B&G Zeus - Chartplotter

I've got a Zeus and like it. They've moved onto touch screens which I'm not keen on so it's a 'push button' version. It needs an external feed of GPS. Just about to hook up the radar - haven't tried it yet.
 
I've found B&G displays a lot easier to use than Raymarine stuff. They also seem to work a lot quicker, but that may be down to the B&G displays I've used being brand new and the Raymarine ones being a few years old.

If price isn't an issue then I'd recommend B&G all the way.

That said, your gps antenna will work with any system.
 
Way.. You say your boat is in Portsmouth.. You are welcome to visit next time you are here.

I have a Zeus T7 at the helm and a Zeus T8 at the chart table. They are interconnected with NMEA2000, NMEA 0183 as well as ethernet.

The ethernet allows both plotters to share a single Navionics chart card and is also used for the Radar data. Both screens are able to show the image from the Simrad 3G radome.

I am using NMEA2000 from the wind sensor and for various other instruments. NMEA 0183 is used from the AIS and from the VHF.

As to your existing GPS dome - If you want heading up (as opposed to course up) for true chart overlay (and radar overlay) you will really need a heading sensor as well. The Lowrance Point-1 for example works well with the B&G and gives GPS as well as heading data.

You're welcome to take a look and have a play and at least see what they are like in real life. Note they are Zeus Touch and not the new Zeus2.
 
I have the Zeus2 touch plotter and Triton instruments. I find the plotter nowhere near as intuitive as the Garmin 2010 that it replaced, although people seem to think this was one of the best anyone has made. After a long season of using it I still need the manual for some operations, e.g. editing a route once started on it. I found one aspect of it most annoying, that if I stopped overnight part way through a route it would want me to start the whole thing over again next day. I then came across the way to do this when searching for something else. The manual is pretty poor, with limited explanation, again unlike the Garmin. Touch screen can be extremely frustrating.
The Triton instruments are superb.
Even on my plotter, the most comprehensive 12 inch version, there is only one NMEA0183 port which meant I had to buy another antenna to feed the AIS that has a different baud rate than the VHF and radar.
 
I have a Garmin 820 which is pitched at the same level as the Zeus. Very happy with its operation. They are direct competitors in the OE market and builders eeem split with Jeanneau, Hans and Beneteau using Zeus and Bavaria using Garmin. If you are not constrained by what the builder fits then either will do the job, so it comes down to personal preference. Having an existing GPS from one manufacturer should not determine your choice.
 
I have recently investigated this market with a view to an almost complete N2K upgrade. B&G has always been my preference and for high-end racing applications I might conceivably go that way again. However, the Navico split appears to have left both R&D and support in a state of flux and to be honest I am not hearing good things at all from the dealers.

That said the Zeus/Triton end equipment seems pretty good, so just a caution really. Somewhat, to my surprise I am going down the Raymarine route
 
Then you can make your own mind up as to whether or not you like the functionality of the B&G... Some users like one menu system and some like another.. Guess it depends on what you get used to and how much play time you get browsing menus and familiarizing yourself with functions.

I'll be on board this evening.. although tomorrow morning you could probably try with cold, wet fingers on the touch screen in the pouring rain! PM sent.
 
We had Raymarine on the previous boats and moved to B&G Zeus on ConoSur - all touch screens and absolutely fabulous to use.
We had several problems on the previous boat with the Raymarine equipment and also had as many problems with Raymarine and their dealership in trying to fix things - one issue with the B&G and they couldn't do enough to get it fixed. Excellent service, Excellent kit and really easy to use
 
I replaced a Raymarine C80 ( original) with a Zeus touch screen below decks. I cant comment on the Zeus racing aspects since it needs a full set of NMEA 2000 instruments to work and I dont have that. For cruising ie route planning and waypoints, the Zeus is definitely inferior to the old Raymarine. Handling waypoints isnt as good - you cant have groups of waypoints ( say one racing, one cruising) that you can show or hide as a group. Route planning and management is poor by comparison. The wifi is clunky and wont allow you to change course using your phone. And the touch screen rather like that on your tablet is just too easy to touch and end up with not what you intended. In short its a bit of a disappointment.

It works but if someone nicked it I would replace with another brand.
 
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