Max – eS7x = 0
|
HDTV |
HDMI eS9x | eS12x |
Sonar transducer Max 1 |
• P48 OR • Any 600-watt / 1Kw compatible OR • Any Minn Kota transducer (via • Any sonar module-compatible
|
Direct connection to 600W |
DownVision Max 1 |
Direct connection to internal
|
Direct connection to CHIRP |
DSC VHF radio Max 1 |
SeaTalkng: NMEA 0183:
|
NMEA 0183 | SeaTalkng |
Raymarine Sirius
|
SeaTalkhs: SeaTalkng:
|
SeaTalkhs | SeaTalkng |
Additional Max of 10 on a network |
3rd generation Raymarine Note: You can connect
|
SeaTalkhs |
Additional Max Connections to |
NMEA 0183–compatible |
NMEA 0183 |
Black Box Fishfinder Sonar Modules Max – Multiple
|
• CP100 DownVision
|
SeaTalkhs |
Radar – Raymarine Max 2 |
All Raymarine Non-HD Digital
|
SeaTalkhs |
Thermal camera Max 1 |
• T200 Series
|
SeaTalkhs – for control BNC – connector – for video |
Remote Keypad Max – Multiple
|
• RMK-9 |
SeaTalkhs |
Fusion Entertainment Max – Multiple |
Fusion 700 series entertainment
|
SeaTalkhs |
PC or Laptop Max 1 |
Windows-compatible PC or laptop
|
SeaTalkhs |
Raymarine eS78 | Rear Connections
1. DownVision Transducer
2. NMEA 2000 / SeaTalkng
3. SeaTalkhs | RayNet Network 1
4. Video | NMEA 0183
5. POWER
The eS78 comes with built-in 2-channel CHIRP sonar with DownVision. The CHIRP Sonar is the traditional conical beam.
Raymarine eS78 | CHIRP Sonar
The max depth range for CHIRP Sonar is about 600ft. Depending on water conditions, the CHIRP Sonar channel gives a bit more increased depth range over the DownVision channel.
eS78 | DownVision Sonar
Built-in CHIRP DownVision – delivers more of a photo-like view, giving a better look at the bottom structure with excellent detail. DownVision is a wide (port/starboard) and thin (fore/aft) fan beam which helps paint a more detailed picture.
Need More Power?
Add a black box sonar module if you need something more powerful or you want to add SideVision Sonar. The eS Series is compatible with these black box sonar units.
eS78 | DownVision Sonar
CP200 SideVision Sonar Module
Crystal clear images with excellent detail side to side. Shows fish, bait, and bottom structure at distances up to 600ft horizontally per side.
Works seamlessly alongside Raymarine Digital, CHIRP, and CHIRP DownVision sonar. The adjustable CPT-200 transducer optimizes performance for shallow or deep water scanning.
eS78 | with a CP370 Sonar Module
CP300 / CP370 Traditional Sonar Module
Ideal for coastal anglers who make the occasional trip offshore. Digital ClearPulse sonar with dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) transceiver. Works seamlessly alongside Raymarine Digital, CHIRP, and CHIRP DownVision.
Adjustable CPT-200 transducer optimizes for shallow or deep water scanning with 1kW of power. Capable of showing fish and bottom structure to 5,000ft.
CP450C / CP470 CHIRP Sonar Module
1kW to 2kW transmit power with 2 independently adjustable channels. Each channel can be customized to a specific frequency. Low, medium, and high frequencies for excellent performance at all depths.
Supports CHIRP transmissions from 25-250kHz with exclusive mid-band frequency support in the 75-130 kHz range as well. Amazing resolution and depth performance up to 10,000ft.
CP570 Professional CHIRP Sonar Module
2kW of power with 2 fully independent sonar channels for faster target identification totaling up to 4kW of combined output power. Dual independent CHIRP channels from 25-250kHz.
Target fish, identify bait, and track the bottom down to 10,000ft with two adjustable CHIRP sonar channels. Hunt for fish in different parts of the water column 2 fully independent 2kW sonar channels.
Raymarine eS78 | Radar
The eS Series can display radar data with all Raymarine Non-HD Digital Radomes, HD or SuperHD, Digital, HD Color or Super HD Color, and Quantum radar scanners.
The eS78 display includes Wi-Fi which makes the Raymarine Quantum radar a nice choice. Quantum Radar is one of the first compact marine radars to use CHIRP pulse compression technology. It delivers excellent radar imaging on both long and extremely short ranges.
Integrated Wi-Fi makes installation easy and Quantum’s lightweight design provides safe radiated emissions and reduced power consumption.
Raymarine Quantum Radar Review – Here is a pretty in-depth review done by Practical Boat a few years ago of the Quantum radar up against the RD418D traditional radar and some additional images next to an open array.
eS78 | Quantum WiFi Radar
The eS78 ship’s standard with either no charts (Worldwide Basemap) or Navionics charts for North America with options for Navionics Europe, C-MAP USA, C-MAP AUS/NZ, C-MAP Europe, C-MAP World, and LightHouse NC.
