This is offered as a personal experience. I hope the info offers another perspective that aids others.
Near the end of last season the Furuno system on our boat failed. Then search for a replacement began in earnest. A set of parameters was established. Among these were:
NEEDS
*digital
*overlay on chart plotter
WANTS
*color
*interface with auto helm
* non mast mount
All brands and makes were vetted. At the end of the process the Raymarine was selected. Since my auto helm is Raymarine and I was assured of compatibility it became an easy selection.
Plus side: Outstanding radar overlay on the chart plotter in color makes it much easier to determine targets from ATONS and shoreline. A transom mounted tower lowered to antenna and decreased the trail effect of a return, as the unit was not 30 feet up a rocking mast.
Down Side: MFD touch screen unit is very complicated with mind boggling abilities. The simplest of functions used by a GPS chart plotter can be very difficult to set up.
The assured interface with my auto helm never materialized. There is no ability to power up and program the MFD away from the boat. You will need to take your laptop in order to view the CD. It is about 400 pages deep. Googling set up tips and shortcuts only results in "sales" demos, and they are incomplete.
So if you are looking, regardless of brand I would go with a color digital unit that provide overlay to the chart plotter. ~~(\_~~
Near the end of last season the Furuno system on our boat failed. Then search for a replacement began in earnest. A set of parameters was established. Among these were:
NEEDS
*digital
*overlay on chart plotter
WANTS
*color
*interface with auto helm
* non mast mount
All brands and makes were vetted. At the end of the process the Raymarine was selected. Since my auto helm is Raymarine and I was assured of compatibility it became an easy selection.
Plus side: Outstanding radar overlay on the chart plotter in color makes it much easier to determine targets from ATONS and shoreline. A transom mounted tower lowered to antenna and decreased the trail effect of a return, as the unit was not 30 feet up a rocking mast.
Down Side: MFD touch screen unit is very complicated with mind boggling abilities. The simplest of functions used by a GPS chart plotter can be very difficult to set up.
The assured interface with my auto helm never materialized. There is no ability to power up and program the MFD away from the boat. You will need to take your laptop in order to view the CD. It is about 400 pages deep. Googling set up tips and shortcuts only results in "sales" demos, and they are incomplete.
So if you are looking, regardless of brand I would go with a color digital unit that provide overlay to the chart plotter. ~~(\_~~