Quantum Radar_WiFi or Data Cable?

[Ian_Rob]

On a 36ft boat are there any downsides to going with the cheaper WiFi data link option?

 

[Travelling Westerly]

Been using my Quantum for near 2 years on WiFi. Had a couple of issues with it not connecting after a big update. Otherwise no issues.

 

[pvb]

There's potentially a bit more reliability with having it hard-wired, and you only have to do it once.

 

[XDC]

and you only have to do it once.

Do what once?

When I bought my Axiom and Quantum the engineer showed me know to wirelessly link them ...just inputting the Quantum i.d. and a password, and that's it. Once.??

 

[prv]

As a colleague of mine once said, “radio waves don’t corrode”.

Nevertheless, I have mine wired and am happier that way.

I’m not sure to what extent using WiFi for the radar might interfere with either connecting the plotter to an external network for software updates, or connecting a tablet to the plotter for remote monitoring and control, both of which I do from time to time.

Pete

 

[ithet]

I have not heard of anyone who has the WiFi connection having issues, #2 is the relevant answer. I am going for the WiFi connection. I have tried it at home and it seems to cope with brick walls OK.

 

[XDC]

Interfere with?

Possible I suppose but no issues that I've noticed.

I can see both the Axiom and the Quantum on my tablet WiFi list and if I use RayControl I can turn the radar on and off through the Axiom. Probably can if hardwired but that wasn't the question.

Software updates are done using my phones personal hotspot and I wouldn't be using any other devices when updating so can't see/haven't experienced any issues.

?

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I bought the version with both, I had problems with the wiring set-up, so as a temporary fix I used the WiFi, that was 2 years ago and I'm still using the WiFi.
Set it up once and it's rock solid.

 

[Mark Payne]

I had big issues with the Wifi. We have a horn speaker just below the radar and I think this was blocking the wifi.
In the end I had the cable run and this ended the issue.

Mark

 

[Ian_Rob]

I bought the version with both, I had problems with the wiring set-up, so as a temporary fix I used the WiFi, that was 2 years ago and I'm still using the WiFi.
Set it up once and it's rock solid.

I had assumed that the WiFi version is exactly the same scanner but just sold without the data cable and therefore upgradable later if needed. Is that not the case?

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Yes, the cable plus WiFi is the same radar. The WiFi only doesn't come with a cable and, as far I'm aware doesn't have a connector for one. Raymarine probably don't populate the section of the board which drives the cable.

 

[ithet]

I had assumed that the WiFi version is exactly the same scanner but just sold without the data cable and therefore upgradable later if needed. Is that not the case?

To clarify:
There are two versions of the Quantum scanner -
Q24C Has WiFi and ethernet, this version can be bought with and without the data cable.
Q24W WiFi only, no connection socketfor ethernet.

All versions come with power cable. Interestingly Raymarine do not seem to list the Q24W on their UK website. Here is link to US specs:
NEW Raymarine Quantum - CHIRP Pulse Compression Radar | Raymarine
(select tab 'Ordering Information')

I have the Q24C without data cable (E70210 ), yet to be fitted.

 

[Mark Payne]

I have not heard of anyone who has the WiFi connection having issues, #2 is the relevant answer. I am going for the WiFi connection. I have tried it at home and it seems to cope with brick walls OK.

Up a mast in the wet fog... just when you need it and the wifi wants to bite you and the solution is to reset the radar and Wifi. Except to do that you need to turn your nav off and on again.... with scary close boats in said fog. No thanks. Get the version with the cable. You are protected that way and have the option to go either way. I am tech savvy I know my Gateway from my Netmask and my Network Address from my Broadcast Address. I work in industries that have used wifi since the beginning. My Quantum is on a wire.

 

[temptress]

On a 36ft boat are there any downsides to going with the cheaper WiFi data link option?

we have ours connected using WIFI. No issues.

fyi those of you with Quantum and/or Axiom over 12 months old....there have been at least 2 software updates then improve the WiFi connectivity options. I recommend doing. a software upgrade.

 

[Ian_Rob]

Thanks everybody for the clarification and recommendations. Raymarine’s website probably makes this clear but If so, I missed it.

 

[chubby]

If you're going properly west it's easier to miss out Weymouth and go Studland to Dartmouth or some such. We did Gosport to Plymouth in about 20 hours a couple of years ago. In suitable weather it seems to be the simplest way to get to the West Country.

Up a mast in the wet fog... just when you need it and the wifi wants to bite you and the solution is to reset the radar and Wifi. Except to do that you need to turn your nav off and on again.... with scary close boats in said fog. No thanks. Get the version with the cable. You are protected that way and have the option to go either way. I am tech savvy I know my Gateway from my Netmask and my Network Address from my Broadcast Address. I work in industries that have used wifi since the beginning. My Quantum is on a wire.

Interesting: am I right in saying the quantum is wifi but the raymarine tacktick wind transducer is blue tooth and these are different frequencies? my tacktick wind transducer is fine except on a couple of wet foggy mornings when it doesn`t connect initially but does when re booted and the fog and damp disperses, obviously lack of wind info on a foggy morning is not mission critical in the way loss of radar would be but interesting all the same.

 

[Ian_Rob]

One other thing. On a 36 foot sailing boat with the plotter at the helm and the scanner up the mast, 10m cables may work but 15m would allow better routing options. The cable is going to have to be cut at the bottom of the mast once inside the saloon so the mast can be stepped when required.. For similarly sized boats, what cable length have other gone for?

 

[pvb]

One other thing. On a 36 foot sailing boat with the plotter at the helm and the scanner up the mast, 10m cables may work but 15m would allow better routing options. The cable is going to have to be cut at the bottom of the mast once inside the saloon so the mast can be stepped when required.. For similarly sized boats, what cable length have other gone for?

In order to get a neat installation, with the cable hidden everywhere, I think I ended up with about 20m on my 37ft yacht. There's a plug/socket join in the forecabin headlining under the mast foot, and another plug/socket join in a locker in the heads compartment.

 

[Ian_Rob]

So perhaps the 10m version + an additional 10m of cable. Do you need to use Raymarine plug/sockets where the cables are joined and are they easy to use? Do you need any special tool to connect the cables to the plugs/sockets?

I am just trying to get a handle on the likely complexity/total cost.

Thankyou.

 

[davethedog]

We have the quantum 2 and opted to have the wire fitted for the signal to the MFD as although the WiFi is meant to be very good I prefer to minimise any possible issues and the for the minimal extra cost (compared to the radar and MFD) of the cable to me it was a good decision.