Garmin 5212 Replacement/Upgrade

[Forrestkk]

Hi All,

My Garmin 5212 is slowly disintegrating. Works fine, but the plastic around the screen has gotten to the point where it has cracked around all the screws holding it to the body and the screen has little shadow developing around the center.

That said, I can get one from Max Marine Electronics for a boat buck that has a new screen, but figured it might be better to spend that money on something new.

Trying to find an upgrade option that will be an easy to swap in. Seems like a 7612 would be nice as you can find them for a reasonable price, but I don't want to change everything that is already working (sonar, radar, autopilot)

Would love thoughts and suggestions.

TIA!

Kevin

 

[Skybolt]

I replaced my two 4212's with 1243's, depending on what radar you have that should still work. All of the sonar modules still work. Post what models you have and I can let you know if they will work or not.

460 Express Cruiser (1985-1989) Discussion Area

who have the make and model of the fridge on the 46 express Sorry for such a late reply, I guess email updates aren't working correctly. Anyway, this boat originally came with Sub Zero fridge and separate freezer. That are no longer available and there replacements are ~$2500 each or more. I...

clubsearay.com

 

[BlueYonder]

I replaced a Garmin 5215 with an 8617. The new 8617 was compatible with the radar, autopilot, and sonar that were installed with my 5215. I would avoid the 7600 series as it has been discontinued and is not compatible with the latest Garmin Navionics charts. You should consider a Garmin 8600 series or 1243 series.

 

[Skybolt]

... I would avoid the 7600 series as it has been discontinued and is not compatible with the latest Garmin Navionics charts. You should consider a Garmin 8600 series or 1243 series.

I have the latest Garmin Navionics charts and use my 7608 as the card reader for the system. All charts display fine on all three plotters.

 

[Forrestkk]

I replaced my two 4212's with 1243's, depending on what radar you have that should still work. All of the sonar modules still work. Post what models you have and I can let you know if they will work or not.

460 Express Cruiser (1985-1989) Discussion Area

who have the make and model of the fridge on the 46 express Sorry for such a late reply, I guess email updates aren't working correctly. Anyway, this boat originally came with Sub Zero fridge and separate freezer. That are no longer available and there replacements are ~$2500 each or more. I...

clubsearay.com

Your dash panel looks incredible!

Ok, so based on your advice and @BlueYonder no 76 series.

I have a an old, but perfectly functional RayPilot 650 on NMEA 0183, Sonar is a GSD 22, and I need to climb up on the arch and get a PN for the radar, but it is a newer Garmin HD closed array.

Everything is on NMEA 2000, except the autopilot. I assume it should all lash up. I am not ready for full electronics refresh. It would be nice to have a faster chart plotter, but not if it means a whole rip and replace.

Appreciate the insight.

 

[Skybolt]

Your dash panel looks incredible!

Ok, so based on your advice and @BlueYonder no 76 series.

I have a an old, but perfectly functional RayPilot 650 on NMEA 0183, Sonar is a GSD 22, and I need to climb up on the arch and get a PN for the radar, but it is a newer Garmin HD closed array.

Everything is on NMEA 2000, except the autopilot. I assume it should all lash up. I am not ready for full electronics refresh. It would be nice to have a faster chart plotter, but not if it means a whole rip and replace.

Appreciate the insight.

Thank you.

Your Raypilot will interface just fine, you will need to turn off the Waypoint names in the Garmin under 0183 sentences.

All the other devices will function just fine once the new MFD(s) are connected to the Garmin Marine Network, RJ45 cable.

The GSD 22 can be removed if you get an XSV version of the x43 series or the 86xx series. The 86 series supports three transducers and the 43 series supports one. Depending the transducer pin out, you may need a conversion cable, but should work fine once configured in the MFD. The GSD is antiquated and the newer sonar modules in the MFD(s) are far Superior.

Flounder pounder, FP Marine, one of our sponsor's, can make a conversion plate for the new MFD. Click on the pic in this post (https://clubsearay.com/index.php?th...-analog-to-digital.101609/page-3#post-1221685) to see what the conversion plate will look like. This is what I did before I replaced my dash.

