Interfaced my Navman with Smartcraft

Dave,

I got the C-Map from the dealer free of charge. :grin:
 
Dave S....do you have the Smart Craft display (maybe SC5500) on your boat? Does the display you have pictured give you all of the same information as the SC5500?
 
I thought I would update this post since I have had some recent issues come up with my Navman. My unit started dropping the mileage it normally holds in memory. In trying to resolve that problem I upgraded to a newer release of the Navman Software and right after that I started having intermitent problems with the Smartcraft displays on the Navman. So Navman replaced my unit.................but they replaced it with a Northstar 550. :smt017

Right now you are probably scratching your head and wondering how a new vendor got into the picture. Both Navman and Northstar are part of Brunswick New Technologies and I guess there is some "badge engineering" going on here where you have virtually the same devices being sold under two different brand names. And apparently the Navman 5505 has been "superceded" by the Northstar 550 and that's why they sent me that unit. Here is the Northstar.

Northstar-explorer-550.jpg


And here is the Navman 5505

navman-tracker-5505-external.jpg


All operational functions are identical on the Northstar and everything is now working fine again. My only concern now is reliability but at least the company has stepped up to the plate each time I have had an issue and that's good to know. And I still love the functionality and versatility of this Chartplotter and wouldn't want to be without it. So I still give it a big thumbs up on functionality.


A soon to be project, now that he stereo is about finished :thumbsup:
 
How difficult is it to install this Navman on a boat that already has the Smartcraft gauges in place? What cables would be required and how do you you connect into the system?
 
It's real simple. I bought a new 6 way junction box and then ran another cable from the junction box to the gateway. Actually when I did it I bought extra cables because I misunderstood how to install it. So if you need the cable, I will ship it to you for $15.
 
Are you saying you replaced the stock junction box with the new 6 way to provide another tap for the Navman and just plugged the Navman into the box and all worked? If that's the case you are correct, it is simple.
 
Are you saying you replaced the stock junction box with the new 6 way to provide another tap for the Navman and just plugged the Navman into the box and all worked? If that's the case you are correct, it is simple.

Yes that is what I did.
 
Dave, I have trying to do this with the help of a Sea Ray dealer, but they have never connected to a Navman or Northstar to the Smart craft system. (Both the same) I have not contacted Mercury. I have a 200, 2005 Sundeck that is used on Lake Huron.
 
Dave, I have trying to do this with the help of a Sea Ray dealer, but they have never connected to a Navman or Northstar to the Smart craft system. (Both the same) I have not contacted Mercury. I have a 200, 2005 Sundeck that is used on Lake Huron.

If your Chartplotter came with your boat it is likely the 5500 which is not Smartcraft Compatible. I had a 5500 on my 2006 260DA originally as well.
 
If I wind up keeping the Northstar 550 that's on the boat, I'd love to have the functionality described in this thread....any pics of the way the install looks, or where the junction boxes or gateways are? A diagram maybe? I would love to do this myself if possible but if I can't, I know the dealer will want something that holds him by the hand from start to finish. (kinda like I do! LOL!)

Thanks in advance for any advice you've got!
 
If I wind up keeping the Northstar 550 that's on the boat, I'd love to have the functionality described in this thread....any pics of the way the install looks, or where the junction boxes or gateways are? A diagram maybe? I would love to do this myself if possible but if I can't, I know the dealer will want something that holds him by the hand from start to finish. (kinda like I do! LOL!)

Thanks in advance for any advice you've got!

You probably can't find a Northstar Gateway anywhere. They stopped making them several years back. Without that there is no way to do the interface. Sorry.
 
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you still there? i saw this on the forum and seeking to do the same with my Simrad NSS9 EVO2
It's real simple. I bought a new 6 way junction box and then ran another cable from the junction box to the gateway. Actually when I did it I bought extra cables because I misunderstood how to install it. So if you need the cable, I will ship it to you for $15.
 
Hi Dave,
I just purchased a 2006 Sundancer with the 5.7 Merc with Smartcraft (display in the tach)
It also has the Navman 5505. Can you tell me what the Gateway part number is?
Any additional help would be apreciated.
thanks,
AB
 
I have no idea what the part number was for the Gateway. Since this is very old technology at this point, you would be better off trying to contact NAVMAN (if they are still in business) but I doubt you will find one. You also need cables, a junction box, and a C-Map of your local lake.

I have been out of boating for over 5 years now so I can't be of much help at this point.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,
I just purchased a 2006 Sundancer with the 5.7 Merc with Smartcraft (display in the tach)
It also has the Navman 5505. Can you tell me what the Gateway part number is?
Any additional help would be apreciated.
thanks,
AB
The Gateway has not been made in a number of years. Mine no longer works. You see some used ones on ebay at times. Personally I would save my money and just use the Mercury Vesselview App with the system. Or look at the latest GPS technology that can be tied into Smartcraft.
 

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