Dream Electronics Setup

Godfry Paul · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 16

If you were equipping a CD 22 with what you consider to be the best electronics setup, what would it be?

- GPS
- Radar
- Chartplotter
- Autopilot
- Etc.

What about these integrated setups such as the Raymarine C-Series and E-Series that hooks everything to one screen? Does anyone have experience with that kind of setup?

New Hampshire Guy · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

There is quite a bit of info on the "Electronics" part of the forum.
Good Luck!

Sawdust · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:24 pm Post subject:

That list is variable. How do you use your boat? I've used both the C-80 and E-80 and both fit my particular requirements.

Many skippers don't want or need radar - I use it almost every time I'm underway. GPS is a must because I've got to return to shrimp and crab pots, and I use it all the time to locate my fish holes in addition to regular navigation.

Each skipper on here has his own specific list!!

PM me if you would like more specifics on the C-80 or E-80. There are several other equal systems but I know the RayNav line very well.

Happy boating,

Dusty

gljjr · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject:

Well lets see. My dream setup would be to have an E80 for the rear Helm hooked to an E120 on the dash. I would have the DSM300 fishfinder black box, 4kw Radome, and the GPS. I would also have the RayTech 6.0 (not out yet but soon) that is coming out with their eithernet switch so I can tie in the laptop to the system with another 10" touchscreen at the helm. But of course this will end up being about 7 grand! Cry

For Autopilot I would go with TR1 Gold for trolling and TR1 Gladiator for cruising and both would be tied into the Raymarine system (Another 6k out the door!) Disgust

Oh, I would also put a video camera on the rear of the roof so I can monitor my rods from the forward helm station.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject:

Gary-

That would be quite the trollers dream system. But I'll make a suggestion that will save you "lots" of money:

Replace the rear view video system with 75 cent bells clipped to each rod. It's not only cheaper, but doesn't add one more screen to watch and impede your forward view.

Now you can easily afford the rest!

Joe.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

A word about downriggers is in order. Most people here run the electirc scotys as I do, but they would not be my dream choice. I have the c-80 system with auto pilot, radar, fishfinder and gps all in one and its great. but for a second station in the back I would love to have a bottomline depth finder linked to two cannon digi-troll IV. You can controll the depth of the downriggers from the bottonline unit and set the balls to cycle at depth or stay at a distance from the bottom no matter what the bottom does. So if you are coho fishing and want to work 40 to 30 ft deep you can program the balls to cycle from 30 to 40 ft every ten seconds or every ten mins. your choice. If you are working blackmouth or halibut and want to stay 3ft off the bottom you set the downriggers to do just that and if you come to a hump the balls rise with it and then fall after it. no more hiting the balls on rock out croppings or lossing bottom on along shelfs that are slowly dropping off. The digitroll IV are over a thousand each and can be programed with out the bottom line unit but only one at a time. just something to dream about.

Godfry Paul · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 16

It looks like the E-80 is about $1,000 more than the C-80.

Is it worth the extra price? It looks like it has the ability to use Navionics Platinum Charts which look quite impressive.

I really like the Garmin GPS but the Raymarine seems to have a totally integrated package including the auto pilot which Garmin doesn't even offer.

Sawdust · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject:

Gary,

I'd just put ditto marks on your list!

The E-80 is about a grand more, true -- worth it?? Ooooh, Mrs. Dusty thinks NOT (that's big letters), Old Dusty thinks it is a worthwhile upgrade. Soooo - you get a whole bunch more with the E, but the C-80 is a great unit too. If I really wanted pretty pictures for charts I'd buy a Rembrandt or something -- from a navigational point of view the C-80 can handle it all. I personally prefer the look of the maps on my ex Garmin -- but C-80 maps are IMO as good operationally... and on the E-80 they are beautiful, and the much faster loading e-80 screens are a joy when working tight areas (around rocks, etc.).

Just a couple of cents from a user.

Now if I could just find that danged pm button Rolling Eyes

Dusty

gljjr · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

Tom,

If I were going to spend that kind of money on a downrigger I would rather get the Walker with the built in camera! With that you can watch the salmon going after your bait while trolling Wink

And it'll link right up with the E-80 so you can see it in a window right along side the GPS and Sounder info.

The E series has networking capabilities that the C series doesn't this means that you can use a single transducer for the sounder so you don't have conflicts between 2 competing sounders. That is my main reason for wanting the E series. I am however moving closer and closer to just going with a PC only solution.

Godfry Paul · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 16

The E-80 is about a grand more, true -- worth it?? Ooooh, Mrs. Dusty thinks NOT (that's big letters), Old Dusty thinks it is a worthwhile upgrade. Soooo - you get a whole bunch more with the E, but the C-80 is a great unit too. If I really wanted pretty pictures for charts I'd buy a Rembrandt or something -- from a navigational point of view the C-80 can handle it all. I personally prefer the look of the maps on my ex Garmin -- but C-80 maps are IMO as good operationally... and on the E-80 they are beautiful, and the much faster loading e-80 screens are a joy when working tight areas (around rocks, etc.).

* * * * *

Thanks Dusty!

I'm really starting think about digging a bit deeper in the wallet for the E-Series. When I compared the Garmin screens to the C-Series screens, the Garmin looked much clearer to me and I liked the maps better as well. They seemed to have a bit more detail. But the new charts for the E-Series and that screen really do look impressive. It's interesting that the Raymarine person told me that an E-Series was overkill for a 22 foot boat but it's good to hear that you are with me on this overkill.

Sawdust · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:37 pm Post subject:

Ain't no such thing as overkill when it's zero-zero outside and electronic gadgets are what keep you nearly sane. The E is a work of art for sure, but in all fairness the C series can handle any task I've been faced with. Used the C on 3 boats for lots of foggy trips and never had a doubt. The map overlay feature is way cool up here when there is so much tanker and tug/tow traffic and fog and low viz are a way of life.

But the fish bite, foggy or not!!

Dusty

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

gljjr · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:58 am Post subject:

Roger,

Those are my thoughts exactly!

For my money it would be much more "FUN" to watch what the fish are doing behind the rigger than worrying about depth so much.

dogon dory · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Dream Electronics Setup

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject:

Going through that right now. We ordered the c-80 on our CD-25 with GPS/radar/sounder/autopilot. After seeing the set up on Tom and Susan's boat, we were sold! We have a Garmin chartplotter (176c) that will run on batteries that will be a backup. I guess I am not overly concerned about the integrated system and system failures. While no direct experience with the Raymarine, I have flown behind an integrated flight director that was flawless. Seems that if there is ever a problem (after getting any bugs worked out), it is an electrical problem that will shut down the whole system anyway (OK, maybe not on an aircraft where you can isolate electrical buses). That integrated panel sure cleans up the real estate in front of the helm. I am really looking forward to getting some "hands on" on that set up. But... the c or the e? Interesting discussion about that choice on another thread.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan