Choosing GPS
- Thread starter Scott T-Bird
- Start date
NMEA 2000 is valid until NMEA 2001 supersedes it and then all your marine electronics will be obsolete. Reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode The Obsolete Man.
My solution is simple. I use all gear that is NMEA0183 compliant and it works just fine. Nothing fancy about it. Provides me with the data I need. If I want a "chart plotter" I turn to either a PC or a tablet. A small handheld drives my AP and a small handheld drives my DSC VHF. Done. Don't really need the high tech stuff. Maybe one day I will, but for now, KISS!
There is lots of good used equipment out there that is still good. It has just been designated obsolete because a lot of ships and boats are being forced to upgrade to NMEA 2000. That is just the way of the industry. So why buy new when you can get used working equipment that is cheap now?
My solution is simple. I use all gear that is NMEA0183 compliant and it works just fine. Nothing fancy about it. Provides me with the data I need. If I want a "chart plotter" I turn to either a PC or a tablet. A small handheld drives my AP and a small handheld drives my DSC VHF. Done. Don't really need the high tech stuff. Maybe one day I will, but for now, KISS!
There is lots of good used equipment out there that is still good. It has just been designated obsolete because a lot of ships and boats are being forced to upgrade to NMEA 2000. That is just the way of the industry. So why buy new when you can get used working equipment that is cheap now?
I would STRONGLY urge folks to NOT purchase discontinued product, especially refurb & discontinued, (eg: the Garmin 740) no matter how good the deal is. Parts and future repairs become short time frame to non-existent the further away you get from discontinuation date. I have had numerous customers burned by this and they get pretty darn pissed off when their "brand new" device is not even repairable because the physical parts are no longer available. Popular items chew through parts faster than less popular and the 740 was very, very popular. Heck even ST-60 Raymarine displays, extremely popular, are now obsolete and un-repairable....
The best deal for future support, parts availability etc. is usually a 1 - 2 year old device. Not brand new but by 12-24 months from launch. The price has often dropped a bit and you will still net a 7-10 year product life in terms of future support. A 740 might only be serviceable for another year or two if that...
The best deal for future support, parts availability etc. is usually a 1 - 2 year old device. Not brand new but by 12-24 months from launch. The price has often dropped a bit and you will still net a 7-10 year product life in terms of future support. A 740 might only be serviceable for another year or two if that...
the electronic industry has a way of doing this ...reinventing itself and making the new obsolete before anyone can conquer the learning curve....... they have turned into a giant sponge when it comes to extracting money short of holding a gun to your head ...i have an old Zenith transoceanic tube type radio receiver that is a dinosaur and still works but it is an example of what was in the day ..now just a decoration for the collectors of old trinkets
I have Ray C 80 at the helmet and love it at the helm.
Also have Samsung tablet to 299 best buy with Navionics app and is great soon coming dock to dock so go to Navionics Web
Look up mobile app and see all the great things it does,a friend has Plan2nav app on same tablet and love it.
I have 76CX Garmin 2g chip works great and thanks for heads up using it on homeport.
Nick
Also have Samsung tablet to 299 best buy with Navionics app and is great soon coming dock to dock so go to Navionics Web
Look up mobile app and see all the great things it does,a friend has Plan2nav app on same tablet and love it.
I have 76CX Garmin 2g chip works great and thanks for heads up using it on homeport.
Nick
Brian, That might work for you and that's great, but its bad advice generally for someone that is looking for new gear.
I'm guessing you have no more that three (or maybe only two) devices 'networked' together. I can say that because that's the point where NMEA0183 because very hard to work with. Designed not as a network but as cabling to allow ONE device to talk to several others, it simply does not work in more complex network situations where more than one device needs or wants to talk. Throw in the very slow and un-standardized data speeds, and you have a 'standard' that is way way past its prime. In a world where the value of devices in vastly increased but their ability to talk bi-bidirectionally with each other, 0183 is a dead-end option.
Its like recommending to people buying computer gear to forget USB and go with RS-232 serial ports. Its the EXACT same thing.
