Electronics upgrade...convince me not to spend this money on Garmin...please?

Yeah yeah. We all know you’re just trying to show off your gold balls. :D
Dang you caught me....:cool::cool::cool:..... Good thing it was a cloudy day when I took these pics. The shine would have probably blocked out the equipment. :D:D:D
 
I went to the Cleve boat show this wkd. I checked out ~30' center consoles and fantasized about picking one up as a toy (never mind that they cost more than the average home). I noticed that most of them with Garmin electronics had regular VHF radios in the dash, but the mic was plugged into a remote outlet at knee level.

I'd really like to get the cord out of the way. Garmin's relocation kit is available for $79 for the 210, but it's not listed as an accessory for the 110.
 
Update - this has been an exceedingly useful thread, as can be expected from the members at CSR! I think I need to crawl under my helm before I spend this coin to make sure everything still works after the Garmin install. It sounds like there may be more interconnectedness going on with my OEM Raymarine than I had thought. I am clearly a marine electronics novice.

My second learning since posting this thread is the availability of the new "stick on" Fusion remote. That new $50 remote has really solved my one concern with post-Garmin functionality - lacking a standalone fusion remote at the helm.

I'm leaning heavily toward making this purchase in February. I just need to hit the boat one more time and do some research on the old gear. Thanks again, CSR! Super helpful thread.
 
One more update before I share pictures...hopefully.

I picked up two of the Fusion "stick on" remotes from BOE. I'll be placing one at the helm and one by the cockpit sink. I'll probably install those this weekend once I can confirm the range is sufficient to reach the cockpit sink area.

I've also fully committed to the Garmin upgrade. Within the next week or so I should be receiving two (2) Garmin GPSMAP 742's as well as a Garmin VHF 110 radio. I hope to have them installed before I splash this Spring.

If all goes as planned I'll have a Furuno chartplotter and a West Marine VHF listed for sale in the classifieds shortly :)
 
Sweet! You're going to like the 742's - I can pretty-much guarantee that. I'm jealous of those Fusion remotes - they're not compatible with my 750.

Do you already have an NMEA network? Did you buy a Garmin network cable? (I used an ethernet cross-over that I had laying around - works fine) Also remember to pick up a 32GB micro SD card to enable ActiveCaptain features.
 
I picked up two of the Fusion "stick on" remotes from BOE. I'll be placing one at the helm and one by the cockpit sink. I'll probably install those this weekend once I can confirm the range is sufficient to reach the cockpit sink area.
Hadn't seen the Fusion remotes before. There goes another $100...
 
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Sweet! You're going to like the 742's - I can pretty-much guarantee that. I'm jealous of those Fusion remotes - they're not compatible with my 750.

Do you already have an NMEA network? Did you buy a Garmin network cable? (I used an ethernet cross-over that I had laying around - works fine) Also remember to pick up a 32GB micro SD card to enable ActiveCaptain features.

I picked up the Garmin NMEA starter kit with my order. I do not currently have a NMEA network on the boat so I'll be creating one from scratch. I'll start at the helm and potentially save the tie-in with the Fusion headunit for post-launch. Running a cable up the side of the boat sounds moderate/high on the fun scale!

Great tip on the SD card, thank you! Looks like another tip to Amazon....:)
 
I my defense, in the past two days I've found ways to save you $18 on hull/toilet cleaner and $21 on a network cable... :D

So the starter kit includes a power T, a device T, 1 cable and terminators? My VHF200 came with a T, but I don't see T's mentioned "in the box" on Garmin's website anymore... If that's the case you'll need a 2 more drop cables and 2 more T's now, and another T when you attach the Fusion. You might want to consider one of the T Blocks that can accept 4 drop cables on one piece. (also remember to get a Garmin Network / ethernet crossover cable)

The NM2K network should have switched power, so I tapped mine into one of the accessory switches. You might also want to grab some blade fuses and spade connectors to power the 742's from the lower dash fuse block?

