Raymarine ES MFD vs new Axium and Flir

[Zach312]

Has anyone had the chance to see both in person and use them? Looking for opinions.

Will be changing our (hopefully) new boat to new MFD's and radar.

Also considering adding Flir night vision. Please chim in if you have any experience with these units. Are they worth the money? How well do they spot debris in the water?

Thanks

 

[sandydlc]

Following this thread. We're considering upgrading from the E120s to the Axium as well. We had an e7d on our previous boat and there were times that the touch screen would get locked at inopportune times so not sure that I would trust a device with nothing but a touch screen. I'm thinking though that maybe the technology has improved so maybe my concerns are unfounded.

Sandy

 

[KevinC]

... so not sure that I would trust a device with nothing but a touch screen...
Sandy

Reading up on the Axiom and it seems to indicate that you can add a remote keypad (RMK-10) for control. Looks like the intention is that you could mount it conveniently at the helm (or elsewhere) for MFDs that are not necessarily easy to reach. It also looks like it is network based and can control multiple MFDs.

-Kevin

 

[bmac]

I went through this process last winter when considering whteher or not to proactively replace my two E-120's and analog radar before one or the other failed. Since Raymarine no longer supports the E-120MFD or the analog radar I was concerned with the ability to resolve a loss of electronics during the season. Being very happy with all my Raymarine products and unimpressed with the Garmin cartography I only considered Raymarine. I looked at the then new eS127 and gS 125 MFD units and HD digital color radar. The gS was touch screen only so required the addition of the RMK-9 remote keypad. The gS unit also required a separate DSM and GPS, which I was not crazy about. The eS MFD was a hybrid touch screen with a built in rotary keypad and had both a built in GPS and depth sounder. If I recall, the gS units and peripherals, installed, were about $4k more than the eS units. I went with two eS127's and the previously mentioned digital radar and I'm very happy with the set up. For most of my time at sea I use the MFD's as touchscreens. It is only in the roughest weather that I use the keypad. I haven't seen the new Axiom MFD's but I think their screen size is the same as the eS. I beiieve the processor is faster in the Axiom but I'm not sure. They both use the same Lighthouse 3 software and can both use the same internal and 3rd party cartography. Having gone from the E to eS the processor speed between the two was like night and day. Not sure how much faster Axiom is. The Axiom 3D sonography looks interesting but is probably only of real interest if you fish. I can tell you that the eS MFD's are very, very good units and I'd buy them again but I'd give the Axiom a try out at my electronics dealer before making a decision. All in, the two eS MFD's, new dash plate, digital radar, transducer and fairing block and engine room camera were just around $13k

 

[sandydlc]

Reading up on the Axiom and it seems to indicate that you can add a remote keypad (RMK-10) for control. Looks like the intention is that you could mount it conveniently at the helm (or elsewhere) for MFDs that are not necessarily easy to reach. It also looks like it is network based and can control multiple MFDs.

-Kevin

Cool! I'll check with my installer and ask him about that. I think that would be a good compromise!

 

[Jeff L]

I personally went with the ES127.. as I like the touch and manual combination. Also upgraded the radar to the quantum. The total install with an engine room camera was a little tricky but if you read up and are handy, I do think that this is a DYI project. I did have to use a sea talk converter for my auto-pilot and starboard for a mounting plate. Costs for were limited to the units and my time (8 hrs.) A lot of time was spent running wire. That is another post onto itself.

 

[Zach312]

Thanks Brian, This is the same spot we are in. I would rather get the upgrade done than deal with a failure. Did you opt for the HD radar or the Super HD? I am not sure what the difference is.

We have always been happy with Raymarine so we will be sticking with that. Any thoughts on add Flir night vision?

I went through this process last winter when considering whteher or not to proactively replace my two E-120's and analog radar before one or the other failed. Since Raymarine no longer supports the E-120MFD or the analog radar I was concerned with the ability to resolve a loss of electronics during the season. Being very happy with all my Raymarine products and unimpressed with the Garmin cartography I only considered Raymarine. I looked at the then new eS127 and gS 125 MFD units and HD digital color radar. The gS was touch screen only so required the addition of the RMK-9 remote keypad. The gS unit also required a separate DSM and GPS, which I was not crazy about. The eS MFD was a hybrid touch screen with a built in rotary keypad and had both a built in GPS and depth sounder. If I recall, the gS units and peripherals, installed, were about $4k more than the eS units. I went with two eS127's and the previously mentioned digital radar and I'm very happy with the set up. For most of my time at sea I use the MFD's as touchscreens. It is only in the roughest weather that I use the keypad. I haven't seen the new Axiom MFD's but I think their screen size is the same as the eS. I beiieve the processor is faster in the Axiom but I'm not sure. They both use the same Lighthouse 3 software and can both use the same internal and 3rd party cartography. Having gone from the E to eS the processor speed between the two was like night and day. Not sure how much faster Axiom is. The Axiom 3D sonography looks interesting but is probably only of real interest if you fish. I can tell you that the eS MFD's are very, very good units and I'd buy them again but I'd give the Axiom a try out at my electronics dealer before making a decision. All in, the two eS MFD's, new dash plate, digital radar, transducer and fairing block and engine room camera were just around $13k

 

[BigBoysToys]

