navigation systems

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  • December 07, 2016 6:21 PM
    Message # 4446036
    Deleted user

    Has anyone mounted a multi-function nav system such a Raymarine eS127 on a W32?  And any advice a Raymarine vs. others?  

    I hope to try a trans-Atlantic passage next summer and am trying to figure out how to mount a 12 inch system without cutting into the cabin. Perhaps a RAM swing arm?

  • December 08, 2016 12:11 AM
    Reply # 4446350 on 4446036
    Anonymous

    Hello Jon 

    I can't help You with the navigation system but I have the same plan of you for the next summer .

    We are Based in Cagliari south Sardinia Italy finish preparation of the boat .

    We plan to start cruise in March/ April going down slowly south to Canary to go to Caribbean next November .....

    We can meet eachother somewhere and cross togheter......


    My best Paolo Bordonaro

  • December 08, 2016 8:07 AM
    Reply # 4447105 on 4446036
    Deleted user

    John I use a ram mount on the inside right side of my companionway and love it. Most of the time i have the 2 section arm up and out but when it rains i can swing it back inside. Now I chose a 7 inch display to conserve power and keep the weight down for the arms and I think that is all you need. Good luck. 

  • December 08, 2016 4:50 PM
    Reply # 4448127 on 4446036

    What Peter said... I have the exact same setup and it's definitely the best working/functionality of all plotter setups I've used.

    Of course it helps if the plotter has an internal antenna for the GPS (as most of the newer ones do)

    Last modified: December 08, 2016 4:53 PM | Anonymous member
  • December 10, 2016 4:43 PM
    Reply # 4451898 on 4446036
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    I can't recommend Navman-Northstar - as they have been sold numerous times - but I do like this Ram mount for Pygmalion. 


    Photo: Here is the installation with one bent swing arm and a stright swing arm. All from RAM-Mount and ordered through GPScity.com... They proved very responsive to changing out the bent swing arm.

    Ignore the hanging wire -- I think the pic was taken during installation.. or ? 

    Photo: As seen from the cockpit

    Last modified: December 10, 2016 4:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • December 12, 2016 6:08 AM
    Reply # 4454890 on 4446036

    My setup is nearly identical to Jay's, except that I use a 5 inch screen.  It is very practical.  I also had the radar display mounted next to the chart plotter on the same RAM platform.

    With my eyes, I have to approach the screen to see small details and to read the text.  That is also true for 7 or 15 inch screens.  Therefore, for me there is no advantage to the larger screens.  

    I'm sometimes jealous of wheel steering boats with the chart plotter mounted on the binnacle at a comfortable viewing distance, and for the comfortable seating for the helmsman.  But then I think of the stories of wheel steering systems breaking down at sea or of leaks via the rudder post, and I recall the KISS principle and cease feeling jealous.


  • December 12, 2016 10:19 AM
    Reply # 4455425 on 4446036
    Deleted user

    John:

    Here are a couple of other items; I though were important during my sailing.

    1.) The swingarm in the companionway was very very nice!

    2.) the swingarm was mounted so the unit could be observed through an acrylic one piece weatherboard (hatch and acrylic closed for rough weather) but you could still see the display (but not adjust it, as it was behind the glass) please note a 27" screen is to big to do this with.  should be 19" or smaller.

    3.) What ever unit you get, be sure it has the ability to turn sensors off (power wise) like the radar dome on a clear sunny day, or the sounder when miles off shore. etc. etc.  (also the lowest power consumption is really a great goal)

    4.) I have an old Raymarine c70 radar/gps/ploter  =  ok +/- about 1.4 Amps radar OFF and 2.8 with radar +/-

    5.) If you can; have the parts easily removable. (to be put into the oven in an electrical storm)

    The direction I am going: small PC https://www.amazon.com/fitlet-fit-PC4-CG424-WACB-FM4U-BFLT-Compulab-fitlet-T-Barebone/dp/B019V1ZLH0 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5S52C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RQA6GF0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Note: this is not water tight

    Uses about 0.2 to 0.4 Amp @12V = 2.5 Watt +/-  Note if they offer a 4g cell card You may want another Hard drive? also heavy graphics will add to the power usage i.e. movie transcription etc.

