Pls advise: Chartplotter/Radar Combo

[pshovy]

I tried numerous searches on THT with not much luck to find an ideal chartplotter/radar combination recommendation.

I have a 2001 23' Hydra Sports Center Console with a Garmin GPS 126 and Raytheon Fishfinder and fish in Nantucket Sound where the fog can roll in quickly. I am looking for advice for purchasing a chartplotter and radar but still keep the Garmin GPS as backup if the other unit goes down while on a trip.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Paul

[jtburf]

You have several options one is a JRC 1800 CP due back on the market shortly

Furuno has the Navnet line a higher cost setup

Raymarine still has the C-Series along with their older
RL70RC Plus System:
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/P...&product_id=54


John

[SWFLNavigation]

Look at the Furuno 1824 and the 1834 radar systems. These VX2 2 & 4kw radar dome systems have great preformance and their plotter are much better than a JRC in my opinion. Furuno has authorized repair center all over the US if you ever need it as well. JRC, all you have is the factory. The Raymarine line is very good as well. YOu might also want to look at SI-TEX Marine, they have really come into their own lately..

[Big E]

I'd have to question what "coming into their own" would mean in regard to SI-TEX.

They are oh-for-2 with 2 of my friends. They DO NOT include wiring diagrams with color codes for installation. Had to call tech support with pencil and paper in hand.

When the LCD screen crapped and went black, it took almost 5 weeks to get it back although after 3 weeks he was told "it's going out tomorrow" a half dozen times.

I've said it before: "They ain't your father's SI-TEX anymore!".

BTW- One of the guys is a retired charter captain that learned on SI-TEX paper machines and was a fan of theirs.

[pshovy]

Thanks. I went to the link you provided. Is it easy to use or do you need to be a PHD? I understand that it does radar and chartplotting together but it also has fishfinding built in. Are there any units without that or should I sell yank my existing fishfinder? Also, do you know if this unit can be mounted in a electronics box nuder a t top or only flush mounted?

Thanks again
paul

[inaforty]

Hi Paul,
I'm not familiar with other brands but I can tell you that we have the Garmin 3010C and think it is great. We have the 2K radar unit and also the sounder unit. The radar overlay on the chartplotter is awesome for someone like me that has very limited time using a radar.

[jtburf]

pshovy - 9/29/2005 5:24 PM


Thanks. I went to the link you provided. Is it easy to use or do you need to be a PHD? I understand that it does radar and chartplotting together but it also has fishfinding built in. Are there any units without that or should I sell yank my existing fishfinder? Also, do you know if this unit can be mounted in a electronics box nuder a t top or only flush mounted?

Thanks again
paul

No PHD needed matter of fact Raymarine is very user friendly...
The problem is not many simple units left on the Market in Combo Plotter/radar only with out having to drop a large amount of funds..

On the one I linked you don't have to use the Fish Finder option but it is a high quality unit!...


John

[pshovy]

can you give me any more insight to the garmin?

paul

[Elusive]

The RL70RC is a monochrome unit. OK for Radar, but I would go color for chart and/or FF. The RL70CRC is the color version. IMO it doesn't make sense to buy old technology unless budget is a factor. An RL70CRC is about $1k. A C80 which is current technology (not leading edge like E series) gives you a 8.5" screen instead of 7" (big difference) and is about $1.5k. The C70 (7" display) is about $1.2k. With any display you still have to add the dome, GPS ant, FF module & 'ducer

[inaforty]

Paul
I'm not sure what kind of insight you are looking for. We have the 3010c with the 2Kw radar, sounding unit, with the chartplotter. The unit is pretty much plug and play.The display unit of what Garmin calls MFD (multi function display) will show a chartplotter or sounder display or highway mode or radar or a combination of selected pages. The radar unit can be used as an overlay or with it own page not showing the chartplotter. Hope this helps. Barry

[LadyK]

I'll second the JRC 1800CP. I have one and am VERY happy with it. They're pretty easy to find on the net and at $1650 or so a GREAT deal!

[Eyeball]

Garmin products always seem to come up a little short for me, one way or the other. I also think they are way over priced for what you get. I guess I am not the only one that feels that way anymore. From the current issue of Powerboat Reports’ evaluation of networking nav stuff:

… Garmin “falls short on radar options and sounder performance.”

I think Garmin’s handheld GPS are ok, some of their GPS/FRS has had probs with leaking. The rest of their marine products line doesn’t impress me, and for what it costs, Furuno is always an option. That pretty much makes it a no-brainer for me.

[pshovy]

Thanks guys..I bought a RayMarine C120 Chartplotter/Radar with a 2kx (24nm) range antennae. I also bought the digital sounder and transponder.

Its a beautiful screen and I found a dealer to convert my T top electronics box into a flush mounted electronics holder for my C120 and vhf radio.

Hovy