Radar/Plotter/GPS recommendations

boatone

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Joined
29 Jul 2001
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Just a few cables from Boulters Lock
www.tmba.org.uk
Boat is a Broom 34 sedan about 15 years old - a bit short on toys although it has a Raymarine 6000+ autopilot and a Simrad CP80 Plotter/GPS.
A small bequest may provide the readies to consider basic radar but not sure how current would interface or if better to splash out on new kit.
Any suggestions welcome.
 
I would go with raymarine because your existing autopilot us an easy plug and play connection.

I would go for an A95 screen with the basic HD raydome. This allows you to connect an iPad to act as a second screen which is really useful so you can run a split plotter/radar without the expense of a dedicated second screen.

It also means you iphone can act as a controller for your AP or you plotter.

I think android stuff is supported as well if you're not an apple user.

Total cost should be under £2k
 
Boat is a Broom 34 sedan about 15 years old - a bit short on toys although it has a Raymarine 6000+ autopilot and a Simrad CP80 Plotter/GPS.
A small bequest may provide the readies to consider basic radar but not sure how current would interface or if better to splash out on new kit.
Any suggestions welcome.

Can i buy your old kit?
 
Tony, hardly anyone is making analogue radar these days. It's all gone digital. Your CP80 won't work with a digital radar so you need to look at a new radar unit and a new MFD screen

There are pros and cons to each manufacturer. I happen to prefer Garmin over Raymarine and I dislike very much Raymarine's sort of hijacking of the open n2k bus architecture by using their own connectors, so preventing you easily integrating with kit from another maker eg Maretron. In contrast, Garmin use industry standard N2k connectors so you can pick n mix.
 
I have had radar on all my boats. I have used it for real once when caught in fog outside dover. I was into flying before boats and by (flying) habit immediately asked Dover radar to identify me when viz dropped to nothing ( which they did and told me i was clear of all their ferries). Other than that I would use it at night ... but I don't go out at night.

I am now in the med and have it on sometimes on really long crossings so i can see who else might be about and to give to something to play with.

Personal view - unless your use of the boat is such that you need it I would be sceptical of spending large amounts of money on a new nav system just to get it. If you can find a second hand scanner then great, but to me the cost / use benefit is not that compelling.

I appreciate this is just my view , and only you will know your use of your boat.
 
Tony, hardly anyone is making analogue radar these days. It's all gone digital. Your CP80 won't work with a digital radar so you need to look at a new radar unit and a new MFD screen
There are pros and cons to each manufacturer. I happen to prefer Garmin over Raymarine and I dislike very much Raymarine's sort of hijacking of the open n2k bus architecture by using their own connectors, so preventing you easily integrating with kit from another maker eg Maretron. In contrast, Garmin use industry standard N2k connectors so you can pick n mix.
Thanks jfm, Just realised I gave wrong model for the Simrad - its a CP32 if that makes any difference.
I have to admit to a historical soft spot for Garmin but having just visited their website I find the experience an absolute nightmare. Virtually impossible to see which bits could be combo'd to take me where I want to be. Quite difficult to actually find a reference to radar as a starting point. They'd be quids in if they gave me the kit in return for making their website a user friendly experience ! :D
Would the Raytheon 6000+ autopilot be capable of integration?
 
Have just updated the nav on my money pit with Raymarine digital radar & a couple of touchscreen plotters.
Have de-installed Raymarine RL70 & RL80 plotters along with a 24" analogue Raymarine Raddome (new 2011) & Raymarine 125 GPS.
Everything working when de-installed. Works with 6000+ as that is what I have.
Good home wanted PM me if of any interest.
 
Have just updated the nav on my money pit with Raymarine digital radar & a couple of touchscreen plotters.
Have de-installed Raymarine RL70 & RL80 plotters along with a 24" analogue Raymarine Raddome (new 2011) & Raymarine 125 GPS.
Everything working when de-installed. Works with 6000+ as that is what I have.
Good home wanted PM me if of any interest.
PM sent.
 
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