If you're a night boater, flir is worth every penny but it's important to keep situational awareness. With the chart plotter, radar and flir distracting you from the windshield, you have to be cognizant of your surroundings.
As for Raymarine, I recently upgraded my chart plotter to an e165. Very expensive plotter and it had a bad pixel. I contacted Raymarine and they said to send it to them. Weeks later I called them to check progress and the woman said, I have it here, let me get someone started on this. It's the off-season so I bit my tongue but had I not called, would I still be waiting? So after a few days I get a call from Raymarine and long story short they're "allowed" a certain number of bad pixels. Are you serious?!?! They refused to do anything and sent it back. Now I have a brand new overpriced chart plotter with a bad pixel staring me in the face every time I look at it. That's it for me with Raymarine. I put SIMRAD in the last boat and it was leap years ahead of Raymarine. I learned my lesson here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CSR_Admin]

I would choose the new Axiom system over the prior eS Series. It is their latest Series, and while they have positioned it so that they eS Series still had a place in their product line-up, it is the best thing they have right now. It is nothing short of awesome. I would certainly recommend the remote keypad for it as well.

If you go with FLIR be sure to get the Raymarine branded version. It has the software required to integrate best with Raymarine displays. We can hack into regular FLIR cameras to work, but its best to get the right one off the bat. If anybody needs quotes please email me jim@boemarine.com

 

[Zach312]

Thanks Jim, e-mail sent.

 

[bmac]

Thanks Brian, This is the same spot we are in. I would rather get the upgrade done than deal with a failure. Did you opt for the HD radar or the Super HD? I am not sure what the difference is.

We have always been happy with Raymarine so we will be sticking with that. Any thoughts on add Flir night vision?

Zach

i went with the HD Color. My understanding of the difference is the Super uses some kind of digital processing to track high speed contacts under 3nm away. Otherwise the output, resolution and range are the same. That wasn't something that was of interest to me nor was it worth the additional 25% in cost for the SHD unit. Likewise the cheaper Quantum radar didn't meet my needs either, though I might put one of those on my center console. I'm very happy with the resolution and range on the 4kW HD color radar.

 

[sandydlc]

I would choose the new Axiom system over the prior eS Series. It is their latest Series, and while they have positioned it so that they eS Series still had a place in their product line-up, it is the best thing they have right now. It is nothing short of awesome. I would certainly recommend the remote keypad for it as well.

If you go with FLIR be sure to get the Raymarine branded version. It has the software required to integrate best with Raymarine displays. We can hack into regular FLIR cameras to work, but its best to get the right one off the bat. If anybody needs quotes please email me jim@boemarine.com

Hi Jim,

We have 2 E120 MFDs with the HD open array radar by Raymarine. We have ordered the Axiom MFDs and we have a certified Raymarine installer doing the installation for us. He is installing an Axiom for another customer and is having a lot of trouble getting the radar to connect. We have a big trip planned to Canada this summer so he's really hesitant to install both MFDs if he might also have issues connecting with our radar during the installation.

Our plan at this point is to only replace one of our E120s and install the second at the end of the season when timing and functionality is not so critical. Do you think this is a sound plan or do you have any advice regarding integrating the radar and sounder with the Axiom?

Any help/advice is most appreciated.

Sandy

 

[The Bill Collector]

I personally went with the ES127.. as I like the touch and manual combination. Also upgraded the radar to the quantum. The total install with an engine room camera was a little tricky but if you read up and are handy, I do think that this is a DYI project. I did have to use a sea talk converter for my auto-pilot and starboard for a mounting plate. Costs for were limited to the units and my time (8 hrs.) A lot of time was spent running wire. That is another post onto itself.

We just installed the a127 (prev C80), went with the Quantum radar, added another sounder, engine room camera (color & infrared) and have been very happy with it. It is touch screen only, but all my chart plotting is done at the dock, not underway so it has been a non-issue for us.

 

[Zach312]

Just installed 2 Axiom screens, HD radar, a Flir M 232 and new transducer. All of them just plug into each other and/or a network junction. Just the transducer needed an adaptor since we didn't use the latest 3D sonar. No issues so far and like all of them.

 

[sandydlc]

Just installed 2 Axiom screens, HD radar, a Flir M 232 and new transducer. All of them just plug into each other and/or a network junction. Just the transducer needed an adaptor since we didn't use the latest 3D sonar. No issues so far and like all of them.

Great news! We have an HD digital open array radar from 2010 that we're hoping to use in our new setup. Our installer is investigating the best way to integrate our existing equipment (radar and transducer) with the Axioms. We don't need the 3D sonar either. How are the sounder readings on the Axioms with your existing sounder?

 

[Zach312]

We added a new transducer. I felt it was easier to add a new one than pay the labor for someone to figure out how to integrate.

 

[sandydlc]

We added a new transducer. I felt it was easier to add a new one than pay the labor for someone to figure out how to integrate.

Our boat has already been hauled twice in the past month for other installations or maintenance and I didn't want to have to pay for another haul-out again. The next time she's out of the water we may upgrade the sounder in case we feel it's necessary.

 

[sandydlc]

For those on the thread who have an Axiom and autopilot on their vessel, is the Axiom able to follow a route while on auto-pilot or so you have to manually select each waypoint? We've never had a boat with auto-pilot and so far haven't bothered creating routes on our e120s because it's so cumbersome.