Chartplotter, Instrument Cluster - Help me spend money.

[CliffA]

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.

filler plates are your friend.....they can hide all sorts of 'mis-cuts' and 'uh-ohs'......

cliff

 

[Mittens]

I am a super neat picky person. I am going to do my best to not to have filler panels, and custom covers..and flush mount it strait to the dash. I re build my own panels all new for my Baja flush monting a Lowrance elite 5 in the middle. was alot of work but was sick for 6 years of owning that boat. I dont want to mess this one up.

 

[CliffA]

I am a super neat picky person. I am going to do my best to not do that, and flush mont it strait to the dash. I re build my own panels all new for my Baja flush monting a Lowrance elite 5 in the middle. was alot of work but was sick for 6 years of owning that boat. I dont want to mess this one up.

I was going to try and do that also but the hole for the old Lowrance plotter was too big and left gaps on top and bottom of the new Garmin unit.....so I had to use a filler plate.....

cliff

 

[Mittens]

Yep, I was paying close attention to that when boat shopping... it would deter me I am that picky haha. that being said I am already paranoid I will install this and then in 5-10 years need to upgrade and be like,... I put a huge hole there.

 

[CliffA]

Yep, I was paying close attention to that when boat shopping... it would deter me I am that picky haha. that being said I am already paranoid I will install this and then in 5-10 years need to upgrade and be like,... I put a huge hole there.

hey, like I always say....'you gotta go with your strengths'.........

cliff

 

[Todd320]

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??

I am using an iPad with Navionics Software installed. There are pros and cons. Pros, inexpensive, software is easy to use, updated maps and the frequency of updates is amazing. Also, the auto routing feature on the Navionics app is great. Stores all your tracks, stores your saved routes, etc in the cloud where you can view on your phone as well. Reading it in direct sunlight is hard, but if your cockpit has good shade, can be worked around. Not water proof, so you need to work around that.
I mounted mine using 2 magnetic phone mounts, allows for easy removal and allows me to charge it in the cabin while anchored.
Need to get the iPad with cell service, or purchase the 100$ Garmin GloGPS with Bluetooth.
Looking into the smartcraft Bluetooth adapter from mercury marine so I can get the engine data on an iPad instead of the vessel view to replace the SC5000.

NOT saying this is better than a Simrad 12" + VV, but it might be servicable for your needs and less expensive.



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[Stee6043]

I am using an iPad with Navionics Software installed. There are pros and cons. Pros, inexpensive, software is easy to use, updated maps and the frequency of updates is amazing. Also, the auto routing feature on the Navionics app is great. Stores all your tracks, stores your saved routes, etc in the cloud where you can view on your phone as well. Reading it in direct sunlight is hard, but if your cockpit has good shade, can be worked around. Not water proof, so you need to work around that.
I mounted mine using 2 magnetic phone mounts, allows for easy removal and allows me to charge it in the cabin while anchored.
Need to get the iPad with cell service, or purchase the 100$ Garmin GloGPS with Bluetooth.
Looking into the smartcraft Bluetooth adapter from mercury marine so I can get the engine data on an iPad instead of the vessel view to replace the SC5000.

NOT saying this is better than a Simrad 12" + VV, but it might be servicable for your needs and less expensive.



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This is very much how I run. I mounted a ram-mount iPad holder to the top of my radar display box, put the iPad inside a "Lifeproof" case (waterproof) and then connect to the Garmin GLO GPS since my iPad is not cellular. Works amazingly well during the day. I have no issues with glare where mine is mounted. But at night the iPad is way too bright to use, unfortunately.

The other nice thing about this setup is that I use my iPad to control my music (Bluetooth). The iPad can and will connect to both the GPS device and my Clarion head unit at the same time. Win win...for me anyway...

I'd much, much rather have a new MFD and electronics package but I really can't justify the investment for the type of boating I do...

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

I am using an iPad with Navionics Software installed. There are pros and cons. Pros, inexpensive, software is easy to use, updated maps and the frequency of updates is amazing. Also, the auto routing feature on the Navionics app is great. Stores all your tracks, stores your saved routes, etc in the cloud where you can view on your phone as well. Reading it in direct sunlight is hard, but if your cockpit has good shade, can be worked around. Not water proof, so you need to work around that.
I mounted mine using 2 magnetic phone mounts, allows for easy removal and allows me to charge it in the cabin while anchored.
Need to get the iPad with cell service, or purchase the 100$ Garmin GloGPS with Bluetooth.
Looking into the smartcraft Bluetooth adapter from mercury marine so I can get the engine data on an iPad instead of the vessel view to replace the SC5000.

NOT saying this is better than a Simrad 12" + VV, but it might be servicable for your needs and less expensive.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is a very helpful suggestion. Thanks! I hadn't thought about using my ipad mini because it is wifi only. I may get that garmin GLO and give it a try. I may also end up putting all of my music on it so people can be DJ without having to use my phone all the time.

 

[CliffA]

But at night the iPad is way too bright to use, unfortunately.QUOTE]

what about using a piece of mesh fabric laid over the display at night to darken the screen?.......

cliff

 

[CliffA]

But at night the iPad is way too bright to use, unfortunately.
QUOTE]


I also found this with a net search......

If you find the minimum brightness still too bright for night-time reading, Apple has finally added a screen filter in iOS 8. Typically Android offered a way to reduce the minimum brightness via apps when the screen was still too bright for nighttime reading even when set to zero but now you can enable this in iOS:
1.Go to Settings → General → Accessibility → Zoom.
2.Enable Zoom.
3.Tap 3 fingers on the screen to bring up zoom options.
4.Choose filter: low light.
5.Go back to Settings → General → Accessibility → Zoom and change the zoom region to full screen.
6.Turn Zoom off.
7.Go to Settings → General → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut and set it to Zoom.

Now when you push your home button 3 times quickly it will dim the entire screen for night-time reading.



I now leave in the low light dim-zoom mode most of the time and adjust brightness in that mode which goes to zero brightness if so desired...I only turn off zoom (low light with a triple click on the home button) when in full sun or need more brightness which is rarely

 

[Alegria]

I have this one... Works with iPad and other devices. Few bucks cheaper, no issues. Has a iPad app that show satellites acquired and strength. Does what it needs to.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Electro...=UTF8&qid=1496847604&sr=8-1&keywords=dual+gps

I got a new Android tablet last year and brought the Navionics charts AGAIN for it, already have it on my iPad and Phone. It has a built in GPS. I had the Garmin charts on my IPad and liked them, but am starting to like the Navionics charts again, do enjoy saving the routes to the cloud as it makes it easy to plan on my phone and download to the tablet...

I will upgrade the electronics on the new boat at some point. But right now the old Northstar 952 and OLD school radar will have to do, as I will have to upgrade plotter, autopilot, radar and that is going to be a few boat boat bucks and there are more important things to get done (aftercoolers, prop scans, and such!!!)

 

[Todd320]

I have been out at night twice and not had an issue with allowing the brightness to simply auto adjust. The auto adjusted value of brightness was not too bright for me. Of course, I have Night Shift turned on as well, which automatically makes the screen easier to read at night by taking certain colors out/ or reducing them. Not sure, but it definitely makes it less blue I think.


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive