Raymarine quandary

[Overandunder]

Evening. I would appreciate some views on a plotter question I have please - apologies for the lengthy post.

Late in the season I bought a Jeanneau 292, which was originally supplied with a Raymarine suite - ST60+ and Tridata. A later addition was an AIS, and the original plotter was replaced by an E Series 75 (7 inch) - which has been installed under the sprayhood. There is no '2nd access point' down below, which I would really like to have - tablet or equivalent would be ideal.

The plotter - (as far as I can make out from Raymarines tech-fog documentation) doesn't support a 2nd screen directly. Please someone correct me if that's wrong (WiFi ??). The charts cartridge is out of date, so that's a £100 - £180 outlay, whichever way I go. Sorry to admit it - and I have tried, but I'm really struggling to 'gel' with the way Raymarine does things.

For me the plotter screen isn't a great size for a start - so has anyone an alternative non- Raymarine plotter they could recommend - yet keep compatibility with the existing instruments? These are approaching 20 years old of course - so could run into problems at any point and Raymarine repairs/parts seem to be drying up / no longer obtainable, however I don't really want to have to swallow the cost of a full instrument refit.

The network is a mishmash of Seatalkng, Seatalk and NMEA0183 (to supply the Standard Horizon VHF with a LAT/LON).

Do I sell the plotter perhaps - assuming there is some secondhand value in it ? Any thoughts / options on the above would be much appreciated.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If you don't have radar, you could fit a Garmin Echomap. Add a Seatalk to STNG converter and you can connect the ST60 instruments to the plotter. Depending on the rest of the equipment, you might need to fit a cheap NMEA 0183 GPS for the VHF.

The Echomap comes with full UK charts and you can download those charts onto a tablet to use with the Active Captain app, all FOC.

 

[Overandunder]

If you don't have radar, you could fit a Garmin Echomap. Add a Seatalk to STNG converter and you can connect the ST60 instruments to the plotter. Depending on the rest of the equipment, you might need to fit a cheap NMEA 0183 GPS for the VHF.

The Echomap comes with full UK charts and you can download those charts onto a tablet to use with the Active Captain app, all FOC.

No there isn't a radar- though I forgot to mention I have an ST2000 tiller pilot, same age as the original instruments. Thanks for the suggestion- I will have a look at the Echomap range.

 

[mrming]

There is no real concept of a second screen in modern set ups, just adding multiple MFDs. It’s quite expensive to add another whole MFD below, so I use an iPad I already own for that function. If you do go for an Echomap as Paul recommends, it can be controlled remotely via WiFi from any modern tablet or smartphone.

I use an iPad as the extra “plotter” down below, however rather then mirroring my MFD screen (which is possible), I use the Navionics Boating app for two main functions:

1) For passage planning (at home, or down below while in port or at anchor). I create a route on there and then wirelessly upload it to the boat’s MFD.

2) As a mobile chart plotter when under way. This means someone can also keep an eye on the nav from the chart table or when cooking etc.

With digital navigation there are a lot of different ways to achieve the same thing - this is just the solution that works for me.

 

[Overandunder]

There is no real concept of a second screen in modern set ups, just adding multiple MFDs. It’s quite expensive to add another whole MFD below, so I use an iPad I already own for that function. If you do go for an Echomap as Paul recommends, it can be controlled remotely via WiFi from any modern tablet or smartphone.

I use an iPad as the extra “plotter” down below, however rather then mirroring my MFD screen (which is possible), I use the Navionics Boating app for two main functions:

1) For passage planning (at home, or down below while in port or at anchor). I create a route on there and then wirelessly upload it to the boat’s MFD.

2) As a mobile chart plotter when under way. This means someone can also keep an eye on the nav from the chart table or when cooking etc.

With digital navigation there are a lot of different ways to achieve the same thing - this is just the solution that works for me.

As per my post by 2nd screen I mean a tablet really (in the manner you describe) - not a fixed MFD or equivalent.

My issue really is what to replace the Raymarine plotter with for cockpit use.

 

[mrming]

As per my post by 2nd screen I mean a tablet really (in the manner you describe) - not a fixed MFD or equivalent.

My issue really is what to replace the Raymarine plotter with for cockpit use.

Ah okay. In that case given your network is a mish mash of older stuff, any modern MFD (plotter) should do the job, so it comes down to budget and what you like using. I’d go into one of the larger dealers such as Force 4 where they have demo kit set up, and have a play around with the Echomap devices and see what you think.

 

[jwilson]

If you use the Raymarine ST to STnG converter (about £100) you can feed speed/log/wind etc from ST60s to any new Raymarine STnG or other make NMEA2000 plotter. I did this some years ago to put a B&G Vulcan plotter in the cockpit, but after the second Vulcan died (again just after warranty expired) I replaced it with a Raymarine Axiom+.

 

[DrSpock]

Raymarine don't make an E-Series 75 so you should probably confirm which MFD you actually have before complaining about how Raymarine does things.

Assuming you have an e7 or an eS75 then you can quite easily network another Lighthouse 2 or 3 display via a Raynet cable which will share all data including the chart.

 

[dunedin]

Raymarine don't make an E-Series 75 so you should probably confirm which MFD you actually have before complaining about how Raymarine does things.

Assuming you have an e7 or an eS75 then you can quite easily network another Lighthouse 2 or 3 display via a Raynet cable which will share all data including the chart.

He is possibly referring to the LOWER CASE e-Series plotter.
They certainly can be connected to share charts, radar etc - just switched on my e7 which connects with an e125.
They have to be the same generation and identical software version installed. Hence I had to buy a second hand e125 to connect.

The upper case E-Series is much older, but I believe also could connect to a second same generation E series

If just one screen, and no radar, buy the latest generation Raymarine and will be fine. Good sale prices now.

 

[dansaskip]

I’d go into one of the larger dealers such as Force 4 where they have demo kit set up, and have a play around

An excellent idea getting a look at the kit like is is I think almost essential to avoid buying the wrong stuff

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I have ST60 instruments. They are quite reliable and spare anemometers never an issue, the only part that has failed in 17 years. They connect to my Axiom+ 12 with the device mentioned in post 2. Easy and reliable after 3 years.

I bit the bullet and replaced an old plotter with a new Axiom using a 25% discount offer, if handed my old plotter in. As I have an ACU400 auto helm, for me it was a no brainer. The Axiom is wry good, I am pleased with it.

The point is, keep the ST60s, upgrade your plotter, by a converter and connect your ST60s to the new plotter. I use a phone or tablet to repeat the plotter screen down below.

Good luck with your choices.

 

[DrSpock]

The 25% offer isn't as good as you think it is. If you shop around you can get it cheaper and sell your old plotter yourself.