GPS on 280

[chicago280da]

Hello all.

We are new owners of a 2007 280 with twin Alphas and are very happy with our purchase. We are going to install a Garmin 545s chartplotter in the next week. Obviously the 280 has limited space for electronics at the helm station. I would appreciate it if you guys could post pictures of where you have your chartplotters mounted and any pointers on what your considerations were (and anything you would have done differently in hindsight). I tried searching for "280 and GPS" but nothing useful came up. If this discussion exists somewhere else on this board, please point me in the right direction.

Also, I know the 280 has a thru-hull transducer that is hooked up to the smartcraft electronics to give a depth reading. Some time soon I am going to have an installer put in a Garmin thru-hull transducer (that has temp and speed sensors as well as depth) for the integrated sonar/fish finder on the 545s. What do I need to do to keep the transducers from interfering with each other? Can you have more than one thru-hull transducer installed at the same time and not get serious interference. Should I take the old transducer (factory Airmar I believe) out, install the new transducer and connect it to the 545s, and then send the signal over to the smartcraft system via NMEA 0183 (I know I don't need to have the depth displayed on the smartcraft gauge if I have it displayed on the chartplotter, but I would like it to show up on the gauge as it would from the factory)? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[SearayPaul]

Congratulations on the 280 and the 545. While I do not have a 280 maybe this installation will help you.

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3080 Welcome aboard Paul

 

[comsnark]

I recently installed the 545S into my 280SS.

Sweet unit.

BOE marine sent me the Garmin Thru-Hull transducer, which turned out to be an AirMar unit. The airmar was installed into the hole left from a older, dead transducer. Plugged right into the 545S power cable. No muss. . .no fuss. Unfortunately, my boat is older and has no good spot for the GPS, and does not have smartcraft.

My unit is just attached to a wooden mount that formerly held the previous GPS unit. . .it was a sad moment when I had to drill that HUGE hole in the dash to fit the power/data cable. :smt009

I would NOT recommend putting in a second through hull. . just on general principle. Is speed and water temperature that important? Are you actually going to fish? I would see if you can use the existing ducer, or possibly *replace* that unit with the fancier model. The 545S can also accept NMEA inputs.

If you go with a second ducer, I would try to use a shoot-thru installation (Wire the shoot thru to the smart craft, and the fancy ducer to your Garmin).

 

[smanier]

Congrats on your purchase. I have had the same boat for 7 weeks now but with the single.

We mounted a Raymarine chartplotter on the first ledge of the steering. I really like the location as it lines up with my Line of Sight. I have no problems viewing the gauges. With your twins, you may have a gauge in that locations. I'll take some pictures of mine and post them tomorrow night.

Good luck.

 

[Morpheus]

I used a RAM MOUNT and mounted a Garmin 3205 on the support pole to the windshield works out great for me.

 

[beachcombersc]

Not sure if you purchased the garmin yet, FYI, some navman/Northstar is smartcraft compatable. (could be really helpful. I have two garmins and will get some photos for you soon. I own a 182C and a 3210 with the gmr40 radar. Its a great combo. I can get weather maps to the helm free from HDTV from below. I can also keep an eye on games on the weekend...

 

[chicago280da]

I really appreciate the follow ups, but have yet to see any pictures of units installed on a 2001 or later 280DA. I am planning on doing the install tomorrow and would really appreciate any posts with pics of where people have positioned their chartplotter, given the limited options at this helm. A full shot of the helm station and a cross sectional shot showing where you ran your wires to the unit would be particularly helpful.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Sheffield]

This is an old pic from my now traded 2001 280DA

I got the dealer to replace the radio with a Raymarine 240 unit. We mounted the GPS below the steering wheel. It was great to use and the sight lines were not too bad.

Joe

 

[Sheffield]

Mike:

Of course I meant above the steering wheel.

BTW I miss my 280. It was faster and it could be towed (barely). I like the 360 space but the fuel bill is crazy.

joe