Electronics dilemma

M

matt_unique

New member
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!
 
matt_unique":3gjz9hw6 said:
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!
Click to expand...

There's no answer! Unless you're buying something no one ever heard of from a Black Market somewhere you're going to get good units.

The only answer is for you to get in front of them (if possible) and see which screen you like better, which one had buttons you like better, which has operational software that seems for logical to you, etc. Is there some other add-on system (AIS, weather, etc) that you want later that one has and one doesn't or fits your plans better?

However, it would be interesting to try and get the 10" screen installed on the TC255. Not saying it's impossible but there's barely enough room for the 8" screens. Personally I find the 7" screens too small; I'd definitely step up to the 8.4" screens if at all possible. It's not all that close to you on the TC255.

Go with the 4KW radar if it's in the budget for your area. Other than parting with the extra dollars you'll always be happier with the performance (it's not all about power either but rather the ability to pick out targets in lousy conditions).
 
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?
 
matt_unique":a49qey06 said:
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!
Click to expand...
This is fun... If I had a name for this thread it would be "life has choices". One thing that is consistent when people discuss equipping their boat with electronics is; you quickly see everyone has an opinion and good reason for that opinion. I will give you my opinion and you can expected it to differ from any others you will get. My opinion on electronics is much like my attitude about a lot of other things. If it will fit get it. 8) In the big scheme of things if you buy a boat like you have bought, set it up, then skimp on electronics at the last minute to save a thousand you have totally taken the fun out of your purchase. I think when you factor in bright days, fog, night (all conditions) buying the most and what you think to be the best makes since. Why squint to see an object on a 7" screen especially if you like to overlay? Why save 5 or 600. bucks to get a 24kw instead of a 48kw radar? Why are you stuck with the parameters that you state above? Like I said before, It doesn't make since to me. There's hundreds of threads with this topic to research. I don't know why I bit and commented on yours. I just think when you are getting something as special as this you should not regret decisions you made in the near future just to save a few up front. Get what makes you happy and don't let something of the moment dictate to you what you have on your boat and will be dealing with for years to come. I haven't even pushed "submit" yet and wonder why :lol:
 
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
 
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
 
matt_unique":37m1dtgn said:
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?
Click to expand...

Matt...the physical parameters of your installation will dictate as much as anything on your boat. I think you'll have a difficult time with the Furuno 10" display (it is large!).
I'm always a fan of installing the largest screen you can; the older we get (and the more used to large screens on our computers systems we get) the smaller the 7" screens seem. There's also getting to be an awfully lot of information on the on-screen charts.

If you can, go look at a 7" and 8.4" screen next to each other; it's like a 19" tv sitting next to a 21" tv...big difference.

Don't get hung up on brand; they're all good and all do the same thing. I can guarantee three things about every product out there...1) someone loves it 2) someone hates it and 3) there are a whole bunch that land in the middle. We've used all of the big 3 (Raymarine, Furuno, and Garmin) a lot; there isn't a one that I wouldn't happily run on my own boat (though I have a hard time seeing the Furuno screen due to my glasses and its reflectivity).

Find the one that physically fits the best, with the best looking (to you) screen, and with the buttons positioned where you can reach them easily (you'll use them a lot) and run with it; you won't be disappointed.

I wouldn't cut corners on the radar if possible; if necessary leave it off for now and add it later when the budget allows for the 4KW set. The price really escalates if you go larger than that and most small boat electical systems are not designed to handle the kind of power required for larger open array units. They also add windage and weight (up high where we don't want it on smaller boats) and are subject to damage; especially when trailering.
 
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 :smiled You have a real cool boat !!
 
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.

IMG_0536.sized.jpg

The view from my normal "eye" position at the helm.
 
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.
P5020002.sized.jpg
 
dogon dory":3pdytfhg said:
I usually pass up these topics... but what the hell....
My experience has been that I always regret going cheap on something that I use all the time.
Click to expand...

You hit that Nail on the Head!! & Too soon Old and too late Smart :lol: :mrgreen: :beer

Good luck!!
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
I think Dan said a mouthful here:
"If you must make the tradeoff that you described, here's a thought. 99 percent of the time, you will never notice the difference between the 2kw vs. the 4kw radar. But you will notice the difference in the screen size every time you look at it.
My experience has been that I always regret going cheap on something that I use all the time.
_________________
Dan, DogOnDory"
Click to expand...

I would never have gone out and purchased a C-120, but I really like to use it. The radar will be effective, with either power in the 5-6 or 8 mile range that you will need. The larger screen will be easier on the eyes. I would vote for the below eye level installation, because the view and the buttons will work easier there, at least for me they do.

Flip a coin, and if you don't like the way it comes out, flip it again and go 2 out of 3. You can always go for 4 out of 7, but by then you are going to figure out which way you want it to land. Then go do it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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