 

[LMBoat]

Forrest, FWIW as we have the same helm, I ended up with a 1243XSV. It fit the spot well and I have been very happy with it.

 

[Forrestkk]

@Skybolt @LMBoat TY.

Back to the internet to find the right chartplotter.

 

[Skybolt]

BOEMarine has lot's of options https://www.boemarine.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=1243xsv

 

[LMBoat]

It's boat show season.....stop at the Garmin booth. I've always found them very helpful.

 

[Boca_Vincent]

Jumping in here as my 5212 is no longer functional. The power button started 'sticking' a while back, then I tried using a pick on it last time out and it collapsed inside. So.. the inevitable is here.
I ordered 2 new garmins on the West Marine clearance sale this week. the 1242xvs and 1042. Seemed like good deals. I like the button / knobs on those and it seems from reading posts here that many have added the grid module to compliment the touchscreen. Turns out that that 1042 wont fit where I planned to add a 2nd screen , so that one will most likely be traded out for a 943. (yes, buy first, measure second!)
I too have and old RayPilot 650, XHd radar, and Sonar GSD 22. sounds similar to Forrest's setup, although I don't think there is any NMEA 2000 network in place. Hopefully these systems can be onboarded to the new stuff.
One last item, my old eclipse VHF screen is pretty much burned out, so that was already slated for change this spring. I am going with a Standard Horizon GX 2400 in its place to pick up the AIS function.
My questions to you guys in the know on these systems..
How often do you need to use the card slots in the MFDs? both the 1042 and 943 slots are in the back and they sell a remote card reader. Is this necessary, or can I get away without it? I will have wifi capability on the boat, so wondering if all needed updates happen there? If not, maybe better for me to grab an old 7608 unit (same size as the 943) to have card reader access, and just slave that to the 1242?
Also, I am assuming that I will need to set up a new NMEA 2000 backbone to get the new hardware synced . If I buy the Garmin starter package, will that take care of me? I want to make sure I am getting the AIS info to the charts. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance, Vince

 

[bobeast]

Jumping in here as my 5212 is no longer functional. The power button started 'sticking' a while back, then I tried using a pick on it last time out and it collapsed inside. So.. the inevitable is here.
I ordered 2 new garmins on the West Marine clearance sale this week. the 1242xvs and 1042. Seemed like good deals. I like the button / knobs on those and it seems from reading posts here that many have added the grid module to compliment the touchscreen. Turns out that that 1042 wont fit where I planned to add a 2nd screen , so that one will most likely be traded out for a 943. (yes, buy first, measure second!)
I too have and old RayPilot 650, XHd radar, and Sonar GSD 22. sounds similar to Forrest's setup, although I don't think there is any NMEA 2000 network in place. Hopefully these systems can be onboarded to the new stuff.
One last item, my old eclipse VHF screen is pretty much burned out, so that was already slated for change this spring. I am going with a Standard Horizon GX 2400 in its place to pick up the AIS function.
My questions to you guys in the know on these systems..
How often do you need to use the card slots in the MFDs? both the 1042 and 943 slots are in the back and they sell a remote card reader. Is this necessary, or can I get away without it? I will have wifi capability on the boat, so wondering if all needed updates happen there? If not, maybe better for me to grab an old 7608 unit (same size as the 943) to have card reader access, and just slave that to the 1242?
Also, I am assuming that I will need to set up a new NMEA 2000 backbone to get the new hardware synced . If I buy the Garmin starter package, will that take care of me? I want to make sure I am getting the AIS info to the charts. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance, Vince

All your chart and software updates can happen through ActiveCaptain so you shouldn't need to access the physical card very often if at all. That said, I do have the remote card reader because...nerd. To connect your VHF to your 2 MFDs you will need;
- 1 NMEA backbone cable
- 3 terminators
- 3 T-connectors
- 3 drop cables
- 1 power tap

Every additional NMEA device will need another t-connector and another drop cable.
You'll then connect the two MFDs together using a Garmin network cable. When you do so you can set up your MFDs such that power, screen dimming, etc, will stay synchronized between them, and you'll be able to display radar and sonar on either/both.

