Chartplotter, Instrument Cluster - Help me spend money.

[MExcelsior]

Hello Folks,

I need help and know very little (almost nothing) about the current chart plotters and current vessel views.

I have a 2007 310 Sundancer currently with C80 and System View. The screen in my System View is starting to go out, so need to replace. Now.... I'm thinking about replacing the System View and the Chartplotter since I will have to probably change out the panel anyway. I don't want to go ALL-GLASS, since I'm old school I do like gauges.

Should I get a Vessel View? Which version to replace the current System View on my boat? Or should I just get a large chart plotter(s) which can show my engine information?

What are your recommendations on the Chartplotter? I'm thinking about a Touchscreen Garmin since I can get a substantial discount from a friend that works there. (1040XS - non touchscreen or a touchscreen GPSMap 7610). Obviously I'm leaning toward one that has a built in GPS since I don't want to replace the existing GPS and feed lines.

I'm working from 0 on this, so any help would be great. I'm on an inland lake, so don't need sonar or radar and would like to use my current transducer if possible.

Thanks so much for your help in Advance.

Mike

 

[dpmulvey]

AFAIK.....Transducers are usually proprietary and sometimes do not transfer between different models of the same brand. For example you could not use a Garmin GPS Sounder and your Ray xducer. I have a Standard Horizon that I like a lot. A Garmin 740x is being installed this winter and my go to backup is an iPad. If it weren't for the lack of sunlite readability, I'd to the whole dash in iPad or the like. Those waterproof screens are still way up there $$$$ to me.

 

[kaz911]

unfortunately the old C80 and accessories are not very compatible with newer Raymarine versions.

So if you have a " fish finder " transducer - with Raymarine label on it - you are stuck with Raymarine unless you change the transducer. If it is only a depth finder - connected to System View / Engines - you are ok Garmin/Simrad/Furuno transducers are in general " cross compatible " with pig tail cables - where Raymarine uses a different impedance.

My recommendation - my favourite Merc setup is Vessel View 4 or 7 - paired with a Simrad Evo 2 display. Then you have the best of the best. Both button and touch - very fast - and it is the most economical solution. I would maybe replace the System View with Vessel View 4 and then gain the benefit of being able to use the Evo2 as engine display as well.

If you really want Garmin - I would chose the VesselView 7. And I think once you have tried touch - you won't go back. So I would wait for the 7610 - even if it is as much overkill as the Evo2 (As they have built in sounders and sidescan/downscan)

But before buying any of them - I would check the map quality of where you are. Some places Garmin is better than Navionics/C-MAP and Navico/Simrad's own maps - other places - it is the other way around. You can check Navionics Quality online on their website.

And nothing beats trying them in real life before make the decision.

/k

 

[MExcelsior]

David and Kaz,

As always... you guys are a great help. Kaz, my current transducer only sends depth/speed(?) to my System View, so I don't think I need to change that out. You know the size of our panel. Would a NSS12 and a Vessel View 7 fit? Or would you recommend a NSS9 or NSS7?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[kaz911]

David and Kaz,

As always... you guys are a great help. Kaz, my current transducer only sends depth/speed(?) to my System View, so I don't think I need to change that out. You know the size of our panel. Would a NSS12 and a Vessel View 7 fit? Or would you recommend a NSS9 or NSS7?

Thanks in advance,
Mike

Plenty of space for VV7 + NSS12. The NSS12 will/might have slight overhang if you do not make a fresh panel like I did. I extended my panel slightly by the steering wheel (extra 5mm) to make it look perfect. So since I can fit in 2 x NSS12 Evo2's - then you can fit one + VV7 no issues. But the NSS9 is nice as well.

If you have Microsoft Visio - I can email you my " almost " right panel drawing. So if I need to fit a device - I draw an box outline in Visio for outer measurements and a dotted line for cut-outs size - and then group them so they are " linked together " - That makes it reasonably easy to judge what will fit and how.

PM me your email address if you want a " blank " template that is close to right - but it is NOT 100% to measurements but close enough to instruct Technographic from. And Technographic has "my panel" dimensions - and they know VV7 + NSS12 Evo's dimensions.

Navico just announced their GoFree WiFi will be " updated " in the beginning of the year - so you that will become much smarter - and then the plotters can update charts from the boat and much much more. So the GoFree Wi-Fi module ($199) will both be able to give you on board Wi-Fi - but will also be able to act as your " Internet WAN " connection - connecting you to shore internet in harbours - or MiFi 3G/4G modules.

The reason I like Simrad is -
1. Almost perfect integration with Mercery VV4 & 7 - as Simrad makes them for Merc.
2. Great gear and innovative
3. Far ahead on " openness " compared to ANY other MFD maker. No complex network issues - just plug and play with everything I have thrown at it. Try that with Garmin or Raymarine and you have nothing but headaches. And I have done network stuff since 1983.....

Garmin would be my no 2 choice though after Simrad.

enjoy

 

[FootballFan]

Preface my comments with the fact that I have not looked at SimRad lately - no direct knowledge.

I have used Garmin on a friends boat. If I was replacing right now, my first choice would be Garmin. Not just the user interface of the device, but also the integration with BlueChart which I use.

That said, based on comments from kaz911 above, I would definitely look at Simrad before purchasing.

 

[CSR_Admin]

You can put me down as a Garmin fan for a cruising boat. It really is splitting hairs saying one is better than another. But for cruising specifically I think the simplicity of a Garmin unit and it's cruising features like Auto Guidance are what sets it apart.

 

[kaz911]

Garmin is great - I agree - but I have both a Garmin 8008 and 741xs sitting on my shelf doing nothing...... They are not up to the usability of Simrad with VesselView- with ONE exception - the auto guidance. I do take the 741xs out on my dinghy from time to time - but that is about it.

