New Chartplotter mfd

Interestingly, Raymarine state "The current marine industry standard. All current Raymarine MFDs are NMEA2000 certified. "

Highlighting is mine. Perhaps this explains why the newer MFDs have changed over to DeviceNet connectors.

It‘s an interesting piece of weasel-wording from Raymarine, certainly ?

Pete
 
As I understand it, Pete is correct about the specifications for the connectors.
I believe that Raymarine chose a proprietary connector so that the extra wire could carry Seatalk 1.
 
I recently bought an ONWA Chartplotter/AIS ; it works but, moisture gets inside and then it is hard to see the screen, also the screen definition/clarity is not very good. Overall, the quality is very disappointing.
Onwa had a recall on KP708Aplotters with condensation behind the screen: some dodgy front cases produced in 2019. Send a message to me at: alanvick@avesmarine.com I can get that sorted for you.
 
So, you are saying that Raymarine STNG, Navicos Simnet etc are non-complaint and cannot be certified ?

That is correct, which is why they made up the different names. When I worked developing software for a major marine electronics manufacturer I wasn't involved in connectors, but I overheard the conversations. The device had to be certified, & that included having compliant connectors, to allow NMEA 2000 to appear on the box.
 
Last March I upgraded the plotter and installed Radar plus AIS in my new to me boat... My instinct was to go with Garmin as all their products are very user friendly and the software intuitive. In the end the 'shop/installer' offered me such a good deal financially in Raymarine that I went down that route. I now have the problem that whilst the Raymarine setup is physically and probably does everything I want it to do the software is appalling and I can only access features I want by luck or by chance... Very very complicated and non intuitive.

I have a 7inch plotter/radar screen which is almost unreadable because all that has happened with the small size is to downsize so with AIS it is almost impossible to access the items on the screen...either with the control knob or touch. I am sure it works fine on larger screens but is awful on a 7inh.
If I had the option again I would go down the more expensive Garmin route. Raymarine software has always been challenging, even with ST60 instruments which function excellently but are a pain to adjust, but it becomes a serious problem with Radar & AIS that often are used in more difficult and urgent situations.. Why can Raymarine not employ more gifted software writers?
 
I guess we all get used to what we have - I find Garmin to be difficult to use but Raymarine easy and intuitive. We upgraded our last boat to Axiom and Quantum and were so impressed that we are doing the same on our current boat. I can imagine that the 7“ display is too small though.
 
I guess we all get used to what we have - I find Garmin to be difficult to use but Raymarine easy and intuitive. We upgraded our last boat to Axiom and Quantum and were so impressed that we are doing the same on our current boat. I can imagine that the 7“ display is too small though.
In my Beneateau 323 at the helm a 7'' was the maximum size there was space for... Had larger in my last boat a Westerly 43 and the older model non touch screen Radar worked brilliantly and the separate Simrad AIS display although small was easy to use... Interesting you find Garmin difficult and non intuitive - I suppose we are all wired a bit differently...
 
So I'm none the wiser after reading all of this and I haven't a clue on cables or connectivity.
At some point I want to replace my C80 and radar but what's the most intuitive system to a complete plotter novice? I was drawn to the Raymarine but then watched a B&G video, it looks just as good.
Does the RM automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?
 
So I'm none the wiser after reading all of this and I haven't a clue on cables or connectivity.
At some point I want to replace my C80 and radar but what's the most intuitive system to a complete plotter novice? I was drawn to the Raymarine but then watched a B&G video, it looks just as good.
Does the RM automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?

You won't be any wiser, because everyone has their own preferences. Personally, i prefer Garmin and i've yet to fit a Garmin system where the customer hasn't been happy with it. I've fitted a few Raymarine ones where they have been very unhappy with it, but they choose what they want.

Not entirely sure what you mean by "automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?"
 
“Not entirely sure what you mean by "automatically set your WPs to your destination like”

assume you mean some form of auto routing?
 
So I'm none the wiser after reading all of this and I haven't a clue on cables or connectivity.
At some point I want to replace my C80 and radar but what's the most intuitive system to a complete plotter novice? I was drawn to the Raymarine but then watched a B&G video, it looks just as good.
Does the RM automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?
I think with Raymarine, B&G & Garmin they all have about exactly the same software options... The issue for me is how easy is it to operate in busy shipping lanes in fog... Does the touch screen work in cold weather with cold fingers?- certainly does not in Raymarine... are the manual controls easy to use when touch screen is non operative because of rain falling on it? Not with Raymarine but I do not know if any of the other major brands are better...
 
You won't be any wiser, because everyone has their own preferences. Personally, i prefer Garmin and i've yet to fit a Garmin system where the customer hasn't been happy with it. I've fitted a few Raymarine ones where they have been very unhappy with it, but they choose what they want.

Not entirely sure what you mean by "automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?"
I certainly wish I had gone the Garmin route.
 
I think with Raymarine, B&G & Garmin they all have about exactly the same software options... The issue for me is how easy is it to operate in busy shipping lanes in fog... Does the touch screen work in cold weather with cold fingers?- certainly does not in Raymarine... are the manual controls easy to use when touch screen is non operative because of rain falling on it? Not with Raymarine but I do not know if any of the other major brands are better...
I have used the b&g in heavy rain and had no issues with the screen responding
 
I have used the b&g in heavy rain and had no issues with the screen responding
I had mega problems with my new Raymarine hybrid in heavy rain at the end of last year... Rain drops falling on the touch screen caused it to activate functions... with cold fingers the touch screen did not respond... B&G sound much better
 
never had any issues with our Lowrence in heavy rain, assume there must be a difference in the touch screen tech between them
 
Interesting you find Garmin difficult and non intuitive - I suppose we are all wired a bit differently...

I guess so - similarly I can’t get to grips with Android and it is Apple all the way but there are many who would take an entirely opposite view ?
 
You won't be any wiser, because everyone has their own preferences. Personally, i prefer Garmin and i've yet to fit a Garmin system where the customer hasn't been happy with it. I've fitted a few Raymarine ones where they have been very unhappy with it, but they choose what they want.

Not entirely sure what you mean by "automatically set your WPs to your destination like the B&G?"

What is it with Raymarine that people weren’t happy with? A genuine question as it is contrary to my experience but perhaps I am missing something?

I did a self-installation of Raymarine Axiom, Quantum Doppler radar and I70 to replace existing kit and I added an Evolution autopilot system to our last boat and I was absolutely delighted with it. Easy to set up and use and support was excellent when the radar packed up - replaced with a new one with no quibble. The three year onboard warranty is pretty good (I had the installation checked and certified by the dealer).

I am currently awaiting delivery of an Axiom / Quantum package to upgrade on our current boat and have gone Raymarine again, partly on experience and partly because I am keeping the existing Raymarine autopilot and speed/depth and it is easy to integrate the old with the new.

I am a little concerned to read reports of poor performance of the touchscreens in adverse weather because we are putting an Axiom on the flybridge. Mind you, we have a good wheelhouse so if it isn’t nice we are likely to retreat below ?
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