C-Series vs E-Series vs Garmin + Autopilot....

Captains Cat · Last edited by Captains Cat on Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

I had almost made up my mind on a Garmin Radar and Display for Captain's Cat when I went to Boat Show (SBS08). The show didn't really change my mind but when I won the Raymarine hat at the Factory Party it pushed me over the top. (Who says marketing doesn't work!)

Actually, the ability to overlay the radar on top of the chart for verification and the MARPA features did it.

Now, the details.

I don't need the extensive network so it would seem that the C-Series would do me fine. I think the display is brighter on the E-Series, is it worth that? Also, the ability to display the Platinum vs. the Gold Navionics Charts is on the E but not the C. There's a thread on this elsewhere.

I plan to put it on a short mount, not an arch, probably use the 5" or 10-12". I've got limited room under my boathouse roof and don't want to get too high when it's up on the lift.

Then there's size of the display. Do you folks with the 12" really use all that size? Does it get in the way? Is it mounted on the dash or hung from the overhead? How about the 8"?? I'll be using it on the TC255. I've got a Garmin 545 with depth sounder which will be backup. I plan to get the GPS and the Depth Module with the Raytheon unit.

How about Radar "power"? 2Kw VS 4Kw? I'd really like to get the open array but just for looks and that would be a waste of $$. So I'll go with a dome. One website sells the radar unit without a cable and then sells a 5M. cable separately with a right angle connector on it. I really would hate to coil up the unused 10M of cable on that shelf or elsewhere as I did on CAPTAIN's CHOICE. How about the shorter cable? If I mount the unit towards the front of the pilothouse top, 5M should be plenty!

Thanks for any/all input...

Charlie

colobear · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

I have been using a C-80 with a 2KW radar in a dome for the last two years and have been satisfied with both. The Raymarine manuals are not good at all, hence the thread "secrets of Raymarine". The only thing I have looked at as desirable in the 120/platinum series is the 3D subsurface capability. It sure would be nice to have that view of the bottom. But that is not enough to spend the extra money. A larger screen would occasionally be nice when you display split screens, i.e. overlay on one part, depth finder on another, data on a third, radar on another, etc.

Alok · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

I have a Raymarine C-80 with a 2K radar dome. For the price, I am happy with it.

TimOb · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject:

TimOb · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject:

For those buying a new raymarine system, the raymarine rep at SBS told me that it's a good idea to download the most current version. This is mainly because they can't guarantee how long a system has been sitting on a shelf before being sold.

Tim

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

I have the c-80 with radar and auto pilot and its ok but I think that there are better products out there now. The redraw time on mine drives susan crazy. its not fast enough for her, but works fine for me because I dont expect it to be instant. the new furno is instant just like goole earth with no redraw just instant scroll and zoom. One of the draw backs of the raymarine is the auto pilot. It is not good enough for a fisherman like me. Its great for the price but does not hit waypoint very well at slow speeds and is happy if its with in 100 yard of one. I will be happy if it is within 10 ft of one. Garmen just bought out TR-1 auto pilots and is going to improve it and make it part of there system which should bring down the price. The gold system was just for kickers and the platuim system was for main motors. I have been told the new system will do both with the flip of a switch. the tr-1 will troll in reverse and control your kickers throttle. I have also been told that it will depth follow, like the furno system. It will follow what ever depth you set it for. this is great for trolling for black mouth and other fish. So if you are going to fish take a look at it. if you are just looking to cruise then the raymarine is a great system. Also the new garmen is touch screen which allows for more menu items and choices. Take a look at all of them. I go to west marine and play with the buttons at lunch.

starcrafttom · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject:

tim, make that a link instead of that long thing. use Url=http etc. just put your cursor on the url when posting and it will show you what to do.

Les Lampman

Dreamer · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject:

Charlie, Nice meeting you at the SBS. We use an E-80 with 4kw Radome. The E-80 is the largest you can put on the TC helm without it entering into your view of the water. E-120 would be nice though.

If you get down into the bunk area and look at the back of the helm, there is an unused space to the Stbd. side between the helm and the hull. Any extra Radar cable will store there when rolled up. Best to not try shortening the cable.

We are happy with the Raymarine system and use it for depth, radar and charting with Navionics Platinum. It does take a while to find all it's features and put them to use. Barry's thread on the Secrets of Raymarine helped a lot.

With the E-80, you can add a second station or just a monitor as we did. See Dreamer Album.

All the best,

Les Lampman · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

I thought I might add a link here for the lateset upgrades on the C-Series software.

oldgrowth · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject:

DaveS

Doryman

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

TimOb · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions on the url links. Geez, I was wondering why the heck this thread had become so wide - no idea it was cuz of my post. Sorry. Is there a way for me to delete a post? If not, maybe an admin can do it...

thanks,
Tim