I'm looking at purchasing a RayChart 425 Chartplotter. All of my Raymarine ST60 instruments are interconnected with SeaTalk cables (with 3 conductors). I've looked at the instruction book (online) for the RayChart and it doesn't look like it uses those type connectors. How will I wire it into the current system so that it will drive my autopilot (ST6002 plus). Has anyone done this? Thanks!
SeaTalk connections with Chartplotter
- Thread starter agaliha
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NEMA 183
You'll need to connect the GPS to the Autopilot using the NEMA 183 connection. The autopilot will repeat the GPS data over the Seatalk network to your ST60 instruments. I hooked up my RayChart 425 to my ST4000+ and it works fine. On the ST4000+ the NEMA connections are on the control head, on your ST6000 they maybe at the computer, etc. Someone with ST6000 experience will need to help you with the connections on the autopilot. Good Luck
You'll need to connect the GPS to the Autopilot using the NEMA 183 connection. The autopilot will repeat the GPS data over the Seatalk network to your ST60 instruments. I hooked up my RayChart 425 to my ST4000+ and it works fine. On the ST4000+ the NEMA connections are on the control head, on your ST6000 they maybe at the computer, etc. Someone with ST6000 experience will need to help you with the connections on the autopilot. Good Luck
Looks like either works
Thanks for your response. It prompted me to go to the Raymarine website and look up the manuals for my autopilot. There I found the "Commissioning guide" which told me that I can attach the NMEA 183 input either to the computer or to the control head. It looks like a simple two wire connection. Now I'll go to the boat and see where my computer is located and see which is closer the place where I plan to install the chartplotter.
Thanks for your response. It prompted me to go to the Raymarine website and look up the manuals for my autopilot. There I found the "Commissioning guide" which told me that I can attach the NMEA 183 input either to the computer or to the control head. It looks like a simple two wire connection. Now I'll go to the boat and see where my computer is located and see which is closer the place where I plan to install the chartplotter.
Raychart 425
I could not find a model 425 on the Ray Marine site. I also couldn't find a 425 on the Garmin site. If it is a Raymarine product it should connect using the SeaTalk bus. If it is some other manufacturer it will be NMEA 0183 (2000).
I could not find a model 425 on the Ray Marine site. I also couldn't find a 425 on the Garmin site. If it is a Raymarine product it should connect using the SeaTalk bus. If it is some other manufacturer it will be NMEA 0183 (2000).
It's a 435 (my typo)
Sorry, my fat fingers typed it wrong. It's a RayChart 435 Color Chartplotter. Like you, I was surprised that it doesn't use SeaTalk connections, but I confirmed that on the RayMarine website. It does use NMEA 183, of course. I wonder if anyone has an opinion about this unit. I can't find any independent reviews. Thanks!
Sorry, my fat fingers typed it wrong. It's a RayChart 435 Color Chartplotter. Like you, I was surprised that it doesn't use SeaTalk connections, but I confirmed that on the RayMarine website. It does use NMEA 183, of course. I wonder if anyone has an opinion about this unit. I can't find any independent reviews. Thanks!
I've got a 425
I've got a Raychart 425 - an ealier (2003-ish) black and white version of what they sell as the 435 now. I like it. Simple, smaller form factor - fits where I want it and does what I need it to do. Sure, color would be nice, but B/W does the job too. It is NMEA, not Seatalk. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
I've got a Raychart 425 - an ealier (2003-ish) black and white version of what they sell as the 435 now. I like it. Simple, smaller form factor - fits where I want it and does what I need it to do. Sure, color would be nice, but B/W does the job too. It is NMEA, not Seatalk. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
I like mine
I have a 435C and like it. I had the 425 B/W and wanted the color but didn't have space or budget for the C series. I picked mine up last spring for apx $650. It's normally $850 but both West and Defender were cutting prices. It's a nice unit but there are some drawbacks. I'll list my likes and dislikes. Likes: The color is very nice and it makes it much easier to pick out the shallow areas. A very nice feature when the wife is at the helm. Much easier to see in bright sunlight. Works identical to my previous 425 so no learning curve. Small footprint so minimal cutting or modifications to install. Uses the latest Navionics Gold chip which covers a very large geographic area. Has an anchor alarm, plenty of waypoints, routes, etc. I like all my electronics from one vendor. Reduces compatibility issues. Very good Raymarine support. Comes with a GPS antenna. I bought the external antenna version. Dislikes: Slow to paint if you scroll to a much larger coverage area. Seems the amount of memory required to paint all the data must be large compared to it's capabilities. It's not a problem if you're in the smaller mileage ranges. You have to wait for it to repaint before you can scroll to the next coverage area. Again not a problem in the smaller ranges but a pain if you're in the 8 mile and above range. If you're looking to add radar at a later point it's not compatible. Overall I'm pleased. I've learned to anticipate the need to scroll and do so sooner than later to avoid the need to rush. The price was right and it replaced my previous 425 with minimal modifications (it wasn't an exact size for size fit). Good luck with your decision. Mike
I have a 435C and like it. I had the 425 B/W and wanted the color but didn't have space or budget for the C series. I picked mine up last spring for apx $650. It's normally $850 but both West and Defender were cutting prices. It's a nice unit but there are some drawbacks. I'll list my likes and dislikes. Likes: The color is very nice and it makes it much easier to pick out the shallow areas. A very nice feature when the wife is at the helm. Much easier to see in bright sunlight. Works identical to my previous 425 so no learning curve. Small footprint so minimal cutting or modifications to install. Uses the latest Navionics Gold chip which covers a very large geographic area. Has an anchor alarm, plenty of waypoints, routes, etc. I like all my electronics from one vendor. Reduces compatibility issues. Very good Raymarine support. Comes with a GPS antenna. I bought the external antenna version. Dislikes: Slow to paint if you scroll to a much larger coverage area. Seems the amount of memory required to paint all the data must be large compared to it's capabilities. It's not a problem if you're in the smaller mileage ranges. You have to wait for it to repaint before you can scroll to the next coverage area. Again not a problem in the smaller ranges but a pain if you're in the 8 mile and above range. If you're looking to add radar at a later point it's not compatible. Overall I'm pleased. I've learned to anticipate the need to scroll and do so sooner than later to avoid the need to rush. The price was right and it replaced my previous 425 with minimal modifications (it wasn't an exact size for size fit). Good luck with your decision. Mike
Great feedback
Thanks for the excellent comments. I really appreciate your insights. Happy sailing, Agaliha
Thanks for the excellent comments. I really appreciate your insights. Happy sailing, Agaliha
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