Electronics. What’s the best?

NotHerDecision said:
Thanks so much for the advice so far. I have a couple more questions for those who have done this...

Which brands charge for a yearly chart update? Looks to me like everyone except Garmin so this could be a cost-saver

Do all of these units now send the wifi to an ipad to view charts/radar?

I have a 2001 Raymarine autopilot, will any/all integrate with that? It can save me big money if so.

Thanks again!
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Do like me Josh. Don't use autopilot to follow a route, just use it to keep a straight line bearing on long straight runs. Then you just use it standalone and don't need to integrate it. Ha!
 
To me, looking to upgrade in a few months, one most attractive feature is auto-routing. Great if one has Autopilot. The other I want is sonar log recording.
 
ZZ13 said:
Don't use autopilot to follow a route, just use it to keep a straight line bearing on long straight runs. Then you just use it standalone and don't need to integrate it.
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I actually prefer this method! I'm not sure I would enjoy trusting electronics to alter course without first surveying the situation and verifying clear passage on my intended course. Even if my autopilot did communicate with my plotter, I still wouldn't utilize that function.
 
I use the auto routing for planning purposes only. I build waypoints for my trip and use the autopilot to track to them one at a time. Unfortunately for several months a year here in Florida, there are so many crab pots in the water it's almost easier to not use the pilot.
 
I think I’ve got this narrowed down unless someone can give me a good reason I shouldn’t do this.

I’m leaning hard toward furuno tztouch 2 12” mfds. With the new open array solid state radar. I’ll add the Xm weather radar and some accessories. I have no idea about transducers, figure I’ll call furuno and airmar on Monday and lock it Down.

Here is my rational.

I really like the solid state radar with Doppler and how it shows the direction of travel. I also love arpa and it’s really cool how it’s automatic with furuno. I am torn between a 4 and 6ft array. What’s the difference between 1.8 and 1.3 degree been width in real life? Garmin has a similar technology with fantom but it’s 1500.00 more so that pushed me toward furuno.

As far as displays, really they are all almost the same. I went and played with the different brands and it’s fairly similar. Simrad May have a better sounder module built in but furuno offers and add on if I really wanted 3D. Garmin has forward looking which is cool but again their mfd is 1200.00 more so I can’t justify that. Lastly I do like navionics and c map charts and furuno let’s me run these.

Simrad was a close second and I would still be open to them if someone pushed me that way. Anyone see any red flags with this setup? It’s well in excess of 10 boat dollars so I want to get it right the first time.
 
ANYTHING BUT RAYMARINE . they keep sucking me in and I keep regretting... They call it RAYJUNK for a reason.

Rob
 
I am installing the same equiptment now and went with the 4’ open array. We also spoke to Airmar and Furuno on the transducer and they wouldnt recommend using a mushroom type transducer on a boat over 35’ as you will loose the bottom. So I went with a 525Stid I believe was the Furuno PN
I also needed a heading sensor as the Raymarine sensor is not compatible.

Ps, if you order the mfd’s before Dec,31st there’s a $500 rebate on each .
 
Havana

Thanks for the info! Did you use the furuno heading sensor?

Josh
 
Havana, could you not have retained existing heading sensor and sent heading data to the MFD via NMEA sentences from your course computer? Flux gate compass is direct connect to course computer, then it generates NMEA heading sentences and outputs them to mfd/radar. That's how I got it to my new Furuno radar unit.
 
Zz13, I spoke to Furuno at FLIBS and they claimed the Raymarine fluxgate would not work with the Furuno stuff ( he wasn’t selling ) it was Furuno direct. So I went with the Furuno sensor you can use an airman weather station (Greg uses it) for gps, heading ,wind etc but it is overkill for me.
 
I spoke with Furuno today... A couple of issues, first the output of the raymarine is 0183 and there is not a 0183 input into the MFD (only 1 output)so it would have to be converted to nmea2000. Secondly, it still wouldn't work properly because the solid state radar needs the PG700 for heading info to do radar overlay and ARPA, which is one of Furuno's specialities.

Basically, they're getting another 700.00 bucks out of me.
 
Roger that. I bought the more primitive 1815 radar and it just uses standard NMEA heading sentences over a dedicated NMEA heading Port.
 
Yes but you're also getting a much better and more sensitive heading sensor!

I see zero issues with your plan, if I do a full upgrade this year I will be choosing the exact same equipment!
 
Thanks everyone. I’m ready to order I think. Just reaearching transducers at this point. I’ll post some pics on a new thread once i get it installed and a few trips with the gear in use.
 
Recently completed a complete Electronics change-over: Axiom Pro 12 RVX MFD 3D w NAG, Thru Hull Bronze Transducers (pair), Quantum 24C Radome with WiFi/Ethernet. Additionally, in process of incorporating a FLIR M232 Thermal Camera. Thus far, the systems are EXACTLY as advertised--very, very impressed with these.
 
Wow ! That's quite the setup. I would love a Flir, but they are proud of those baby's.

All, I have one last concern/issue. I have a Standard Horizon GX2200 which has AIS but it only has NMEA0183. Do I convert this (150.00), buy another radio(400.00), or buy an AIS black box from Furuno(700.00)?
 
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I did say that I needed their heading sensor PG700 I wasn’t happy about that either.
I also bought the remote MCU 004 to use Incase of rough conditions you may want to think about that also.
My transducer was swapped out for Furuno PN, FUR525STID MSD which required some glass work on the hull so as you see these upgrades aren’t always plug n play
I made a new dash panel and covered it with black leatherette.
 
What did you need to run dual displays? I am installing one for now but leaving space for a second. Can you upload a pic of your finished dash? This is pure boat porn.
 
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