The Equipment Wish List - Recommendations??

[76SeaRay]

So, I am restoring my hardtop and cabin so I need to plan for wiring and locations of equipment. I am also wiring a new instrument and circuit breaker panel for the helm. With today's electronics, it seems there are a lot of combinations (and sometimes compatibility issues) out there to confuse the buyer. So, I am looking for recommendations for equipment that has nice features but reasonably priced. I like toys so here goes the list that I am looking to install:

VHF Radio (AIS and DSC)
CB Radio
GPS
Fishfinder
AM/FM Stereo
Hailing Speaker (Will go on ceiling of hardtop)

8 foot VHF Antenna port side of cabin (Already Have)
8 foot CB Fiberglass Antenna starboard side of cabin (Already Have)
4 foot AM/FM Fiberglass Antenna ceiling of hardtop (Already Have)
Dual Horns ceiling of the hardtop (Already Have)

I don't necessarily need all separate boxes taking up too much helm space but not sure the best combinational equipment to look at and what models are the best.... My boating will be non-commercial primarily on large lakes in Washington and Idaho with the potential for night running, rough weather and fog (year round boating). I also expect some boating on Puget Sound so that throws large maritime vessels and ferries into the traffic mix (hence AIS and DSC).

So, anyone have recommendations on equipment models and/or combination models for the electronics?

Thanks...

 

[76SeaRay]

So, bumping this back to the top. I need to order my VHF Radio with DSC and AIS Receiver (can't afford the transponder type) and order my Depth Sounder/Fishfinder. Question, is it better to have GPS part of the VHF Radio or part of the Depth Sounder/Fishfinder..????? Still sorting out models for both......

Thanks...

 

[dingbat]

Take GPS for VHF off chart plotter
Take radar over AIS in heart beat
Run separate units for chartplotting and sonar/fish finder if possible

I cheat and run two (2) combo units in single display mode. Use each other for backup.

Better yet... install NMEA 2000 back bone. Buy and connect NMEA compliant VHF and largest sonar / chart plotter combo(s) you can afford. Problem solved.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Tie your radio to the gps. Get a good gps

If you want, get an engine gateway and display the gauge info as one of the plotter screens.

 

[76SeaRay]

Well, radar and chart plotter appear to be out of the budget range... Guessing then that the GPS in most combo systems, VHF radios and Depth Sounder/Fishfinders at not very good..

 

[Scott Danforth]

what is your budget, also remember, there are a bunch of sales that are coming in a week

 

[dingbat]

Guessing then that the GPS in most combo systems, VHF radios and Depth Sounder/Fishfinders at not very good..

Where did you get that idea?
I'm pretty regularly under 3 meter accuracy with a remote antenna mounted on the hardtop.

"The Best" is subjective........what is your budget and what are your requirement/priorities?

 

[Scott Danforth]

BTW, if you want better than 2 meter accuracy, you have to be military

 

[76SeaRay]

Not an exact budget number but my engine has gotten up there with dry joint manifolds and closed cooling system purchases. So, plotters above $1K are too high.. Also, I am old school engineer so to me a plotter is just that, it needs all its inputs from other devices. Do the plotters include depth sounder/fishfinder integral to the unit so a separate device isn't needed? As to the idea of combo GPS accuracy was just the comment about getting a separate good GPS (probably me reading too much into that comment and same thing about plotters).

 

[76SeaRay]

Ok, duh... Google is your friend... Plotter includes depth sounder/fishfinder...

 

[alldodge]

Don't see a CB doing any good on the water.
Have one in my truck when running interstates, otherwise its off

 

[Scott Danforth]

FWIW, a 7" Garmin with down view / side scan can be had in the $600 range

I know its readable at well over 50mph, and the side scan is good to about 20mph

if you wait a month, the unit you were looking at will be reduced again as new units come out.

 

[76SeaRay]

A lot of them out there... Thanks for the model info, I will watch the prices... As to the CB, just for calling ship to shore or boat to boat for family or friends general chatter..

 

[dingbat]

I know its readable at well over 50mph, and the side scan is good to about 20mph

Where did you read that?
Side scan is completely useless at 8 mph.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I am still getting decent enough resolution above 8mph. I believe the spec is 12 knots which is 14mph

I will look again next time Im out.

 

[76SeaRay]

So far looking at the Standard Horizon GS2400 with DSC/AIS/GPS and the Garmin Striker 7SV.

 

[76SeaRay]

Upon further checking, the Garmin Striker 7sv does not have GPS or the ability to link to the GX2400 (oops I had put GS2400 above).... So, will continue the search for the Plotter/Fishfinder/Depth Sounder... I think I have settled on the GX2400 radio...

 

[dingbat]

So far looking at the Standard Horizon GS2400 with DSC/AIS/GPS and the Garmin Striker 7SV.

Upon further checking, the Garmin Striker 7sv does not have GPS or the ability to link to the GX2400 (oops I had put GS2400 above).... So, will continue the search for the Plotter/Fishfinder/Depth Sounder... I think I have settled on the GX2400 radio...

Garmin EchoMap 73SV
Does both....

 

[76SeaRay]

Nice looking unit but a bit pricey for me right now.. Guess I will wait on the Plotter... About $600 without the antenna.. Antenna is another $200....

 

[dingbat]

Nice looking unit but a bit pricey for me right now.. Guess I will wait on the Plotter... About $600 without the antenna.. Antenna is another $200....

What are you looking at?

More than a couple of retailers selling them for $499.

What antenna are you talking about? Uses an internal antenna. Nothing else to buy