What replaces the RayNav 300 on newer Sea Ray's?

[Pseudomind]

I do not have a problem with the current GPS, but the Ray Nav 300 unit itself.

What is a good similar replacement for this unit, minimum cost. I am going to also go to the 125 GPS

I have the RL80CRC HSB2 chart plotter, but if my Ray nav300 is bad, I want to replace it with something.

I am not trying to get into the Pros/Cons of the Ray Nav 300 (as I know some of the thoughts about this item) . I would just like to have redundant systems if I have to replace it.

Thanks

 

[wingless]

It isn't a low-cost solution, but I tossed all the factory electronics, replacing them w/ an E120 w/ custom Starboard dash, ST8001 autopilot and IC-M602 radio, also w/ custom dash to cover old cutouts.

Removed big picture.

 

[Sea Gull]

The biggest problem you face is how to patch the hole in your dash. The RAY125 with your multifunction display is really all you need for primary electronics. As a backup you might consider another MFD (if it will fit in your dash) coupled with a second 125, but you would do just as well with a cheap handheld GPS.

There are a lot of ways to go for redundancy. Gary has a second GPS receiver and a multiplexer for automatic fail safe plus a computer based charting system to back up the Raycrap. My primary "backup" is a paper chart but I have two E-120s, two GPS receivers plus a backup handheld GPS that ties to either the E120s or to my laptop with charting software all of which would have to be manually connected in case of a primary system failure.

Lots to think about, but as I said, your biggest problem is going to be how to fill the hole.

 

[wish2fish]

wingless,
Think you could make your picture a little bigger? I think I can see myself in that satellite image.

 

[Pseudomind]

Basically that is all I wish to do is fill the hole to an extent (I would still like to have redundancy) with some type of least expensive system.

I imagine I will probably have to go to another manufacture with something, and yes I have charts, bu they in this technology age of ours and the technology being used all over the world, well why not use it.

Why did the thread everything get so big?:huh:

 

[Four Suns]

You have a couple of options. I went through this drill a while back.

Just to be clear, the RN 300 is a combo device and is a GPS, chartplotter, and NMEA/Seatalk data display. It's like one of those all-in-one woodshop devices. It's a router, it's a table saw, it's a belt sander, it's a lathe, and it'll make you coffee and wipe your butt. It just doesn't do them all well.... I hate all-in-one devices... remember those stereos from the 70's that had an 8-track, record player, AM/FM radio? One thing breaks, the system is shot.

Frankly, I just used it as a GPS and data display device and never used the chartplotting capabilities. When the GPS stopped working, which is common on this device, I looked at replacing the display as well. I found the Furuno RD 30, which is a data display device, had a little bigger cutout:

http://www.furunousa.com/Furuno/Rooms/DisplayPages/LayoutInitial?Product=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5B4F24BF08EECE634F8033CE6D3F0DC364%5D%5D&Container=com.webridge.entity.Entity%5BOID%5BFFA4A7F02A19C74CA9EFE951D8DF0AD1%5D%5D

and the thing was about 600 bucks... The thing can be setup to display the grid with all the data (plus some) that the RN 300 does as well as do all the GPS waypoint tracking, etc. My Raycrap display was still working though and I thought what's the point of switching the thing out if I just use it as a data display anyway? That's why I set it up in slave mode on reading the NMEA data off the network and then setup independent GPS systems to dump the data on the network. Much better IMO... and the RN300 has been reduced to what I used it for anyway (sorta like that stereo with a dead 8-track player and buying a component CD player and plugging in the AUX jack).

Furuno also has some GPS/Display systems that "look" about the same but I never really looked at them in detail. You would have to redo your network a little if you go that route instead of the Raystar 125 route. Check out the Furuno website and you'll see them. Not sure of the cutout size.

 

[370Dancer]

The big picture that was posted is what stretched out the thread. I have a similar issue, in that my 398 crapped out, and I use a 120 hooked directly to the Rl80CRC now, so I am looking to fill that void as well. What I'd really like is to find some after market something that does engine monitoring on my Gen IV Mercruisers, or perhaps run oil pressure and temp for the genny up to this spot. What will probably happen, is I'll have a new dash panel made (along with the others), and rearrange the pieces I have.

