Simrad ?

[georgedo]

I am considering buying a boat that is equiped with a (05) Simrad CX44-E navigation station. I am not at all familiar with Simrad products and would like some comments about the quality and performance of the unit. All my experience has been with Garmin systems.

[Nomans]

Do a search, this has been covered several times. I have one and they are excellent units. In terms of construction and performance, it is a cut above the Garmin equipment. The sounder is vastly better than the Garmin sounder box and the Simrad radar (especially the open arrays) will also have better performance. The CX44 is a less intuitive to use, however, so it will take you a while to learn it. They use C-Map Max cartography, which you may like less than the Mapsource, but is better in some ways. For what it's worth, the Simrad equipment is quite a bit more costly than the Garmin stuff and somewhat more than Furuno as well.

Do you know which transducer is mounted on the boat? It makes a very big difference. If it does not have a Simrad Combi or an Airmar B260, you should consider replacing the transducer to get the full benefit of the sounder's performance capability. It's a shame to couple that display with a mediocre transducer unless you don't fish much.

[georgedo]

Nomans, thanks for the reply. The transducer is a 1000 watt 2 phase good to 3000ft depth. It is a thru hull that is glassed in. The current owner said that it would read up to 70mph.

[Nomans]

georgedo - 11/26/2005 7:04 PMNomans, thanks for the reply. The transducer is a 1000 watt 2 phasegood to 3000ft depth. It is a thru hull that is glassed in. The currentowner said that it would read up to 70mph.

Whattype of boat is it? It's probably an Airmar B260 transducer. Mineis also glassed in to a recess on the keel. It gives a goodbottom picture in 1500 feet at 50Hz -- I have never been in waterdeeper than that. My WOT speed is about 42 knots (50 mph) and it doeswork fine at that speed. The Simrad Combi is even better if thatis what is installed. As a fishfinder, that Simrad blows awayjust about everything in that price range in terms of fine detail.

Whichradar array is installed? There is a big difference in performancebetween the small Simrad domes and their open arrays.

[georgedo]

The boat is a Contender 23-T. The Radar is 4KW with a 24" dome.
Is your screen name Nomans because you fish that area? I fish that area and Gay Head also.

[AMY @ C-MAP]

Nomans - "They use C-Map Max cartography, which you may like less than the Mapsource, but is better in some ways. "
What benefits does Mapsource have over MAX? That's not a challenge - I'm honestly curious as I am not very familiar with it!