0183 was crappy and was around for decades. NMEA2k will be around long after you and I stop sailing. And its much better. If you are going to buy new gear, why in the world would you ever by stuff that only supports and old, subpar standard?
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I am a HUGE fan of XM WX satellite weather. It's just like watching your TV radar! I was doing the South Shore of LI alone when a weather warning came on the chartplotter screen and I turned on the weather overlay. It was amazing. Each individual cell of this gigantic front was displayed in living color for me and the arrows of movement showed me EXACTLY what was coming to get me! I had all my gear down, my foulies on and everything secure and buttoned up before the first gust hit us.
Even at $50.00 a month, there's not much else that would trump it for practical coastal weather. I'd give double that for that kind of accurate weather down this way.
As for the rest, I personally would stick to Garmin; their gear has been pretty trouble free over the years and their tech support is first rate. I wouldn't have a touch screen; it makes no sense to be trying to hit a little spot on a screen when the boat is pitching all over the place in bad weather, never mind with gloves, as mentioned above. I've found Garmin charts to be perfect every where I've been, but that doesn't mean they will be at the next place we go, so be cautious. I'm sure this is true of all electronic charts.
The bigger the screen, the more information you can display AND have a good size chart visible. I'm not one who likes to constantly be switching screens to get information.
It seems every one of the units on the market today have many more features than most of us use. Yet some very important and simple features are missing. Number one to me is the ability to dim out the plotter enough so it doesn't blind the person on the helm completely. We have car window tint cut to size that we just stick on at night, and that does the trick, but honestly should we need to? Choose a unit with the features you may want to have, but I doubt that you will be investing in things like side scan sonar on this boat, so the ability of your chartplotter to display it isn't important to you.
Even at $50.00 a month, there's not much else that would trump it for practical coastal weather. I'd give double that for that kind of accurate weather down this way.
As for the rest, I personally would stick to Garmin; their gear has been pretty trouble free over the years and their tech support is first rate. I wouldn't have a touch screen; it makes no sense to be trying to hit a little spot on a screen when the boat is pitching all over the place in bad weather, never mind with gloves, as mentioned above. I've found Garmin charts to be perfect every where I've been, but that doesn't mean they will be at the next place we go, so be cautious. I'm sure this is true of all electronic charts.
The bigger the screen, the more information you can display AND have a good size chart visible. I'm not one who likes to constantly be switching screens to get information.
It seems every one of the units on the market today have many more features than most of us use. Yet some very important and simple features are missing. Number one to me is the ability to dim out the plotter enough so it doesn't blind the person on the helm completely. We have car window tint cut to size that we just stick on at night, and that does the trick, but honestly should we need to? Choose a unit with the features you may want to have, but I doubt that you will be investing in things like side scan sonar on this boat, so the ability of your chartplotter to display it isn't important to you.
The very first question one needs to ask is, do I NEED it or do I WANT it. All other questions are moot. Need vs Want dictate what one will get. Yes, I have very little in the way of networked electronics. Why? Because I have no NEED or WANT for all this high tech stuff. I coastal sail. I do not race. I do not go more than 12 miles out. So Scott B, and others, have one serious question to answer. If the answer is no to either NEED or WANT, then my solution is the correct solution. KISS!
There really is only one piece of "high tech" equipment I want on my boat. That is HF SSB. I am working on that now. However, I am not going for the marine grade HF radio. I have no need or want for that. I have several older HF radios that will work just fine on the Ham bands. This is more for the fun of having HF SSB on board. Nothing more.
My advise is not bad, it is there so that one can muse the possibilities. And... will all this new high tech equipment bring a higher selling price in the event that the owner what to sell. Possibly, but it could also be a deterrent if a potential new owner doesn't want all that gear.
This is why we have these discussions. Just bringing an alternative solution to this discussion.
added - We have gotten far away from the OP original question. Unfortunately, the OP has a compatibility issue that can not be resolved without an expensive interface. So really, this whole discussion about what to get is not part of the original topic. So on that I would agree that it be prudent that anyone who wishes to upgrade their equipment need to apply diligent research on compatibility.
