Raymarine c80

[the-drifter]

Hi All,
I am sure there is a thread on this already, but i replacing my Raymarine C80, because i want a repeater in the cockpit. and a viewing screen in the galley. i am aware i can upgrade to a c120 or any of the A version, but what i am really interested in is whats out there and are there any recommendation of kit, i have about 2k to spend on it. any thoughts.

Mark

 

[dunedin]

Why do you need to replace the existing one ? Could you just add a second plotter at the chart table ?

Some great bat show deals on the Raymarine e7 which is a neat size for the chart table, plus can send data to an iPad etc via wi-fi (albeit only to Raymarine apps, not generally accessible like new Digital Yachr wifi)

 

[the-drifter]

Dunedin,
this is true, but it will be an independent system to the one on the chart plotter, as the current is 2006, and not compatible to repeat to another model

 

[Birdseye]

I have just done the same sort of replace chosing a B&G plotter / radar / wifi set up. I chose this because the old Simrad Robertson pilot that I have is superb and I wouldnt consider replacing that with Raymarine. The new set up works well but it was complicated to get it to listen to Raymarine ST 60 instruments using Seatalk so if you dont want the 3G / 4g radar and dont have the pilot that I do, I would recommend staying with Raymarine if that is the brand of your instruments. In short the major issue isnt which brand so much as which comms protocols you will have to cope with. In my case I have NMEA 2000, 0183, Seatalk and of course AIS at a different speed.

Not a lot of experience so far at using wifi and a tablet on deck but it seems to do everything that a plotter on deck would do except control the pilot.

 

[Pavalijo]

I have the c80 and wanted to change it for the same reason. I envisaged an e95 down below blue-toothed to an I-pad in a waterproof case in the cockpit. The e95 can be controlled from the I-pad.

I discovered that my analogue radar would not be compatible with the e95 and I would need to purchase a digital radar and also a converter kit (£89) so that the new plotter would network with my ST60 instruments. At the Scottish Boat Show Raymarine were offering a half price radar with a new e95, so I got a quote to change.

The c80 and current radar might fetch £500 to £750 on eBay, but the cost to change (including £450+VAT for installation as electronics are a dark art to me, and with half price radar) was quoted at £3531 inc VAT - so still not far short of 3k after selling the old kit. I would then need to purchase the I-pad.

I decided against that. My current thinking is to look at I-pad with Navionics app in the cockpit and the plotter with radar/ais overlays down below - but as yet undecided. There is no rush as for current sailing I don't need a plotter in the cockpit - I do want to do something before we set off over the horizon though - hopefully in the next couple of years. Will watch this thread with interest!

Paul

 

[DipperToo]

I had a similar situation - wished I had got the E series 7 years ago instead of the C80.

As the C80 uses CF Navionics cards, I decided that I would buy the annual upgrade from Navionics each year and 'retire' the previous card to an old RC400 handheld plotter which is powered via a ciggie socket in the cockpit and mounted with a bracket on the binnacle.

This also provides a backup solution. Also, even though the CF card is 'retired', make sure that it has the latest updates before the annual update period expires.

Only downside is copying waypoints/toutes from the C80 to the RC400 which is rather tedious (either using NMEA from the C80 or via CF). If using NMEA, then you have to change the port speed from 38400 to 4800 if you have AIS.

The RC400s do appear from time to time such as here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raymarine...UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item1e988a744d

Maybe there are other small plotters that can take a CF Card?