Marine Electronics Forum - Radar,Chartpoltter,Gps.....Seatalk

ok guy's I'm really new to these so bare with me .... Birdman you spoke of the Raymarine RL70 series
http://tht.sunfx.net/jtburf/product_rl_70_rc.jpg
and I'll couple it to a closed araay
http://tht.sunfx.net/jtburf/304415-16.jpg
ok now can I simply add the Gps Wass antenna
http://tht.sunfx.net/jtburf/303032raystar.jpg
and have my Radar,Chartplotter and GPS that's wass ready and it all be linked via SeaTalk communication? Is it simply that easy?....Thanks for you time ....John

now that is a great way to ask a complex question only problem is I don't have the answer . . . nice post !

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. . . just thinking out loud . . . yes, I'm "Miss-Be-Haven"

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" The only boat without a ding or four, is the one that never gets used!!! "

The Radome has it's own connector into the head unit, not via SeaTalk but a big round one. The GPS WAAS antenna from RayMarine (the RayStar 120, I think) come's in 2 versions. One is NMEA out and the other is SeaTalk. I got the SeaTalk and it's just a matter of screwing a couple of wires into the SeaTalk bus.

So it's Radome --> Special Connector and GPS --> SeaTalk.

BTW - You'll need the RL70RC (the RC means RayChart) if you want to use it as a Chart Plotter. I've got one and really like it but it I had it to do over, I think I'd have saved a little longer for the color unit (RL70CRC), for what it's worth. The mono unit is really tough to see in bright sunlight with polarized glasses on.

Bg it's to be mounted under a T-Top so some shade is there .... I'm not stuck on Mono ...color is with in range ....I'm also finding the combo package listed on line for 3100.00
http://tht.sunfx.net/jtburf/raymarinet52051pack_f.jpg and then I add the domed araay and the Garmin 240B ....what do you think ......John

We have all that in stock for a tad bit less than $3100 ($3099 http://thehulltruth.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif). I agree with color, even though you have a T-Top it will still make a big difference. I think color is one of the most important features of a chartplotter. The only prob with that combo pack is the VHF. Beside that it is a great way to go considering what you are adding to it.

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Jim why not the VHF? ...John

I agree with Jim about the VHF. The RayMarine would be OK for a backup but for the primary I'd got with the Icom 402 as a minimum or something from Standard. It's not that RayMarine makes junk per se but they're not known for their radios. Truth is you could probably sell that Ray VHF on eBay for pretty close to what it would cost to buy an Icom or a Standard and you'd have a much better radio.

If you get that combo, you've got to tell us all if the DSM250 is as great as Birdman keeps saying it is!

Also, if you're going to get that combo, you shouldn't need the Garmin 240B. The DSM250 is Ray's super duper better than anything else in the world digital sounder so the Garmin would be redundant, unless there's some reason you think you need it as well.

ok it look's like the DSM link's right to the radar/plotter and I'll be able to Have one screen and obtain all three? .....john

You got it! And the nice thing is with the HSB2 system, if you decide you want a seperate display for the sounder or the radar or whatever, you just need to get another head unit and hook up the HSB2 cable.

If you go this route and want some help with the installation, let me know. I'd actually like to see that DMS in action.

BG said my thoughts exactly on the VHF.

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Thanks Guy's ...Bg ? why have you not joined us for our Lunch and or Couples night last week?....we are just around the corner from each other I'm in Lakewood Forest ..Grant and Cypresswood....John

I have all Raymarine equiment. RL70, Raynav300, SL620, SL560,ST500+. I have 2 GPS antenna's conected to this system. One is the primary It is the one for the Raynav300. It provides waas position data via seatalk cable to all the equipment. I allso have as a bacup a AUTOHELM Seatalk,GPS and DGPS antenna pluged in to the same network. I will only use this one if for some reason the waas antenna quit working. So I think your question is can you buy a Seatalk antenna and plug it in to the net to get position data on your radar? Yes you can.
ed

jtBurf,
Yes (to your first post). That's it!! And yes, it's that easy. Go for that package deal, that is an amazing deal (wish it was around when I bought my system and paid almost twice as much peice mealing it together. And as mentioned, throw away the VHF in the package, get yourself an Icom M402 or M502 and you'll be very happy.

