Which NMEA 2000 network cables and fittings do you recommend

[picardy]

Hi am planning to install a NMEA 2000 in my 20ft motor launch (planning to connect a mix of Raymarine, Fusion and Czone hardware) - reliability is key so am wondering which manufacturer people recommend.

Options I have reviewed are

Garmin
B&G / Simrad / Lowrance
Actisense
Maertron

Any preference based on reliability of connector quality?

Thanks

 

[pvb]

I can't imagine there'll be any significant difference in reliability. It's a simple plug-and-socket system.

If you want reassurance, buy the most expensive you can find, at least you'll know that you didn't go cheap.

 

[richardbrennan]

The're probably all made in the same factory in China anyway!

 

[vas]

I've used a lot on my boat, mix n match, trying for the cheapest I could get. Five years on nothing has failed not even the field installed ones on my custom boxes. I'd say 80% are Garmin....
Bought a number of male and female plugs from online El shops like farnel or rc components, they are M12five pin and a few 20m lengths of cables cutting and fitting as needed.
Only suggestion is that if you plan to have more than four drop cables from one spot, do buy a 4port tee, shorter and cheaper that four single tees...

V

 

[tjbrace]

Beware of mixing manufacturers sensors and displays as you can lose functionality. There are some pgns that are defined and used to provide proprietary functions .

 

[Norman_E]

First of all tell us what you actually want to see. In a small motorboat do you want a chartplotter, or are you in a river where you don't need one. Do you want engine monitoring?, in which case you probably have to buy the engine maker's NMEA interface (if the maker has one). For a plotter B&G are geared towards sailing vessels, and Simrad to motorboats.

 

[picardy]

Thanks all - good and useful comments as always

 

[PaulRainbow]

Whatever you choose, go with one brand of cables, doesn't have to match any particular brand of electronics, but the locating "key" on the tee's can be in different places on different brands. The 4 port tee's suggested by Vas are a good idea too. My preference would be Garmin, but make sure you use the later grey tee's.

 

[picardy]

Thank you Paul for this comment too. Garmin it is for me I think. Plus like the yellow power cable to help identification.....

 

[picardy]

ps - what is the significance of the grey T connectors
?

 

[PaulRainbow]

ps - what is the significance of the grey T connectors
?

Early ones were black, later ones are grey, the locating key/notch is in a different place. The fit together, but don't align vertically so can't be screwed onto a bulkhead, for instance. All later devices come with grey tee's so if you start with them, you'll be fine.