Quantum Radar_WiFi or Data Cable?

[Amlov]

Although I went down the wired route, there is a downside to this.

If you are using an Axiom with the Quantum, the issue is that the Axiom only has one network socket. While if all you want to do is communicate with the radar, this is not a problem. But if you want to put a second Axiom at the helm, you will need to buy a network switch - at a significant cost. Obviously, if you are communicating over WIFI to the radar, you can simply connect the two Axioms and save having to buy a network switch.

Andy

 

[Medway Mudlark]

Have had E7 connected wifi to Quantum for last 3 years and no problems with connectivity (28ft powerboat. Plotter is 3m from scanner). Only problem encountered was that after 2 years the randome filled with water due to screws not being tightened at factory. Very quickly rectified by both my local chandler and Raymarine, who with no prompting sent a brand new randome within 48 hours. Screws were loose on this one too, so fed this back to them. But just to be sure would suggest you check the screws that hold the 2 halves of the randome together.

 

[pvb]

Do you need to use Raymarine plug/sockets where the cables are joined and are they easy to use?

You can get fairly easy to use DIY plugs/sockets.

 

[Ian_Rob]

You can get fairly easy to use DIY plugs/sockets.

THANKYOU!

 

[prv]

if you want to put a second Axiom at the helm, you will need to buy a network switch - at a significant cost.

Network switches aren't all that expensive. Office grade ones can be had under a tenner, though of course it would be more sensible to use industrial grade for important equipment on a boat. I've just specced some decent Moxa industrial unmanaged 5-ports for a work project for something like £40 each. Wide tolerance power supply and thermals, physically robust, and very compact, they're what I'd pick if I needed to connect something else to the plotter on my boat. These ones aren't weatherproof, but if the inside of my chart table is full of water there are probably some more important things already failed. And I could put it inside a junction box with glands if I wanted to.

Pete

 

[dunedin]

Ours is connected via Wi-fi and no issues.

Radar is by definition radio based. As is other safety critical stuff like VHF, AIS, GPS etc. Seems odd to worry about using radio commas for the last 10 metres.
Clearly, per the installation manual, check the Wi-fi signal strength using mobile phone meter App if concerned due to say a thick steel deck between radar and plotter.

 

[Mark Payne]

Ours is connected via Wi-fi and no issues.

Radar is by definition radio based. As is other safety critical stuff like VHF, AIS, GPS etc. Seems odd to worry about using radio commas for the last 10 metres.
Clearly, per the installation manual, check the Wi-fi signal strength using mobile phone meter App if concerned due to say a thick steel deck between radar and plotter.

Wifi connectivity problems are hang/reboot orientated. GPS AIS and VHF are all developed within and subject to marine environment evolution. Wifi ... less so. We had wifi issues with the Quantum and stopped using it.
the OP can now judge. I speak from experience here, not opinion. “it works fine” and “beware we have had issues” are two statements that the OP can risk asses and decide for him/herself.

 

[laika]

Radar is by definition radio based. As is other safety critical stuff like VHF, AIS, GPS etc. Seems odd to worry about using radio commas for the last 10 metres.

With AIS, VHF and GPS the way data are sent and received is specifically designed for the purpose. For the "wifi connection" Raymarine are using a whole stack of general purpose protocols which are vastly more complex than a single-purpose protocol. Moreover the marine electronics industry are just forehead-slappingly *terrible* at IP-networking. Wait! Did someone mention OneNet?*

Does this mean I think there will be more issues with Quantum and the wireless link? I don't have any evidence to support that and I'm sure that even those with microwave ovens on board will soon learn not to re-heat pasties in fog. However, a quantum is on my prospective purchase list and maybe it's just superstition but a wire is just a comforting bit simpler and certainly easier to debug if things do go wrong.

(For clarification, OneNet has always sounded like a good standard imho. I understand it will even involve a standard for radar imaging. It's just that the release date was...what..."By 2014"? And in 2020 we don't have even a hint of a product based on the draft standard?)

 

[prv]

Interfere with?

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

I didn't mean "interfere with" in the sense of RF interference, rather that the unit only has a single radio network interface so using it for multiple purposes may potentially conflict, or at least increase the risk of misconfiguration.

For example, when I attempted to connect my iPad to it, a dialogue box in the app warned that this might interrupt communication with the radar. Seemed relatively unlikely since mine is wired, but nevertheless, considering we were at the time in thick fog in the Channel with a faulty AIS receiver and relying 100% on the radar, I decided any alteration to the network stack at that moment might be a bad idea, and hit "Cancel".

I tried it out later in less critical circumstances, and the message did indeed prove spurious. But I don't know whether that was just because my radar uses the ethernet interface, and the connection would have been interrupted if it were wifi. After all, Raymarine put that message in their software for a reason.

Pete

 

[Birdseye]

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

any radio signal is vulnerable to interference. For example, your fridge or SSB or failing alternator could drown the wifif signal. My SSB on one boat on transmit once lit up the masthead light of the boat alongside in swansea marina, and regularly fed back through the yanmar instrument alarm.

a shielded cable is inherently more reliable and you can bet your boots that if you ever have a problem with the wifi it will be when its pi55ing down in the middle of the night, there are lost of ships about in poor vis and you are knackered.

 

[Mark Payne]

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.

You can make the join. But only if you are ok at terminating Cat6. I can do it but I don't like it!