Lowrance Plotter to Radio Ocean VHF

[PaulGooch]

I like Garmin - only problem relative to the Lowrance/Simrad family is that Garmin do not have a broadband radar option - if you have no intention to install radar, I cannot see any downside in going Garmin.

Yes, the smallest/cheapest Garmin that will support radar is the GPSMAP 750. A touch more money that the Lowrance, but it's a bit bigger screen and is touchscreen. Supports AIS, Radar and sonar and comes with pre-loaded G2 charts, so in reality it works out cheaper than the Lowrance with a Navionics gold card.

 

[maby]

Yes, the smallest/cheapest Garmin that will support radar is the GPSMAP 750. A touch more money that the Lowrance, but it's a bit bigger screen and is touchscreen. Supports AIS, Radar and sonar.

But not broadband radar...

 

[PaulGooch]

But not broadband radar...

Nope.

 

[superheat6k]

As far as Radar is concerned I am quite happy with the antique Furuno 1831 old fashioned set, mind you I have only switched it on twice in the year I have owned the boat and then only to play with the thing.

Seems to work fine but I understand it cannot be interfaced with anything modern at all.

Still managed 33 years without a radar, so not so worried about that. I do like the AIS as you can get the essential CPA & TCPA details for large vessels, and like a detailed chart display at my finger tips. Class B transponders are fine for rossing busy shipping lanes, but the Solent on a sunny Saturday !!!

Mind you I still have paper charts out even in the Solent and still plot my position outside the Solent on passage every 30 mins or so.

I have been mid channel when the electronics packed up - not a problem if you can navigate the old fashioned way, just more convenient with the new stuff.

 

[superheat6k]

Problem resolved !

Force Four have provided excellent support, and were very apologetic that the HDS-5 & 7 are not compatible where two differing comms speeds are required In & Out.

Solution full refund against the Garmin GSP750, which should arrive next week.

Thanks to Force Four at Deacons (Aladdins Cave).

Less thanks to Navico / Lowrance Customer Support who expect me to 'realise' their unit is not compatible, despite the claim to have 'out of the box conenctivity'.

Shall not be buying any other Navico or Lowrance kit if they cannot properly explain their products.

 

[PaulGooch]

Problem resolved !

Force Four have provided excellent support, and were very apologetic that the HDS-5 & 7 are not compatible where two differing comms speeds are required In & Out.

Solution full refund against the Garmin GSP750, which should arrive next week.

Thanks to Force Four at Deacons (Aladdins Cave).

Less thanks to Navico / Lowrance Customer Support who expect me to 'realise' their unit is not compatible, despite the claim to have 'out of the box conenctivity'.

Shall not be buying any other Navico or Lowrance kit if they cannot properly explain their products.

Excellent service from Force 4 and typical Navico poor service. Why built the damn things with just one NMEA 0183 port anyway ?

You'll be very happy with the Garmin and should you ever need support, they'll give the best you could hope for.

 

[maby]

Excellent service from Force 4 and typical Navico poor service. Why built the damn things with just one NMEA 0183 port anyway ?

You'll be very happy with the Garmin and should you ever need support, they'll give the best you could hope for.

In fairness to Navico, the HDS5 and HDS7 are considered entry level devices and only have a single NMEA0183 port. The HDS8 and above have two ports. 0183 really is legacy these days - NMEA2000 is the way to go.

 

[PaulGooch]

In fairness to Navico, the HDS5 and HDS7 are considered entry level devices and only have a single NMEA0183 port. The HDS8 and above have two ports. 0183 really is legacy these days - NMEA2000 is the way to go.

NMEA 2000 doesn't seem to have taken off as much as hoped though. Still an awful lot of NMEA 0183 stuff around. Just got myself a Garmin NMEA 2000 VHF/AIS though. The Garmin entry level plotters have two ports and the bigger stuff has four.

Oh, was checking something in my Garmin manual today and the NMEA ports are not linked at all. Each RX and TX port is totally separate and can be set to different speeds and used by different equipment. IE, port one could be set for 38,400 AIS RX and 4800 TX for DSC. My GPSMAP 551 works differently though, each port settings apply to both RX and TX.

 

[superheat6k]

New challenge now - NMEA2000

Having earlier this thread resolved my problem with Lowrance by replacing it with Garmin, I am now going to install an NMEA2000 backbone system.

I have bought a Noland Engine NMEA2000 interface unit so I can convert my old fashioned analogue signals from the Tacho, Temp and Oil gauges and see them on the plotter engine displays.

The PGN numbers seem to correlate, but would be interested to see if anyone else has done this.

The plotter is Garmin GPSMAP750, and the messages will be NMEA2000 PGN127488 - Tacho & PGN127489 Engine parameters.

Also does anyone know if I can get Raymarine Seatalk system to convert to NMEA2000 format ? I would like to bring the Seatalk depth data into the plotter.

 

[volvopaul]

Having earlier this thread resolved my problem with Lowrance by replacing it with Garmin, I am now going to install an NMEA2000 backbone system.

I have bought a Noland Engine NMEA2000 interface unit so I can convert my old fashioned analogue signals from the Tacho, Temp and Oil gauges and see them on the plotter engine displays.

The PGN numbers seem to correlate, but would be interested to see if anyone else has done this.

The plotter is Garmin GPSMAP750, and the messages will be NMEA2000 PGN127488 - Tacho & PGN127489 Engine parameters.

Also does anyone know if I can get Raymarine Seatalk system to convert to NMEA2000 format ? I would like to bring the Seatalk depth data into the plotter.

Good luck with the new system I'd be interested in your link up to the 60b motor. As your boats loom and wiring is getting on in years make sure all your connectors on senders alternator gauges etc are clean so not to give problems relating to resistance.