Advice on adding fishfinder capabilities to my Raymarine C80

[Vince_nj1]

I have a Raymarine C80 display on my boat. I have GPS and Radar hooked up to it. I just bought the boat and I am still getting familiar with everything. As far as I can tell I it doesnt have the fish finder feature hooked up. (The little boat and fish are grayed out.) I want to add this feature so I will have fish finder capabilities next year. Has anyone done this? Can I do this my self? Any advice on how what pitfalls to look out for?

I plan on fishing close to shore, probably less than 100 ft of water, primarily 20 ft of water.

It looks like I need a module and a transducer. I'm thinking Hi-Def module. Not sure about the tranducer. My Smartcraft display tells me the depth of the water, so there has to be a transducer mounted somewhere. Does anyone know if it possible to use this tranducer with a Raymarine Digital sounder module?

Thanks in advance for your feedback..

 

[CSR_Admin]

You need the DSM30 600W FF module and a B60-20 ducer. Here ya go:
http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=41781&cat=0&page=2

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=35445&cat=0&page=1

 

[Vince_nj1]

You need the DSM30 600W FF module and a B60-20 ducer. Here ya go:
http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=41781&cat=0&page=2

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=35445&cat=0&page=1

So I do need to install a 2nd transducer? Is that a difficult job? Any special tools?

I'm guessing I need to drill a big hole in the bottom of the boat :wow: and then insert the tranducer with a gasket and some sealant, screw this this thing down and run wires up to my dashboard.

Anyone on this board attempt this? Any suggestions on where to install the transducer and best way to run the wires? I have a 2006 320..

 

[AKBASSKING]

So I do need to install a 2nd transducer? Is that a difficult job? Any special tools?

I'm guessing I need to drill a big hole in the bottom of the boat :wow: and then insert the tranducer with a gasket and some sealant, screw this this thing down and run wires up to my dashboard.

Anyone on this board attempt this? Any suggestions on where to install the transducer and best way to run the wires? I have a 2006 320..

Maybe a thru-hull transducer (no hole required), just add epoxy.

When routing the transducer cable try and stay clear of radio antenna cables.

 

[Vince_nj1]

You need the DSM30 600W FF module and a B60-20 ducer. Here ya go:
http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=41781&cat=0&page=2

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=35445&cat=0&page=1

Thanks for the link Jim. I did a quick search and that seems like a very good price.

I want to go back to the boat and poke around a little more before ordering. I would hate to buy those parts only to find out I already have it installed and just didnt know how to access it.

The boat and fish icon are grayed out and my page options didnt show a fish finder option. But I'm not sure if I am doing everything that I need to do.

 

[Four Suns]

<deleted>

 

[CSR_Admin]

That price will change tomorrow, our sale ends today.

 

[Four Suns]

<deleted>

 

[tobnpr]

ONLY THREE EASY PAYMENTS OF $199.99!!
IF YOU ORDER NOW WE'LL INCLUDE A SET OF GINSU STEAK KNIVES AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!! (S&H not included).

Seriously, another option you should consider is a standalone FF, if you have the helm space.
Split your C80 screen into three windows, just as you would set it up once you add the sounder module (radar, chart, sounder) and see if you really think it'll serve your purpose.
Fact is, for a little more $$ (like a couple huundred bucks), you can get a good quality standalone unit. This serves two purposes- you get a dedicated display (not trying to cram all three sets of data onto one screen) and redundacy in case your C80 takes a dump while you're out. Most FF's will also act as a "repeater" for all of you NMEA nav data.
I went with a Furuno 620 for just that reason...

 

[charlieft]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing with my C80

I'm going to use a "shoot through" transducer.

There are some other posts here from guys who have installed them ... you don't have to punch another hole through your hull.



http://www.airmartechnology.com/airmar2005/ex20/RMProducts/ElectCat.asp?ProdID=52&Man=All&PageNo=99

 

[Vince_nj1]

The model number of your current transducer is probably on the cable right where it plugs into whatever it plugs into on your helm. You can go to the airmar web site and look it up but I guessing it'll probably be like the original that is in mine and does not have enough power to be used in fishfinder mode.

Thanks for the feedback. The only place that displays depth on my boat is the Smartcraft display. So I'm not sure which cable is for what. This is what I believe is my current transducer. I am going to just the bite the bullet and install a second one over the winter..

 

[Vince_nj1]

Seriously, another option you should consider is a standalone FF, if you have the helm space.
Split your C80 screen into three windows, just as you would set it up once you add the sounder module (radar, chart, sounder) and see if you really think it'll serve your purpose.
Fact is, for a little more $$ (like a couple huundred bucks), you can get a good quality standalone unit. This serves two purposes- you get a dedicated display (not trying to cram all three sets of data onto one screen) and redundacy in case your C80 takes a dump while you're out..

I thought about taking that approach, but I like the integrated, clean helm look. I dont think I will need to see all 3 displays at the same time.

 

[DavidS]

If you split the C80 screen the sounder becomes to small to do much good. It's alright to find a wreck or something large but if you are reading the bottom for fish it's to small. I love the Raymarine bottom machines.

 

[Vince_nj1]

My plan is to just mak the fish finder screen active when I want to use it. I dont think I would split that screen.

 

[BON DIA]

My C80 is connected to a Airmar C79 & gives accurate & very detailed bottom image. I don't fish but was told by the Ray Marine Tech who installed that the blips off the bottom were fish.

 

[Larry&Leisa]

Vince, thanks for posting that pic. It came just in time for me as I was wondering if that was what a transducer actually looked like. :huh: I just got my 370 this week and was down in the bilge and.. well.. that answers one question. :thumbsup: