Electronic Recommendations

[Daddy Mackarel]

I am back in business - I sold my Proline 251 in 2005 due to having a second child and now that my kids are growing up, I again pulled the trigger and bought a demo 2520XL with a Yamaha 250. I have always been impressed when fishing offshore here in San Diego/Northern Mex and seeing those awesome Parkers out with the big boys. Anyhow, the boat is essentially new and I am starting to plan on rigging the electronics. It comes with a C80 with GPS/DSM and a cheapo VHF but nothing else.

I just read the post about Raymarine financial issues which bums me out since I had been planning on going all Raymarine. Can I use a C80 or 90 or an E80 with my current DSM/GPS? My guess is that I would need two separate systems and couldn't interconnect C with C or C with E. If so, suppose I can go with any brand product. Any suggestions for:

*autopilot (prefer one with remote) - I had Raymarine 5001 I think in past which worked well. Would want flux and hydraulic steering

*RADAR - I had a low end Furuno which wasn't so great

*second VHF - something that can display lat/long and hook up via NMEA with my C80. Do you suggest getting a totally separate antennae? Don't know if I can use one antennae for two VHF's (or if I should)

Thanks!
Matt

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

Just reviewed previous post on electronics - so guess my question would be someone's overall advise for a SYSTEM (since I already have the C80)and advise on a autopilot -thanks. Getting used to this awesome site.

 

[Brian S]

Just reviewed previous post on electronics - so guess my question would be someone's overall advise for a SYSTEM (since I already have the C80)and advise on a autopilot -thanks. Getting used to this awesome site.

I have the c-80 with the s1000 auto pilot. Had them for 2.5 years, no problems and everything has been excellent. Only downfall with s1000 is it does not control throttle, have not needed that so for me it works great and has the wireless remote. I believe I have the raymarine 125 gps, dsm 300 and 4kw radar too plus the sirius marine weather.

If I could do it over again, I would get the e90 widescreen and the interphase forward looking sonar.

 

[TunaJoe]

I have te same set up as Triple Limits, Except I have the E 80. VHF is Icom 504
Plan on getting a S1000 AP.
Been very happy with my setup.

 

[MaxOut]

See my signature...Love the Raymarine. They are in financial trouble but I don't think they are going anywere. I am pretty sure even if they are aquired by Garmin they will keep there product line.

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

Cool - I do like Raymarine. I have a C80 on a little skiff and it works great. I will look into the E80/4KW setup. I think that is digital. Does anyone know if I would need a second GPS antennae??? Do you use overlay GPS/RADAR??? That would be awesome. I suppose it doesn't hurt to have GPS redundancy........

 

[B-Faithful]

Overlay is nice when radar isnt critical. However when running at night or in the fog, viewing radar alone is best. Radar is more instant than the plotter, which places you on the chart just after you have done something. With Raymarine, you will need a heading sensor for overlay.

 

[pmeggers]

Overlay is nice when radar isnt critical. However when running at night or in the fog, viewing radar alone is best. Radar is more instant than the plotter, which places you on the chart just after you have done something. With Raymarine, you will need a heading sensor for overlay.

If you actually need the radar due to fog or not, you gotta have it on its own...no matter how cool the overlay display is it is just not the same...

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

Yeah, I just saw the device required from overlay from Raymarine - probably not worth the $ for me. Usually, I fish offshore so overlay isn't too critical.

Went to West Marine today for an hour or two.

I'm thinking about a C90W with a 24 mile 4KW digital Radar with Platinum Navionics charts. This would be above and then use my C80 in the dash with DSM. I would then have redundancy for GPS. Since the C90W has a built in GPS sensor, I wouldn't have to buy another antennae. I'd probably just use the C80 for sounder and temp and maybe GPS when the radar is on.

Question: can you integrate a C80 and C90W??? Eg. pull sounder info off the C80 and view it on the C90W. Maybe I should call Raymarine - unless someone knows..........

 

[Brian S]

Yeah, I just saw the device required from overlay from Raymarine - probably not worth the $ for me. Usually, I fish offshore so overlay isn't too critical.

Went to West Marine today for an hour or two.

I'm thinking about a C90W with a 24 mile 4KW digital Radar with Platinum Navionics charts. This would be above and then use my C80 in the dash with DSM. I would then have redundancy for GPS. Since the C90W has a built in GPS sensor, I wouldn't have to buy another antennae. I'd probably just use the C80 for sounder and temp and maybe GPS when the radar is on.

Question: can you integrate a C80 and C90W??? Eg. pull sounder info off the C80 and view it on the C90W. Maybe I should call Raymarine - unless someone knows..........

Yes, they should be integrated via the seatalk cable

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

OK, thanks.

 

[finfish1]

In the process of acquiring the same exact package as you.
I am used to seperate units. comes with c80. s6001 ap
I am going to install my garmin 2006, and the 8" furuno ff 58something, so I have independent constant screens. And, so when needed I can have the radar full screen.Also I'll have all my fishing wpts, etc .
I'll install a airmax thru hull,as well as my favorite floscan.
Finfish1
RI

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

Sounds good - congrats! Where are you at and where is your boat coming from?

I heard rumor that Raymarine may have been bought out - not Garmin but maybe Flur or something like that. I asked the tech support at Raymarine and had no comment.

Put in the bait tank last week and tower right now. Need to move everything on the roof once the tower is done, get spreader lights and take a breath. I think I am going to get the windlass next and then buy the electronics. My buddy who does marine electronic installations is trying to convince me to put in a C120W or C140W in the dash and ditch the C80. WOuld be easier if it fits but I am used to multiscreen set ups. Thinking about that deal. The $1K rebate on the C140W helps but I think i will hold off for a month or two

 

[finfish1]

Hey Daddy Mackarel.
I fish out of Pt.Judith, R.I.
The boat is coming from Conn., the week after next when they can get it in the water do to the weather.
Will post pics next month.
Are you on the west coast?
I'm bitting on the bullet waiting to close and start rigging for fishing!!

 

[Daddy Mackarel]

Yep, out here is San Diego. Putting on a tuna tower this week and windlass on Friday. Getting closer to being set up. Boat rides great from what I could tell on my sea trial. El Nino should make things interesting this year for us (warmer water, more pelagics, etc)