How do you begin to replace a chart plotter?

[christo15]

Hi All,

Within the next couple weeks I plan on replacing my Raymarine RL 70 with a Raymarine a78 Multi-Function Display with CHIRP. The two displays are different shapes. How should I approach installing the new device from top to bottom. Thanks for all help guys. I appreciate it.

Greg.

 

[Gofirstclass]

First of all, you need to determine if your old electronics system is NMEA0183 or NMEA2000 compliant. If it's NMEA0183 that is going to limit your choices in what new equipment you can get. Much of the new stuff doesn't talk with the old stuff. I know that because I had a lightening strike and had to replace my radar and plotter unit. The old system was 0183 complaint and the new radar wouldn't "talk" to it, nor would it talk to the old plotter. I ended up getting a new radar, new plotter and a new electronic compass.

The new system is great and the radar image can be overlaid on top of the plotter so you can see both on one screen. If you can't fit the new unit into the old hole you may need to replace the panel it sits in. If that's the case and you need a new panel, let me know because I have a good source for them.

What I would suggest is that you get all the parts and pieces and components together before you start ripping the old system out and start installing the new one. I think it would be very frustrating to have the new one partially installed and find out you're missing a component you didn't know you needed. That's where the advice of experts can be invaluable. They'll guide you through the work and help you get the right components to make your system work.

 

[fwebster]

I am not familiar with the a78, but I just replaced an old Furuno plotter with an e-series MFD display. The e-series does output data in NMEA-0183 so I was able to interface the new plotter seamlessly with the original electronics. The other thing with the e-series is that Raymarine offers a bunch of different bezel shapes to allow you to easily replace an old aspect ratio plotter with the new e-series. I don't know how married you are to the a78 plotter, but it might be worth looking at the e-series since it could make your installation almost plug and play.

 

[christo15]

Thanks for the help guys.

I've looked at several devices and the a78 stood out as a great deal and a great product. I plan to replace both the chart plotter and radar unit and start fresh for just under $2400. If you recommend another package with similar pricing I'm definitely interested to hear what you think. The e-series MFD display is over the budget unfortunately.

I guess the part that I'm most worried about is making it look good once it's done and making sure everything operates as it should. Beachcomber, it would be very helpful if you could get me in contact with a distributer of the panels for the dash.

Thanks again.

 

[kaz911]

Thanks for the help guys.

I've looked at several devices and the a78 stood out as a great deal and a great product. I plan to replace both the chart plotter and radar unit and start fresh for just under $2400. If you recommend another package with similar pricing I'm definitely interested to hear what you think. The e-series MFD display is over the budget unfortunately.

I guess the part that I'm most worried about is making it look good once it's done and making sure everything operates as it should. Beachcomber, it would be very helpful if you could get me in contact with a distributer of the panels for the dash.

Thanks again.

Most bang for the buck - Simrad NSS7 or NSS8 - with 3G radar bundle - IMHO Simrad NSS7/8 are better in most ways compared to Raymarine's new a/c/e series. I had the RM c97 - had it in for 3 months and kicked it out again. While RM are good at outputting new software updates - there are a few technology resistant people inside RM that keeps some things very "idiotic" like not being able to select your own alarms and how they should work. My list of RM issues was very long and you can look up a discussion I had with the RM GM on THT. Most of the issues are related to non-touch UI - but 30% was LightHouse software in general. I can post a list of my issues if you want.

Simrad's 3G (and 4G) radars beats the crap out of RM Radar for short range performance. The only place where RM beats the 3G/4G radars in > 25 miles range. I can clearly see where a 5" buoy is in calm water within 500 meters - and I can spot people in Kayaks within 700-900 meters. You would not likely see any of them at all on a RM or Garmin radar. The Simrad 3G/4G radars use a different technology - so it uses very little power and does not have the issues of normal magnetron radars. It is safer - does not fry your GPS or TV antenna's or other things in its path. It is kind of like Chirp sounders - just for Radar.

If you want to spend a little extra - look at the NSS7 Evo 2 - retails for around $1400 and is the top of the pops latest chart plotter. It has all the sonar tech inside you can dream about (sidescan, chirp, normal sounder) - and is currently "best value" for money. It just started shipping last month. http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-C...vigation/NSS-evo2/simrad-nss7-evo2-en-ca.aspx

All Simrad gear - is compatible with Mercruiser NMEA 2000 gear - since it is Simrad who makes all the Mercruser NMEA gear (NMEA 2000 Gateway, MercMonitor, Vessel View, VesselView 4 and VesselView 7)

Another solution would be to get the Merc VesselView 7 - which is a Simrad NSS7 with Merc Engine interface built in. If you pair that with a Merc NMEA 2000 antenna - you get engine monitor + complete chartplotter in one - and you can still add the Simrad 3G/4G radar to it. But I don't know if it is compatible with your 2002 engines. But if you engines are compatible with the VesselView 7 - that would be high on my list as an option. But since it says Merc it is slightly more expensive than a "pure" NSS7 without Engine interface.. http://www.mercurymarine.com/gauges-and-controls/gauges-and-displays/digital/vesselview/

I currently have VV7 + NSS8 + Lowrance HDS8 G2 Touch - but have ordered an upgrade from the NSS8/HDS to the new NSS12 Evo'2 - as it is a perfect fit to my helm. I also have a couple of Garmins here but the maps for my region is to old to get a seat in my setup.

I also got the Simrad RS35 VHF with AIS receiver which sends AIS targets to the chartplotter - for $270 - and the Simrad GS25 GPS antenna with built in "compass" for radar overlay - and that was $199. So as you can see you get very far budget wise and expansion wise from Simrad. A normal "Electronic compass" for radar overlay is usually $700+

But you are going to get as many recommendations as there are people. My personal recommendations is to find somewhere - where you can try all of them BEFORE you buy. And take a look at the discussions on THT Electronics forums - where there are just as many opinions as people.

 

[boltman]

You first to look in your bank account for at least $10,000 dollars


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