 

[Jaybeaux]

@Boca_Vincent The only thing that I would say different from the excellent advice given by @bobeast is get the remote card reader. I was doing a big update of maps on my 8612 xvs and it got hung up. Caused a bit of bother. A Garmin Tech bluntly told me that Active Captain really wasn't designed to do big updates. It is far better to have the reader.

With regard to AIS, which I have (Vesper Cortex Hub), I am a huge fan of transmit and receive AIS information. If a big boat needs to get in touch with me, they call me by name which I am more likely to hear as opposed to "vessel near Marker XX".

Good luck with the project. It's a fun one.

Jaybeaux

 

[Skybolt]

Jumping in here as my 5212 is no longer functional. The power button started 'sticking' a while back, then I tried using a pick on it last time out and it collapsed inside. So.. the inevitable is here.
I ordered 2 new garmins on the West Marine clearance sale this week. the 1242xvs and 1042. Seemed like good deals. I like the button / knobs on those and it seems from reading posts here that many have added the grid module to compliment the touchscreen. Turns out that that 1042 wont fit where I planned to add a 2nd screen , so that one will most likely be traded out for a 943. (yes, buy first, measure second!)
I too have and old RayPilot 650, XHd radar, and Sonar GSD 22. sounds similar to Forrest's setup, although I don't think there is any NMEA 2000 network in place. Hopefully these systems can be onboarded to the new stuff.
One last item, my old eclipse VHF screen is pretty much burned out, so that was already slated for change this spring. I am going with a Standard Horizon GX 2400 in its place to pick up the AIS function.
My questions to you guys in the know on these systems..
How often do you need to use the card slots in the MFDs? both the 1042 and 943 slots are in the back and they sell a remote card reader. Is this necessary, or can I get away without it? I will have wifi capability on the boat, so wondering if all needed updates happen there? If not, maybe better for me to grab an old 7608 unit (same size as the 943) to have card reader access, and just slave that to the 1242?
Also, I am assuming that I will need to set up a new NMEA 2000 backbone to get the new hardware synced . If I buy the Garmin starter package, will that take care of me? I want to make sure I am getting the AIS info to the charts. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance, Vince

Regarding the 1242xsv, that has the card reader in the front, lower right. Door opens and it gives access to two SD card slots. Because the 1242 is an XSV, you don't need the GSD22. But you will need to setup the Garmin Marine Network, and when you do that that card reader is shared between all Garmin MFD's that are on the GMN. Insetting up the GMN, the sonar is also shared among the GMN MFD's. The 943 will have mSD slot(s) on the back.

AIS data is shared through the NMEA 2000 Network, there is no MFD support for VHF integration other than DSC calling etc. So the Manufacturer of the VHF doesn't matter.

 

[RollerCoastr]

All your chart and software updates can happen through ActiveCaptain so you shouldn't need to access the physical card very often if at all. That said, I do have the remote card reader because...nerd. To connect your VHF to your 2 MFDs you will need;
- 1 NMEA backbone cable
- 3 terminators
- 3 T-connectors
- 3 drop cables
- 1 power tap

Every additional NMEA device will need another t-connector and another drop cable.
You'll then connect the two MFDs together using a Garmin network cable. When you do so you can set up your MFDs such that power, screen dimming, etc, will stay synchronized between them, and you'll be able to display radar and sonar on either/both.

Backbone cables are used to extend the backbone where necessary, but when all of the components are close to each other, a backbone can simply be T's linked together and terminated on each end.

There should only be 2 terminators per network.

I encountered what I would call a power tap for the first time this wkd. (a power cable with a fuse permanently molded into a dedicated T) Garmin's power method is a yellow drop cable with power leads and an inline fuse that attaches to a regular T.

