Raymarine E series vs C series -- Opinions?

[sow&pigs]

I'm trying to decide between Raymarine's E series which offers a 3D bottom "picture" and the C series, which doesn't. Is the E series worth the extra thousand bucks? More like $1400 over the C series, once you add in the chip, which is about $400 for the E instead of $180 for the C.

Anybody used either one yet?

[WEAKFISH]

I haven't used either, but from what I've heard is that the only real advantage of the E series is that it can be used for multi stations where the C can't.

[John_Madison CT]

I think it depends on your application and the weight of your pocket book. If you fish waters that do not have many steep deep breaks, I hear from quite a few guys that the 3d charts aren't all that great, but my opinion is not from first hand experience.

Also, if you're not networking, I don't see why you need to spend the money. The C series has a very bright screen by itself.

[joe j]

I just went through the same thought process and decided to use the 1400.00 for the radar that otherwise would have had to wait. The other thing to think about is that if you fish NJ there is a break in the charts around Shark River inlet so you may actually need to buy two different chips.

[ufg8rmike]

The overlays and 3-D maps sure look cool, however...how often are the changing conditions and 3-D bottom, aerial photos, etc updated? Probably not until the next generation chip comes out??
I haven't looked into the E series in depth and have similar questions as to if the E-series is worth the extra $$.

[Ronin1]

I went through the thought process and decided that I would get the latest( E series), so i wouldn't be saying "I should have got the..." That said, it's cool to use the features, but the C series would have been perfectly adequate.

[fishcop]

Well I bought c-series last year and now with the advent of weather capability for the e-series, I'm regreting my decesion.

[cbrowning]

I have 2 C-80's and I have found that the biggest thing you sacrifice by choosing the C series over the E series is the 3D charts and the seamless network integration.

Regarding the charts, I've seen them first-hand and they definitely look great and are good for impressing your fishing buddies. I can't contribute anything useful on the practicality of the 3D charts from a fishing point-of-view as I don't have them and haven't discussed how they have been found useful for fishing by anyone that does have them. However, the 3D charts also include detailed pictures of what marinas look like from sea which I've heard can be useful if you travel to a marina that you are not familiar with then they can helpful with getting an accurate visual of the land so that you can recognize somewhere you've never been before. I talked to a buddy that used the 3D pictures when finding a bait shop during a tournament that they traveled to ... he said is was kind of neat. My opinion is that the 3D features are personal decision based on your goals and your pocketbook.

I find that the seamless network integration is a much more significant feature difference. If you have two (or more) E series displays you can at any time set a display to show whatever function you like ... radar, fishfinder, chart plotter, engine gauges, video, etc., or a combination of any. This is not true for the C series. If you chose to get two C series, then you would dedicate one display to chartplotter/ radar and then you would dedicate the second display to the fishfinder. If you went with the E series, you can display whatever you want on either display (or I should say "any" display if you chose to get more than 2). Whether or not this is a feature you would use is a personal decision based on what you like.

Another feature that the seamless networking of the E series gives you is complete integration of the displays with regards to waypoints. By this I mean that if you run over a spot that you see on your fishfinder and you mark that spot with a waypoint, then you can instantly access that waypoint on your other display that is functioning as a chartplotter and navigate to that spot.

This functionality is available with the C series, it just takes a few more button pushes to move the waypoints from one display to another (via NMEA). With the C series, once you mark a spot on your display that is dedicated as a fishfinder, then you have to go to your chart plotter and hit Data -> Archive and Transfer -> Transfer on NMEA -> Receive on NMEA. And then on your fishfinder you have to hit Data -> Archive and Transfer -> Transfer on NMEA -> Send on NMEA. This will copy all of your waypoints from your fishfinder over to your chart plotter and then allow you to GOTO the spot you just marked. It sounds like more work than it is ... it's quick and painless, but just a few more button pushes with the C series than with the E series.

Finally, a the E series supports video input so if you have any intention of installation a camera or another video source then the E series would be the way to go.

Good luck and I hope at least some of this was helpful.

-Chris

[Fever Mike]

I have 2 E-120's on my boat and if you have the extra cash go for it. The ONLY problem I have with Raymarine is the fact there tracks feature (breadcrumbs) does not work as well as Garmin. I have heard there is an update coming soon though. Other than that the E series is a serious piece of gear!

[sow&pigs]

Guys,

Thanks for all the input. Since my boat (25' Parker Sport Cabin) doesn't really need a second station application, I'm leaning towards the C. Then again, as Ronin1 said, maybe I should go with the E now so that I'm not wishing I had next year. Since I fish off shore, south of Block and Nantucket, the weather feature is important. Maybe I should just flip a coin. 'Course, if I go with the E I won't have a coin left to flip

Thanks again.

[Sawdust]

I use both the C and E -- the C 80 is excellent for my use, but the E-80 is a superior gadget. Brighter screen, much faster loading pages, plus the added input capabilities. Depends on the wallet IMO. I would definitely go for the E series if the green machine can handle it.

Dusty

[mtcfish]

Three words of advice... E...E....E...!!!

[roaddogg4040]

Just remember that as Raymarine just came out with the Weather feature for the E series they might come out with other features that are for the E series only too. The E screen is noticably brighter that the C also. This might bring out the flamers but it is just what I have noticed.

Steve

[wkearney99]

Ok, so my new boat comes with the C-80. How swappable is the E-80? And what, if any, options might I have to trade out this unused C-80? I really don't want to have to shell out for a whole other E-80 without getting some sort of value out of my C-80.

That and if the dealer's including a Navionics Gold XL3 chip, can I use that in the E-80? Or does the E-80 only support the Platinum chips?

[Cooper]

I bought an e80 instead of a c80 because if the nmea 2000 support. But apparently a new software update will enable nmea 2000 on the c80. Oh well.

[thataway]

Both the E and C will use the Navionics Gold XL3 chip.