It has additional charting support for a pretty wide range of charts like Navionics+ Navionics Platinum, C-MAP by Jeppesen, and Raymarine LightHouse chart formats on microSD cards.
Navionics Charts | Auto Routing
Here is a list of the compatible cartography available through the Raymarine Chart Store.
Waypoints, routes, and tracks – may be transferred to the eS Series display via a microSD card using a GPX file produced by a navigational planning application supporting the GPX waypoint/route/track file format.
The unit will store 3000 waypoints in 100 waypoint groups, 15 Track Logs, and 150 Routes.
Pro Tip: While only 15 tracks may be stored within the MFD’s internal memory, waypoints, routes, and track data may be exported to a microSD card for a bunch more storage capacity.
This means you can move stored tracks back and forth as needed. Not ideal but possible.
Raymarine eS78 | Dimensions
A. 244mm | 9.6″
B. 275mm | 10.8″
C. 145mm | 5.7″
D. 31mm | 1.2″
E. 12.5mm | .49″
F. 61.9mm | 2.4″
G. 152.5mm | 6″
H.150mm | 5.9″
eS78 | What’s In the Box
Here are the parts supplied in a new unit.
1. MFD
2. Panel seal gasket
3. 1.5 m (4.9 ft) Power cable
4. Sun cover
5. Trunnion bracket and knobs
6. Document pack
7. Power cable protective cap
8. Bezel pieces and Home/Menu button
9. Mounting Bolts
Raymarine eS78 | Help & Support
Raymarine Forums – Great source for user info and technical questions
Raymarine eS78 / Lighthouse II | Software Updates – This also has the software update history which is a great place to see what features and fixes have been added.
Here are a couple of good forum posts I came across from people with additional opinions and experience using the eS Series.
TheHullTruth.com – eS Series Advice
TheHullTruth.com – eS78 feedback
TrawlerForum.com – eS128 feedback & opinions
RIBnet.com – eS98 and Quantum Radar User
Performance Features
Charting | Mapping
Sounder | Fishfinder
Model | Raymarine eS78 |
Physical dimensions |
9.6" x 5.7" x 2.6" 244 x 145 x 66mm |
Weight | 3.74 lbs |
Water rating | IPX7 |
Display type | HybridTouch + Rotary |
Display size | 7" diagonal |
Display resolution | 800 x 480 WVGA |
Display - Brightness | 1250 nits |
Power consumption |
10.8 V DC to 31.2V DC 11.7W |
GPS Antenna | Built-in GNSS - 10Hz 72 Channel. |
GPS Receiver | GPS/GLONASS |
Mounting options | Flush | Bracket | Surface |
Model | Raymarine eS78 |
On-Board Memory | 6GB |
Accepts data cards | 2 microSD |
Waypoints | 3000 |
Routes | 150 Routes - 250 wpt max |
Track log | 10,000 points; 15 saved tracks |
Preloaded Maps | Optional - Navionics, C-MAP, Raymarine LightHouse |
Tide Tables | Yes | with Navionics or C-Map chart card |
Model | Raymarine eS78 |
Radar compatible | Yes |
Sonar compatible | Yes |
Supports AIS | Yes |
Weather | Supports - Sirius marine weather |
Supports DSC - GPS Data / VHF | Yes |
Supports FUSION-Link | Yes |
Black Box sonar support | Yes |
Planning Software Compatible | Yes - Voyage Planner |
App-Control Compatibility | Yes - RayView, RayControl ,RayRemote |
Remote Input Device - compatible | Yes |
Alarms |
Navigation Anchor Radar - when connected Sonar - when connected Weather - when connected |
Model | Raymarine eS78 |
Transmit Power | 200W |
Dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) sonar capable | 50/200 KHz |
Dual-Beam Sonar (77/200 kHz) capable | Yes (with external module) |
CHIRP sonar technology | Yes |
ClearVü | Down | Built-In - CHIRP DownVision |
SideVü | Side | Yes - CHIRP SideVision (with external module) |
Forward View | No |
Model | Raymarine eS78 |
NMEA 2000 compatible | Yes - 1 SeaTalk |
NMEA 0183 input ports | 2 |
NMEA 0183 output ports | 1 |
Marine Network Ports | 1 - SeaTalk |
Video input ports | 1 - BNC |
Video output ports | No |
Wireless connectivity | Yes |
BlueTooth connectivity | Yes |
Other Ports | NA |
In The Box |
eS78 MFD Panel seal gasket 1.5 m (4.9 ft) Power cable Sun cover Trunnion bracket and knobs Document pack Power cable cap Bezel pieces and Home/Menu button Mounting Bolts |