TZT13XL vs TZT3 ?

[Starrfarms]

Hi all
Garmin guy, looking to switch over to Furuno. Searched here for the difference, but couldn't find anything. What is the difference between these 2 units? Primarily looking to Furuno for it's superior 3D and ocean floor mapping capabilities. I would also pair the chart plotter unit with the DFF3D.
Thanks for any input

 

[Johnny Electron]

XL is the newest series and has twice the processor and memory of the TZT3. The TZT3 is an excellent system as well but the XL offers more power and supports the newest charting called TZMaps with Bathyvison. Either system can run the DFF3D multi-beam which you can provide your own bathy data. Both systems have a rebate available for a limited time. TZT3 price has been reduced due to it no longer being the newest series so it offers a really good value. Everything depends on your needs and budget. If fitting new, I normally recommend going with the newest series. I never recommend building a mix system from scratch. If you do end up moving over the first thing you will notice is how much better the radar is. Thanks for looking and asking. We are here if you need us. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Lov32Fish]

Hey Starrfarms, welcome to the Furuno world!

If you're looking to switch from Garmin mainly for advanced 3D and bottom mapping, go with the TZtouchXL (TZTXL)—hands down the best option right now.

The TZTXL is Furuno’s newest series and offers major upgrades over the TZtouch3:

• High-res 3D bathymetric mapping with support for new TZ Maps—super detailed bottom contouring.
• Built for performance with faster processing, crisp displays (especially the 10" and 13"), and an updated UI.
• Advanced features like AI autorouting, risk visualizer, and smoother DFF3D integration.

Since you're planning to pair it with the DFF3D, the TZTXL gives you the best real-time 3D view with wide coverage and depth shading. The system is incredibly smooth and responsive—especially important if you're doing structure fishing or exploring less-charted zones.

The TZT3 is still a great unit, but if you’re going all-in on 3D and ocean floor mapping, TZTXL is the flagship for a reason.

Let me know your boat size/setup if you want recs on screen size or accessories.

 

[Quitsa]

I have had a pair of TZT3 16s since they were first introduced and also have a 13" TZTXL at my tower helm that I installed last summer to replace a TZT2. I agree with the comments from the Furuno guys. Although the XL unit is faster to switch screens and redraw, the TZT3 is also reasonably fast (except for booting up, which takes a long time for both the TZT3 and the XL). What is much better with the XL are the new TZMap charts, which cannot be run on the TZT3. The bathymetric detail is excellent on the TZMaps and reason alone to go with the XL.

I have also DFF-3D. It runs a little smoother and faster on the XL unit but also works very well on the TZT3.

There is one other consideration, however, which is the helm space and budget you have available. Because the smaller XL units have hybrid controls on the side, the display area relative to the footprint is less. There is a huge difference in screen area between a 13X and 16X but the mounting space required is almost the same. There is a lot to be said for having the biggest screens you can fit unless you have a small boat that bounces around a lot and feel you need the hybrid controls. Even so, you would better off to get the larger touch screen only displays and a remote control that gives you the same features as the knobs and buttons on the 10X and 13X.

Unlike the Garmin system, Furuno supports its products over a much longer time period and you will be able to get a TZT3 serviced and it should continue to see some software updates as needed. But it almost always makes sense to get the latest generation of equipment so I think it is a no-brainer to go with the XL units. As noted above, you will really be impressed by how much better the Furuno radars perform than what you had with the other brand.

 

[Starrfarms]

Hey Starrfarms, welcome to the Furuno world!

If you're looking to switch from Garmin mainly for advanced 3D and bottom mapping, go with the TZtouchXL (TZTXL)—hands down the best option right now.

The TZTXL is Furuno’s newest series and offers major upgrades over the TZtouch3:

• High-res 3D bathymetric mapping with support for new TZ Maps—super detailed bottom contouring.
• Built for performance with faster processing, crisp displays (especially the 10" and 13"), and an updated UI.
• Advanced features like AI autorouting, risk visualizer, and smoother DFF3D integration.

Since you're planning to pair it with the DFF3D, the TZTXL gives you the best real-time 3D view with wide coverage and depth shading. The system is incredibly smooth and responsive—especially important if you're doing structure fishing or exploring less-charted zones.

The TZT3 is still a great unit, but if you’re going all-in on 3D and ocean floor mapping, TZTXL is the flagship for a reason.

Let me know your boat size/setup if you want recs on screen size or accessories.

I really appreciate the detailed answers!
I have a 25' NR Seahawk. We mostly fish 300-500' for ling and halibut, then tuna and salmon in the summer. I also have been targeting Oregon Swords (lost one) for the last 3 years, and am hoping upgrading my electronics will help locating targets in deeper water. My next questions will be about transducer choice and frequencies. I'm running a 600w transducer now, so upgrading to a 1KW will be an instant improvement. Which transducer will hopefully improve it even more. It will have to be a transom mount. Targeting the bottom 1000'-2000' with detail isn't the priority, but identifying the DSL from 500-700' suspended is.

 

[Johnny Electron]

@Deep Blue

 

[alphabradley]

I currently run 3 boats with TZT3 devices -- one with 2x TZT16F, one with 1x TZT12F, and another with 1x TZT9F. I run a DFF-3D on one boat, and Furuno radars on all boats. I also use TimeZero software on a dedicated PC on one boat, which is the partnership that brings the TZMaps data over to the MFDs.