There really is only one piece of "high tech" equipment I want on my boat. That is HF SSB. I am working on that now. However, I am not going for the marine grade HF radio. I have no need or want for that. I have several older HF radios that will work just fine on the Ham bands. This is more for the fun of having HF SSB on board. Nothing more.
My advise is not bad, it is there so that one can muse the possibilities. And... will all this new high tech equipment bring a higher selling price in the event that the owner what to sell. Possibly, but it could also be a deterrent if a potential new owner doesn't want all that gear.
This is why we have these discussions. Just bringing an alternative solution to this discussion.
added - We have gotten far away from the OP original question. Unfortunately, the OP has a compatibility issue that can not be resolved without an expensive interface. So really, this whole discussion about what to get is not part of the original topic. So on that I would agree that it be prudent that anyone who wishes to upgrade their equipment need to apply diligent research on compatibility.
Seadadler,
My boss just gave me his old Raymarine C80 off of his boat today as he upgraded to something newer. He also included a DSM300 Depth/Fishfinder along with the bronze depth speed temp transducer and speed fairing, but the installer who swapped it out cut that cable about a foot from the Transducer. Did you install yours yourself, or have it done?
He had the C80 flush mounted on his power boat. so I will need to make new mounts for it. How does your mount to your Helm? (pictures please)
He reused the original GPS Antenna, so I need to replace that on my boat, has anyone found an inexpensive aftermarket GPS antenna that works well. Raymarine wants a fortune for theirs.
I already have a ST4000 autopilot. Do you have your C80 connected to your autopilot?
I have too many questions. any help would be appreciated.
Brian, the discussion is helpful. I think I have a slightly different view regarding needs and wants but breaking it down that way is certainly helpful. I think that I need to go sailing (but even that could be argued), everything else navigation related is a want. But I can say there are some basic needs and some wants. Most of the wishlist wants will depend upon how much more than a basic budget I'm willing to spend. The discussions have helped me organize.
Basic Needs:
1. Chartplotter needs to talk to existing Simrad WP32 in 0183. (I'm assuming WP works ... I haven't installed it yet)
2. Existing Simrad IS15 wind instrument (NMEA 0183) needs to talk to Wheel Pilot for steering by wind.
3. I'm guessing that I need a junction box that has a switch that determines which input (between wind instrument and chartplotter) talks to the WP. Manual says WP can handle only one input at a time.
4. Unless, the wind instrument talks to chartplotter in 0183 and I can select which input to WP from the chartplotter? I'm a little confused on this issue. If my wind instrument talks to chartplotter, won't true wind data show up on chartplotter display? For true wind data to show up on wind instrument display, I need chartplotter to talk to wind instrument. 0183 is unidirectional, so I need NMEA in and NMEA out on separate ports, right? Or, my ancient Datamarine speed log can talk to wind instrument, I suppose, so that wind instrument display gets input data from speed log instead of chartplotter. Then, I only need wind instrument to talk to chartplotter and not vice versa. I don't want to change the speed log as I 'm satisfied with its performance. I also don't think I need speed log to talk to chartplotter. It can be stand alone as far as I'm concerned.
5. Readable screen ... I'm thinking 7" will be about right. I think touchscreen should be fine for my sailing needs despite warnings (and I hear them). It also sounds like a control panel can be added for those difficult times if I find that is necessary. I'm not sophisticated enough to know which charts are best for my area, so I'll put that discussion aside for now.
Based on basic needs, I think the B&G Zeus7 may be a good fit because specs say NMEA 2000 & 0183 interface. I'm assuming that is for both input and output. I guess I'll have to verify that. Unfortunately, Vulcan7 doesn't appear to offer the flexibility with 0183.
Other stuff, like, radar compatibility, Wifi, Radio DSC - AIS, WX data should all fall into place as I add components. These are wishlist items that don't appear to be restricted by this option.
Maine Sail, thanks for clarifying about Garmin 740. I did not realize it is that old. I'm not up to speed on any of the models so it is difficult and frustrating to try finding out what is current and what is not. I think I will have to spend more time discussing with showroom experts.