    I added a USB gps  0.1Amp @12V = 0.75 to 1.0 Watt +/- when on https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3IQ780/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003806LU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 can be turned on/off of in software, also can be used as a tape measure, I can see when I move the boat inches = just amazing!!!

    Then using whatever screen you want, or not = wifi ( I went a little big at 27" and 2.4Amps when on) ASUS MX279H  it is great for movies!

    If looking for radar Look to OPENCPN and the ones it works with (My ray marine is not ported yet:( You may want to see what is happening for the new wifi domes?

    For the sounder I am still looking to have one which I can interface with the computer. but this is not a big deal off shore, but useful on rivers. (still looking) I have a standalone datamarine 2000 just not nema out:(

    Also I would love to have https://www.amazon.com/Standard-Horizon-GX2200B-Matrix-Black/dp/B00IASRVWY/ref=sr_1_5?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1478843297&sr=1-5&keywords=Standard%2BHorizon For the AIS,  GPS  + radio all in one can be displayed on OpenCPN

    Also I would like to have http://www.fondriest.com/airmar-150wx-ultrasonic-weatherstation-instrument.htm

    For for the wind, GPS, weather and for ploting the polars for the boat. Can be displayed on OpenCPN

    Software wise I am using

    Linux Mint18.1 Free (please donate when extra $ are available)

    WX tides   Free (please donate when extra $ are available)

    Wxtoimg   Free ( I paid for the upgrade)

    OpenCPN  Free with all the free charts (please donate when extra$ are available)

    In the end, I like my old raymarine but the charts are to much $$$ and are not very good (compared to the free ones)  Also a wifi tablet would connect to the above computer well and allow mobile display and control options.

    Please Note: the above will take some work, but will totally (I mean totally eclipse "think NASA+" what is out there at % of the cost) But please note: big screens eat power.


    Last modified: December 12, 2016 10:56 AM | Deleted user
  • December 13, 2016 9:19 AM
    Reply # 4457613 on 4446036

    Mount it on a swing arm. 

  • March 16, 2017 12:19 PM
    Reply # 4671347 on 4457613
    Deleted user
    Ed Reioux wrote:

    Mount it on a swing arm. 


    Everyone,

        Thanks for the suggestions.  After some diddlingly I decided to make a round plug of starboard to fit in my portlight on the right side of the companionway. This is removable and I will mount a ram arm on this plug and run the wires thru the plug. This puts the 12 inch display where I can see and operate it and allows me to put it inside when not in use.

  • March 17, 2017 7:01 AM
    Reply # 4673216 on 4446036

    This is purely anecdotal and I'm sure there are happy Raymarine owners but in my decade+ of cruising Raymarine electronics (autopilots, chart plotters & especially radar domes) has appeared to me to have the highest failure rate of any brand.

    I personally use Standard Horizon exclusively. I like Std Horiz VHF's for the incredible receiver sensitivity. I prefer C-Map charts which is what Std Horiz chartplotters use. While I have replaced one VHF & one chart plotter over the years it was not due to failures. Just to upgrade (VHF w/ AIS/GPS & larger chart plotter).

    I think the 7" chart plotter display is ideal compromise between screen size/resolution, price, and power consumption.

    I too have my chart plotter on a RAM double swing arm mount bolted just on the inside of the companionway to starboard. Highly recommended as it allows you to use the chart plotter both in the cockpit as well as inside at the nav station. I also have a moveable RAM clamp-on mount for the hand-held VHF.

    Just my .02 worth

    Last modified: March 17, 2017 7:05 AM | Anonymous member
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