*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you get rid of him on the weekend.
Once I sell my Bertram, I'm getting a new cat, probably a worldcat 320ec. Anyway, I'm already looking at new electronics. I love my Garmin network for GPS chartplotter and XM weather. Radar is so-so. Sounder is subpar. I love Garmin for GPS and ease of waypoint manipulation on my computer...and ease of use. I thing I'll get the Garmin 4212 with XM weather.
I can't decide between the Raymarine E120 network or the Furuno Navnet with radar/sounder/backup GPS. I love my Raymarine HD fishfinder, never had their radar. I had a Furuno radar and it was excellent, and I've heard their fish finder is great also.
Anyone have comments good/bad on Raymarine radar and autopilot, and on Furuno Navnet radar and black box sounder?
I've searched the site extensively, and I'm not looking to start an argument between the Raymarine and Furuno crowds. Hopefully someone has experience with the E120 network, the Furuno Navnet, and the Garmin network. Thanks.
cldomson, I have the RM E-120 on my 23 Reg. I really like the machine. FF is incredible, Radar (I had 4kw radome) worked fine for me. I only used it for collision avoidence. The chartplotter is OK. Seems RM have a problem with an occasional screen fade. The screen will fade then come right back. I have read a few having that probleml. Mine did that too occasionally. I was overall happy with the unit. I have the 23 under contract and now need to rerig my 26 Reg (old electronics). I too have the same questions as you but am hesitant to go with another brand as the RM FF was awesome. Since I mostly Tuna fish these days that is very important. I am deciding between the RM, Furuno, and Simrad. However if I had to do it right now I'd go with RM. I will wait until the local boat show to demo some units. That RM FF is going to be hard to beat.
__________________ Capt. Don
26 Regulator - BEAR
BEAR Sportfishin LLC
Always the BEAR, never the Salmon!
Been going thru the same thing. Came very close to pulling the trigger on the Ray E-80 w/ radar at the boatshow, but then deiced to wait and see what new came out right before spring. Well since then Furuno has added Sirius weather but only seems to work with c-map charts not navionics.
I have had less than average experience with Ray and excellent experience with Furuno and leaning that way, because although I like all the bells and whistles on the Ray, I like that the Furuno just works, day in day out. My current Furuno radar and sounder are 18 years old and work great, just looking to update.
On that note, the new Garmin suff looks very interesting. Still not sure on their radar or sounders though.
Keep us updated like to hear what you decide and why.
I'm in the same boat as you guy's, just purchased a 33 Blackfin and updating all her electronics. I was seriously considering Garmin GPS but I think I'm going for all Furuno now dual MU120C 12" screens, blackbox, 1kw ducer, 6kw radar. All networked, That is why I ruled out Garmin.
I have E120 & 80 screens on my Mako not a bad unit but as allot of people have said they are realy quarky, my FF screen just freezes from time to time. It realy anoys the crap out of me, but as many people I've talked to good old Furuno just works day in day out very reliable.
If the Raymarine radar is close to the Furuno radar quality, I would lean towards the Raymarine because of the awesome HD FF and the ability to watch TV on the screen. Also, is the Raymarine blackbox sounder as good as the stand alone units??
If I didn't want a separate head unit down below, I'd probably get stand-alone Raymarine fishfinder and Furuno radar. But I also love the radar overlay on the charts with my old Garmin. Its all a little confusing...I really wish they would just get together and make them compatible.
Then I would have the Garmin GPS/XM weather/Raymarine sounder/Furuno Radar/Kvh satTV/TR1 autopilot/video cameras and two 12-15 inch screens networked together........someday.
We are building a new boat, and are waiting for install to see the new f and G series RM. We also have Nobeltec on Lapt., and run their weather. Either an F or G will be in Pilothouse, with an E80 up above. Ray Radar, and Simr. Auto with wireless remote. All systems bluetoothed to phone and flat screens throughout boat. We are waiting though for the intro at the Fla. show to make sure all is what they say. If not an E120 is going in PH.
I had a Raymarine C120 on my last boat. Absolutely loved the FF, detail was incredible. I have always been a Furuno man and heard great things about the Navnet and have used it a few times on buddies boats and for ease of use its incredible. For someone looking for the best chart plotter the Northstars are the BEST, but their FF display is way behind the RM and Furuno. Just depends on what you are really looking to use. I could never trust a chart plotter, just used it to guide me in the right direction.
