Old transducers compatible?

[dukes4monny]

Hi all, the old speed and depth instruments on my recently acquired Jag 27 are defunct and I am looking at my options for replacing them...........
If I get (for example) a secondhand Raymarine bidata unit, will my existing transducers work with it, or will I need to replace the lot?
The existing depth sounder is an old Navico........the speed / log unit is of unknown origin.
The cable from the depth transducer has no plug on the end......anyone know what sort of plug should go on the end of this........the cable looks like it's probably some sort of coax?
I know nothing about such devices, so any help / advice is very much appreciated.

 

[charles_reed]

If the depth-sounder is a Corus instrument the transducer is industry-standard.

I would however steer clear of Raymarine - they have their own proprietary SeaTalk and are expensive for what they are.

 

[Tranona]

Probably best to chuck them away and start again. NASA do budget models and more upmarket ones. Next up price wise is Raymarine ST40, then ST60. Navman also have a range.

If you are not into interfacing then you can mix manufacturers. For most a log and echosounder with combined display is fine and for navigation a free standing plotter.

 

[narooma]

To check the compatibility of the transducer you will need its number which may just be on a tag on the cable. With that talk to Airmar who are the (probable) makers. Without the number it will be trial and (hopefully not too much) error

 

[dukes4monny]

Thanks for all the replies. I've taken a look at the NASA website, and their Clipper Duet system does look very good value considering it includes the transducers as well.
I do have a Navman chartplotter which I'm pleased with, but they don't appear to be represented in the UK (Navman marine)?
I think I might save myself a lot of potential grief by going for all new...........will leave more time for sailing...........if the weather sorts itself out before the winter returns.

 

[moody1]

You will find that near all old sets are interchangeable on transducers.
Cable end is co-ax plug for depth.
The suggestion to buy such as Nasa is good one, Echopilot Dual is another budget set-up.
One post mentions Seatalk - this has no bearing on what you want to do, as Seatalk is an interface protocol between different instruments not transducers.
Suggest you buy budget gear to fit the slots of old gear - most are similar fittings and try old transducers, keeping new as spare back-ups. Unless of course it's easy to change them over.
Our Echopilot Dual is working with Seafarer and Nasa transducers and Echopilot ones are still in the box.