 

[Pseudomind]

Thanks Gary

That is basically all I was using it for, but for me it is not the GPS, but the Nav unit itself. It works when you can get it to turn on (Power up that is). usually the only way to accomplish this is to remove the dozen or so screws from the dash, lean the dash forward and jiggle the power cable or maybe even just push in on the seatalk cable. Now go back and press the power on button and it powers up, maybe. It has a new power cable as well as a new Seatalk junction/splitter box

I am going to look into the Furuno unit in the link you sent. As things are presently configured, the chart plotter will not receive a fix unless the Nav 300 is powered on. That is being changed for sure with what ever fix I come up with for this issue

Thanks

The electronics shop here at the marina has an older predecessor to the Ray Nav 300 or else on older Ray Nav 300 which has two circuit boards, compared to mind which only has one circuit board. But hey, why would I want to spend some amount of money on something even older then the current Ray Nav 300?

 

[osd9]

Dear Mod...can we get a re-size on the photo here please?

 

[Four Suns]

As things are presently configured, the chart plotter will not receive a fix unless the Nav 300 is powered on. That is being changed for sure with what ever fix I come up with for this issue

That's because the GPS chipset (the smarts) is actually in the RN 300 display unit and the antenna is just an external antenna with a coax connection. The Raystar 125 has the smarts built into the antenna and the wires coming out are actually NMEA/Seatalk network connections... so

 

[osd9]

..Removed big picture.

Thanks

 

[osd9]

If you do get a Raystar 125, you don't have to hook it up to the RN300. You can hook it up to your Seatalk bus...anywhere. The back of your RL80 would be a good place or a Seatalk junction box would be even better. The 125 needs power and it's best to have the power switched and fussed.

 

[Pseudomind]

I am going to look at this some more Raymarine A60 judging by the template I just might be able to get it to work, it comes with a Raystar GPS 12 antenna

The template is the third link down

A60 Template

 

[osd9]

Here's a pic of my 380DA electronics:

Here is the schematic off the connections:

 

[Pseudomind]

Very nice, I like your schematic:smt038

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

As I type this, Scott Cambra from Vector LED is making me new dash panels, so I am removing the RN300 and replacing it with the brand new Raymarine A50. For my setup, I have an ICOM 604 VHF and a Tridata, so the A60 would not quite fit- but the new A50 will fit fine. I also have an E80 that will continue to serve as my "main" plotter. I will post some pics when it's done.

Brian

 

[osd9]

......I am removing the RN300 and replacing it .....

Pseudomind might be interested in your old RN300.....:grin:

 

[mawyatt]

Thanks Gary

That is basically all I was using it for, but for me it is not the GPS, but the Nav unit itself. It works when you can get it to turn on (Power up that is). usually the only way to accomplish this is to remove the dozen or so screws from the dash, lean the dash forward and jiggle the power cable or maybe even just push in on the seatalk cable. Now go back and press the power on button and it powers up, maybe. It has a new power cable as well as a new Seatalk junction/splitter box

I am going to look into the Furuno unit in the link you sent. As things are presently configured, the chart plotter will not receive a fix unless the Nav 300 is powered on. That is being changed for sure with what ever fix I come up with for this issue

Thanks

The electronics shop here at the marina has an older predecessor to the Ray Nav 300 or else on older Ray Nav 300 which has two circuit boards, compared to mind which only has one circuit board. But hey, why would I want to spend some amount of money on something even older then the current Ray Nav 300?

Sounds like you have a loose connection to/from the unit, or a possible loose connection or solder joint inside the unit. I've seen this many times on all sorts of electronics. Usually a very carefull inspection of the circuit boards with a magnifing glass will show the bad solder joint, check around the connectors soldered in the circuit board first.

 

[wingless]

Second try...

This image shows the two custom dash panels I fabricated out of white Starboard.

One is around the E120, formed like an irregularly shaped cork, to fit into the dash recess. This is required for the E120, as the display is too large to fit the available molded space. The display instead needs to fit on top of the lip. This panel was very time consuming to create, but it fits great.

The other is under the E120. It has the ST-8001 autopilot control and the IC-M602 radio. This one was required to cover the old openings so I could fit the new electronics. This is attached by blind fasteners from the rear.

 

[wingless]

This image shows the factory cutouts, prior to the new electronics and the new custom dash panels.