Suggestions for mutlifunction gps/radar 2k budget

G

gcrown22

New member
Hi some advice would be great as I need to upgrade my electronics in a 22 cruiser. I would like to spend 2k or little more if needed. I need a combo unit that will also do radar and I do not have a radar arch or post for a radar dome yet.
This is just for casual fishing,crabbing but would like to have decent size screen for my failing eyes.
Also should buy online or do a local store ? I am in Seattle Thanks for the help
 
We are very satisfied with our Raymarine Axion-9. My wife is the electronics and computer person in our family and felt it was the most user friendly for her because she used to design software and it was written like she would have designed it. It is touch screen and so is very similar to using my cell phone. It screen splits so you can view sonar, chart plotter and radar(one item, two items or all three simulaniously). I am getting familiar and comfortable with its usage and that says alot for me considering I am like a fish out of water when it comes to electronics.
 
gcrown22":14hqdhnc said:
Hi some advice would be great as I need to upgrade my electronics in a 22 cruiser. I would like to spend 2k or little more if needed. I need a combo unit that will also do radar and I do not have a radar arch or post for a radar dome yet.
This is just for casual fishing,crabbing but would like to have decent size screen for my failing eyes.
Also should buy online or do a local store ? I am in Seattle Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
$2k for a radar AND a display of "decent size" and a radar arch or post on which to place the radar is a shy of the $'s needed. The radar unit's alone go for around $1200-$2000 for basic (but good) recreational units. The mount will be around $200 for a simple mount, $700-2000 for a stainless steel radar arch (depending on height, quality and accoutrements like rod holders). An all-in-one chart plotter/sonar/radar with a 7-8" display will be in the $600-1000 range, 10" and 12" displays can cost considerably more.

A decent and reasonably inexpensive (and easy to use) setup would be the following:
Garmin GPSMAP 1040xs Chartplotter/Sonar Combo ($975 on Amazon - this is cheap as it's a recently discontinued unit).
Garmin GT21-TM - transom mount transducer ($143 on Amazon)
Garmin Gmr 18 Xhd 010-00959-00 Radome (new $1444 on Amazon, refurbished $1229).
Seaview Radar mount ~$200 depending on model choice.

That adds up to $2762.

Similar setups can be obtained from other manufacturers - Lowrance (which I have) or Raymarine. Garmin generally has the easiest to use user interface(UI).
Lowrance is close in that category but not as easy to use. Ray Marine has good quality radar and sonar but often the most difficult UI.
 
You might check the GPS Store. While I have never bought anything from them, their prices seem pretty good.

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSM ... P5177.aspx

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSM ... P5193.aspx

I would also check the outlet and refurb sale websites from the various marine electronics manufacturers.

BOE Marine sometimes has good deals too.

https://www.boemarine.com/

There's always ebay and craiglist to get late model stuff from the guy that has to have the latest and greatest.
 
The 25 I just bought had a 9": RayMarine display, and I wanted to add Radar and a second display. I got a RayMaine eS78 7" (touch and dial/button) Display display, with sonar, CHIRP, Downscan, and an Quantum Wi Fi Radar for $1995. This is "last years" model, and not the most recent Axiom, but there is very little difference. It uses Sea Talk, NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 to interface with other electronics. This included Navionics chip of the entire USA, coastal and inland waters. It interfaces with the I pads and other tablets via wifi, so if you want a 10 or 12" display, a tablet will give you that size.

I have another thread, on the "commode fittings" Radar post. Which has been in service on several boats that I fashioned it for. One is over 16 years of use, the other 12 years of use. I had an arch on this boat, so did not have to make the post. It is made of hardware store PVC 3" or 4" pipe, and 2 commode flanges, plus some Starboard--cost about $50 including Starboard and bolts.

photo of side view of post on the Tom Cat:

IMG_0558.sized.jpg
 
Like Roger, I was scratching my head and thinking 'what this Brat wants is a $4000 suite for under 2 Boat Units, and I just don't think it can happen' when Bob just showed us how it can.
Cool!

Bob helped me with my Radar commode PVC mount (with Krylon Fusion Plastic Gloss White looks great from 5 feet away). After almost 2 years it hasn't fallen off or been scraped off yet (more a concern on a TC255 in staying under the Federal 13.5' hgt limit). With all the stuff Brats like to put up there, a custom-hgt radar post is a great $40 investment you can install yourself and know it's done right. Friendly reminder, a GPS antenna or Coleman RV air conditioner can not be in the radar beam (unless you are willing to give up rear scanning), but VHF antennas and anchor light poles and dinghys without metal transoms can be.

PS on the recent Cheasapeake adventure our radar painted a single Osprey flying beside us for 5 minutes with a multi-colored track. Still learning.

DSC02972.sized.jpg

Happy Shopping!
John
 
John, That is way cool, to catch the Ospray.

Unless you are a real fan of "touch screen" I would opt for dual control (touch and button/knob) or just button/knob. Much easier to use on a rockin and rollin boat. At least from my use so far, and I have both on my boat.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I have a 24" Garmin radome combined with a 720s Garmin GPS (7" screen).
It was previously installed on shorter mount but I went with a taller mount which seemed to improve separation and definition qualities.
Spacers mounted underneath the back keep the unit parallel to the water when underway.
flounder%20spotlight.jpg
 
Do some research, maybe online - eah?

So go buy one. Live with it. Try it out.
Then, after you know what you're doing,
get the one you should have bought in
the first place.

Asking someone else what you should buy is,
well, NG. Why? It may work for them but not
for you.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "All the answers lie within you."
 
We have been very happy with Simrad 3G radar and multifunction display. Simrad also integrates well with Mercury engine data if you have Mercury OB.
 
CaptMac...
How is your searchlight mounted to the top of the radar dome?
Does the power cable cause radar reflections?
Any other comments on the installation?
Thanks.
 
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