NMEA newb looking to upgrade electronics.

[p8nt]

As the title states, looking to upgrade my electronics on our 2000 Commodore 292. I want to implement a nmea 2k network in the process. Chart plotter, radar, gps, transducer and engine gateways are what I’m planning on.

Can you mix and match component brands, or should you stick to one brand throughout?

If sticking to one brand, is one brand better than another for ease of setup, or are they all pretty much the same?

Any recommendations? I have no problem buying used, just not sure what I’m looking for yet.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dingbat]

As the title states, looking to upgrade my electronics on our 2000 Commodore 292. I want to implement a nmea 2k network in the process. Chart plotter, radar, gps, transducer and engine gateways are what I’m planning on.

Can you mix and match component brands, or should you stick to one brand throughout?

If sticking to one brand, is one brand better than another for ease of setup, or are they all pretty much the same?

Any recommendations? I have no problem buying used, just not sure what I’m looking for yet.

Thanks in advance!

The whole idea behind the NMEA 2000 standard is to make things “plug and play” between brands.

Having said that, make sure the units and components atr NMEA 2000 “Certified”. Lots of stuff out there that is NMEA 2000 “compatible”. Not what you want.

As far as equipment is concerned, depends on your expectations. If you wants something’s that works, just about any name brand will suffice.

If you want “best in class” performance you need to mix and match units and components.

Multifunction Display - Garmin (by far the most intuitive HMI)

Radar -Furuno (stand alone) or Garmin xHD or Phantom series (combo)

Sounder - Furuno or Garmin. The transducer is key to performance. Good transducers are not cheap

Simrad makes honorable mention although I’m not a fan of their presentations (display)

 

[p8nt]

Good info, thanks for the reply

 

[p8nt]

The whole idea behind the NMEA 2000 standard is to make things “plug and play” between brands.

Having said that, make sure the units and components atr NMEA 2000 “Certified”. Lots of stuff out there that is NMEA 2000 “compatible”. Not what you want.

As far as equipment is concerned, depends on your expectations. If you wants something’s that works, just about any name brand will suffice.

If you want “best in class” performance you need to mix and match units and components.

Multifunction Display - Garmin (by far the most intuitive HMI)

Radar -Furuno (stand alone) or Garmin xHD or Phantom series (combo)

Sounder - Furuno or Garmin. The transducer is key to performance. Good transducers are not cheap

Simrad makes honorable mention although I’m not a fan of their presentations (display)

Thanks for the reply, sounds like you have experience here.

So assuming I want to use a Furuno radar with a Simrad MFD; can I setup the radar via the Simrad?

 

[dingbat]

So assuming I want to use a Furuno radar with a Simrad MFD; can I setup the radar via the Simrad

Don’t know of any domes that you can mix and match between manufacturers. Don’t know why you would want to.

The data transfer rate NMEA 2000 is slow. Designed to transfer (sensor) updates. Not fast enough for video or real time streaming data which is typically done via Ethernet

 

[p8nt]

Good information, makes sense. Ive got about 3 months before I take the shrinkwrap off, so Ill be browsing the classifides, ebay, marketplace etc. for deals. Now that I know not to mix and match the various pieces I can narrow what im looking for.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[dingbat]

Good information, makes sense. Ive got about 3 months before I take the shrinkwrap off, so Ill be browsing the classifides, ebay, marketplace etc. for deals. Now that I know not to mix and match the various pieces I can narrow what im looking for.

Thanks again for the input.

Unless a current model NIB, used electronics are no bargain.

Designs and features change at such a rapid pace last year’s models are obsolete by the next season. Not to mention the short support cycles of the units.

Read the warranty and support clauses. Most manufactures don’t repair, they replace. Some only offer credit on the purchase of a new unit if the unit is more than a year or two old.

The best bargains can be found over the next several weeks. The 2021 inventories are sold off to make way for 2022 models