 

[Boca_Vincent]

@Skybolt "1242xsv, that has the card reader in the front, lower right." Thanks for pointing that as I didn't catch when doing the model comparison. That solves one thing!
And thanks @bobeast and @Jaybeaux for the tips. Been watching a few vids on NMEA setups so have a better understanding of that now. Which reminded me of something else.
I did a stereo system refresh a couple years ago which included the Fusion Apollo 670 head unit. I currently have the wireless BT remotes for the 2 zones, but thinking I should run the NMEA cable back to the head unit, and that should give me controls at the chart plotter. I also have the NRX300 wired remote still sitting in the box because I never decided where to put it.
@Forrestkk did you ever decide on a new plotter? Happy with it?

 

[Boca_Vincent]

Backbone cables are used to extend the backbone where necessary, but when all of the components are close to each other, a backbone can simply be T's linked together and terminated on each end.

There should only be 2 terminators per network.

Thank you. So the 2 MFDs and the VHF can have drop cables into 3 T's linked together.
Add a 4th T to run back the head unit.
Trying to draw it all up and then place an order for parts. Are there any issues using non-garmin NMEA components? Are some better than others?

 

[Skybolt]

@Skybolt "1242xsv, that has the card reader in the front, lower right." Thanks for pointing that as I didn't catch when doing the model comparison. That solves one thing!
And thanks @bobeast and @Jaybeaux for the tips. Been watching a few vids on NMEA setups so have a better understanding of that now. Which reminded me of something else.
I did a stereo system refresh a couple years ago which included the Fusion Apollo 670 head unit. I currently have the wireless BT remotes for the 2 zones, but thinking I should run the NMEA cable back to the head unit, and that should give me controls at the chart plotter. I also have the NRX300 wired remote still sitting in the box because I never decided where to put it.
@Forrestkk did you ever decide on a new plotter? Happy with it?

Yes, you should put the Fusion equipment on the NMEA 2000 back bone. In doing that be carful because the head unit will also power the N2K network, you will want to shut that off first. All of the head units controls can be accessed through the 1242/943. It's a bit of a novelty if you ask me, but the NRX300's are sweet. They make sense to me and are quite useful. I have four in the cockpit alone, plus I do use my 7608 as a stereo control at times.

 

[Skybolt]

Thank you. So the 2 MFDs and the VHF can have drop cables into 3 T's linked together.
Add a 4th T to run back the head unit.
Trying to draw it all up and then place an order for parts. Are there any issues using non-garmin NMEA components? Are some better than others?

No issue using non-Garmin N2K cables etc. But I will say this, what ever brand you go with, stay with it. The T's are keyed and each manufacturer key's them slightly off.

I use Ancor product's and they can be had from Amazon. They are a little more heavy duty then Garmins. I have had Garmin T's break.

This has a starter kit with a double drop tee. Quad drop tee's can also be had. I would use them over the singles because hey are stronger. I would start with the two links below, the quad is a great for future expandability.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074KHXXMF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

quad tee - https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-270104-Nmea-2000-Connector/dp/B07229BRYX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=13H6IS307AQ5K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EW4NBzP71Io_CMimwQIAJYCUFSoWfRgSUZYyX52K8NvGEFZEMED8FS2MIKzhVJbDFmDyr2pYZR7Kg-MUFSaBq-fVQlL029Jc3LDMmc3MoqgxB9DT2SSmHwYeqdBHIYRuFs__3jWN2iTmlk6h_hANZXi-LLtwQbUu6KSbYY4MlSAsYt3UVHUHFuphZLoh7TZjE_qkdIMHIS2h7s8Ii0g2KoAeHBQTc2dmAVc71_gEc4Gm8jqRagPuDcPv6sfDRnadr9xtXyBCGlOR-7QwkE-5VsaMePTvVA3bQu5wYEkgSmw.TeitWbk-Kcd8oxpqy1x16JG7Q837GVUiUnxeapELMl0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ancor+4+tee&qid=1710770603&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=ancor+4+tee,sporting,78&sr=1-2

 

[Skybolt]

Here is an example of a small setup I did for my friends 380 Sea Ray. Note the use of power blocks. They allow for sections of the network to be powered independently of the rest, so it can be powered on/off with there devices. You may want to use that for your stereo since the head unit is self powered.