Basic Needs:
1. Chartplotter needs to talk to existing Simrad WP32 in 0183. (I'm assuming WP works ... I haven't installed it yet)
2. Existing Simrad IS15 wind instrument (NMEA 0183) needs to talk to Wheel Pilot for steering by wind.
3. I'm guessing that I need a junction box that has a switch that determines which input (between wind instrument and chartplotter) talks to the WP. Manual says WP can handle only one input at a time.
4. Unless, the wind instrument talks to chartplotter in 0183 and I can select which input to WP from the chartplotter? I'm a little confused on this issue. If my wind instrument talks to chartplotter, won't true wind data show up on chartplotter display? For true wind data to show up on wind instrument display, I need chartplotter to talk to wind instrument. 0183 is unidirectional, so I need NMEA in and NMEA out on separate ports, right? Or, my ancient Datamarine speed log can talk to wind instrument, I suppose, so that wind instrument display gets input data from speed log instead of chartplotter. Then, I only need wind instrument to talk to chartplotter and not vice versa. I don't want to change the speed log as I 'm satisfied with its performance. I also don't think I need speed log to talk to chartplotter. It can be stand alone as far as I'm concerned.
5. Readable screen ... I'm thinking 7" will be about right. I think touchscreen should be fine for my sailing needs despite warnings (and I hear them). It also sounds like a control panel can be added for those difficult times if I find that is necessary. I'm not sophisticated enough to know which charts are best for my area, so I'll put that discussion aside for now.
Based on basic needs, I think the B&G Zeus7 may be a good fit because specs say NMEA 2000 & 0183 interface. I'm assuming that is for both input and output. I guess I'll have to verify that. Unfortunately, Vulcan7 doesn't appear to offer the flexibility with 0183.
Other stuff, like, radar compatibility, Wifi, Radio DSC - AIS, WX data should all fall into place as I add components. These are wishlist items that don't appear to be restricted by this option.
Maine Sail, thanks for clarifying about Garmin 740. I did not realize it is that old. I'm not up to speed on any of the models so it is difficult and frustrating to try finding out what is current and what is not. I think I will have to spend more time discussing with showroom experts.
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Joe, I agree that the Actisense is an option for communication with the wind instrument and WP. I read the article but got very little out of it. I don't really understand anything that they are talking about. I assume the sail steer feature needs input from a wind sensor? What does it do? Do you interface in NMEA 2000 or do you have components in 0183?Scott... there are a number of NMEA 2000 adapters out there.... The chart plotter doesn't do any converting... it's the adapter that you would insert between your n0183 devices and the n2000 backbone. The most common mentioned is the Actisense NGW-1.... which runs around
$200.. There may be less expensive adapter solutions out there, depending on the device you want to connect.
The Vulcan 7 does not have an Ethernet or video connection... which means no radar overlay at this point. It does have a chirp port so it will display sonar and downscan info with appropriate sensors. It also has WIFI.. for updating and communication. Here's a blog I found discussing the "new" standalone displays from Simrad and B&G.
I chose the Vulcan because of the Sail Steer feature....
Mine came from the dealer all installed and uses a Nav Pod on my stainless bars at the helm
and will look for picture,many parts for these older units can found on E-Bay just look Raymarine,what area do you sail and did he give you the chip.
Yes I have ST 4000 auto,radar,DSM300 sonar,wind/dept/speed all ray and look on E-Bay.
Nick
and will look for picture,many parts for these older units can found on E-Bay just look Raymarine,what area do you sail and did he give you the chip.
Yes I have ST 4000 auto,radar,DSM300 sonar,wind/dept/speed all ray and look on E-Bay.
