Electronics dilemma

matt_unique · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject: Electronics dilemma

I'm deciding what to buy for my first multifunction chartplotter/radar system.

Option 1
7" display w/24" 4KW radome

Option 2
10" display w/18" 2KW radome

If you had to choose from one of the above, what would you choose and why?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Les Lampman · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Electronics dilemma

matt_unique · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: Elec

I'm leaning toward Furuno but with the costs I may need to choose either the bigger radar with smaller screen or larger screen with smaller radar.

Thoughts?

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Electronics dilemma

matt_unique · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: Elec

Well it's all subjective of course. It's definitely easy to rationalize another thousand or whatever for the next step up and before you know it I will be able to detect your boat from Boston while I video conference with the crew of the space shuttle. Ha ha...PARTY!

Your advice is well taken but for this thread I'm curious what most would prioritize based on their experience with their own multifunction units.

Thanks

journey on · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject:

Boy, posting replies sure beats getting to work in the yard. Judy went to see a set of grandkids, so I'm free.

Anyway, if the choice comes down to a larger screen or a lower power output radar, pick the larger screen. A 2 kw radar will go out to the horizon, and give good returns. Remember these radars are line of sight, and I believe that's 6 nmi on a C-Dory. Certainly less than the 16 nmi capability of the 2 kw radar transponder. And since you use the chartplotter every time you go out (at least I do,) get the biggest screen you can afford. You only need the radar in fog or at night (and then you really need it.) Just learn how to use it. That's the hard part. People buy those expensive radars, and then don't practice using them during daylight; at night in an emergency is too late.

Journey on has a 7" screen and a 2 kw radar (JRC) and while I wish for a larger screen, the radar is all I need. That ferry you're looking for has one great big radar return. The fishing boat doesn't do as well but still adequate.

Boris

Les Lampman · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Elec

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: Me again

There is one thing I really wish I would have spent a lot of time on and got a lot of advice on. That is the location of everything and all the buttons. What I have to go through to use my auto pilot is ridiculous. This was our first boat and we made a lot of purchases site unseen and with no clue how they work. I got really lucky over all but, there is some things I would change in the "What goes Where" category. Have fun friend CoolSmile

You have a real cool boat !!

thataway · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

The choice of navigation instruments is very personal--as is the arrangement. I had to walk down and measure the C Dory lines of site (before I go for a ride in my 18 CC). I have two 7" chart plotters, a compass and room for a 4" depth finder on my dash. hanging from the shelf is the 7" radar.

I have recently acquired an electrinic compass (too good a price to pass up)--so that 4" display will go above the window. Some would say too cluttered--for me it is just right. None of the screens obscure any of my sight lines, and the instruments are easy to read without taking my eyes off the water ahead for but an instant. I don't like to have to fiddle around with overlays etc. I also like the back up of redundancy. Plus, with all of the "data" you can choose what you want on each display. For example one has the fish finder and long range chart plotter display. The other has near range chart, plus heading speed cross track etc displayed. The radar is set up so that all of the data can be sent to it, if you are not using the radar.

Looking at my boat--and my height (6'2"), You could not go above 8" above the dash on the console to avoid obscuring the line of site. This is why I choose several 7" instruments instead of a 10.4". The 10.4" would be at least 11.4 inches off the dash, and begin to obscure the view foreward (as Les so wisely says--its too big--there).

However there is another option--that is a RAM mount. I had an express cruiser, with one of the curved dash--and desgned for no electronics. I had 3 ram mounts--and could put the electronics exactly where I wanted, and then pull them out of the way etc, when hot using. If you want the 10.4" screen--and If I was going for radar and GPS, I would want that size, I would use a ram mount from the side of the dash, and put the screen exactly where I wanted it.

The view from my normal "eye" position at the helm.

Dreamer · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

Hi Matt,

The location shown below is about the only place a Raymarine E-80 will fit on a TC-255 without infringing on your view of the water. At the speeds you will be cruising, you will want an unobstructed view. The E-80/C-80 screen is sufficient IMHO to display the 3 functions we use it for, Radar, Chart, Depth. We use a 4kw Radome. I can't comment on the 2kw model, never used one. All the best.

dogon dory · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

tsturm · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

Doryman · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

Combining thoughts from Bob and Roger (Thataway and Dreamer) is what I did on my refit. I added a 2nd E-80 to my first, which was mounted on the overhead. Big mistake, major neck cricks. After consultation with Les, both E-80s are mounted where Roger has his (on opposite sides of the center window) and as per Bob's suggestion both are on RAM mounts. We will see how well it works when I get my boat back this spring from Les, hopefully in time for Calathmet (hint, hint, hint).

Warren

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

You have gotten some really fine advice... go with the biggest screen that will fit well. When we ordered our boat, I thought I wanted the E-120... Raymarine had a template that we could try in the boat and it was obviously too big to comfortably see over. I don't care for an overhead display on something that I will use regularly and continuously... there is a reason your cars (and airplanes) have the dash just below your line of sight.

We have been very pleased with the Raymarine E-80 for size and function; also appreciate the integrated system with the radar (we have the 2kw).

Today was an absolutely glorious day out on the water - visibility clear and a million, sunny, warm, and breezy. We were in very familiar waters... I have the chartplotter on everytime we're running, but sure didn't need radar today.

When you need radar, you want it to be functional. We have found the 2kw unit meets our needs. And with a bigger screen, it's easy to see and interpret the radar.

Good luck with your decisions.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Sea Angel · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Matt,
How did the table work out for you?

2KW verses 4KW for the height you will be won't make much diff. in
"useable" ranges; BUT, with the larger ant. you will have a better bearing resolution. To see how this will play for you - get together with some folks to see the difference and how that will help you run in those narrow harbor channels with traffic, like around Thompson Island, etc.. I have especially appreciated being able to see a low radar profile vessel approaching from either aft quarter to avoid a 'hit'; which has happened. Tournament fishing Grady White trying too get in to the dock for weigh in! Too fast and not watching.

Sea Angel has the C80 with the 4KW and I have been very satisfied with the target separation, range, fog penetration and tracking the WX fronts. Admittedly most all the radars will do this for the average ranges applied. Remember, the larger the antenna, the narrower the beam width, thus greater bearing resolution and target separation.

I expect someone already added all this at some time before. Just a reminder of the safety investment you are talking about.