I'm in the process of purchasing a new boat and am upgrading the XL series. The TZMaps data is absolutely amazing. If I were in your shoes, I would spend the money on the XL. Overlaying the TZMaps data with the DFF-3D would bring amazing accuracy to your workflow.

If you consider your radar choice (not that you asked), the Furuno devices truly set them apart.

Good luck with your upgrade!

 

[Starrfarms]

Pretty sold on getting the TZT13XL and DFF3D, thanks for all of the replies and thorough explanations!
Now on to transducers. On the Furuno site, it lists all of the compatible ducers. Just not a lot of detail...

165T-50/200-SS260 Combo Stainless 1kW 165kHz & 50/200kHz 6°-120°/22°-6° 1,640' (500m) D,T 7F/10F/
165T-50/200-TM260 Combo Urethane 1kW 165kHz & 50/200kHz 6°-120°/22°-6° 1,640' (500m) D,T 7F/10F/
165T-265LH-PM488 Combo Urethane 1kW L/H 165kHz & 42-65kHz & 130-210kHz 6°-120°/25°-16°/10°-6° 3,000' (914m) 1000'(304m) D,T 7F/10F/
165T/275LHW Combo Urethane 1kW L/HW 165kHz & 42-65kHz & 150-250kHz 6°-120°/25°-16°/25° 3,000' (914m) 500' (152m) D,T/ 7F/
165T-PM542LM Combo Urethane 2kW 165kHz & 38-75kHz & 80-130kHz 6°-120°/10°x19°-5°x10°/13°-8° 6,000' (1,829m) 3,000' (914m) D,T 7F/
165T-CM54 DFF3D Only Urethane 1kW 165kHz 6°-120° 985’/300m (656’/200m side) D,T 7F/
165T-B54 DFF3D Only Bronze 1kW 165kHz 6°-120° 985'/300m (656'/200m side) D,T 7F/
165T-SS54 DFF3D Only Stainless 1kW 165kHz 6°-120° 985'/300m (656'/200m side) D,T 7F/
165T-TM54 DFF3D Only Urethane 1kW 165kHz 6°-120° 985'/300m (656'/200m side) D,T 7F/

I'm assuming the combo transducers work with DFF3D and give more options to use the unit in other frequencies?
I kind of want more frequencies available to fish deep water.
I have a friend who builds aluminum boats, so if the optimal transducer isn't a transom mount, he can fab a pocket mount for me
Appreciate any/all feedback!

 

[alphabradley]

I have a 165T-B54 in one of my boats. It's a good transducer. I am planning going to the 165T-PM542LHW for my new boat, but it is quite expensive compared to the rest.

 

[Deep Blue]

Starrfarms,

I'm a big fan of the 165T/275LHW. This transducer's CHIRP high frequency side is a fixed 25° constant wide beam width with a frequency of150-250kHz that provides superior resolution, with twice the coverage down to 500 ft. This transducer will display clear fish arches compared to other high-frequency, narrow-beam transducers, and is right within your target fishery depth. The 275LHW's low frequency side has a maximum depth down to 3000 ft.

The B275LHW version is widely used from San Diego, CA for Tuna and Albacore fishing all the way up to Gulf of Alaska for use in fishing for Salmon, including Kings. It's simply an awesome transducer.

If you are using the DFF3D with your TZTXL MFD, then you'll have the ability to use PBG, and this feature has a deeper capability (900 ft) than that of bottom discrimination which only has a depth of 328 ft. Having the DFF3D Multibeam for use in the mapping all these reefs and gravel bottoms will be very beneficial for your fishery.

Keep in mind that for PBG, you'll need to have Position and Heading input going to both the TZTXL and DFF3D. So I recommend adding the SCX20 Satellite compass.

- Deep Blue

 

[Starrfarms]

Took the plunge! Ordered the Tzt13x 13" Hybrid Touch Multi-Function Display, Dff3d Multi-Beam Sonar, DFF3d, 165t-50/200-Tm260 Transducer F/Dff3d Transom Mount Combo, Scx20 Satellite Compass. Now on to finding the best locations for mounting:

The Dff3d Multi-Beam Sonar unit instructions state to locate in an area that is "well ventilated and where shocks and vibrations are minimal"...good luck with that on a boat. Would mounting it under an enclosed bow be a problem? It's not super ventilated, but my next option is up under a seat box, where I would need to mount it sideways to fit, orienting the bottom wires to rotate 90 degrees.
Thanks for any help! Excited to be part of the Furuno Family!
Lots of questions to come

 

[Alysium]

Took the plunge! Ordered the Tzt13x 13" Hybrid Touch Multi-Function Display, Dff3d Multi-Beam Sonar, DFF3d, 165t-50/200-Tm260 Transducer F/Dff3d Transom Mount Combo, Scx20 Satellite Compass. Now on to finding the best locations for mounting:

The Dff3d Multi-Beam Sonar unit instructions state to locate in an area that is "well ventilated and where shocks and vibrations are minimal"...good luck with that on a boat. Would mounting it under an enclosed bow be a problem? It's not super ventilated, but my next option is up under a seat box, where I would need to mount it sideways to fit, orienting the bottom wires to rotate 90 degrees.
Thanks for any help! Excited to be part of the Furuno Family!
Lots of questions to come

I have a similar setup. My tin can is a little shorter.

I mounted my dff3d behind the port bench seat. Seems to be plenty of ventilation, and perhaps, a little less abuse than being in the bow.

I used sandwich mounts to minimize shock and vibration.