Raymarine C80 help needed

BigBoysToys

BigBoysToys

New Member
Mar 12, 2013
421
Hudson River/NY Harbor/LI Sound
Boat Info
2009 Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht
Engines
Twin Volvo Penta IPS600
I'm new to the forum as I'm just now finalizing my purchase of a 2008 Sea Ray 330 Sundancer. Until now, I've always been a garmin guy but this boat comes with the Raymarine C80 chartplotter. The very first thing I plan to add is the radome for radar. I spoke to raymarine and plan to go with a 4kw as long as it fits on the mounting pad. Next, I'm thinking that id like to put in an autopilot but I'm getting lost in the conversations online about "newer c80" versus "older c80" and lots of talk of software updates. I'm a bit lost. Any insight and/or equipment recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 
I'm not even sure you can buy a C80 compatible dome new. In any event this technology is about three generations old. You'll also need a heading sensor to get overlay with the GPS.

You might think about starting from a clean piece of paper.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Thank you Henry. I may do that once ive wrapped my brain around all the options that exist. I guess my primary concern is whether or not I can get current chart data on the c80. Are there software updates I should be loading? You are correct about the radar domes, they no longer make ones that are compatible but there's plenty available in the preowned marketplace. Maybe I just add the radar, wait a year, then replace the whole system. We'll have to see.
 
If the c80 has the last firmware upgrade you need to add the heading sensor to get GPS overlay with radar. The c80 as it sits on your boat with GPS and possibly depth/fishfinder is more than workable. I got the whole setup four years ago and it works fine.

But before you sink any more money into this, step back and re-evaluate. There is all kinds of neat stuff out there, both in terms of discrete hardware, but also networking.

It's a new boat, use it for a season and decide what you want.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
First congratulations on the pending new ride.

If you are a Garmin person - I do not think you will like the C80 very much :) I did not. I pulled mine a month after getting the boat. Don't waste money on putting in the Ray Radar - they are not very good compared to the "current" generation radars available - and they go for premium $ since they are no longer made. Spare-parts for the C80 are very expensive as well now.

I put in Simrad with 4G radar - that works excellent. The Simrad NSS8 + 3G radar bundle is available for about $3000-$3500 new. That works very very well for navigation. And IMHO Garmin does not have anything in the 8-10" size that is reasonable modern unless you pay for the new 8000 series. And that takes investment to about 6-7 boat $. So that is why I went with Simrad.
 
I would consider upgrading to a full garmin system but I think the dash panel is slightly too small for the unit I would want. I would think that ebay would be loaded with used electronics taken from Super Storm Sandy boats and maybe I could get a lightly used system for a good price. If I'm upgrading everything though I would want to integrate everything together including satellite radio/weather AIS, MMSI, etc. I'm a bit of a tech junkie and would love to have many of the newer capabilities.
 
There are a number of used RM systems being advertised on The Hull Truth forum.

Chart data is only as good as the chip installed in the C80. If you do not see any chart data, the PO may have kept the chip. Updates are available from Navionics, but they are still dependent on how recently NOAA has updated the charts. Once the season starts you should download the Notice to Mariners from NOAA for your region. It will have all of the stuff that has not yet made it into a chart update like moved bouys, or new navigation restrictions and obstructions. There probably will be a truckload of those related to Sandy damage

As I said you are going to need not only the dome and cable, but also a 6 degree wedge mount, and a heading sensor. The heading sensor is really two parts, the fluxgate compass (that's really just an accelerometer) and a rate computer. RM has two versions, one is just for syncing GPS and Radar displays, and a more involved unit that is needed by an auto-pilot. If Ap is in your plans keep that in mind.

Henry
 
Henry Boyd said:
There are a number of used RM systems being advertised on The Hull Truth forum.

Chart data is only as good as the chip installed in the C80. If you do not see any chart data, the PO may have kept the chip. Updates are available from Navionics, but they are still dependent on how recently NOAA has updated the charts. Once the season starts you should download the Notice to Mariners from NOAA for your region. It will have all of the stuff that has not yet made it into a chart update like moved bouys, or new navigation restrictions and obstructions. There probably will be a truckload of those related to Sandy damage

As I said you are going to need not only the dome and cable, but also a 6 degree wedge mount, and a heading sensor. The heading sensor is really two parts, the fluxgate compass (that's really just an accelerometer) and a rate computer. RM has two versions, one is just for syncing GPS and Radar displays, and a more involved unit that is needed by an auto-pilot. If Ap is in your plans keep that in mind.

