Upgrading Instruments

[Moscowman100]

Advice please. Looking to do a complete replacement of all existing (v old) instruments and getting really confused about compatibility between brands proprietary systems and old/new NMEA standards.

Some of the bits I would like (Yeoman; ICS NavPro etc) are old NMEA. Others (Garmin Instruments) are NMEA 2000. Can they reliably be mix and matched? Will buying old NMEA condemn me to obsolescence? Will buying the proprietary SeaTalkng or NavNet etc systems 'lock' me into that manufacturer for ever?

Lots of questions! What does the forum recommend as a way of building up a system that is reasonably 'hassle free'; upgradeable; future proof and ideally allows different makes to work together? Tx

 

[nimbusgb]

NMEA and NMEA 2000 incompatible without a 'black box' or a PC with translation stuff.

Old NMEA will be around for a while 5 years, perhaps 10 or so but then I predict a change to a new standard. I think there may be a rationalisation in the market given current economic pressures and the public's demand for more cross compatibility, more functionality etc. Eventually the manufacturers must see the light.

PC's are getting more involved. These days a netbook computer comes in at 200 pounds and includes wireless, big screen, keyboard etc wheras raymarines new instrument series are 450 per unit. I dont think people will not continue to support that kind of pricing.

Buying seatalk or Navnet does somewhat limit possibilities but there are ways to talk across networks using pc based technology.

 

[simonfraser]

install tacktick gear, not cheap though.
wireless & nmea interface, good service.

 

[reeac]

[ QUOTE ]

install tacktick gear, not cheap though.
wireless & nmea interface, good service.

[/ QUOTE ]

The wireless approach certainly seems to be the general trend in data transmission now - minimises the spaghetti.

 

[jbweston]

I had a similar problem a couple of years back when I wanted to fit a Raymarine autopilot and integrate it with my (newish) Furuno GPS and (oldish) B & G sailing instruments so the boat would steer to a GPS waypoint or a course relative to the wind.

After a lot of research it all seemed too complicated to do with the existing B & G. So I replaced them with Tacktick. Pretty easy to fit. They integrated well with the new Raymarine pilot and existing Furuno GPS. All have worked work well together now for several seasons.

I wrote a short article about this and it appeared in the December 2008 edition of Cruising (the mag of the Cruising Association). If you aren't a CA member and would like to see it, message me with you email address and I will send you a copy.

I have no connection with Tacktick other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[nimbusgb]

Tactick have made massive inroads for a new company, why? Well one reason is they didn't go and develop their own proprietary interface they used something already available.

Open standards are the way of the future!