Multifunction displays-Raymarine e7 or a65 ?

[Pat T]

I am thinking of replacing my old Autohelm chartplotter & radar. I mainly want the GPS at the helm. ( current chartplotter/gps is down below and radar screen is at the helm). I am thinking of either the Raymarine e7 or the a65. Any experience with either of these systems?
Last year I installed a new Raymarine x-5 AP with p70 controller which has the sea talk ng connections. I think that I can just run a spur to either of these displays and I'll be connected/powered? I also have other Raymarine ST 60 instruments so that's why I'm sticking with Raymarine. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[lbertran]

Raymarine e7

I just installed one of these on my boat in June. Ran a spur cable to STNG backbone and it was easily networked with Raymarine AP as well as my Furuno sailing instruments. I also installed a Digital Yacht AIS receiver without problems. Very happy with all of this. I really like having the hybrid touch screen with joystick and other buttons as well as the touch screen. I found the touchscreen hard to use in ocean swells and at night when my hands were cold and wet. The a65 is totally touch screen which probably works great at the nav station but less so at the helm.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Re: Raymarine e7

I have the e95 and really like it. If you want both touchscreen and buttons, go with the e7.

Connections: Run a STng spur to the unit from any other STng device or connector for data link. This does NOT power the unit; it needs its own power connection.