What do I need to replace to support new Raymarine radar unit?

[EugeneR]

The radar on the boat we are buying needs to be replaced as it is no longer working.

Since the radar is being replaced, it might as well be a new model e.g. digital HD etc with me funding the difference.

From the current setup, what is the minimum that I need to change to be able to use a new model radar? Just one display, both, cables, everything?

The current setup is this: 2x ST6001+ autopilot, 2x ST60, RC530 bottom and RL70C at the top.

Sorry for asking a basic question here but not able to investigate it right now, but need to confirm plans to the vendor quickly.

 

[[2068]]

As far as I know, it's "Both Displays and a load of cables", but don't shoot me if this isn't quite right.
The Digital HD Radar is only supported by the new "c" / "e" series, the previous "C" or "E" Widescreen, or G-Series.
The E-Series Classic that I have is not supported, nor anything older.

 

[benjenbav]

If you look at the specs for the scanner you want, it may list the display units with which it is compatible.

I know this to be so for Garmin as I have just been carrying out a similar exercise. But, beyond that, I can't really comment owing to a lack of familiarity with Raymarine products.

 

[Talulah]

If you only need the radar display on one plotter then you'll need:
1. Radome
2. Plotter
3. Radar cable of appropriate length
4. HD Crossover cable
5. Crossover coupler
Assuming you get new E or C Series you'll also need a Seatalk to Seatalk NG converter to network in the old units.

If it's any consolation we replaced the old C70 and Radome with a new C95 and Digital Radome. It is so much better you would never go back to the old. The cost is significant but if you can bite your tongue go for it.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

As far as I know, it's "Both Displays and a load of cables", but don't shoot me if this isn't quite right.
The Digital HD Radar is only supported by the new "c" / "e" series, the previous "C" or "E" Widescreen, or G-Series.
The E-Series Classic that I have is not supported, nor anything older.

Are you certain about that FP? I only ask cos my old P42 had one of the first raymarine digital hd radar installs, and that was with classic E120's. This was 2008 mind you, and perhaps the digital hd radar product has changed since then?

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[[2068]]

Are you certain about that FP? I only ask cos my old P42 had one of the first raymarine digital hd radar installs, and that was with classic E120's. This was 2008 mind you, and perhaps the digital hd radar product has changed since then?

Cheers
Jimmy

Hmm, I think you might be right wrt E-Series Classic. The RD218 / RD424 emmanuel does say:

"The Digital Radome scanner is compatible with the following multi-function displays:
• C90W, C120W, and C140W C-Series displays.
• E80, E120 E-Series displays.
• G120, G150, G170, and G190 G-Series displays.
For operation of your scanner, the multi-function display unit requires the
latest software version."

But I'm still not sure how "supported" these older displays actually are.
There were no patches for years, then one came along for AIS in 2012.

.

 

[jfm]

Hmm, I think you might be right wrt E-Series Classic. The RD218 / RD424 emmanuel does say:

"The Digital Radome scanner is compatible with the following multi-function displays:
• C90W, C120W, and C140W C-Series displays.
• E80, E120 E-Series displays.
• G120, G150, G170, and G190 G-Series displays.
For operation of your scanner, the multi-function display unit requires the
latest software version."

But I'm still not sure how "supported" these older displays actually are.
There were no patches for years, then one came along for AIS in 2012.

.

Super hd radar scanner definitely works with E series classic, so long as E series has high enough software, v4.34 iirc from distant memory, but check on raymarine website. If it hasn't got the software, updating it is dead easy so don't worry about that

You could buy

2 e series classics off eBay - plenty available, and very nice units. E120 much better than E80 of course.
You would also need a network switch - a grey box that you plug all the cat5 cables into.
And a radar cable - the old one wont do.
And a new chart chip, navionics.

That's basically all you need to do this in a minimalist but quite nice way

 

[Elessar]

v4.34 iirc

JFM you never cease to amaze - how is there still room for useful stuff given that your head is generally considered to be of normalish physical size???

