Electronics upgrade...convince me not to spend this money on Garmin...please?

So one of the short-list projects I have for winter 2019 is the installation of a Fusion wired helm remote for the Fusion head unit I installed last year (which I love). Two weeks ago I had a potentially expensive change of heart. I need counseling from CSR.

I also blame (or thank?) CSR member RollerCoastr for this.

The original plan was a Fusion NMEA remote ($200 +/-) and the bits needed to setup a NMEA network using Fusion parts (another $150 +/-). I'd probably have another $100 into making it all look neat at the helm. Call it $500 all-in, on the high side.

I was seconds away from buying the Fusion bits when I got to thinking about RollerCoastr's setup, which I'd eventually like to shamelessly duplicate. He's got (2) 7" Garmin MFD's at the helm with another 10" or 12" at the radar position. I thought perhaps I should consider putting the Fusion money toward the smaller MFD's (which can double as the Fusion remote) instead of doing the remote first. Of course being on the Garmin website was a slippery slope since I also want to replace my VHF.

So I could avoid the $500 on the Fusion gig by spending $2100 on Garmin. Ha. Two new Garmin GPSMAP 742 units, a new Garmin VHF 110 (still on the fence vs. Standard Horizon), the Garmin NMEA setup kit and a variety of NMEA bits and pieces. I'd be replacing a fully functional Furuno chartplotter and a West Marine VHF so maybe I'd get a couple hundred dollars for the used stuff to support the upgrade. I'll also be removing the '97 vintage chartplotter interface (far left on my dash). The autopilot will shift all the way left, MFD's in the middle, VHF stays right. Radar/CRT remains as-is until some future massive budget cycle.

Does this seem like a terrible idea? Will I miss having a standalone Fusion remote at the helm? I figure I can still use the phone app (which is not user friendly) when the electronics are off and covered. What am I missing, CSR??

My current setup:


Shameless stealing (hope he doesn't mind) of RollerCoastr's setup which I really like:

If you are willing to spend the money, I think that is a very nice alternative. Adding the NEMA network sets you up for future projects and upgrades. Looks like RollerCoastr has a dedicated Fusion remote at the helm so all of your bases are cover.

The one thing I don't see discussed is radar. Changing manufacturers normally requires updating to their radar. This is expensive, but I'm sold on the new Doppler radars for collision prevention, even on a relatively "small" inland lake. Probably another $2500 for this all in, but IMHO, a huge increase in situational awareness of whats around the boat, whats a threat, and ultimately enhanced safety for you and your passengers.

Ah the slippery slope of electronics upgrades!

Oops...sorry, I did see your are planning on leaving the radar as is for now. I thought you were going all in on RollerCoastr's setup.

My stand on the new Doppler radars remains, and that were my electronics budget is going.

How do you plan to make your analog equipment work with your digital MFD?

I like a separate stereo remote myself. Maybe one 7 inch display. Nice set up.

sbw1 said:

View attachment 64239 How do you plan to make your analog equipment work with your digital MFD?

Click to expand...

Hmm...a good question? I don't expect any of the existing analog gear to work with the Garmin's? The autopilot would be left as-is, just shifting the controller to the left. The radar also stays for the time being. When the time comes to replace the radar the entire thing has to go. The antenna is too old to integrate into newer Raymarine digital gear and I've decided to move to Garmin. So when I save enough empty beer cans I'll do a Garmin array and another MFD (larger).

What am I missing? The only OEM piece I'm planning to remove is the Ray charplotter "interface". I am hoping the radar will function normally without that box installed. If not, I plan to hide that thing behind the helm until I replace the radar. I also assumed (perhaps wrongly) that nothing else is getting data from this piece? The Tridata will stay, untouched.

Does this make sense? The MFD's (for now) would really only be used as chartplotter, speed/trip data, audio remote and potentially engine data if I install some gateways later in the year.

Craig said:

I like a separate stereo remote myself. Maybe one 7 inch display. Nice set up.

Click to expand...

This is a concern of mine.....if I find myself still wishing for the remote after this project...

Stee6043 said:

This is a concern of mine.....if I find myself still wishing for the remote after this project...

Click to expand...

I think not having smartcraft engine data would eliminate the need for second mfd for
Me unless you plan on gateways in the future. Just a stereo remote is kinda of a waste for a mfd by itself imo. The tridata will
Still be there also.

Stee6043 said:

Shameless stealing (hope he doesn't mind) of RollerCoastr's setup which I really like:

Click to expand...

I don't mind at all! I just want to mention that I know that my panels are ugly. I need to add a panel for the instrument row too, which would also allow me to better space-out the devices. (somehow, the old panels don't look so bad in person, but in pics, whew!)

Craig said:

I think not having smartcraft engine data would eliminate the need for second mfd for
Me unless you plan on gateways in the future. Just a stereo remote is kinda of a waste for a mfd by itself imo. The tridata will
Still be there also.

Click to expand...

I can't display engine data (just fuel), but even so, I'm never at a loss to find uses for all 3 displays. I could even find duty for a fourth! The item that gets used the least is the Fusion remote. Since the installation of the 7" MFD's, the only purpose the remote serves is the volume knob. I like that I can adjust it without a glance, but that's an expensive luxury when 3 other devices at the helm can control many more features of the stereo with just a quick glance.

I've considered moving the Fusion remote to the far left side of the dash, under and to the left of the cupholders by the companionway door. I think it could be useful there, but what's stopping me is the commitment: that's an area that can't be later concealed by a burlwood panel without looking strange.

I should also mention that I didn't pay retail for any of my MFD's. The 8212 and the 741 were close-outs, and the 742 was a Cruisers Yachts factory demo. They compliment each other well though. The 742 enables WiFi on the whole collection, and the 741 runs a more user-friendly and media-friendly OS.

