Advice Please - Integrating Boat Electronics

[silver-fox]

I have an ageing but integrated (Seatalk + NMEA 0183) Raymarine system on my boat comprising: -

Radar
GPS
VHF DSC
Autopilot
Wind
Depth
Log

The GPS and Radar need replacing.

For simplicity's sake I always planned to modernise with newer Raymarine equipment, but experience over the last few years of using a laptop on board AND the speed of innovation in the consumer market has persuaded me that I will get more functionality at a much lower price - albeit not ruggedised - by using standard PC and /or a Tablet where possible.

I am reasonably happy putting chartplotter software and a gps on a laptop together with Ugrib and AIS but less confident about hooking up to the autopilot, wind, depth, log and radar.

Can radar be integrated with a PC? Is there standard software out there that already does this?

Can anyone point me towards a web site or book that gives advice on how best to do this?

 

[nimbusgb]

You dont appear to have a chartplotter so I assume you have a stand alone radar.

Upgrading your raymarine to their latest radar which ntegrates with their chart plotters will make your eyes water, lots!

Nobletech does a pc compatible small boat radar.

 

[colvic987]

your choice of items to upgrade, gives you good options to get an up to date chartplotter and radar package, as its these items which determine the level of intergration to make the other ancilliaries to work successfully for you, even giving you access to ipad connectivity (if that floats your boat).

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I look at this question the other way round - if integration as an objective makes kit choice much more difficult/limited/expensive, why integrate. In particular why would you want the plotter to control the helm?