Updating Raymarine Equipment: Any reason to keep ST60 Multi display?

[chrisD]

I am updating late 90s Raymarine instrumention consisting of RL72 chartplotter at the chart table and ST60 wind, depth, compass and speed in the cockpit. At the chart table there is also something called a ST60 Multi, on which you can paginate through all the external ST instruments plus see a few more things besides, like battery voltage and water temperature. It all relies on SeaTalk.

The new system revolves around a eS75 Multifunction display and i50 & i60 instruments in the cockpit, still using SeaTalk.

As I am starting to do the woodwork for the new display, it occurs to me to ask whether I need to keep the ST60 Multi at all? Will I be able to see all the SeaTalk data that the ST60 Multi displays by using the eS75?

My hunch is that the ST60 Multi is redundant, but a better informed opinion would be greaty appreciated.

 

[prv]

I would be very surprised if the plotter (eS75) couldn't show everything that's on the ST60.

Doesn't automatically mean it's redundant though - if you still do anything with paper charts down below then it's useful having some data there as well as on the plotter in the cockpit.

Pete

 

[chrisD]

Thanks prv. I should have been clearer that the new plotter will be at the chart table, so barring a complete failure of the eS75 I would be able to see the data whilst using paper charts (actually I use paper charts almost all the time and only like the plotter to check where I am and to steer to way points, plus of course using the radar). Sounds like I don't need the multi display.

 

[FWB]

Beware the i60 wind. Don't know if Raymarine have fixed the problem of the needle sticking in the sun. I sent two back and fitted i70 MFD instead.
http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/topics/i60-gauge-operating-intermittently

 

[prv]

Thanks prv. I should have been clearer that the new plotter will be at the chart table

I did spot that, but was being a bit facetious

Each to their own, but it just seems like such a back-arsewards way of doing things to me.

With paper charts, and ancient radars that weren't properly waterproof, we had to navigate from down below to keep the kit safe, but modern plotters (incorporating radar and AIS displays) are fully submersible so that reason is gone. Why then would you want to rush below, losing sight of your surroundings and touch with the operation of the boat, every time you want to look at the chart or radar? It's purely habit, perpetuated by a failure to take a step back and consider what actually makes sense. Far better, in my opinion, to conn the vessel from one position in the cockpit where you can see everything that's going on.

Nothing personal, and you do what you think best after due consideration. Plotters unthinkingly plonked in the saloon are just a personal bugbear of mine

(To be clear, I'm not advocating piling everything in front of the helmsman either. I think the best place on most yachts is around the front end of the cockpit, but details will vary.)

Pete

 

[rob2]

I have an array of ST60 instruments on deck and a multi at the chart table. This allows me to call up anything I want at the chart table (I don't have a plotter) but principally I use it for its ability to translate between NMEA and SeaTalk. I guess your new plotter will do that for you if required, such as to feed GPS data via NMEA to your VHF, but if you take the point about moving the plotter to the cockpit, then the multi will allow the navigator to access the whole system when updating position on paper charts.

Rob.

 

[johnalison]

In my first season with my current boat, I ended up with a plotter and Multi below and Speed, Depth, Wind and another Multi up top. My first change was to change the upper Multi for the more useful Graphic Repeater, and later updated the radar/plotter. I have kept the downstairs Multi. Basically, it is doing no harm, and actually, we use it quite a lot, even though the e7 is nearby. I quite often use it to check volts (which it over-reads slightly) and it is useful for displaying wind and other parameters. I would keep it. My surplus one sold for only £10.

 

[Ric]

I have an ST60 multi and leave it permanently set to the beaufort wind page - e.g. "SW 5", I find it quite useful to keep track of the evolution of a weather system as I pass through it.

 

[dom]

Hi Chris,

First up, I personally love repeaters -- this could be due to a racing background, but if its working I can't see any good reason to bin it.

Secondly, you mention the eS75 MFD, have you considered the a7 or even a9? These are way cheaper than the eS and the software inside and the screens are identical. All the eS brings to the table is a knob key pad, which is only of use when up above in wet weather when the touchscreen becomes impaired.

And finally Pete is right, plotters up on deck somewhere on the front cockpit bulkhead are infinitely preferable to ones hidden down below -- not only do they help with the nav they also provide a great additional data display and the new Raymarine gear has some pretty cool saily functions. That is why racing boats inevitably have two such displays (one on either side of the cockpit) alongside a battery of mast repeaters (ref your current multi-display ). Even here I'd recommend going for an aSeries with a remote keypad somewhere at the helm. See: http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=10257. Believe it or not, this combination works out a good bit cheaper than the eS and is much more flexible.

Just some ideas and you'll no doubt get plenty more Good luck!