Running the cable from the Fusion to the dash won't be fun, but if you have a subwoofer cutout on the starboard side of the helm, that access makes a huge difference. (if you don't, then I just cost you way more than the toilet cleaner and network cable saved you. ooops) Before you run that cable btw, consider video as well. I have two cables for video for my 12" MFD so the Garmin image can be displayed on the salon TV, and the satellite receiver TV feed can be shown on the Garmin.

After inserting that SD card and telling the units to use it for ActiveCaptain, take it back out this once to use in your computer. The devices will have written information to the card. Install Garmin Express on a Mac or PC and let that program scan the card to identify the devices. Garmin is just now releasing a new generation of maps - G3. Your devices will be eligible for one free map update, so Garmin Express will show you that and allow you to download it. I might not rush the map update if I were you. This introduction hasn't been smooth, but there's a lot of excitement out there about G3, so your timing is very good. (none of my devices are eligible for the free G3 update) :(

I personally use the ActiveCaptain app more than GE and I hope you will too, but Garmin is still working out some bugs in AC, particularly relating to updates.

There's also the whole discussion about Homeport. It's old school tech, but I think it's an awesome resource free to Garmin owners.
 
Dang you caught me....:cool::cool::cool:..... Good thing it was a cloudy day when I took these pics. The shine would have probably blocked out the equipment. :D:D:D
Oh woe is me
You guys sure have alot tied up in stuff that goes obsolete quite quickly
I would have to dump most of my brains knowledge just to have enoygh room to learn how to work half this stuff.
Does anyone use paper charts and a compass anymore ?
 
Oh woe is me
You guys sure have alot tied up in stuff that goes obsolete quite quickly
I would have to dump most of my brains knowledge just to have enoygh room to learn how to work half this stuff.
Does anyone use paper charts and a compass anymore ?

But can I tune my radio with paper charts?? :):)
 
I my defense, in the past two days I've found ways to save you $18 on hull/toilet cleaner and $21 on a network cable... :D

So the starter kit includes a power T, a device T, 1 cable and terminators? My VHF200 came with a T, but I don't see T's mentioned "in the box" on Garmin's website anymore... If that's the case you'll need a 2 more drop cables and 2 more T's now, and another T when you attach the Fusion. You might want to consider one of the T Blocks that can accept 4 drop cables on one piece. (also remember to get a Garmin Network / ethernet crossover cable)

The NM2K network should have switched power, so I tapped mine into one of the accessory switches. You might also want to grab some blade fuses and spade connectors to power the 742's from the lower dash fuse block?

Running the cable from the Fusion to the dash won't be fun, but if you have a subwoofer cutout on the starboard side of the helm, that access makes a huge difference. (if you don't, then I just cost you way more than the toilet cleaner and network cable saved you. ooops) Before you run that cable btw, consider video as well. I have two cables for video for my 12" MFD so the Garmin image can be displayed on the salon TV, and the satellite receiver TV feed can be shown on the Garmin.

After inserting that SD card and telling the units to use it for ActiveCaptain, take it back out this once to use in your computer. The devices will have written information to the card. Install Garmin Express on a Mac or PC and let that program scan the card to identify the devices. Garmin is just now releasing a new generation of maps - G3. Your devices will be eligible for one free map update, so Garmin Express will show you that and allow you to download it. I might not rush the map update if I were you. This introduction hasn't been smooth, but there's a lot of excitement out there about G3, so your timing is very good. (none of my devices are eligible for the free G3 update) :(

I personally use the ActiveCaptain app more than GE and I hope you will too, but Garmin is still working out some bugs in AC, particularly relating to updates.

There's also the whole discussion about Homeport. It's old school tech, but I think it's an awesome resource free to Garmin owners.

Another exceeding helpful post. Thank you!

