Plotter recommdation...

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mattnj

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www.red-data.co.uk
I have a Garmin 3010c from 2006.....works ok but a big lump and obviously not the latest technology screen looks dated!

Looking to upgrade to something more modern....but this opens the whole nmea2k drama....I have 2 nmea feeds to Garmin currently....one for AIS, one for everything else (tacktick nmea output that has all other data on it)
No intention to replace all that....works fine...

Any recommendation for a 9" plotter, that's simple, don't need radar, fish etc, it's for sail cruising.....I'd like a decent wind rose (b&g?) As it's a high performance boat (dragonfly) but it seems like I need a 2k converter and or a nmea multiplexer as they all seem to have 0 or 1 nmea inputs....seems like lots of extra kit 2 nmea inputs would be so much simpler....if I were making one it would have lots of inputs!!

Or perhaps I should look for a few year old 2nd hand something.....

Any suggestions as to what plotter....seen any good deals?
 
I’m amazed any of them put one NMEA port on let alone thinking two would be a thing! N2K has been around for decades at this point and is completely standardised. I’d go Garmin and get Garmin wind. B&G wind would work with it but always nicer to have them match to avoid minor niggles. You can get converters which multiplex so that shouldn’t be an issue to make the whole lot N2K
 
lustyd said:
I’m amazed any of them put one NMEA port on let alone thinking two would be a thing! N2K has been around for decades at this point and is completely standardised. I’d go Garmin and get Garmin wind. B&G wind would work with it but always nicer to have them match to avoid minor niggles. You can get converters which multiplex so that shouldn’t be an issue to make the whole lot N2K
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as I said....I'm not going to replace all the instruments, there is no point.

Why would you not put a nmea port? $1 extra probably. It's called backwards compatibility.......Thanks for no help at all....

Like the way you say it's completely standardised....then there is niggles....and we all know things like DSC polling is manufacturer specific as is seatalk NG, so it's not all standard.....maybe your just trolling....

Just to clarify I have all tacktick instruments....so no wires....1 nmea output box that outputs all the data, wind, GPS, depth, speed etc and an ais box..... I need to feed those 2 into a plotter without re wiring the whole boat with thick n2k cables!!
 
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Regardless how cheap why would they install obsolete ports? Niggles are in functionality generally such as updates over the network. Garmin can’t update B&G devices.
I did see you weren’t replacing your stuff, that’s why I suggested Garmin who do fit the obsolete port, and why I spoke of a multiplexer.
For some reason you then responded like an angry child because you didn’t like the answer.
 
I'm personally a fan of B&G products as I've used them on a lot of deliveries and a lot of the larger manufacturers are fitting them as standard. I have to update the electronics on my Nauticat and will be going down this road.

However, in your case if you already have Garmin I'd suggest that's where you look and consider a purchase. When you integrate it into your existing network it hopefully should be compatible without any modifications and you should be able to call upon Garmin for support.
 
lustyd said:
Regardless how cheap why would they install obsolete ports? Niggles are in functionality generally such as updates over the network. Garmin can’t update B&G devices.
I did see you weren’t replacing your stuff, that’s why I suggested Garmin who do fit the obsolete port, and why I spoke of a multiplexer.
For some reason you then responded like an angry child because you didn’t like the answer.
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Because it's not obsolete....there is hundreds of thousands if not millions of boats using it....and many are still sold with it...
In the same way a carburettor isn't obsolete....sure most engines are now efi but not all...

Another helpful one....cheers....
 
MAGTRAD said:
B&G products
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I have B&G too but they don’t fit any old NMEA ports hence I suggested Garmin. B&G also have a lot of work to do on their software so I can’t in good faith recommend them to other boaters. Simple things like track recording don’t work reliably which is disappointing in an otherwise really nice bit of kit.
 
mattnj said:
Seriously mate....you are just trolling here...ruins these forums for everyone. Have a nice day.
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One of us might be, but it’s not me, I was giving you information to answer your question for free in my own time. You then started attacking me for no reason other than not liking the answer.
 
mattnj said:
I have a Garmin 3010c from 2006.....works ok but a big lump and obviously not the latest technology screen looks dated!

