Rhumboogie

I have a Furuno 1870F Chartplotter FF combo unit I bought/installed in 2013. I like the unit and it fits well on my 21 CC. Last year the fish finder - depth sounder became intermittent - some times it was fine, other times no data. It rarely worked when running on plane. I thought perhaps i had hit the thru hull transducer when trailering so i replaced the transducer - no improvement. I am now contemplating my next move. The two alternatives are sending the unit to an electronics guy or replacing it with a new unit. The GPS store has a package deal on a new 1870F with a new chart chip https://www.thegpsstore.com/Furuno-G...dle-P4684.aspx for $889.99.

The new unit has some additional desirable features - primarily integration with an AIS VHF which I have already. I believe that connecting the AIS data source (VHF) to the chart plotter will require an additional "switch" that costs about $180.

I have no idea how much a repair would run and am loathe to throw money at it if I am looking at a substantial bill for a repair assuming it can be fixed.

Any advice?

iFishMD

I love my 1870F as a fish finder. I have a TZT, TZT2 and 1870F and use the 1870f the most as a fishdinder. I do so mostly because it hangs from my roof and I can see over peoples heads when I’m in the cockpit. However the sounder is solid.

I would call Furuno and see if they can help you resolve your issue. It still might be a transducer issue

Rhumboogie

Thanks - I failed to mention i had a number of emails back/forth with Furuno tech assistance. They had me change a series of the settings on the sounder . . . the changes had no effect. Tried several suggestions from them as rot specific settings.

ClassicGuy

Probably you don't want to hear this sort of advice but taking advantage of the current $500 rebate promotion and moving to a TZT2 12 would change your life. The screen is so much brighter, bigger, and sharper and the sounder circuit is excellent. It makes it possible to run the chart and sounder side by side and actually be able to see each well. The integration with your AIS would be possible with no additional hardware. The charts for the TZT2 series are free downloads from Furuno so no extra cost for that either.

The upgrade would certainly enhance the resale for your boat if you need a rationalization!

Rhumboogie

Thanks for the suggestion - I looked at that after your suggested it- that unit would be a very tight fit in the space available in my panel. It has nice features - I have no t top so no radar to interface - also I am a fly fisherman and often have wet/slimey hands that would need to be dried before I could use the touch screen. And more than twice the cost of a new 1870. Thanks for the alternative !

terrin

The 1870 has been around for a few years already. Try holding off for a new version Chartplotter/FF.

ClassicGuy

I have the TZT2 12 on my 18 foot CC that I use for fly fishing. The wet or slimy hands issue is not really a problem in my experience. The touch controls work fine with wet hands. You might need to wipe the display when you get back to the dock, no big deal.

The 1870F is perfectly okay and gets the job done. In fact I used to have one and replaced it with the TZT2 a couple of years ago. The display is so much nicer you won't miss the extra money.

Did you ask Furuno tech about sending the unit in to them for repair? Often they will do things for free even outside of warranty if they feel it is something that should not have failed. Worst case you are out the shipping if they want to charge more than makes sense for a repair.