Raymarine "E" or "C" - The Hull Truth

offshorebri · 12-29-2005, 06:02 PM

Hey Guys, I will be getting new electronics for the new boat and I need to know if the "E" series display from Raymarine is worth the extra 1200 bucks over the "C" series display. I wont be using any on board cameras, I am going with the 12 inch display in either case. I will be going with the 36 mile dome for radar, the digital sounder and the DGPS.

Any advice from owners?????

ngirolamo · 12-29-2005, 06:12 PM

A word on Lowrance.

After only 6 months my Lowrance LMS 337 df , gave up,, i was marking some bottom , and all of a sudden the screen went dark ,,cooked..!, took it to my dealer today ,, great people, they sent it to Lowrance for either repair or replace,,BUT only 6 months,, anyone experience the same problems with the LMS 337 ? Voltage on the boat was great ,, steady and at the gauge about 13 .2 volts, fuse was not popped, just quit working,,Glad i was close to the inlet,, I had both kids with me, and was grateful i was not offshore, and would have to use only the compass.. Should have bought a Garmin ???? Furuno Raymarine This is my first Lowrance product.

Elusive · 12-29-2005, 06:13 PM

Major differences b/t E & C Series:

E is networkable. Will you have more than 1 screen ?

E can use the Navionics Platinum Cartography. Is this important to you from a navigation (aerial shots) or fishing (3-D) perspective ?

E can accept video. Do you want to interface to a camera, onboard video system or computer ?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, then you want an E120. Otherwise the C120 is a fine display

ubettcha13 · 12-29-2005, 06:14 PM

The Platinum chip is only avail on the E that is a major difference

melton7a · 12-29-2005, 06:48 PM

I believe the E screens are also a bit brighter than the C screens, although my C 80 is plenty bright.

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Art

disantoda · 12-29-2005, 06:51 PM

I just purchased two c120 displays for my 3370 pursuit. I considered the E series, but could not justify the additional cost. I do not use video, and didn't need the 3d cartography.

Although the technology is very very cool, I chose to spend the extra bucks on an OPEN ARRAY radar. You may want to consider doing the same.

JMHO Dave

disantoda · 12-29-2005, 06:54 PM

one other thing, if you bottom fish, get the 1000 watt transducer.

John_Madison CT · 12-29-2005, 08:19 PM

The E Series do offer brighter screens, but unless you are networking, you don't need to spend the extra cost. I own the C120 and thing the screen is plenty bright. Pocket the difference and upgrade your radar, or buy an autopilot !

delmar · 12-29-2005, 10:00 PM

re: lowrance - i have a 337c, my second lowrance, first was a 350, never had a problem

Fever Mike · 12-29-2005, 10:53 PM

Either are great. I had some extra $$$ so i went with the brighter screen on the E-120. I have the 24" Raydome, digital sounder, basically everything except Auto Pilot. I love the system so far.

81 CC SEAOX 23' · 12-30-2005, 12:03 AM

Other than being plug and play components I got the E Series for the Platinum Chip ability for 3-D on the bottom. I want to find fresh places to fish!!

Skiboat Dave · 12-30-2005, 07:33 AM

Did you all with the E system have it installed? I am pricing out this system for my Polar.

For the 12" screen, radar dome, gps, fish finder all intalled,,,I am figuring about 5 grand.

Is that right?

fishcop · 12-30-2005, 07:56 AM

Just found out the other day that Raymarine is supposed to be coming out with sattelite weather for the e-series at the Miami show. Might want to wait and see if that comes to fruition. I have the 2 c-80's, but if they have weather coming out I will switch at least one to an e series