Looking to upgrade to something more modern....but this opens the whole nmea2k drama....I have 2 nmea feeds to Garmin currently....one for AIS, one for everything else (tacktick nmea output that has all other data on it)
No intention to replace all that....works fine...

Any recommendation for a 9" plotter, that's simple, don't need radar, fish etc, it's for sail cruising.....I'd like a decent wind rose (b&g?) As it's a high performance boat (dragonfly) but it seems like I need a 2k converter and or a nmea multiplexer as they all seem to have 0 or 1 nmea inputs....seems like lots of extra kit 2 nmea inputs would be so much simpler....if I were making one it would have lots of inputs!!

Or perhaps I should look for a few year old 2nd hand something.....

Any suggestions as to what plotter....seen any good deals?
Click to expand...

No one fits "lots of inputs" any more, very few things are now produced with 0183, most are N2K. A Garmin Echomap is the closet plotter than fits your requirements. Doesn't accept radar, comes with built in charts and has one 0183 port. You've not said which AIS you have, so can't advise on options for getting everything to work with only one port.
 
mattnj said:
Seriously mate....you are just trolling here...ruins these forums for everyone. Have a nice day.
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Not sure why you are taking this attitude. lustyd is only telling you how it is. Your beef is with the manufacturers - not with the messenger.

Going through the same process myself and as Paul says the Garmin Echomap is the only plotter that still has an 0183 port. However, I understand that this is being discontinued but there is still stock around.
 
There was a guy selling a Garmin echomap 9" on gumtree recently. 18 months old. I think it may still be available. 400, but probably negotiable. No charts
 
What transducers do you have, and what brand are they? If you have log, wind, etc from one brand I advise checking compatibility with whatever MFD you choose. We started a rolling upgrade a year or so ago and this was largely the driver for sticking with the same brand (in our case Raymarine).

The issue you have is that there are very few "standards" in the industry, and the connection standard you have is now rapidly becoming obsolete. I feel your pain as I've been through it. My advice would be to get one of the many devices that will convert N0183 to N2K and vice-versa. That way your existing N0183 data will 'play nice' on the new network, it doesn't limit your MFD choice, buys you a bit of time with the existing kit and provides future upgrade or replacement potential.

Unfortunately, as much as you say you have no intention to replace the N0183 kit, the industry has moved on from that (don't blame the manufacturers, it's as much consumer driven). It is becoming more and more difficult to find equipment that uses that protocol, so you will have to make the jump sooner or later. Prepare now to avoid further expense down the line is my advice.
 
Tranona said:
Not sure why you are taking this attitude. lustyd is only telling you how it is. Your beef is with the manufacturers - not with the messenger.

Going through the same process myself and as Paul says the Garmin Echomap is the only plotter that still has an 0183 port. However, I understand that this is being discontinued but there is still stock around.
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I'm not so sure the Echomap series is being discontinued, some models were updated (hence the older ones disconnected), but as far as i know there are no plans to drop the whole range.
 
PaulRainbow said:
Not posible for it to have no charts, they come with pre-installed charts.
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I was told that it has the base chart, but the guy selling it wanted to keep the SD card containing the full UK/Ireland detailed charts, as it is worth 350. Does this sound correct?
 
steve1963 said:
I was told that it has the base chart, but the guy selling it wanted to keep the SD card containing the full UK/Ireland detailed charts, as it is worth 350. Does this sound correct?
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A "base chart" is normally just an outline of the land masses type of thing, so useless for navigation. In the case of the Echomap, it will have the base map, but also comes with full UK coverage Garmin G3 charts. Sounds like the seller has purchased Garmin G£ Vision charts on an SD card and isn't including that in the sale, but the pre-installed charts will still be there.
 
PaulRainbow said:
No one fits "lots of inputs" any more, very few things are now produced with 0183, most are N2K. A Garmin Echomap is the closet plotter than fits your requirements. Doesn't accept radar, comes with built in charts and has one 0183 port. You've not said which AIS you have, so can't advise on options for getting everything to work with only one port.
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Thanks.... excellent advice as per usual. One of those and 1 X 2k converter for instruments....that'll do.
 
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