It carries a 16-inch HD IPS touchscreen with built-in Ultra High-Definition ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar, plus support for 1kW traditional CHIRP sonar - giving it genuine premium fishfinding capability in a smaller, recessed-mount package rather than the larger flush glass-bridge units further up Garmin's lineup. The x3 series shares the same core software and usability features found across Garmin's higher-end chartplotters, just in a more space- and budget-conscious hardware format, making it a practical choice for boats where a flush glass-helm installation isn't the goal or the available helm space doesn't suit it. It's a common upgrade choice for anglers replacing an older, smaller-screen combo unit who want meaningfully sharper sonar imaging and a larger touchscreen without moving up to Garmin's larger, pricier glass-bridge chartplotter tiers. The 1000-series x3 line's recessed-mount design also suits a helm panel with a pre-cut opening from a prior-generation Garmin unit, easing a like-for-like upgrade without needing to rework the surrounding dash.