The picture shows my current instrumentation mount. The available mount area is 10.5 x 7.5 inches. I really don't want anything larger, that would mean obtaining a new Sunbrella binnacle/instrumentation cover.
The Autohelm 4000 will hold a set heading, or it will said at a set angle to the relative wind. It doesn't follow a route set in the RC 435 chartplotter. The Autohelm 4000 useless above 12 knots of wind or 9 knots in a following sea (and I've only sailed in the Chocktawhatchee Bay or the GCIW so the "sea" has never been more than 2.5 ft). I've not taken the instrumentation pod apart to determine if the top bank of three displays are getting direct inputs from the sensors, or taking the data from RC435. I suspect the former. When next on the boat I will turn off the chart plotter and see what happens. That will be a week or so as Amazing Grace is on the hard for a bottom paint job. I trundled down to the local West Marine and viewed:
Garmon Echomap Plus 74cv
B&G Vulcan 7
Lawrence Hook 7
Lawrence Elite 7 TI
I've not yet seen a Raymarine Axiom 7, but it is on the list to view.
All have 7 inch diagonal displays. All appear to have the functions I need (they all have a lot more functions I will never use). I note all the screens have the long dimension in the horizontal rather than vertical. Vertical would be better, because the thing will be set for track up and it would be better to have more look ahead and where I'm pointed.
I've downloaded the manuals for the above and will be looking through them.
The Garmon has both NEMA 183 and NEMA 2000 inputs / outputs, which is a plus as all the existing instruments are NEMA 183. The touch screen seems nice, but one worries about greasy fingers on it. The included coast charts of the USA appear to be comprehensive. I cannot imagine needing anything more.
They all appear to desire their own transducers which is an issue. I'm not sure my existing transducer will work and I'm not sure the new ones will fit the exiting hole/threads. The Garmon certainly won't.
Anyone have a Garmon Echomap Plus 74cv? If so, how do you like it?