This is a screen-shot of the 741 Media interface. Note the "Media" button at the bottom center. No matter what data is displayed, the 741 can switch to media with a tap of that always-present button. It can't be done by feel of course, but you can see why I no longer try to view anything on the tiny display of the Fusion remote.




Here's fuel data displayed from the other OS:

I should note that Garmin just released an update for the OS that runs the 742 and 7600 series (with the 8212 running the base of that OS, but lagging because of its older generation). I haven't installed it yet, so it's possible that the menus will become more friendly. (improved menus are one of the mentioned updates)

Does your mfd display analog navigation info? Is the navigation info digital or analog?

sbw1 said:

View attachment 64243 Does your mfd display analog navigation info? Is the navigation info digital or analog?

Click to expand...

The Furuno display I have currently only displays position/GPS data. Nothing else. It has a Furuno antenna on the port side of my arch. Zero integration with the rest of the boat (as far as I can tell).

RollerCoastr said:

This is a screen-shot of the 741 Media interface. Note the "Media" button at the bottom center. No matter what data is displayed, the 741 can switch to media with a tap of that always-present button. It can't be done by feel of course, but you can see why I no longer try to view anything on the tiny display of the Fusion remote.

Here's fuel data displayed from the other OS:

I should note that Garmin just released an update for the OS that runs the 742 and 7600 series (with the 8212 running the base of that OS, but lagging because of its older generation). I haven't installed it yet, so it's possible that the menus will become more friendly. (improved menus are one of the mentioned updates)

Click to expand...

Yup...still like the setup. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Along the lines of my exchange with SBW1 - did you lose any functionality when you started your upgrades? Specifically I assume your tridata still shows depth, temp, speed?

Stee6043 said:

Hmm...a good question? I don't expect any of the existing analog gear to work with the Garmin's? The autopilot would be left as-is, just shifting the controller to the left. The radar also stays for the time being. When the time comes to replace the radar the entire thing has to go. The antenna is too old to integrate into newer Raymarine digital gear and I've decided to move to Garmin. So when I save enough empty beer cans I'll do a Garmin array and another MFD (larger).

What am I missing? The only OEM piece I'm planning to remove is the Ray charplotter "interface".

Click to expand...

In your setup will the Garmin feed the data to the autopilot or will that still come from the Ray?

Stee6043, I did some of this last year and plan on adding the 7"er's when I find the right deal at the right time. YEAH, thanks Roller . I moved my AP all the way to left and the VHF to the right just like you're saying. I did put a fusion remote at the helm so I didn't have to have the plotter on while rafting off and listening to music. Here are a few pics of my set up. Their out there somewhere on this site but this way you won't have to look for them. The dash panels don't match yet because I'm trying to decide which wood grain I want. Update or original. Good luck

Ezsteps said:

Stee6043, I did some of this last year and plan on adding the 7"er's when I find the right deal at the right time. YEAH, thanks Roller . I moved my AP all the way to left and the VHF to the right just like you're saying. I did put a fusion remote at the helm so I didn't have to have the plotter on while rafting off and listening to music. Here are a few pics of my set up. Their out there somewhere on this site but this way you won't have to look for them. The dash panels don't match yet because I'm trying to decide which wood grain I want. Update or original. Good luckView attachment 64269 View attachment 64270 View attachment 64271

Click to expand...

Very helpful. Seeing your autopilot up there without any of the other bits I've currently got gives me some hope I'm not going to break any of my analog systems by removing the Ray plotter.

I'm getting the feeling I'll justify some of my project with the Fusion remote avoidance but will ultimately end up wanting it. Although once I have the NMEA system in place it's a quick $200 to add the remove. Ughhh...I need to sell a kidney.

yobub said:

In your setup will the Garmin feed the data to the autopilot or will that still come from the Ray?

Click to expand...

I am assuming there is something behind my dash currently giving the pilot and radar analog direction data. I honestly have not looked but I saw some of those bits on my 340 that had similar vintage Raymarine gear. I'd plan to leave all of that in place during my phase I Garmin install. I guess I'd have to address this later when pulling the radar. If the radar goes would the pilot still operate properly....

Stee6043 said:

I am assuming there is something behind my dash currently giving the pilot and radar analog direction data. I honestly have not looked but I saw some of those bits on my 340 that had similar vintage Raymarine gear. I'd plan to leave all of that in place during my phase I Garmin install. I guess I'd have to address this later when pulling the radar. If the radar goes would the pilot still operate properly....

Click to expand...

My E120 feeds my auto pilot, which is why I was asking. I've considered exactly the same upgrades as you. I'd like to install the Garmin 742 as my primary chartplotter because I dont love the charts.on my E120. I'd leave the E120 for radar. If the Garmin can drive the auto pilot I'm in. If not, the $1000 for the Garmin really just is a backup (but would be nice to control my Fusion). I went with the Standard Horizon to replace my VHF.

Ezsteps said:

Here are a few pics of my set up. Their out there somewhere on this site but this way you won't have to look for them.

Click to expand...

Yeah yeah. We all know you’re just trying to show off your gold balls.

Stee6043 said:

Along the lines of my exchange with SBW1 - did you lose any functionality when you started your upgrades? Specifically I assume your tridata still shows depth, temp, speed?

Click to expand...

I left the tridata alone. It still provides accurate sounding and speed through water. About 5 years ago the water thermometer lost accuracy, but I’m not sure I care.

I considered a new transducer, but until the Tridata dies, I can’t justify it. (And somehow it matches the look of the Garmin stuff)

I kept the 0183 network. It’s tied to the big plotter which is connected to others via NM2K and Garmin networking, so they all see the 0183 data. The Garmins use the original Raytheon fluxgate and course computer. The Raypilot 650 is the only remaining eyesore, but it works so well...