user friendly -- garmin 3010c or raymarine c120 - The Hull Truth

jessjr · 02-11-2005, 11:54 PM

i currently have a 3010 on my boat and know how to use it enough to my liking. i am having a larger boat made. my boatbuilder is telling me to go with the best electronics on this one. he is advising me to go with raymarine c120. the question how much more difficult is the c120 to operate than the 3010c

Tightline Rod's · 02-12-2005, 05:59 AM

The degree of difficulty is strickly releated to how much time you spend on the instructions... but the C-120 is not a diffacult unit to grasp ...
The brightness of the screen is scary .... the abilty to work with waypoints is also very easy and their is no costly software to purchase... you do it all in an excel spreadsheet......
But their is nothing wrong with the Garmin 3010C ...But it's what you decide that matters If we can assist you please just ask ..

What are you having built?...And welcome to THT ....

John

yachtjim · 02-12-2005, 08:04 AM

Both are very easy to use.* The C120 will give you more flexibility with periphials, like being able to use an open array radar for example.* For normal operation, route making, etc I doubt you will need the manual for either of them, both are very intuitive.

swamppro · 02-12-2005, 09:06 AM

The Raymarine C120 is a very popular unit. They are very easy to use, have a very bright screen, expandable, and more. If you go with the C120, I recommend you go with a full Raymarine system. The raymarine network is a very fine suite and I know many people here will agree.

Mumblerone · 02-12-2005, 09:09 AM

jessjr...the NEW Raymarine E-Series is out.* You should consider that Vs the C-Series.* May as well put the new stuff on the new boat.* Got to SEARCH above and type in E-Series.* Welcome aboard.*

yachtjim · 02-12-2005, 12:59 PM

Yeah, if you want "the best", or the "latest and greatest" as your builder is implying that would be the new E-Series.* Does your new boat have a flybridge or would it benefit from a networked system that could share periphials?

jessjr · 02-12-2005, 01:17 PM

thanks to all for all of the info. please keep it coming. can never have to much info.
i am building a 34 foot GRAVIOS. if you lived in south Louisiana you would know what i am talking about.
it is a 34 foot deep vee aluminium center console, foam filled, self bailing deck, tuna door on the transom.
these boats are made with 3/16 & 1/4 inch alum throughout. the toughest boat i know of. it is also economically priced. this boat on a triple axle aluminium trailer, c120 raymarine gps, 4w raydome, fishfinder,
transducer, xm radio, head, choice of merc, yam, or honda 4 stroke 225s or 250s for about $125,000.00.
the waiting list is about 8 months long. he does not take a deposit to be on the list and when the boat is ready if you back out of the deal he doesn't care. the boat will be sold within 24 hours. i already have a
GRAVIOS 24 foot bay boat that is about 4 years old, but wanted to go to the next step. this boat should be ready in about 2 months. HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ANTICIPATION.

fishrman · 02-12-2005, 01:22 PM

The e series is incredible got to use one last weekend that my rep had much brighter and the video is very cool the best feature besides the 4 video ins (or 2 s video) is the video out capabilities. There is also an interface so the m1500 and keyboard can be used as a second or third station . The price of the E 120 will be very reasonable compared to some of its competators like northstar and Furuno all the functions remain the same as the c series the unit is extreamly easy to navigate.