MFD / Network / NMEA Question.

[Blue Seas]

When a particular MFD has (for example) inbuilt CHIRP but a cheaper unit does not or is say compatible with Radar via wifi but not hard cable (eg Raymarine elements v Axiom) - is all of that by-passed via NMEA 2000
conversion?

So, for example, my Axiom Pro Plus will speak to the Quantum plus radar either via hard wire or by wifi whereas the Elements MFD will accept wifi signal only - but if the Axiom and the Elements where on the same Nmea 2000 network would the Elements MFD display (only display) the radar picture from the hardwired axiom via the 2000 network?

Ditto all of the other info via Sonar etc.

I'm trying to decide whether to have multiple display heads all of the same capability (eg all Axioms) as I have in my present set up (so I am not forever scrolling through screens at 3am in a blow) or whether to have one 'Master, unit with all the bells and whistles and additional display heads with just basic back up functions only (I'm moving away from touch screens back to just hard keys only in any case).

 

[lustyd]

Mostly they use ethernet for radar and sonar, n2k for simpler stuff like depth and speed. If you can give more detail of what you have/want someone can probably give a detailed response

 

[PaulRainbow]

When a particular MFD has (for example) inbuilt CHIRP but a cheaper unit does not or is say compatible with Radar via wifi but not hard cable (eg Raymarine elements v Axiom) - is all of that by-passed via NMEA 2000
conversion?

So, for example, my Axiom Pro Plus will speak to the Quantum plus radar either via hard wire or by wifi whereas the Elements MFD will accept wifi signal only - but if the Axiom and the Elements where on the same Nmea 2000 network would the Elements MFD display (only display) the radar picture from the hardwired axiom via the 2000 network?

Ditto all of the other info via Sonar etc.

I'm trying to decide whether to have multiple display heads all of the same capability (eg all Axioms) as I have in my present set up (so I am not forever scrolling through screens at 3am in a blow) or whether to have one 'Master, unit with all the bells and whistles and additional display heads with just basic back up functions only (I'm moving away from touch screens back to just hard keys only in any case).

Radar and Chirp don't work over N2K, thy both need Ethernet (Raynet). The element series of MFD are designed to be stand alone units, they do not support Raynet. You'll need all MFDs to be Axioms if you stick with Raymarine.

 

[Blue Seas]

Ah, now we are getting somewhere (why can't they just say this in their blurb?).
I'm going to stay with this for a while unless I come up against a complete brick wall. I have run a Simrad system for almost 15 years in my old boat and that gives me what I want i.e. Three separate screens at the helm, they normally talk to each other and each can exchange nav information and display either radar or bottom chart or nav whatever. BUT, most importantly for me, each is a separate (independent) MFD with inbuilt chart, GPS, and sounder i.e. Backup redundancy in the event of failure - it is the opposite of three large screens fed by one 'black box' brain. I love it.

Because I have inherited so much Raymarine gear (I would otherwise go with Garmin) including Axiom Pro plus, Quantum 2 doppler, i70's with inbuilt auto helm heads, (all just unboxed) as well as a mass of network cables C120 Widescreen, E80 X2, heading sensors etc etc then I will at least try to make something out of it before giving up.

So, a couple more questions if I may,

1. Can an axiom send even a basic navigational route to an Elements 12? and,
2. Can a Quantum radar send a signal over hard wire (To Axiom) and over WiFi (To Elements) simultaneously?

As said, I am in any case changing away from 'fancy' to go with basic plus backup - I've had enough of touch screens in the cold dark and wet at 3am.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ah, now we are getting somewhere (why can't they just say this in their blurb?).
I'm going to stay with this for a while unless I come up against a complete brick wall. I have run a Simrad system for almost 15 years in my old boat and that gives me what I want i.e. Three separate screens at the helm, they normally talk to each other and each can exchange nav information and display either radar or bottom chart or nav whatever. BUT, most importantly for me, each is a separate (independent) MFD with inbuilt chart, GPS, and sounder i.e. Backup redundancy in the event of failure - it is the opposite of three large screens fed by one 'black box' brain. I love it.

Because I have inherited so much Raymarine gear (I would otherwise go with Garmin) including Axiom Pro plus, Quantum 2 doppler, i70's with inbuilt auto helm heads, (all just unboxed) as well as a mass of network cables C120 Widescreen, E80 X2, heading sensors etc etc then I will at least try to make something out of it before giving up.

I'd sell the C120 and E80, they'd just make a messy installation. IMO

You can have multiple Axioms networked via Raynet, which will share wired Radar, Chirp sonar and charts. Everything else would network via Seatalk NG/N2K.

So, a couple more questions if I may,

1. Can an axiom send even a basic navigational route to an Elements 12? and,

No. There is no way to connect the Axiom to the Element.

2. Can a Quantum radar send a signal over hard wire (To Axiom) and over WiFi (To Elements) simultaneously?

Not 100% sure, but i think not.

As said, I am in any case changing away from 'fancy' to go with basic plus backup - I've had enough of touch screens in the cold dark and wet at 3am.

Having an Axiom and an Element will mean that each will be a stand alone entity. If you connect depth, autopilot etc to to one it will not be available on the other.

You could fit 2 Elements and fit basic depth (no CHIRP) and anything else on STNG together on a single network and connect the radar to one by WiFi.

You could fit 2 Axioms and connect them together using STNG and Raynet and share everything.

 

[Blue Seas]

I'd sell the C120 and E80, they'd just make a messy installation. IMO

You can have multiple Axioms networked via Raynet, which will share wired Radar, Chirp sonar and charts. Everything else would network via Seatalk NG/N2K.



No. There is no way to connect the Axiom to the Element.

Not 100% sure, but i think not.



Having an Axiom and an Element will mean that each will be a stand alone entity. If you connect depth, autopilot etc to to one it will not be available on the other.

You could fit 2 Elements and fit basic depth (no CHIRP) and anything else on STNG together on a single network and connect the radar to one by WiFi.

You could fit 2 Axioms and connect them together using STNG and Raynet and share everything.

Thank you for that comprehensive reply Paul, it is very much appreciated. Axiom it is then
(I'll stash a Garmin backup somewhere onboard just in case).