Marine Electronics Forum - Integrating a Northstar 958 to another Northstar unit

Primary unit at the helm is a Northstar 958 with gps, chart and sonar functions. I'm wondering if I can install another Northstar (958 or 6000) in the tower and have all 3 functions from the primary unit displayed on the tower unit as well, and how is it done? I'm trying to avoid having to install a second set of transducers and antennas.
Thanks in advance!
Peter

Sure you can! 6000 won't work but yes on another 958. And I'm going to shamelessly plug an auction that ends tonight in case you want a screamin' deal on a 958:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170823240104?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

On how to integrate, reference the installation manual, which can be found here:
http://mediabase.edbasa.com/kunder/navico/download.php?object_id=navidoc~67385164&f=/images/TIBE/device/navico/library/navidoc/navidoc/navidoc/j2009/m07/t21/0002260_2.pdf&fc=NS958_GM958IM_REV_A1.pdf&user=northadmin&group=northstar_admin&type=download

Jump to Page 35 of the PDF (31 of the installation manual).
The tricky thing is the interface cable that must be fabricated. I'll be happy to make one for you to whatever length you need, figure anywhere from $60 to $75 extra for the custom interface cable, we would knock $20 off of that if you bought the 958 from us:grin:

Whether you buy from us or not, I hope this information answers some questions and helps you out.:thumbsup:

The only thing Max's cable will do is transfer waypoints between units. It will not share sounder, chart, and radar data. The 958 does have a VGA output port that will allow you to mirror the the 958's screen to a computer type monitor, but you will have no control from the remote. The 958 is controllable from an IR remote and you can set up a remote IR receiver at the second station that will allow gore remote access to the 958.
You can buy Max's 958 as a spare, however, it will not work as a networked second station. The newer 6000 and 6100 series are networkable and can be setup with multiple displays.
Steve Irwin
Island Marine Services
1003 Seaway Dr.
Ft. Pierce , Fl. 34949
Www.islandmarinetech.com
866-468-9231

Whats a cost effective way of getting a second unit in the tower without having to change out the existing transducer and gps antenna?

I stand way corrected :trout:

Only thing you can do then is run a 1201 or 1202 as a repeater

The 958 was my favorite NorthStar product, but now it's time to upgrade. You have to special order the charts from Navionics, they are expensive, and you need a lot of them to cover a large area.
Install the brand of your choice, they are all good these days, and most are networkable. There may even be a way to use your existing transducer.

That's what I'd like to know, can I plug n play with existing ducer into a new unit? North star or otherwise?

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, again, I believe the northstar transducers that were compatible with the 490-S, 490-D, and 491 sounder modules are not compatible with any of the newer stuff. You could upgrade to a 6000i or 6100i and keep the radar and sounder and get dual station capability, but manufacturer support for them is virtually non-existent (makes Raymarine's flat rate repair program look like the Dollar Store) and dwindling fast - and they have a chronic keypad issue when used in an open helm situation (rather than an indoor helm). It's all risk vs. reward - you could pick up two units and everything you need to network them + a chart card for around 2k, sell the 958 for $400-$500, and net out around $1500 and spend the next several years putting bandaids on the issues that will arise with the system, or do what Island Marine is suggesting and get rid of everything and start anew.

Well you guys have given me some good food for thought. Radar is a furuno, so that would stay. Maybe I will switch to all Furuno.

Not a bad idea. Let us know the model number of the radar. If it's a CRT, certain CRT Furuno radars are compatible with the Navnet VX1 and VX2 series.

I think it is CRT. It's old school, with a sun screen and no color.