 

[Elessar]

2 e series classics off eBay - plenty available, and very nice units. E120 much better than E80 of course.
You would also need a network switch - a grey box that you plug all the cat5 cables into.
And a radar cable - the old one wont do.
And a new chart chip, navionics.

That's basically all you need to do this in a minimalist but quite nice way

OR - as i just did - a new C125 for the outside, and an iPad for the inside. Loving it so far, the processor is noticably faster than the old E, seamless zooming and panning. More set up options too, like overlay data and a more flexible data bar, allowing you to maximise the value of the screen real estate. Loved to old E on E3, but this new set up is fab.

 

[[2068]]

v5.69 is latest version (June 2012)

v5.52 has the following hopeful note: "Digital Radome support - Raymarine has made provisions to insure all E-Series Classic Multifunction Displays possess full compatibility with the Digital Radome product line."

 

[EugeneR]

Ok, here's a twist to the situation: Despite the broker writing that the radar is being replaced, the engineer tells me that he is replacing the GPS and cabling instead. And some parts to enable a newer GPS to work with the old display, etc.

I will move to digital radar in future, so one option would be to add in a digital radar cable at the same time while the guy is putting in a new GPS cable to the radar arch.

However, another option could be to replace the flybridge RL70C with a newer display (ex-EBAY) that comes with built-in GPS. For example, a C80W. Overall, this might cost less than replacing the GPS and cable, assuming it does not need many other changes to work.

So, my question is: which Raymarine displays have built-in GPS and are likely to be compatible with the existing setup (radar, depth, auto-pilot, etc)? Would a C80W, for example, be compatible with my old stuff?

Sorry for not being able to give exact details on the current specs - the boat is 5 hours away and the owner is on holiday.

 

[PaulGooch]

The network switch is nothing more than an ethernet switch, with waterproof connectors. I bought a used one from Ebay for 99p, missing it's power supply, when i had Raymarine kit. Didn't need the power supply, as it was just a mains to 12v transformer. I just hard wired it to the boat and it worked perfectly. Saves giving Raymarine £250

 

[Talulah]

The C80W would be compatible with your old instruments but not with the non digital Radome.
It also has internal GPS.
You would need:
1: Digital Radome
2. Digital Radome cable
3. Crossover Coupler
4. RJ45 to HS connector

A network switch would be needed instead of the crossover coupler if you were networking various HS instruments together.

 

[PaulGooch]

If you only need the radar display on one plotter then you'll need:
1. Radome
2. Plotter
3. Radar cable of appropriate length
4. HD Crossover cable
5. Crossover coupler
Assuming you get new E or C Series you'll also need a Seatalk to Seatalk NG converter to network in the old units.

If it's any consolation we replaced the old C70 and Radome with a new C95 and Digital Radome. It is so much better you would never go back to the old. The cost is significant but if you can bite your tongue go for it.

Seatalk HS can be connected with 2 "straight" network cables and a crossover connector, if it just radome to one display. But you could also use a single Cat5 crossover cable. You could also use "straight" cables and an ethernet switch.

More than two devices and you must use "straight" cables and a switch. A bog standard ethernet switch will cost a lot less then Raymarines rip-off £250.

Seatalk HS is nothing more than ethernet, with waterproof connectors on the cable ends.

 

[Talulah]

Seatalk HS can be connected with 2 "straight" network cables and a crossover connector, if it just radome to one display. But you could also use a single Cat5 crossover cable. You could also use "straight" cables and an ethernet switch.

More than two devices and you must use "straight" cables and a switch. A bog standard ethernet switch will cost a lot less then Raymarines rip-off £250.

Seatalk HS is nothing more than ethernet, with waterproof connectors on the cable ends.

Agreed. You pays your money and you takes your choice. The only caveat I would add is that you really may need that waterproof connector.

 

[PaulGooch]

Agreed. You pays your money and you takes your choice. The only caveat I would add is that you really may need that waterproof connector.

Yes, of course, should have added that you'd need to make sure the switch was in a suitably dry location. I fitted mine behind the helm, next to the plotter and obviously used the Seatalk cable that came with the radome, so i had a waterproof fitting at the radome.