Looking for recommendations on a GPS/fishfinder and a radar system package that will go good with my 25’ C Dory cruiser. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated looking to upgrade the current system I have now. And also looking for something with recommendation on radar. Does anybody know if there is a combo package that comes with GPS/fishfinder/radar
Recommendation on GPS Fish Finder & Radar for a 25’ C -D
- Thread starter Lou
- Start date
srbaum
Member
All of the major manufacturers of the electronics that you have interest in are well made, reliable and competitive, in their pricing. If I was in your shoes, I'd make a trip to Annapolis for the upcoming boat show. All of the vendors of these products will be there, with a display, that will allow your to touch and feel the gear, up close and personal. On top of that, most will offer discounts, for the boat show. Wiring between systems is now dirt simple, as the modern gear uses NEMA 2000, with is a plug and play wiring system.
I have Garmin on my power and sailboat. I do like other's systems, but I an familiar with Garmin and find it user friendly (for me).
I have Garmin on my power and sailboat. I do like other's systems, but I an familiar with Garmin and find it user friendly (for me).
gulfcoast john
New member
Lou,
You must keep your current display, and the same brands, if you want to add radar, sonar, CHIRP, FLIR or any other ‘visual’ signals to your MFD on a marine ‘network’ which N2K2000 will not handle. That will require the proprietary marine ‘network’ plugs
So what is your current display, and how much do you want to keep it?
I’m a Garmin guy (intuitive out of the box), and ONLY a Garmin GPSMAP model (but any modern model of that) will handle all Garmin ‘visual’ products like CHIRP, SONAR, RADAR, FLIR, CAMERAS, etc with a Garmin marine Network connector.
Best of luck on your search!
John
You must keep your current display, and the same brands, if you want to add radar, sonar, CHIRP, FLIR or any other ‘visual’ signals to your MFD on a marine ‘network’ which N2K2000 will not handle. That will require the proprietary marine ‘network’ plugs
So what is your current display, and how much do you want to keep it?
I’m a Garmin guy (intuitive out of the box), and ONLY a Garmin GPSMAP model (but any modern model of that) will handle all Garmin ‘visual’ products like CHIRP, SONAR, RADAR, FLIR, CAMERAS, etc with a Garmin marine Network connector.
Best of luck on your search!
John
Lots of good advice--I also suggest you go to an electronics or West Marine store, and play with the various displays to see what you want.
All of the manufactures have digital/sold state radar. It is great for close up work (which is what most of us want). The power is far less than a magnetron unit. For Garmin it will be the Fantom,(some displays work with the Fantom and some with the HD --magnatron) Ray Marine it is the Quantum 2 plus, The boat I own (ed) came with a fairly new RayMarine MFD, and I added a Quantum radar plus a bundled 7" MFD (all touch) for a little over $2,000, including Navionics charts, wireless radar, (also wireless to I pad from MFD) and down scan chirp, sonar. The other screen already aboard was another 9" which was hybrid, touch screen plus knobs and buttons. (When you are in rough weather, the touch screen is sometimes difficult to use). Also you may want to consider an auto pilot. Raymarine has the cheapest good pilot. Garmin has several, as does the Lowrance/Simrad/B & G line. I agree that Garmin is the easiest to use. They also have purchased Navionics, which many feel is the best charts. Garmin is adding these to their MFD. The 4th is Furuno. I had all Furuno gear for my long range cruising sailboats. It is top of the line but was more geared for the commercial user until relatively recently--they also have a digital radar, with excellent MFD and sounders.
Also consider if you want AIS. If so consider the B + which is closer to the commercial A than the recreational "B". Many of the radios will also read AIS or can send the info to a screen. I had used an out of date 5" MFD for just the AIS read out--that way you don't clutter up the main navigation charts.
All of the manufactures have digital/sold state radar. It is great for close up work (which is what most of us want). The power is far less than a magnetron unit. For Garmin it will be the Fantom,(some displays work with the Fantom and some with the HD --magnatron) Ray Marine it is the Quantum 2 plus, The boat I own (ed) came with a fairly new RayMarine MFD, and I added a Quantum radar plus a bundled 7" MFD (all touch) for a little over $2,000, including Navionics charts, wireless radar, (also wireless to I pad from MFD) and down scan chirp, sonar. The other screen already aboard was another 9" which was hybrid, touch screen plus knobs and buttons. (When you are in rough weather, the touch screen is sometimes difficult to use). Also you may want to consider an auto pilot. Raymarine has the cheapest good pilot. Garmin has several, as does the Lowrance/Simrad/B & G line. I agree that Garmin is the easiest to use. They also have purchased Navionics, which many feel is the best charts. Garmin is adding these to their MFD. The 4th is Furuno. I had all Furuno gear for my long range cruising sailboats. It is top of the line but was more geared for the commercial user until relatively recently--they also have a digital radar, with excellent MFD and sounders.
Also consider if you want AIS. If so consider the B + which is closer to the commercial A than the recreational "B". Many of the radios will also read AIS or can send the info to a screen. I had used an out of date 5" MFD for just the AIS read out--that way you don't clutter up the main navigation charts.