I’m pretty much a Navico-system boat. An early adopter. Lots of integration between a chartplotter/MFD, ships systems monitors, RADAR, AIS, satellite radio, network busses, etc. Nothing like the old stand-alone boat hardware. When I started looking at an upgrade to this stuff I quickly determined that the install exceeded my ability to as they say, see the unknown unknowables. This radio thing is a good example. You have to drill down past ‘assumptions’ and read the product documentation to know how to proceed in a DIY install.
So, I’m a sailor, not a technology support guy. Talking with Navico it became quickly apparent that they don’t really cater to the guy trying to install their networked systems and technology on their own. They directed me to several authorized dealer/installers. After discussing my immediate and long-term goals, and getting quotes I retained the services of a qualified, ABYC marine tech company and they did the installation turnkey. It was not cheap, but it was worth the cost. I paid list price for hardware. There were several problems with both the hardware, and the software, there were also some small issues with installation that were directly related to the idiosyncrasies of Navico systems requirements. My MFD was warranty replaced by Navico and the installer three times - no cost. One time was hours before leaving on a blue water transit and I was not too happy. But Navico and their dealer got it done, no whining involved. Very professional. In the end I can confidently say that I have an extremely reliable and robust system install and if I had been in charge of installation, warranty claims, change-outs and down time I would have paid a higher price.
Just my $.02 cents - like my sport sedan I think the days of working on boat navigation systems and networks is coming to a close, especially if you aren’t willing to do the heavy product research necessary to make informed decisions or pay yourself more than $.02/hour. I do software upgrades, charting updates and leave the rest to the ground crew.
So, I’m a sailor, not a technology support guy. Talking with Navico it became quickly apparent that they don’t really cater to the guy trying to install their networked systems and technology on their own. They directed me to several authorized dealer/installers. After discussing my immediate and long-term goals, and getting quotes I retained the services of a qualified, ABYC marine tech company and they did the installation turnkey. It was not cheap, but it was worth the cost. I paid list price for hardware. There were several problems with both the hardware, and the software, there were also some small issues with installation that were directly related to the idiosyncrasies of Navico systems requirements. My MFD was warranty replaced by Navico and the installer three times - no cost. One time was hours before leaving on a blue water transit and I was not too happy. But Navico and their dealer got it done, no whining involved. Very professional. In the end I can confidently say that I have an extremely reliable and robust system install and if I had been in charge of installation, warranty claims, change-outs and down time I would have paid a higher price.
Just my $.02 cents - like my sport sedan I think the days of working on boat navigation systems and networks is coming to a close, especially if you aren’t willing to do the heavy product research necessary to make informed decisions or pay yourself more than $.02/hour. I do software upgrades, charting updates and leave the rest to the ground crew.