And IF you are putting in VesselView 4 or 7 - then you get HUGE benefits from using Simrad vs anyone else. VV7 becomes a complete 7" chartplotter the MOMENT it sees a Simrad NSS unit on the NMEA 2000. And the moment the NSS sees the VV7 - it ALSO becomes a VesselView screen.

Alternatively you "can" buy an "Mercury Enabling NMEA 2000 GPS" for the VesselView 7 that "opens up" the chart plotter functions. But that actually cost almost the same as a NSS7 Evo2.... Then you need to buy maps for it as well since it won't share Garmin's maps.

But if you want Auto Guidance - then Garmin is the choice. But if you want Auto Guidance to control your Auto pilot - then you need a Garmin Auto Pilot as well. Auto Guidance does not work with anything but Garmin Auto pilots.

But as I said - Garmin is a close No 2 IMHO.

 

[MExcelsior]

OK......... I have decided. Simrad NSS9 Evo 2 with the VesselView 7. Trying to find the best pricing for Simrad NSS9 and VesselView. Any recommendations would be nice as far as suppliers. Panel already on order. Now..... should I replace my Northstar VHF with something cool? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[trit21]

Be very careful with Navico, owner of Simrad. Customer service is absolutely horrible.

 

[MExcelsior]

 

[MExcelsior]

This is just a quick shout out to all those you have helped me install my new Vesselview 7 and Simrad NSS9 chart plotter. I would really like to single out Kaz911 for his help in directing me where to spend my money. I really think I have the best possible setup since I don't use echo, sonar, radar. The setup was surprisingly simple and I only had to e-mail/message Kasper a few times. (I didn't want to be that guy). Although my setup isn't nearly as complex and "cool" as Kaz, I think it looks ok for an Iowa boat. Following is the gear:

Newly installed NMEA2000 backbone
NSS9 Evo 2
Vessel View 7
Simrad GS25 GPS Antenna
SonicHub / UniDock
Bluetooth Fusion BT100
Wifi 1 - GoFree Unit

Lot's of fun.......... ; )

Thanks to everyone.

 

[BigBoysToys]

Looks awesome! Ill be next with a NSS12 EVO2, VesselView7, 4G Radar, StructureScan, Autopilot and KVH TV1 Satellite. Waiting for the mail man as I type this.

 

[MExcelsior]

Well folks. I thought I would share with you my electronics setup after all is said and done. I'm really happy. Thanks Kaz.... hope you get a boat soon.

Also, I do have some extra equipment in case anyone is interested in buying. (Make an offer).
Maretron J2K100.
1850276 Instrument Panel for 310 Sundancer (One originally came with C80 and System View). I ordered a new panel for the NSS9 evoke and Vessel View 7.
System View SC5000 with all the harnesses.
Qty 8 NMEA2000 tees
1 NMEA 2000 Power Tap
NMEA2000 terminators

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

Reviving an old thread that came up in a search because I'm starting off with basically the same question - What electronics should I get??

I will admit I am a tech junkie but when it comes to marine chartplotters, vessel view, gps, I oddly feel overwhelmed and am behind the curve.

I have a vessel view compatible boat but no VV. I also have no GPS or chartplotter. Using google maps to get a rough idea of where things are just doesn't do it for me. I want a new "system". Priority is to have a decent inland lake GPS. I don't need radar or to spend $1500 on that feature alone. But having some sort of vessel view system combined would be nice too but only if it is still reasonably priced.

I read through this thread and still seem lost!

Suggestions??

 

[Mittens]

I am currently in this process. I have had 2 pas boats with lowrance units and like them, my new to me 340 has the factory GPS which is useless. and a giant blank spot for a screen.

I am about to install either a Lowrance HDS9 Gen 2, or a Lowrance Elit 9 ti. both will handle engine data via NEMA 2000 network, and be awesome GPSs.

the HDS will do dual maps at the same time so one far and one close, and stuff. the Elite 9 ti will not, but the elite 9 is wifi... but how often will i use that to update it once a year at most?

anyway will install the unit, and then start working to connect the engine data, gateway and stuff.

 

[CliffA]

i installed a Garmin ecoMAP CHIRP 94sv with a 9" screen a couple years ago where the old Lowrance chart plotter was located......made the filler plate out of 1/4" black starboard.....I have no plans to add vessel view or any other fancy electronics like that so I don't know if it is compatible with them or not....

also installed a double din Pioneer stereo head unit in the dash where the old Lowrance GPS was located.....went ahead and installed a SS drink holder in the same area while I was at it since there was not one there before......

cliff

 

[Mittens]

Since you know what that hole looks like when cut, how thick is it? and how close to the edges can you go???

 

[CliffA]

Since you know what that hole looks like when cut, how thick is it? and how close to the edges can you go???

the dash is about an inch thick.....you can get pretty close to the edge but you probably won't need to.....I think most of the modern units have pretty compact bodies that needs to be sunk into the dash....the screen overhangs the hole and just mounts on top of the dash....

I used a jig saw and angle grinder to do the bulk of the cutting of the dash....a rotary tool like a Dremel with a side cut bit can be used to make fine adjustments to the hole.....

cliff

 

[Mittens]

I was worried if to close to the edge, you would have the thickness of the sides to deal with too. I took a pic of the template up on the spot today. but would love to see the inside before i just start CUTTing into such s large non replaceable part. but i guess we will see.


looks like your unit is needs a smaller main hole then the one I am planning on, yours needed 10.69 X 5.69 for the screw holes, but the main cut out is alot smaller

the lowrance is my main hole is 9.78 X 5.95 screws holes being 9.45 X 5.71