Cost efficient replacement for Raymarine E120 MFD?

Carpediem44DB

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
Has anyone installed a Raymarine GS 165 in place of their original E120 as a DYI project? I think I will need to replace the radar antenna but I'm not sure what other odds and ends Ill need to install to display engine data and other Nav information. Any advice on which MFD would be better would be appreciated. I don't want to spend a fortune but the 120 finally bit the dust and I don't really want to spend money to repair it.
Thanks
 
Are you looking for 1 station or 2? I'm a fan of refurbished units. Raymarine has refurbished Gs 16" for $3500, and 12" for $4k. Axiom and Axiom Pro (the difference is the Pro has onboard controls) or even the Axiom XL are a little less (newer and probably more future proof) and if you look around can get some deals. The eS is still viable as well.


Radar - All the new radar units either connect wirelessly, or Raynet (Raymarine ethernet). Have several choices -HD, SuperHD, or Magnum plus the new Doppler units. $2k-$6k

GPS - They all have an onboard GPS receiver, but you will need a new GS150 Raynet GPS sensor if the MFD doesnt have a good clear view of the sky. $300

Autopilot - If you don't have and Evolution AP, the controls to older AP's are clunky/non existent. You'll need at least the new EV sensor to replace the old heading sensor, new control unit, and control head. If you like your drive unit, you can keep your drive unit. $1500-$2500 depending on the type of drive unit installed.

Raynet Network - All of this stuff runs on a Raynet network, so you'll need to install one. Its basically marinized, waterproofed (and way overpriced) ethernet. The good news is it generally plug and play. You'll need at least 1 HS5 network switch. If you have and NEMA2000 and 0183 networks, they can be incorporated as well, they sell little converters that are plug and play.

Bottom line...it gets kind of involved pretty quickly and it adds up fast, but I've found it all to be pretty easy to DIY as its mostly plug and play.
 
Raymarine has a great tech line too - they can help with any questions about hooking up any new gear
 
Ididntdoit said:
Raymarine has a great tech line too - they can help with any questions about hooking up any new gear
Click to expand...

The hardest part of the project is pulling the new wires and getting the new MFD to fit in the old hole. Pull the panels and get a good non metallic fish tape. Have new panels for the dash made.
 
dtfeld said:
Are you looking for 1 station or 2? I'm a fan of refurbished units. Raymarine has refurbished Gs 16" for $3500, and 12" for $4k. Axiom and Axiom Pro (the difference is the Pro has onboard controls) or even the Axiom XL are a little less (newer and probably more future proof) and if you look around can get some deals. The eS is still viable as well.


Radar - All the new radar units either connect wirelessly, or Raynet (Raymarine ethernet). Have several choices -HD, SuperHD, or Magnum plus the new Doppler units. $2k-$6k

GPS - They all have an onboard GPS receiver, but you will need a new GS150 Raynet GPS sensor if the MFD doesnt have a good clear view of the sky. $300

Autopilot - If you don't have and Evolution AP, the controls to older AP's are clunky/non existent. You'll need at least the new EV sensor to replace the old heading sensor, new control unit, and control head. If you like your drive unit, you can keep your drive unit. $1500-$2500 depending on the type of drive unit installed.

Raynet Network - All of this stuff runs on a Raynet network, so you'll need to install one. Its basically marinized, waterproofed (and way overpriced) ethernet. The good news is it generally plug and play. You'll need at least 1 HS5 network switch. If you have and NEMA2000 and 0183 networks, they can be incorporated as well, they sell little converters that are plug and play.

Bottom line...it gets kind of involved pretty quickly and it adds up fast, but I've found it all to be pretty easy to DIY as its mostly plug and play.
Click to expand...
I only have one helm station.
Thanks for the info.
 
In researching the MFD replacement options I am pretty sure I'm going to stay with Ray Marine to keep the boat Homogenous. This may be a stupid question but what is the meaning of the reference to 12 o'clock optimal viewing and 6 o'clock optimal viewing?
 
I believe the 6 o’clock is horizontal, the 12 o’clock vertical. Referring the the long edge of the display.
 
I started with an a128, traded up to an Axiom 12 and about to add the Quantum 2 radome for the Doppler features. I’m under $4k.

I did scour eBay for the MFD. Deals pop up if you can wait for them.
 
Raymarine has some nice rebates. Love my Axiom.
 
I have these e120's that I just removed to add Axiom 12". Nothing wrong with them and they work great. Non-faded suncover and manual folder too

(Screens are dirty from installers)

$400 each
IMG_0565.jpeg
 
Carpediem44DB said:
Great offering, thanks. I’ve decided to pull the trigger on up dating to gS165 and installing a net work to integrate the audio too.
Click to expand...
Hey Carpdiem, How bad was it to change out the 120 for 165? All plug and play? And what about your open array ray marine radar and ray marine autopilot, I think I have same old system in my 2007 36. Thanks in advance
 
dtfeld said:
I started with an a128, traded up to an Axiom 12 and about to add the Quantum 2 radome for the Doppler features. I’m under $4k.

I did scour eBay for the MFD. Deals pop up if you can wait for them.
Click to expand...
The Bill Collector said:
I installed the a127 last year, wifi radar, additional sounder, GPS & E.R. camera... All under $4k I think?
Click to expand...
Tell me more BC
 
One other note to add as far as external GPS units...the AR200 is the augmented reality sensor that also has GPS in it. About 2x as expensive as the RS150, but couple with an IP camera or thermal camera put a lot of real time data on the screen. I think helpful in crowded coastal harbors if that’s you cruising grounds.
 
susanandlance said:
Hey Carpdiem, How bad was it to change out the 120 for 165? All plug and play? And what about your open array ray marine radar and ray marine autopilot, I think I have same old system in my 2007 36. Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late response, some how I missed the post.
It was not plug and play except for the Quantum Radar. We had to wire up the gps and depth sounder via the NMEA 0185 interface. I have yet to get the GPS to be able to talk to the diesel view for Nav Data. There seems to be a conflict some where with the Baud rates or something. When I hook up the gps data out to the Diesel View data in wire the depth data drops out. I am going to add an NMEA 2000 back bone through the boat and upgrade to the newest Diesel View and eliminate the NMEA 0185 all together. I was hoping it would all be plug and play and it might be for a seasoned installer but for DIY its really not as straight forward as it might seem. I did not bother interfacing the Auto Pilot as I never chart courses anyway for our cruising. I use the auto pilot strictly for hands free piloting.
Carpe Diem
 
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