Replacing original Radar/GPS with new Digital

[Steve04]

Has anyone with a 2004 34 Dancer replaced their original Radar/GPS with any of the new products out on the market even the new digital Raymarine radar/gps systems. And if so were you able to find a screen that fits in the dashboard where the original exists. My system is still working but it would be an upgrade that i would consider if I do not have to customize the install. thanks

 

[sbw1]

We did this a little over a year ago. Nothing fit so we redid the helm. New electronics are really nice. Make sure you have a vendor that is good at this as there will be quirky things that come up.

 

[Jeremygavin]

I did this upgrade a few years ago so I don't have all the newest electronics that are out but it gives you an idea of what will fit. I have the Raymarine e95 and it just fits width wise. The face of the MFD is 11.4", you might be able to fit a display that is 12" wide but that will be pushing it.

Here are the specs of the unit I installed.

http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=2966

There is plenty of height left in the panel.

This thread has pics of to what I did

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/58925-2005-340-DA-Helm-remodel

 

[Steve04]

Jeremy, Wow, the changes look great, can i ask why you didn't consider the Ray 60 VHF vs. the Icom would it be easier to install as the Ray 60 is just about the same size as the Ray 215 the original VHF, also the new E95 screen is prefect, I want to upgrade to the new HD Radar but want to do as little cutting to the dash as possible. thank you for your input. Steve

 

[Jeremygavin]

With the panels from Technografic I could use any radio I wanted as I was covering up the holes anyway. Going with Icom was just personal preference. I feel they make a better radio than Raymarine but I have nothing to prove that. It is all wired into the N2k backbone so I have GPS coordinates on the icom For the distress button.
The E95 is a great fit and I like having touch screen and knobs When it is rough conditions, touch screen is hard to use precisely.

 

[Rocket]

Has anyone with a 2004 34 Dancer replaced their original Radar/GPS with any of the new products out on the market even the new digital Raymarine radar/gps systems. And if so were you able to find a screen that fits in the dashboard where the original exists. My system is still working but it would be an upgrade that i would consider if I do not have to customize the install. thanks

Steve, call Roger at Custom Marine Installations (CMI). They are in Lindenhurst and are a great installer.

 

[bmac]

Steve, call Roger at Custom Marine Installations (CMI). They are in Lindenhurst and are a great installer.

I would second Rocket's recommendation on CMI. Roger has done all my electronics since 2006 and this winter upgraded all my electronics, including two new Raymarine eS127's, digital HD color Radar, transducer w/fairing block and engine room cameras. Really nice work and a great go to resource.