Let's say you're outfitting a 30'-40' foot boat for coastal cruising. Starting from scratch, you build a system including autopilot, GPS/chartplotter, speed/log, depth and wind instruments. First question, would you stick with one manufacturer for compatibility, or pick and choose for each piece? Second, if your only choices were similar systems from Raymarine and Simrad, would you pay twice as much for the more expensive system? What's driving your decision?
Electronics preference
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Let's say you're outfitting a 30'-40' foot boat for coastal cruising. Starting from scratch, you build a system including autopilot, GPS/chartplotter, speed/log, depth and wind instruments. First question, would you stick with one manufacturer for compatibility, or pick and choose for each piece? Second, if your only choices were similar systems from Raymarine and Simrad, would you pay twice as much for the more expensive system? What's driving your decision?
All from one mfg.
Phil, I'd buy all of it from one manufacturer. It would be eaiser to install with a plug and play system. Much easier to deal with one tech support vs multiple, no compatability issues, no vendor blaming the other for any problems, hopefully easier to upgrade later on, not to mention it looks a lot cleaner and professional to have everything match. As for what mfg? Raymarine would be my choice. They seem to have the most comprehensive array of products, they look good, plus my experience with them has been good. Look on most new boats and what do you find? Raymarine. Yes I'm sure they market their products at a competitive price to the builders but I have to believe there's also a quality issue involved. No doubt you'll get a lot of input on this one. I don't think you'll go wrong whichever way you go, they're all pretty good anymore. Good luck. Mike
Phil, I'd buy all of it from one manufacturer. It would be eaiser to install with a plug and play system. Much easier to deal with one tech support vs multiple, no compatability issues, no vendor blaming the other for any problems, hopefully easier to upgrade later on, not to mention it looks a lot cleaner and professional to have everything match. As for what mfg? Raymarine would be my choice. They seem to have the most comprehensive array of products, they look good, plus my experience with them has been good. Look on most new boats and what do you find? Raymarine. Yes I'm sure they market their products at a competitive price to the builders but I have to believe there's also a quality issue involved. No doubt you'll get a lot of input on this one. I don't think you'll go wrong whichever way you go, they're all pretty good anymore. Good luck. Mike
All from one mfg.
Phil, I'd buy all of it from one manufacturer. It would be eaiser to install with a plug and play system. Much easier to deal with one tech support vs multiple, no compatability issues, no vendor blaming the other for any problems, hopefully easier to upgrade later on, not to mention it looks a lot cleaner and professional to have everything match. As for what mfg? Raymarine would be my choice. They seem to have the most comprehensive array of products, they look good, plus my experience with them has been good. Look on most new boats and what do you find? Raymarine. Yes I'm sure they market their products at a competitive price to the builders but I have to believe there's also a quality issue involved. No doubt you'll get a lot of input on this one. I don't think you'll go wrong whichever way you go, they're all pretty good anymore. Good luck. Mike
Phil, I'd buy all of it from one manufacturer. It would be eaiser to install with a plug and play system. Much easier to deal with one tech support vs multiple, no compatability issues, no vendor blaming the other for any problems, hopefully easier to upgrade later on, not to mention it looks a lot cleaner and professional to have everything match. As for what mfg? Raymarine would be my choice. They seem to have the most comprehensive array of products, they look good, plus my experience with them has been good. Look on most new boats and what do you find? Raymarine. Yes I'm sure they market their products at a competitive price to the builders but I have to believe there's also a quality issue involved. No doubt you'll get a lot of input on this one. I don't think you'll go wrong whichever way you go, they're all pretty good anymore. Good luck. Mike
Hi Phil, our 1991 model boat came with...
Autohelm (now Raymarine) electronics, such as depth, speed, wind, autopilot, etc. Still works and Raymarine still supports as best they can on these discontinued products. Our much newer Garmin 178C chart plotter and sounder interfaces nicely with the autopilot. Stick with a reputable company, buy new through e-bay and save a bundle. Company still supports their product. I do all my own installation, trouble shooting and repairs, so this works out well for me. Terry
Autohelm (now Raymarine) electronics, such as depth, speed, wind, autopilot, etc. Still works and Raymarine still supports as best they can on these discontinued products. Our much newer Garmin 178C chart plotter and sounder interfaces nicely with the autopilot. Stick with a reputable company, buy new through e-bay and save a bundle. Company still supports their product. I do all my own installation, trouble shooting and repairs, so this works out well for me. Terry
Hi Phil, our 1991 model boat came with...
Autohelm (now Raymarine) electronics, such as depth, speed, wind, autopilot, etc. Still works and Raymarine still supports as best they can on these discontinued products. Our much newer Garmin 178C chart plotter and sounder interfaces nicely with the autopilot. Stick with a reputable company, buy new through e-bay and save a bundle. Company still supports their product. I do all my own installation, trouble shooting and repairs, so this works out well for me. Terry
Autohelm (now Raymarine) electronics, such as depth, speed, wind, autopilot, etc. Still works and Raymarine still supports as best they can on these discontinued products. Our much newer Garmin 178C chart plotter and sounder interfaces nicely with the autopilot. Stick with a reputable company, buy new through e-bay and save a bundle. Company still supports their product. I do all my own installation, trouble shooting and repairs, so this works out well for me. Terry
Garmin
I purchased a Garmin 4208 chartplotter with a Garmin GMR18 radar. It is a plug and play system... to add a bunch of other stuff I may need or not. I am very happy with the system. I will add other components as required/needed (before it all becomes obsolete). Garmin tech support has been great... I have a Garmin handheld chartplotter too. I'll guess I have no choice but to stay with Garmin now. Only draw back I can see... if the chartplotter display decides to crump out... I loose everything.
I purchased a Garmin 4208 chartplotter with a Garmin GMR18 radar. It is a plug and play system... to add a bunch of other stuff I may need or not. I am very happy with the system. I will add other components as required/needed (before it all becomes obsolete). Garmin tech support has been great... I have a Garmin handheld chartplotter too. I'll guess I have no choice but to stay with Garmin now. Only draw back I can see... if the chartplotter display decides to crump out... I loose everything.
Garmin
I purchased a Garmin 4208 chartplotter with a Garmin GMR18 radar. It is a plug and play system... to add a bunch of other stuff I may need or not. I am very happy with the system. I will add other components as required/needed (before it all becomes obsolete). Garmin tech support has been great... I have a Garmin handheld chartplotter too. I'll guess I have no choice but to stay with Garmin now. Only draw back I can see... if the chartplotter display decides to crump out... I loose everything.
I purchased a Garmin 4208 chartplotter with a Garmin GMR18 radar. It is a plug and play system... to add a bunch of other stuff I may need or not. I am very happy with the system. I will add other components as required/needed (before it all becomes obsolete). Garmin tech support has been great... I have a Garmin handheld chartplotter too. I'll guess I have no choice but to stay with Garmin now. Only draw back I can see... if the chartplotter display decides to crump out... I loose everything.
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