My opinion
Raymarine, fishfinder and radar are great, but the chartplotter SUCKS!!!
I'll take my Garmin chartplotter over raymarine and furuno anyday!!!
Furuno, fishfinders and radar are great
__________________ Capt. Raider Ronnie
Black Hull Charters
Team Ave Maria
I am also in the enviable position of outfitting my boat. Very proud new owner of an '86 26' Tollycraft sedan.
Just wondering why you guys didn't consider the Humminbird 987c? They are on my list mainly for the ability to side scan. Do they stand with this group?
Same issue, new boat not sure about electronics, I have room for 2-10" units @ helm & would like to repeat info in the tower w/1-10" unit. I had a Northstar 6000i on my last boat & loved it for a plotter but here that their other equipment falls short. I like Furuno for radar & FF, just afraid that I will not like their plotter. Ditto with Simrad, besides the additional learning curve to run their units.
I thought 10" 6000i & 10 Navnet @ helm, 6" 6000i & 10" Navnet in tower, a little extra $$ but Northstar plotter. Furuno radar & finder, and Furuno plotter as a backup.
Jim at BOE says furuno suk for a chartplotter just a heads up Big
I wouldn't go that far. Their plotters is just fine. Their radar and FishFinders are very good.
Quote:
yachtjim - 12/26/2006 1:11 PM
Wow, I would have to write a book to cover the pros and cons of all four systems you have descibed. Price for any of them is going to be pretty close equally equipped. Here is what most consider to be the scoop - Furuno is best for radar, Raymarine best for FF, and Garmin best for gps. Taking into account all three operations Raymarine and Simrad shine as being pretty good across the board. The worst chartplotter is Furuno and the worst FF and Radar is Garmin. (mind you, I would be perfectly content on a boat with any of these setups so the differences are minor as far as I am concerned). For construction Furuno is #1, ray and simrad # 2 and garmin # 4. Ease of use across the board would put Garmin at #1, Ray #2 and Fur/Simrad at #4.
This same question has been asked here MANY times, so do a search for plenty of first hand info from users. I would be happy to provide you with a quote but let first narrow down your decision somewhat. I'd be happy to anser any more Q's after your search.
Furuno Chartplotters dont suck IMO. There are nowhere near as easy to work as a Garmin but are not the bottom of the barrel. Every brand has its strong and weak points. I personally run a Garmin 3010C with XM Weather and a Furuno FCV-582L Bottom finder. If I had to do it again I would have a Furuno 10.4, Weather Worx XM weather sytems and radar.
Jim at BOE says furuno suk for a chartplotter just a heads up Big
I wouldn't go that far. Their plotters is just fine. Their radar and FishFinders are very good.
Quote:
yachtjim - 12/26/2006 1:11 PM
Wow, I would have to write a book to cover the pros and cons of all four systems you have descibed. Price for any of them is going to be pretty close equally equipped. Here is what most consider to be the scoop - Furuno is best for radar, Raymarine best for FF, and Garmin best for gps. Taking into account all three operations Raymarine and Simrad shine as being pretty good across the board. The worst chartplotter is Furuno and the worst FF and Radar is Garmin. (mind you, I would be perfectly content on a boat with any of these setups so the differences are minor as far as I am concerned). For construction Furuno is #1, ray and simrad # 2 and garmin # 4. Ease of use across the board would put Garmin at #1, Ray #2 and Fur/Simrad at #4.
This same question has been asked here MANY times, so do a search for plenty of first hand info from users. I would be happy to provide you with a quote but let first narrow down your decision somewhat. I'd be happy to anser any more Q's after your search.
Where does he say that the Furuno plotter "suks"? Here's what he said:
Quote:
The worst chartplotter is Furuno and the worst FF and Radar is Garmin. (mind you, I would be perfectly content on a boat with any of these setups so the differences are minor as far as I am concerned).
So the Garmin must really "suk" by your interpretation of Jim's comments, as they come last in two categories.
I have the NAVNet 1 and find the plotter to be perfectly adequate - in fact I prefer it over the Garmin units I have used on other boats. I have also used the NAVNet 2 with the C-MAP Max charts and have not seen anything better than that.
So you say it "suks", not Jim. He clearly qualifies his opinion in his post by admitting that he would be happy with any of the manufacturers as he sees the differences as being minor. Nowhere does he say that any of them "suk".
garmin raymarine furuno 
2004 Carolina Classic 25
