I recently purchased a Hunter Cherubini (1980). The GPS needs to be replaced and I am wondering if I can make use of the existing transducer on the old unit to avoid a haul out. Also, what brand(s) would be reasonably priced and offer the features needed for motor/sailing from Galveston, TX to a new hailing port in Rockport, TX.?
GPS install question
- Thread starter stanleyi
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Well first off you probably do not need to haul out for any GPS related issue. The GPS does not have any under water hardware or sensors.
You really only need location (latitude and longitude) and a set of paper charts. The absolute cheapest solution is a GPS puck ($30) with USB cable that you use with free navigation software (google navigation software). The only problem with this solution is you have to find a way to power your laptop.
Alternately you can buy a max cheapo GPS ($90??ish) and use the same paper charts.
Course you do have a compass and that has proved satisfactory for the vast majority of history. Just plot you course to a EASY TO FIND land mark, correct for magnetic deviation and go. If you have a knot meter and know the distance to go you can even anticipate the time you will arrive.
Coast hopping the nav buoys is a proven technique as the buoys are usually only a few miles appart and it is pretty hard to get lost enough so you do not see the buoy.
FWIW
You really only need location (latitude and longitude) and a set of paper charts. The absolute cheapest solution is a GPS puck ($30) with USB cable that you use with free navigation software (google navigation software). The only problem with this solution is you have to find a way to power your laptop.
Alternately you can buy a max cheapo GPS ($90??ish) and use the same paper charts.
Course you do have a compass and that has proved satisfactory for the vast majority of history. Just plot you course to a EASY TO FIND land mark, correct for magnetic deviation and go. If you have a knot meter and know the distance to go you can even anticipate the time you will arrive.
Coast hopping the nav buoys is a proven technique as the buoys are usually only a few miles appart and it is pretty hard to get lost enough so you do not see the buoy.
FWIW
For the record, GPS units that are not specifically designed for the marine environment tend to crap out pretty regularly. What that means is you REALLY need to know how to do the map and compass nav for that eventuality. Certainly not something you would want to learn after dark, in a storm (which is when GPSes usually die)
I use Garmin GPS. You can reuse the existing transducers. Most transducers use a standard format. There is a setting on the GPS that you can use to correctly communicate with your existing transducers. As Bill mensioned above -use a GPS that s made for marine use. This means that they are water proof and will not be damages if it is splashed with fresh or salt water.
Perhaps I'm not understanding what you want to do. If you just need a GPS then you don't need to hook it up the the depth, speed, wind instruments. If you want a chart plotter then you are getting into an area that is replete with data formatting issues.
While I agree with Joe that most transducer/sensor/control boxes do output NMEA data from the control box the transducers do not output anything but control box and manufacturer specific data formats. The control box turns that in to the manufacturers proprietary data format and NMEA (in most cases)
If all those control boxes output NMEA 2000 then you are golden as this protocol allows many talkers and many listeners on the same circuit. NMEA 0183 only allows a single talker on each circuit. So for depth, speed, and GPS you would need:
a depth talker
a speed talker
two listener lines on the GPS
If you add an auto pilot to that mix you would need:
depth talker
speed talker
GPS talker
AP talker
3 listener lines on the GPS
1 listener line on the Auto pilot
I've never seen any GPS, chart plotter, or auto pilot that has more then 1 listener and 1 talker circuit. You would have to get a NMEA 0183 multiplexer to hook all that stuff up.
While I agree with Joe that most transducer/sensor/control boxes do output NMEA data from the control box the transducers do not output anything but control box and manufacturer specific data formats. The control box turns that in to the manufacturers proprietary data format and NMEA (in most cases)
If all those control boxes output NMEA 2000 then you are golden as this protocol allows many talkers and many listeners on the same circuit. NMEA 0183 only allows a single talker on each circuit. So for depth, speed, and GPS you would need:
a depth talker
a speed talker
two listener lines on the GPS
If you add an auto pilot to that mix you would need:
depth talker
speed talker
GPS talker
AP talker
3 listener lines on the GPS
1 listener line on the Auto pilot
I've never seen any GPS, chart plotter, or auto pilot that has more then 1 listener and 1 talker circuit. You would have to get a NMEA 0183 multiplexer to hook all that stuff up.
Check with garmin...the frequency in the 80s was 160 mega hertz or something like that...today it's 250....so you would have to change the transducer.....remember the transducer sends out a signAl that bounces Back
the transducer..all the best
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the transducer..all the best
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