Nick
Garmin... it is the most user friendly and has the best customer support.
personally, I am not a fan of having multiple functions in one unit, unless you have backup units anyway. because if the head unit fails, or you have to send it in for repair, you lose all functions until you get it back, plus it adds more chances for failure within itself....
being able to integrate it with your other devices, radar, AIS autopilot, ect , is a great feature if you want to hook it all up, and nearly all of garmins products are integratable.
as for models.... the difference in model numbers can be as simple as what software may have been loaded into it, what options was included in the box with it, and sometimes its who the retailer that purchased the manufactured "lot" of that particular unit is/was....
so you never know exactly without talking to garmin directly.... some units are identical in every respect, even though they look different and the screen size is different, so dont let the looks confuse you.
as for pricing..... the gps units are like computers, they are about 60days from being obsolete by the time they hit the store shelves, but they can still function perfectly for many years afterwards.... most of the garmin stuff can be updated by going online and connecting....
the best deals are usually found in units that are discontinued and no longer manufactured (about 60-90 day after you buy the most recent model)... but they are still supported.
the new models command premium prices, even if it is only a small simple unit....
know what you want!.... in my opinion that would be a Color GPS chart plotter, either loaded with bluechart or with an SD slot to add charts of your choosing. I have had the units that you can go online and download what you need, but its a PITA, vs slipping a chip in the slot...
it must be be integrateable with any other device you may want to add, and without any other unnecessary bells, whistles and features that only add confusion.... (garmin software, by default, already has a lot of other sometimes useful but unnecessary features to play with) with a nice viewable screen size..... you will never be disappointed with a screen that is bigger rather than smaller.
then is only a matter of prying open the wallet.
personally, I am not a fan of having multiple functions in one unit, unless you have backup units anyway. because if the head unit fails, or you have to send it in for repair, you lose all functions until you get it back, plus it adds more chances for failure within itself....
being able to integrate it with your other devices, radar, AIS autopilot, ect , is a great feature if you want to hook it all up, and nearly all of garmins products are integratable.
as for models.... the difference in model numbers can be as simple as what software may have been loaded into it, what options was included in the box with it, and sometimes its who the retailer that purchased the manufactured "lot" of that particular unit is/was....
so you never know exactly without talking to garmin directly.... some units are identical in every respect, even though they look different and the screen size is different, so dont let the looks confuse you.
as for pricing..... the gps units are like computers, they are about 60days from being obsolete by the time they hit the store shelves, but they can still function perfectly for many years afterwards.... most of the garmin stuff can be updated by going online and connecting....
the best deals are usually found in units that are discontinued and no longer manufactured (about 60-90 day after you buy the most recent model)... but they are still supported.
the new models command premium prices, even if it is only a small simple unit....
know what you want!.... in my opinion that would be a Color GPS chart plotter, either loaded with bluechart or with an SD slot to add charts of your choosing. I have had the units that you can go online and download what you need, but its a PITA, vs slipping a chip in the slot...
it must be be integrateable with any other device you may want to add, and without any other unnecessary bells, whistles and features that only add confusion.... (garmin software, by default, already has a lot of other sometimes useful but unnecessary features to play with) with a nice viewable screen size..... you will never be disappointed with a screen that is bigger rather than smaller.
then is only a matter of prying open the wallet.
Hey,
Sorry for coming into this thread a little late.
I'm on my fourth boat, and I had added GPS and other gear to three of them. On my previous boat I had a Lowrance plotter, Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF / AIS unit, Datamarine Instruments, and old Autohelm 3000 AP. Nothing was networked except the plotter could send GPS data to the VHF (via NMEA 0183). No way am I working with those teeny tiny NMEA 0183 wire anymore! My current boat came with a Garmin 740S plotter, Raymarine ST60 depth, speed, and wind, and an old SH VHF (nothing networked). I added a Raymarine EV100 autopilot, and a Simrad RS35 VHF (and handset). On this boat I wanted all of the instruments to talk to each other. NMEA 2000 made that pretty simple. I bought a Raymarine converter to get the ST60 instrument data from Seatalk to Seatalk NG (which is really NMEA2000). The Simrad RS35 and Garmin plotter worked together from day one. Once I got the proper cable to convert Seatalk NG to NMEA 2000 the Garmin plotter and EV100 started working together as well.
I will never go back to stand alone instruments or NMEA 0183! It's great to be able to see true and apparent wind, to be able to have the autopilot sail (or motor) to a waypoint, to see AIS targets on the 7" plotter screen, etc.
Personally I have no problems with a touch screen and my next plotter will definitely have one.
