Are Raymarine chart plotters OK ?

wigen

wigen

New Member
Joined
13 Sep 2007
Messages
20
Location
Denmark
Visit site
I'm about to upgrade my Raymarine 435i chart plotter and need some advises.

My sailboat is fitted with Raymarine instruments (wind, depth, speed, auto pilot). First choice would be a Raymarine C-series as I think it’s a benefit to interconnect all the instruments with SeaTalk.

But I keep reading bad things about Raymarine; both products and support !!! Is Raymarine that bad or what ?

I only have 6 months experience with Raymarine and haven’t had any problems so far. The only reason I want to upgrade is the size of the screen.

I’ve been using Garmin chart plotters for the last 8 years in my power boat, but when I bought my sailboat is was fitted with Raymarine. And I must say that I initially hated the Raymarine chart plotter, but after few months use I now think it’s just as good as Garmin.

Should I go for Raymarine or another brand ?

Thanks.
 
I would stick with one vendor (i.e.RM). I have had RM stuff, chartplotters, Depth, Speed, Autopilot, and not had any problems apart from the course computer getting the deviation stuck at 30deg (3 years ago). It was reset by RM service - No problem and not expensive. Personally I like the gear, but being the leader of the pack it also gets a lot of flack (especially here...)

cheers,
 
I've had ray stuff for the last 10 years including a new c80... cant fault the stuff and the backup.... very helpful people in customer support department at Raymarine HQ and good backup.
 
Can't fault them. I bought a C80, Radar and AIS through Greenham Regis in Lymington who have been excellent. No problems with the kit so far, and it's a really goood system.

I did have some problems with the original ST4000 which turned out to be the way it was originally fitted and wired. Greeenham Regis hadn't installed this or sold it to me but helped me sort the problem. Andy especially at Lymington is extremely knowledgeable and helpful
 
Had Raymarine package of C70, 2kw radar and 125 gps from Cactus Navigation 3 years ago and touch wood no problems.

Very impressed with the functionality of all of it
 
Installed a C80 with radar and I'm very pleased with it. I found it very easy to interface with all of my old ST50 instruments. I have updated the software to the latest version, (again very easy if you follow the instructions on the Raymarine web-site) and I can now drive my Raymarine autopilot from the screen. Like most modern electronics the manual is about the size of War & Peace. Once you have used the kit a few times and begin to understand the structure of the menus then it becomes quite intuitive.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Should I go for Raymarine or another brand ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Peter,

I think it is probably good to stick to one brand if you are going to want stuff to talk to each other. If you have a problem, RM cannot then blame problems on the other brand.

I have RM ST60 stuff and autopilot, so initially looked at Raymarine for a chartplotter. But I wanted a plotter that could be fitted at the helm, therefore waterproof, and felt that NMEA would sort out any connections. Also didnt like the price of RM stuff, or the attitude of the local dealer.

In the end, I bought a Lowrance 3600i plotter which is waterproof and sits nicely at the wheel. Havent connected the NMEA stuff yet, (apart from to the DSC VHF, which works fine), but I havent missed it in about 3000 miles over 18 months.

My RM stuff is still fed by the RM GPS aerial and mainly works OK - there is one glitch which is a bit complex, and probably isnt a RM problem, (more likely voltage or connections). I will probably ask for help here at some point but, again, it hasnt stopped me sailing 2000 miles this year.

If I was buying a plotter today, it would be a Standard Horizon ...the one that's about £500, not sure of the model.

Cheers,

Richard
 
[ QUOTE ]
But I wanted a plotter that could be fitted at the helm, therefore waterproof, and felt that NMEA would sort out any connections.
In the end, I bought a Lowrance 3600i plotter which is waterproof and sits nicely at the wheel.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you telling me that the Raymarine isn't water proof ? My plotter is going to be mounted at the helm. So it HAS to be water proof.
http://www.baadmagasinet.dk/org/03/2487603.jpg
I've seen quite good offers on a bundle called "Raymarine Sail Pack" containing C80 PLOTTER, RAYSTAR 125 ANTENNA, AIS250 MODULE, RAY218E FIXED VHF. AIS is nice to have and my radio has to be replaced anyway as I need a radio with a second station option.
 
[quoteAre you telling me that the Raymarine isn't water proof ? My plotter is going to be mounted at the helm. So it HAS to be water proof.

[/ QUOTE ]

AFAIK, if you flush fit it in a pod of some kind, it is waterproof from the front, but the back isnt - I would guess that is what you are planning, so it should be OK.

Mine sits fully exposed, front and back, on a swivel on the pedestal.
 
Just had a look at your pic. That looks fine - I dont have the benefit of such a supersonic pod, (but we can see our plotter when huddled under the canopy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif or merely sat forward of the wheel).
 
[ QUOTE ]
(Navpod)

[/ QUOTE ]

I want a small pod to fit a bowthruster control to, but cant believe how much a piece of moulded fibreglass can command!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you want fully waterproof - Furuno's the only sensible/reliable option.

[/ QUOTE ]

My Lowrance has been dumped on by waves, torrentially rained on, hosed, bucketed, coffee'd, tea'd etc., and still works fine after 18 months.

not sure how much more waterproof something could be /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I want a small pod to fit a bowthruster control to, but cant believe how much a piece of moulded fibreglass can command!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Richard,
I know, tell me about it, I was lucky though and found one for the C120 on eBay for £85. Otherwise I would'nt have been a happy bunny!
 
[quoteI want a small pod to fit a bowthruster control to, but cant believe how much a piece of moulded fibreglass can command!!

[/ QUOTE ]

You'll probably find that one of Maplins waterproof project cases will do that nicely for under a tenner
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

R
Raymarine C70 replacement
Replies
4
Views
266
CrikeyChris
C

Share this page

Top