I plan to setup both plotters in my home before I install them at the boat. I'll get a feel for the NMEA bits and pieces I may be missing when I do that. Thank you very much for the cheat sheet though - this will expedite the process for sure.

And on running cables...I do have the sub and I have stuck my head in there.....not looking forward to it.
 
Oh woe is me
You guys sure have alot tied up in stuff that goes obsolete quite quickly
I would have to dump most of my brains knowledge just to have enoygh room to learn how to work half this stuff.
Does anyone use paper charts and a compass anymore ?

This stuff is user-friendly, at least for the basic features. In a worst-case scenario, if you only hit the power button after starting your engine and glance at the screen, you'll still be ahead compared to paper charts and a compass.

Obsolescence happens much slower than you might think. The Raytheon gear original to our boats was introduced several years before our boats were built in the mid-late 90's. It became prematurely obsolete in around 2005-2006 when changes were made to GPS satellites that the old gear didn't recognize. (it actually still worked, but poorly)

I bought a portable unit around that time. A friend of mine still uses it.

I replaced everything in 2009. I sold the 12" MFD 2 years ago for $900, so I got 8 seasons of use for $2,100 in depreciation. That generation of MFD's lacks some cool features of the latest stuff, but is still capable of performing all the functions is was designed for - and it can accept the very latest map data. A friend of mine has a Garmin 2010C, circa 2007. He uses it every wkd. 15 years isn't an unrealistic lifespan for quality marine electronics that are properly installed and cared for. I wouldn't you call that quick, would you?
 
This stuff is user-friendly, at least for the basic features. In a worst-case scenario, if you only hit the power button after starting your engine and glance at the screen, you'll still be ahead compared to paper charts and a compass.

Obsolescence happens much slower than you might think. The Raytheon gear original to our boats was introduced several years before our boats were built in the mid-late 90's. It became prematurely obsolete in around 2005-2006 when changes were made to GPS satellites that the old gear didn't recognize. (it actually still worked, but poorly)

I bought a portable unit around that time. A friend of mine still uses it.

I replaced everything in 2009. I sold the 12" MFD 2 years ago for $900, so I got 8 seasons of use for $2,100 in depreciation. That generation of MFD's lacks some cool features of the latest stuff, but is still capable of performing all the functions is was designed for - and it can accept the very latest map data. A friend of mine has a Garmin 2010C, circa 2007. He uses it every wkd. 15 years isn't an unrealistic lifespan for quality marine electronics that are properly installed and cared for. I wouldn't you call that quick, would you?
Thats actually great
 
I picked up the Garmin NMEA starter kit with my order.

Just installed a Garmin N2k backbone this past weekend. Don't be like me and wait until install time to make sure all components of the kit are in the bag. Mine was missing the power cable, right when needed for install because I didn't confirm contents. - and stressed driving all over town trying to find one.....on a Sunday of course.

Not a hard install at all, and you'll love the new capabilities.
 
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Another exceeding helpful post. Thank you!

I plan to setup both plotters in my home before I install them at the boat. I'll get a feel for the NMEA bits and pieces I may be missing when I do that. Thank you very much for the cheat sheet though - this will expedite the process for sure.

And on running cables...I do have the sub and I have stuck my head in there.....not looking forward to it.
Be careful Stee6043 - it doesn't end there. I'm in the process of doing a similar install. Now I have to get this little Garmin gadget as well. With Fusion Link, I can control the radio with this watch as well as receive Garmin chart plotter information.

Garmin Quatix 5


Garmin-Quatix-5-Sapphire.jpg
 
Oh. So THIS is what it feels like to have random people on the internet cost me money... Stee, my most sincere apologies. :D

(that's a damn good looking watch!)

That made me laugh out loud. I look forward to seeing your post mid-April about how smoothly the Garmin watch integration goes!

I feel like we're one step away from heated toilet seats here. A slippery slope indeed. All I really wanted was a remote for my Fusion!!! ha.
 

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