Anybody else add a lot of electronics?

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SailorJackson
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Joined: 2/9/11
Posts: 152
Anybody else add a lot of electronics?

I had an AIS transponder installed this week. Taking a look at the results [URL="http://marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100"]marinetraffic.com[/URL], I was surprised to see so few recreational boaters show up. Does anyone else out there use AIS?

Maybe I've gone a bit over the top on my electronics list. My 2004 C36 now has

[LIST]
[*] Standard Horizon VHF with DSC
[*][URL="http://bluesea.com/category/94/99"]Blue Sea Vessel Monitor [/URL](tanks, batteries, AC, bilge)
[*]Raymarine C120 Chartplotter
[*]4 KW radar
[*]Below deck autopilot
[*]Standard speed, depth, wind instruments
[*]Data repeater at the nav station (ST70 multifunction display)
[*]Raymarine LifeTag MOB system
[*]Sirius Satellite weather
[*]AIS transponder
[*]EPIRB with GPS
[/LIST]

I'm a little disappointed with Raymarine. It's nice that nearly all of this stuff is integrated through the chartplotter, but after using some smartphones and Apple products, the Raymarine GUI seems incredibly primitive. Nothing is intutitive. I had looked into using the [URL="http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1&section=2&page=2054"]Raymarine PC application [/URL]on my laptop, but it is incredibly stupid. Rather than integrate something nice like the OpenCP software, Raymarine decided to mimic their poor chartplotter GUI on the PC. It's really pretty worthless.

Before I started adding all this I looked at Garmin and some other systems. Each has some advantages in certain areas, but nobody seems to offer as comprehensive system of integration. There seems to be no shining star among the marine electronics companies.

Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,

FlyMeAway
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Joined: 3/20/12
Posts: 241

I'm a bit of a gadget geek, and am itching to upgrade the electronics on my 2003 Mk II. I've got Raymarine electronics (incl. 4kw radar) in a much older system (RC70) that's so old it isn't really supported anymore, or compatible with newer components.

I test-drove the newer Raymarine e7 multifunction system at a Raymarine dealer recently -- these are touch-screens and use a "new" Raymarine user interface. They're also wifi enabled and will output to your iPad, which when I saw it was pretty darn awesome. If you have the C120, I think RM sells a fit kit to make upgrading to the e7 really, really easy -- something to look into.

Can you comment a bit more on the Blue Sea monitoring system? Given how frustrated I am with the wait-and-see approach to holding and water tank capacity, this may be next on my list. How difficult were these to install? The idea of drilling a hole in my holding tank, or even opening it up, gives me great pause.

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

William Miller
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Joined: 10/4/08
Posts: 294

I use wrem gauges for my water and holding tank and Fisheries supply in Seattle carries them. Ive gone to Garmin 4208 chart plotter and 18hd radar love their units and support. Also have AIS and hooked up the DSC and got a FCC license and mnsi no.

Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1

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