SL72 & MARPA

[jimi]

Is it possible to update SL72 to incorporate MARPA?

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[Oldhand]

Asked the same question of Raymarine recently, at least asked about updating the SL70 display of a SL72 system to an SL 70 Plus, which does do MARPA. Anwer is as follows:

"I'm sorry to say that the SL70 cannot be upgraded to have MARPA. There are no common components between the SL70 and SL70+ or RL+ displays."

Disappointing isn't it?


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[jimi]

Just had this response from Raymarine

You would have to replace the SL display, there are many type of displays that will work with the existing 2KW dome, the unit needs to be a plus style display for it to have the MARPA functions.

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[Chris_Robb]

Jim - I would agree with that. The new owners of Corsair put on a new Raymarine chartplotter (huge colour thingy) and just plugged the existing radome into it. Unfortunatley the old display had to be thrown away. Now they have a new Raymarine autopilot linked in and they have been alround ireland without touching the helm. Vane/waypoint/compass features. Chart plotter was the first I have seen that is large enough to really see enough of the chart.

Do you think you really need the collision warning stuff? - I found that the EB was all I needed. I rather spend the money on manufacturing a decent set of rudder bearings!

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[tome]

The SL72 plus system doesn't offer MARPA, but throw away the display and use almost any of the other mono or colour displays and it becomes available. You'll also need to add a Pathfinder smart heading sensor to stabilise the radar for MARPA.

There's a link to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=2&Page=368&Parent=4>compatible displays here</A>. I checked this out as I want to fit MARPA when my current system bites the dust.

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[SpottedBlue]

Search on eBay - items available to UK.
Lots of displays come up in the States at pretty good prices and most will ship to the UK

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[Oldhand]

Been watching e-bay for some time for a RL70 Plus or SL70 Plus but all that come up are for US delivery only, very frustrating!

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[nicho]

We've got MARPA on our Raymarine colour plotter/radar (RL72CRC), and whilst it's never been used in anger, I do play with it when we are out, just in case....it is a seriously good bit of kit. I recently helped a colleague shift his similarly equipped boat from Gosport to Falmouth, and we spent a lot of time playing with it in viz less than two miles. It is capable of tracking up to ten objects at any time. We used it to plot the myriad of fishing boats off the Devon/Cornwall coast, and the odd bigger ship. In thick fog, I am convinced it would be a huge benefit.

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[tome]

I've not yet used Raymarine's MARPA, but have used ARPA frequently on big (survey) ships and found it invaluable provided you understand the limitations. Even in clear weather, we used it to select targets and track the CPA. Practicing with radar in good viz teaches you to judge distances - it's surprising how easy it is to under-estimate.

I have an ageing Foruno set and the magnetron is beginning to go, so I'll be going down the Raymarine MARPA route (probably this winter).

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[jimi]

Just spoken to Greenham Regis & they reckon the c70/c80 is possibly the way to go!

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[tome]

But twice the price of the R70 Plus which also does MARPA (monochrome). Never saw the sense of colour for radar, unless using it as plotter also?

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[jimi]

price I was quoted

RL72 Monochrome £875 Colour £1770
C70 £1084 + £220 for extensive chart

Seems a good deal for the combined colour radar/chartplotter
..assumes that the radome is compatible & I need to check the serial no.



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[tome]

Typical UK ripoff! List price for C70 is $1,680 = £916. Last year at SBS Raymarine offered me 20% off list without me asking - could probably get more, which would bring it down a bit.

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[Oldhand]

They tried to pursuade me the same but I haven't got the space for the landscape format display. Also Jimi, unless your scanner is very new (less than 2 years?), it may have to be modified to work with the "C" Series displays.. more expense and don't forget you need a Pathfinder Smart Heading Sensor for MARPA if you haven't got a rate gyro enhanced Raymarine autopilot, that's another £560.

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[nicho]

With the colour combined radar/plotter, you have the ability to overlay the radar screen on the plotter, which allows you to see if any 'blip' relates to anything on the chart, e.g.a buoy. If it's not on the chart, then its likely to be something moving!

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[MainlySteam]

<<<Never saw the sense of colour for radar>>>

It is useful for being able to see if the grass on the coastal hills is green, if the sand on the beach is nice and white, and the colour of the bikinis on it.

You can see all that stuff in colour, can't you?

John

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