Raymarine, Furuno, Garmin, or Simrad? - The Hull Truth

bear 13 · 12-26-2006, 09:16 AM

Jim,

I am in the process of picking then installing new electronics on my 26 Regulator. I wreck fish and tuna fish a lot . On my 23 Reg I had the RM E-120. Like the machine allot but am thinking of trying the Furuno mult function unit with the pup radar ant. Furuno is coming out with satelite weather which I would like to have also. I am not opposed yto Garmin but have been told that is FF capabilities aren't equal with the two. Since I mostly fish offshore and wreck fish I need a great FF. Any help you provide is greatly appeciated.

A few questions I have

1. Can I use the furuno small open array? Is it a good ant.

2. In your opinion is which is the better unit? Where do each units strengths lie?

3. can you supply a price for both fully loaded? I will be buying about the end of january.

4. Can you point me too any further documentation that could educate me to make the best decision.

Thank you for any help you can provide. I am now going to check out your website...

yachtjim · 12-26-2006, 02:11 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.

bear 13 · 12-26-2006, 02:39 PM

Jim, Thank you much. This is the high level info I meant to ask for. Thank you! I will do some homework and then come back. Thanks again.

TwentyFourSeven · 01-03-2007, 10:08 PM

If you know what you are looking at, No one will ever have Furuno's bottom machine beat.