Henry
Click to expand...

Good Morning Henry. I was able to pick up a nice radar dome at a great price so I'll be adding that this weekend and leaving the system alone for now. After I evaluate for a season, I'll then decide what I really want to do. My question involves your message quoted above. Do I really need a 6 degree wedge mount? I've been looking at pictures and many of the domes are mounted directly to the hardtop. The boat is blocked on land so I cant measure the angle while sitting and while underway. Maybe someone is familiar with this boat and can tell me what to do. Thanks!!
 
BigBoysToys said:
Good Morning Henry. I was able to pick up a nice radar dome at a great price so I'll be adding that this weekend and leaving the system alone for now. After I evaluate for a season, I'll then decide what I really want to do. My question involves your message quoted above. Do I really need a 6 degree wedge mount? I've been looking at pictures and many of the domes are mounted directly to the hardtop. The boat is blocked on land so I cant measure the angle while sitting and while underway. Maybe someone is familiar with this boat and can tell me what to do. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

on my 2008 310 - the mount point on the arch is already tilted slightly forward so I would guess yours is too. I do not have a wedge on mine and I can see the rail and anchor on my radar...
 
Congrats on the new boat and welcome to CSR:)
 
That's what I was thinking. I've been looking online and on boats without the satellite dome, the radar dome is right on the hard top. No bracket. Thanks for the response. I love this site already!
 
Actually, I was mistaken...most of the photos online show this boat with a radar mount. I cant tell if there's any angle from the photos but there's definitely a mount. Anyone have any idea what mount Sea Ray used for this?
 
BBT,
You might check with other 330 owners. The wedge angle is visually imperceptible. My RM dome is on a Scan Strut mount with a 4* pitch. BTW, I was incorrect on the angle, it is 4 degrees for the wedge. Six degrees is half the radar beam. Using trig you can calculate the 'cone' that the radar beam creates. You have to keep electronic devices like GPS bulbs out of this cone, either above, or below the beam.

Since you are adding on to an existing system, you will have to determine if the existing GPS mounting is in the radar path. I added radar after the GPS was installed. Keep in mind your GPS bulb may be hardwired to the cable. That means you will have to extract the cable from the helm and then re-run it in order to re-position the GPS. In my case I chose to use a Scan Strut mount to raise the beam and left the GPS in place.

Henry
 
That explains it. The GPS bulb, Digital TV Antenna and Sirius satellite radio antenna are all on the hardtop. I'll need a raised mount to get above the radar beam. Thanks Henry!
 
BigBoysToys said:
That explains it. The GPS bulb, Digital TV Antenna and Sirius satellite radio antenna are all on the hardtop. I'll need a raised mount to get above the radar beam. Thanks Henry!
Click to expand...

I have a 5" radar mount on mine to clear the "huge" roof for the beam. I calculated I needed 6" the roof had been flat - but since it curves down - for my radar 5" was enough. And that also takes it just over the path of GPS's. But later I do want to put a better radar mount on, so I can get GPS's and Airmar Weather station above the Radar. If you check the Radar installation manual - they might have an "easy guide" to how high you need to mount it to clear obstacles. If you put it too low it will impact the short range details. And if GPS and TV antenna are in the way - you might disturb GPS signals and TV reception when radar is running.
 
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patch up your C80 and get a tablet.. I-Pad etc and it will cost you a whole lot less....???
 
The boat will have a dedicated tablet will all owners manuals, digital charts, emergency info, useful software, etc on the boat. I just hate to rely solely on such a fragile piece of equipment. I love it as a backup. Do you have any specific software you recommend?
 
BigBoysToys said:
Thank you Henry. I may do that once ive wrapped my brain around all the options that exist. I guess my primary concern is whether or not I can get current chart data on the c80. Are there software updates I should be loading? You are correct about the radar domes, they no longer make ones that are compatible but there's plenty available in the preowned marketplace. Maybe I just add the radar, wait a year, then replace the whole system. We'll have to see.
Click to expand...

I have a dome for sale - pm me if interested
 
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