Multifunction display upgrade ?

Jan 12, 2020
6
Hinterhoeller Niagara 35 Branford CT
I wondering if is worth it to upgrade my 2009 Raymarine E80 Display (which still use CF Cards) to newer (not the newest Axiom model) E95 E 70021 MSD MultiTouch Multifunction Display. I think it was released in ( if I'm correct) 2012 so is already 8 years old technology. Price on ebay $ 1,000.00 with some warranty. Maybe better to save $1000 and invest in near future for the most recent staff. My concerns is about CF Cards, not easy to find and upgrade for E 80 (C80 using max 128 MB CF according to Raymarine docs.)
What do you think guys? Any of you have experience with this kind of upgrade ?
Thank you for any feedback.
Robert
 
Apr 22, 2011
952
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
Not sure why you wouldn't go with the Axiom displays.. My 7" Axiom was less than $700 and another $20 to download the NOAA raster and vector charts through Raymarine.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
And smaller capacity cf cards are readily available on the ol’ interweb. Not cheap, or new, but available
 
May 17, 2004
5,754
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
How much do you rely on your electronics now? Are they a necessity where you sail or just a nice-to-have? Do you plan on taking trips in the next couple years where newer technology would be helpful? Or do you plan bigger trips in the long term that might be worth waiting for the latest tech then?
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,958
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I've always found that the latest tech has way more features than I want or need.
I wish somebody would buy the rights to a very capable, reliable and simple GPS/plotter (like the Garmin 3007 or 3010) from about ten years ago and market it as always being available. No need to cut a different hole in your nav pod or bulkhead for a new unit etc, or get chips/SD cards or whatever every so many years.
The '56 Chevy of navigation plotters.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I'm going on my 14th year, 2nd C80. Years back, I asked the members of my sailing club , if they have the CF cards they no longer use, I'd like to have them. I got a bout 15 that way. I have the C80, a camera, a digital multi-track deck that uses them.
 

Mikem

.
Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
I've always found that the latest tech has way more features than I want or need.
I wish somebody would buy the rights to a very capable, reliable and simple GPS/plotter (like the Garmin 3007 or 3010) from about ten years ago and market it as always being available. No need to cut a different hole in your nav pod or bulkhead for a new unit etc, or get chips/SD cards or whatever every so many years.
The '56 Chevy of navigation plotters.
Now that is one brilliant idea. I use about 5% of my smart phone. But to answer the OP I just upgraded to the Axiom 12 and wireless radar. My 2004 C-80 blacked out and there was no factory support for it. And of course my Raymarine radar was not compatible with the new Axiom so, you guessed it, had to buy a new radar as well. Aaaaaaargh.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,667
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I've always found that the latest tech has way more features than I want or need...
I was on a friend's boat which had two new GPS's and neither would display time with seconds no matter how deep I went into the menus. The units could do lots of other stuff but I just wanted to display the time for a race start. Time for Pete's Sake!
 
Jan 12, 2020
6
Hinterhoeller Niagara 35 Branford CT
Thank you All.
To answer some questions how much I relay on electronics right now. Mostly I sailed on the Long Island Sound and because I was new to the area I needed GPS and depth. This season the longest trip will be to Block Isl and Martha Vineyards. Than I'll moved to Haverstraw on Hudson river. Do I need the newest most advanced electronics , No until my E80 works fine. My only concern is ability to upgrade charts easily. Yes I can still search and find CF cards but on another hand why not to start to use MSD format, or to upload on the spot the last most recent details. For now I'll upgrade E80 to latest firmware and purchase Navionics CF card and let see how it will works.
Please continue to post new ideas and suggestions.
Any feedback appreciated.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,233
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I like the newer stuff.... you can wifi updates directly... or transfer with a card or usb cable from your computer. I like that you can connect all devices, sensors and transducers to a common network which can be monitored on your MFD and individual instruments. When I see those kind of upgrades on older sailboats it indicates a bit of pride of ownership.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
I had my C-80 repaired 2 times and completely replaced 1 time and will go new next time it goes bad.
I use the new Navionics on my tablet for the last few years and love it’s new upgraded features and now wish I had gone newer to sync with the tablet.
Nick
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I was on a friend's boat which had two new GPS's and neither would display time with seconds no matter how deep I went into the menus. The units could do lots of other stuff but I just wanted to display the time for a race start. Time for Pete's Sake!
Then there's a new invention- called a stopwatch. Digital ones, even !