Raymarine E-120 or C-120 - The Hull Truth

cobraarvey · 03-07-2006, 10:26 AM

I've narrowed my choice down to Raymarine, but would like some input on whether to go with the E-120 or C-120. Here are the particulars:

28' Southport. Will be used for inshore and offshore trips (60+ miles) to the NE Canyons. I do not anticipate adding another screen, as this should be sufficient for my needs. I'm considering:

Raymarine C-120 or E-120
Raystar 125 chart plotter
Navionics gold or platinum?
DSM 3000 digital sounder module
Bronze thru-hull triducer
4KW 24" Radome w/15M cable (can't fit an array on my hardtop)

Do I pay an additional $1000+ for the E-120 for the brighter screen and platinum chart? Keep in mind this is a center console, and I would like to be able to see the screen even if I'm not standing directly in front of the unit. Is the platinum chart worth the money?

Any input and actual experience with the units would be appreciated

Elusive · 03-07-2006, 11:28 AM

IMO the only justification for the E series in a non network situation is the XM weather. Platinum is nice, but does not justify the cost difference. The screen is brighter than the C, but the C is a nice display

I do think that the WX feature is worthwhile and the side benefit is the platinum 3-D cartography for offshore

Cooper · 03-07-2006, 12:02 PM

If you've got a brand new southport, you can't put anything but the latest and greatest on it! E series all the way. If you ever decide to do anything with NMEA 2000, the e series supports it and the c series does not (at this time).

Codfisher · 03-07-2006, 12:15 PM

I put the E-120 with platinum chip on my Pacific and am very glad I did. Worth the $$$$$.

JYD · 03-07-2006, 01:26 PM

Cobraarvey,
I just put (2) E-120's with the same accessories you have in my new ride, a 29' CC. Looked at the additional expense and decided that with a new boat, I needed the best stuff. Also went with an AP. Plus I figured all my friends would be jealous. BTW, I keep my boat in OC too. Where are you?

FreeByrd · 03-07-2006, 01:44 PM

In a single station application I would have advised you to go ahead and stick with the C series (screen is VERY good in sunlight) unless you REALLY wanted the platinum chips - which are also very nice.

That advice changed after seeing the Sirius Satelite Weather in Miami which is only an option for the E Series. Weather would be the main reason to upgrade to E. Platinum is an added bonus. Video capability is another nice option for the E. The E series also supports Engine monitoring capabilities via NMEA 2000, but there will be an update to allow Engine Monitoring on the C series at some point this year as well - but not sure when.

Steve

HDRyder999 · 03-07-2006, 04:24 PM

I wish I had the E series. Wanna buy an 8 month old C 120?

cobraarvey · 03-07-2006, 05:34 PM

Thanks guys. Very good advice. Sounds like I should go with the E series according to actual owners/users.

Mainshipman · 03-07-2006, 08:04 PM

I have C-80s and just ordered an E-80, with the intent of adding another later to create a networked system. Honestly, I do not have any complaint at all about the C gear. They are great in sunlight, pretty intuitive and, so far, reliable. However, I want a network to share data between two helm stations (boat is a Mainship 400 Trawler) and that means moving to the E series.

It does seem that networked gear is the way things are going, and the E series does have additional capabilities (sat weather, easily speaks NMEA 2000, vid, etc). But if you don't anticipate needing a networked second unit, I have to agree with previous posts that the C gear -- and the savings -- may be the way to go.

Platinum charts are definitely cool, with the bathy capabilities and the ability to pull up sat photos and the like. But they are pricey. I've been using Gold charts and they have worked just fine. Again, may be a case where the money for E gear and Platinum charts may be better spent somewhere else.

Then again, they are cool toys... I think it depends on your situation and what you would be giving up to get E + Platinum. Either way, I think you'll be happy with Raymarine stuff. I have been so far.

mtcfish · 03-07-2006, 08:23 PM

E Series has a faster processor also....

DaddysGirlToo · 03-07-2006, 09:03 PM

Doesn't the E series also use more power (watts)? Is that an issue? Planning on going with an E series myself. I noticed the power demand/useage was much more than the C series.

NJ1 · 03-08-2006, 05:45 PM

Just bought a Hydrasports Vector with the C-120. Wish I had the option to upgrade to E--I think worth the money. Right now, as mentioned the Sirius and the platinum chip are the main diff, but the faster and more powerful processor opens up many future applications. They might (acc. to Raymarine) be able to engineer the platinum software to work with C-series, but this is a big if--mainly due to processor speed. My C-120 is a huge step up from my old Lowrance 64c, but like I said, I would have spent the extra 2k for the E-120 and platinum chip (but not worth junking a 5K system and then starting from scratch). Good luck with your decision.

flapbreaker · 03-08-2006, 07:33 PM

Can't you get satelite weather another way?

Fever Mike · 03-08-2006, 09:38 PM

I looked at both C and E sereis and went with E series. The brighter screen, Sirrus Weather (comming out) and Platinum chip were worth it for me.