DEFINITLEY get the COLOR unit. First off, you need the color unit to be able to do Radar overlay (lay the radar data right on top of the chart display). Secondly, it's just a million times easier on the eyes to be looking at a color chart than a b/w one. WELL worth the extra cash, you will look back on and say "Glad I did that!!".

Birdman, Capt of
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BirdMan ...Thanks!!!!!!!!1 ... Also every one else !!!! A Big Thanks .......John

Ok now if I go with the RL70CRC Plus in the value pack and it has the dsm250 , the Raystar 120 wass gps, Ray 215e dsc vhf, I can add the 18" 2KW Dome Araay correct ... replace the Vhf with a Icom520 and still be right at 4100.00 give or take correct?
then All I'll need is a set of Taco Outriggers and I'm there !!!!! how about this are the Taco Adjustable worth the extra money or should I stay with the Fixed Angle?.....JOhn

If only it were that simple....

Now you will also NT+ chips for that fancy plotter. Otherwise it will show you a crude image of the atlantic coast and no real detail. They run about$230 EACH. You will need at least one, and possibly 2 or three if you hang out with birdman (I have 2, if you plan to use those riggers offshore you will also - those bathy charts are to die for).

But wait, you will also need software to work on courses and study routes on your home PC, so you will need a copy of PC Planner NT+ (~$150.00 with a USB reader and ROM card).

And if you want to do radar overlay, you will need a heading sensor. A good one is the KVH autocomp, about $360.

But wait, there's more. Now that you have killer digital soundings, and superdetailed chart info, and radar overlaid, you will need a second larger color display......

And on and on and on........

** yeahah **
http://webpages.charter.net/gnr/wetboat1.jpg

No auto pilot !!!!! so why the Heading sensor?....
for my usage ... Radar is a safety matter....Dsm250 .... well it's to locate the structure I cannot see.... The chart and since it has gpsi'll grab the antenna for unknown navagation area's, and distance along with speed!!!!.. Canot see 1400.00 for pc software.... yet !!!!!and there is only so much room on my console !!!!!!!...Thanks John

you need a heading sensor if you want to overlay radar over a chart. This is a VERY useful and amazing feature. For example, is that blob a buoy or a vessel? is that land or weather? You can see all of that and more when you overlay. But you don't need it. As for the chips, if you don't get at least one all you have is an overpriced GPS. The value comes in being able to see where you are in relation to structure and landmarks.

So no, you don't need the heading sensor or the pc planner software. But do get at least one chip for your area.

** yeahah **
http://webpages.charter.net/gnr/wetboat1.jpg

I agree on the chip .... But after I clear the Pass 1/4 mile from launch .... there is no land due south until you get to mexico !!!!!!... I'll run out of fuel before then ....John .....

Then get the bathometric chip. there is a whole lot of very interesting land if you look straight down......

** yeahah **
http://webpages.charter.net/gnr/wetboat1.jpg

Well funny you should say that ... Part of our Houston Group is Tom Hilton ... who is he you ask ... he produces a detail chart map of the gulf ... out to 100 miles off the coast... marking everything .... left out there ....wreck's ... oil trash ..... you name it it's most likely mark ...
http://tht.sunfx.net/jtburf/Index_-_2.jpg
.... so the Radar keep's me safe in the dark...Fog.... GPS get's me to the sopt!!!! The DSM250 show's me whats swimming down there .......JOhn

Well, have it your way, but if you are paying upwards of $4k for the system, it should at least show you where you are without you having to take a gps shot, and then try to find it manually on a paper chart in a rolling sea.

Just a thunk.

** yeahah **
http://webpages.charter.net/gnr/wetboat1.jpg

I think he did agree he will need a chart, he was just showing a paper chart he also uses, right JT?

Yes, you will definitely need a C-Map NT chart for your area at $200. Make sure you select an NT+ SuperWide chart. Allot of coverage on those.

Yes, you also need the KVH Autocomp 1000 (for ~$400) to connect to you RL70CRC. As mentioned, that allows you to do the Radar overlay. Without it, everything works, but you can't overlay the radar data onto chart. I'd suggest getting it. Your still under $5k. Good to go. http://thehulltruth.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

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Thanks Guys........Yes Bird that's just what I ment ..... JOhn

my bad, misread the post. have fun with the new toys......

** yeahah **
http://webpages.charter.net/gnr/wetboat1.jpg