Replacing radar system

[samwise]

It looks as if our trusty JRC radar has come to the end of the road and we need a replacement. The JRC was a stand alone system and from my initial search it seems that the majority of systems available now are integrated radar/plotter arrangements.
If we went for that it would also mean ditching our Navman plotter so the expense would be considerable. especially if we were unable to find something that would be compatible with the expensive C-Map charts we have acquired.

I can appreciate the benefits of an integral system ( radar/chart overlay etc) but the cost looks eye-watering. We would be happy to continue with the present set-up with plotter and radar functions separate. So, does anyone have any suggestions as to how we might achieve this, together with possible products to consider? All views gratefully received.

 

[exapp]

Garmin have some special offers on their older 3000 series plotters. There are 5, 6 and 10 inch plotters available and most are being bundled at the moment with either a GMR18 or GMR24 radar. In some cases the radar is only costing about €500 on top of the plotter and is well worth it.

Was using a GPSMAP3010c and GMR18 recently on night sail...much easier to learn and use than a Raymarine. Raymarine seems designed to confuse.

Exapp

 

[FullCircle]

There are still some Furuno 1623 LCD units. They are standalone and about the same size as your JRC (I presume its a JRC1000?)

However, most chart cards are now a very much wider area than previously, so you dont need as many.
My 2 C-Map cards in my JRC1800 are covered on one now. Dammit.

With ebaying the plotter and cards (suggest separate) you will probably have a better deal on Garmin or or even Navman Broadband.

Of course, the Raymarine C Series are being superceded, so maybe a deal on theirs, although still very costly.

 

[savageseadog]

PM sent

 

[samwise]

I have done a bit more research and it does appear that the Furuno 1623 is the only game in town if we are seeking a direct replacement and that is just over a grand.

Standard Horizon do plotters that can be hooked up to Sitex (?) radar and the good news is that they will accept the older C-map cards as well as C-Max, which is a plus point. Downside is that we are looking at £2,500 for the hardware excluding labour. although the 7 inch display would be quite a bit cheaper.

 

[charles_reed]

Why replace?

Usually only micro-front end gone and easily and cheaply replaced.

 

[samwise]

Panic over! Problem traced to serious corrosion inside the deck plug ( contacts looked fine, but opening up the plug revealed lots of nasty green bits). Temporary chocblok set up had the unit working fine, so we are now going for an under deck connection via a deck cable gland ( which is what I should have done in the first place!)

Anyway, it was an interesting and revealing exercise into possible options for a situation that we will have to face at some time. Many thanks for all your contributions.

 

[charles_reed]

Glad to hear that