Scott, if I were you I would buy a 7" NMEA2000 plotter (as recommended) and then convert all of the NMEA 0183 devices to NMEA 2000 and be done with it. Some other things to think about:
I think that 7" is the sweet spot for the helm. Easy to see and use, and doesn't take up too space at the wheel.
Do you want radar? If so, I would go with GARMIN or Navico (SIMRAD/LOWRANCE)
Do you want to AIS (receive and / or broadcast)? Only Simrad has a NMEA 2000 unit with AIS receive
Do you race?
Do you want WIFI?
Do you want SONAR?
The latest plotters from Garmin and B&G have some great sailing features that are really good for racing. They will calculate and show laylines, tacking angles, time to tack, etc.
Regarding wifi, the latest models have it built in, and offer free apps for showing on IOS and Android.
Personally, I am probably going to buy a B&G Vulcan for the SailSteer and WIFI, and then move my Garmin GPS740S down to the nav station (or just give it away because I can use my phone or an old ipad as a second display with wifi).
Personally I like the SONAR display b/c it makes anchoring easier since you can see the bottom.
Good luck,
Barry
Sorry for coming into this thread a little late.
I'm on my fourth boat, and I had added GPS and other gear to three of them. On my previous boat I had a Lowrance plotter, Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF / AIS unit, Datamarine Instruments, and old Autohelm 3000 AP. Nothing was networked except the plotter could send GPS data to the VHF (via NMEA 0183). No way am I working with those teeny tiny NMEA 0183 wire anymore! My current boat came with a Garmin 740S plotter, Raymarine ST60 depth, speed, and wind, and an old SH VHF (nothing networked). I added a Raymarine EV100 autopilot, and a Simrad RS35 VHF (and handset). On this boat I wanted all of the instruments to talk to each other. NMEA 2000 made that pretty simple. I bought a Raymarine converter to get the ST60 instrument data from Seatalk to Seatalk NG (which is really NMEA2000). The Simrad RS35 and Garmin plotter worked together from day one. Once I got the proper cable to convert Seatalk NG to NMEA 2000 the Garmin plotter and EV100 started working together as well.
I will never go back to stand alone instruments or NMEA 0183! It's great to be able to see true and apparent wind, to be able to have the autopilot sail (or motor) to a waypoint, to see AIS targets on the 7" plotter screen, etc.
Personally I have no problems with a touch screen and my next plotter will definitely have one.
Scott, if I were you I would buy a 7" NMEA2000 plotter (as recommended) and then convert all of the NMEA 0183 devices to NMEA 2000 and be done with it. Some other things to think about:
I think that 7" is the sweet spot for the helm. Easy to see and use, and doesn't take up too space at the wheel.
Do you want radar? If so, I would go with GARMIN or Navico (SIMRAD/LOWRANCE)
Do you want to AIS (receive and / or broadcast)? Only Simrad has a NMEA 2000 unit with AIS receive
Do you race?
Do you want WIFI?
Do you want SONAR?
The latest plotters from Garmin and B&G have some great sailing features that are really good for racing. They will calculate and show laylines, tacking angles, time to tack, etc.
Regarding wifi, the latest models have it built in, and offer free apps for showing on IOS and Android.
Personally, I am probably going to buy a B&G Vulcan for the SailSteer and WIFI, and then move my Garmin GPS740S down to the nav station (or just give it away because I can use my phone or an old ipad as a second display with wifi).
Personally I like the SONAR display b/c it makes anchoring easier since you can see the bottom.
Good luck,
Barry
Thanks for that. You told me what I want to hear. I thought a 7" touchscreen would be what I would prefer and I'm liking the B&G products. It seems like those great sailing features are a little less expensive with B&G vs Garmin and Joe first had me turned on to those features. My only worry is converting my 0183 devices to 2000. I'm still left wondering if this means spending money on hardware that is better spent on the Zeus model rather than the Vulcan model. The upgrade seems like it might be worthwhile. I might be more interested in radar, which Vulcan doesn't accommodate. One thing I did pick up from Joe's article is that with Wifi, radar working off wifi might be the way to bring radar to the Vulcan model. I will spend some time researching these issues with B&G
This is my GPS Chartplotter at the helm and very happy with it Ray C-80 and it does everything I could ask for and have radar auto sonar and did have sirius sat weather but gave it up for smartphone weather.
