B&G Zeus Touch 7 and 3G/4G radar reviews?

[jviss]

Thinking of a B&G Touch 7 MFD and 3G or 4G solid state radar if I can't get my Raymarine radar going. Reasons (some are rationalization):

1. Integrated chart plotter w/ radar overlay
2. superb radar resolution
3. upgrade to color
4. and last, but certainly not least, "sailsteer" - sailboat specific chart plotting.

Seriously, I'd like to hear from folks who have this. Is the 4g really worth the additional $500? What about the heading info for Marpa and overlay - looks like I'd have to add a AD10HD converter ($95) and a somewhat hard to find Simnet to Micro-C cable. Is that really so?

Thanks,

jv

 

[Rick D]

Waiting...

...to see if there is any response. Toying with the same thought for my boat. Of course, you probably have read all the PS articles and the guy who wrote in response about the 4G (wonderful, 3G not so much). Of course, he was going 20 knots in the fog...

 

[chuckwayne]

Haven't tried the 4G yet since we use our BR24 mainly in the sorter ranges, and it does the faster scan in close range, too. The simnet to micro is easy-it's a stock cable that is used to convert a simnet compass to micronet-but is does what you want. I'll try to find the number before we head out downeast. I've used it to connect my primary (Simrad NX-45) to my new nav station (Lowrance hds-5) so my nmea 2000 network shares old and new navico

 

[CCHer]

I bought the 3G for my new boat based on function I needed for the price. A real technology step up from the Garmin on my old boat. I'm very happy with it, particularly the short range definition. Really fast spin up and low amps.

 

[Jackdaw]

If you want RADAR overlay and MARPA, perhaps the best way is to add a Lowrance Point 1 GPS/compass device. Its like 175 bucks all in, and its a NMEA2000 device. Just plug it in, and along with an active GPS antenna OUTSIDE the boat, you get a 10 Hz rate compass.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/NMEA-2000/Point-1-en-us.aspx

Lowarance, Simrad, and B&G are all one company, and the gear is network interchangeable.

 

[jviss]

If you want RADAR overlay and MARPA, perhaps the best way is to add a Lowrance Point 1 GPS/compass device. Its like 175 bucks all in, and its a NMEA2000 device. Just plug it in, and along with an active GPS antenna OUTSIDE the boat, you get a 10 Hz rate compass.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/NMEA-2000/Point-1-en-us.aspx

Lowarance, Simrad, and B&G are all one company, and the gear is network interchangeable.

Great catch, thanks. But why do they state this?:

"Not recommended for use with MARPA or Autopilot"

Is it calculating heading from the GPS over time?

 

[jviss]

Its like 175 bucks all in,

Where did you see it for $175?

 

[Jackdaw]

Great catch, thanks. But why do they state this?:

"Not recommended for use with MARPA or Autopilot"

Is it calculating heading from the GPS over time?

That I DO NOT understand. I figure the radar overlay is just as sensitive to compass accuracy and refresh rate as MARPA is. It HAS a true fluxgate compass inside. Maybe its a liability thing. But IT DOES work for both. The alternative is a a $700 simrad part, or grabbing NMEA0183 heading data from something else and converting it via some cable bits (like you were looking at).

Maybe I was being optimistic with the 175.... thought that's what we paid.... But I always round down costs of boat stuff in my mind...

 

[jviss]

Thanks, yea, I do the same thing on prices.

I'm guessing it's related to the compass accuracy; maybe it can't be compensated for variation and deviation? Who knows.

Maybe also it's not gimbaled?

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks, yea, I do the same thing on prices.

I'm guessing it's related to the compass accuracy; maybe it can't be compensated for variation and deviation? Who knows.

Maybe also it's not gimbaled?

No, the biggest difference will be on how fast it 'settles' on the correct heading while moving and turning. A 'true' rate compass will do that faster. The absolute accuracy will be about the same for both after calibration.

This is a BIG deal for autopilot work. Much less for overlay. MARPA; good question.... MARPA uses boat heading over time to calculate intercepts. We have both heading inputs on our boat; Our AP's rate compass and the P1. Some day I might play with switching the input and see if there is an actual difference. But my guess would be to say slight; and in any case I don't know of anyone that would use the MARPA on a consumer grade RADAR setup for life-and-death target tracking.

 

[jviss]

in any case I don't know of anyone that would use the MARPA on a consumer grade RADAR setup for life-and-death target tracking.

Gee, I was considering the B&G Sea Sparrow missile launcher.

Thanks for the info. I have an S2G pilot with a rate compass, but I'd have to get the AT10HD and a Simnet to Micro-C cable. i haven't seen that cable anywhere.