Nav update options

[DennisF]

I have bought a 1996 Moody S38, which came with an elderly Garmin GPSMap 750 plotter integrated on the pedestal, and a GMR radar which is plugged in to it. I’ve bought an updated chart and plan to just sail it as is this season before deciding on any changes (I’ve also got a tablet running Garmin Boating as well as a backup, and of course paper charts).

However, I’ll probably want to upgrade the system next year, and would want to keep the radar input. The log and depth are separate at present. The pedestal seems to fit the size of the 7” Gpsmap (224mm x 142mm) well. What would people recommend? Are multifunction displays able to accept older GMR radar inputs, and send info to a secondary display? if so which would people recommend ? What about options such as Orca etc??

 

[KompetentKrew]

I would assume that only Garmin plotters will work with your Garmin GMR radar.

I doubt you'd want to move to any other brand if it meant you'd have to replace or do without your radar. I like my B&G but there's not that much to choose between them. You'll need to check with Garmin to see if their newer displays are compatible with your older radar.

Orca aren't doing anything particularly magical, but they're marketing a slick package. I assume their business model is to keep selling you charts and software updates. I'm sure the product is very slick but I won't buy into a software subscription service.