At one point was going to upgrade to newer wifi Ray chartplotter but found out my radar would not work with the new
and I think my sonar would not work with the new and need other upgrades so decided why would I change when so happy with what I have.
My wife has a samsung tablet and added Navionics to that and Iphone and all kinds of weather reportig on both
I will be waiting for dock to dock coming soon to android before renewing the app and maybe even try out Plan2Nav
and so I am all setup with plenty of backup and yes still check my paper charts.
Nick
At one point was going to upgrade to newer wifi Ray chartplotter but found out my radar would not work with the new
and I think my sonar would not work with the new and need other upgrades so decided why would I change when so happy with what I have.
My wife has a samsung tablet and added Navionics to that and Iphone and all kinds of weather reportig on both
I will be waiting for dock to dock coming soon to android before renewing the app and maybe even try out Plan2Nav
and so I am all setup with plenty of backup and yes still check my paper charts.
Nick
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Helm seat upgrade and always having back problems and not be able to see over the helm or out over the bow of the boat when sitting was always looking for a solution and here is what I did
and works great better than I hoped for.
Nick
and works great better than I hoped for.
Nick
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It was a giant upgrade in screen size vs the existing 76csx, and yet is small enough to fit into the same space. It's at the helm, so the new 44dv screen is more than enough.
I loved the 76, for many reasons. However, it's just become too small for my eyes, and the 44dv does several additional things that are either useful, playful, or both.
The network issue is a stinker, but it's not a show stopper. My old Datamarine instruments have no network at all, and there are no other needs to overcome beyond getting AIS to the plotter, which I'm resolving now thanks to others here. So, while 2000 is better for other things, mine works as it should.
When I get new instruments (never) and engine senders and relayed screens and radar and satellite tv, internet and phone, I'll finally dump 0183.
Thanks for the Photos,
I seethat you have a Nav box mounted at your helm and the C80 is flush mounted in that box.
This is what my helm looks like, and I am trying to get ideas of how to mount the C80
I see you have the stainless bars for mounting a nav pod but looks kind of tight,a friend got hit lightening
and he upgraded to all new Raymarine and what he did was add a bigger nav pod that had the chartplotter
and instruments on each side and I think they extended the stainless bar up to fit and his helm did look like yours on a 85
old boat before the upgrade.
If I think your compass in middle can be changed and lowered maybe no need for raising the bars and those side
things I am guessing would go into the new bigger nav Pod.
I guess how much $$$$$$ to make the change or maybe you are able to fit the nav pod with out any real big
$$$$$ changes.
Look on E-Bay and I think I saw in the past some new and used Nav Pods,I have not been on E-Bay for a while but
I have found some real good deals over the years but it is work looking.
I have all the manuals for C-80 and DSM 300 but you can get the older manuals for most things on Raymarine web site
and I have found Ray tech support so fantastic with help over the years and during winter months much more easy to get them on the phone compared to (summer) almost impossible.
Nick
and he upgraded to all new Raymarine and what he did was add a bigger nav pod that had the chartplotter
and instruments on each side and I think they extended the stainless bar up to fit and his helm did look like yours on a 85
old boat before the upgrade.
If I think your compass in middle can be changed and lowered maybe no need for raising the bars and those side
things I am guessing would go into the new bigger nav Pod.
I guess how much $$$$$$ to make the change or maybe you are able to fit the nav pod with out any real big
$$$$$ changes.
Look on E-Bay and I think I saw in the past some new and used Nav Pods,I have not been on E-Bay for a while but
I have found some real good deals over the years but it is work looking.
I have all the manuals for C-80 and DSM 300 but you can get the older manuals for most things on Raymarine web site
and I have found Ray tech support so fantastic with help over the years and during winter months much more easy to get them on the phone compared to (summer) almost impossible.
Nick