VesselView - Questions from a total noob

[emilime75]

Just bought a pontoon with a 2018 115HP Merc Pro XS 4 Stroke. Looking to add a GPS/Chartplotter with VesselView functionality. Not even sure if what I'm looking for exists, I'd like at least a 7" that can overlay engine data over the GPS/Chartplotting screens. We hardly ever fish so all of that is of little importance to me, but depth reading, GPS/Chartplotting with lake maps is a must and I'd rather not have to switch between screens to see either the map, or engine data. I'd also like to do it for +/- $500. I don't want the VesselView Mobile, I want a dedicated device that will stay on the boat.

Currently looking at the Garmin Echomap UHD 73SV, but I can't find if it can overlay engine data over the maps. I know it can do split screen, but it's also unclear if one of those can be engine data.

 

[dingbat]

Just bought a pontoon with a 2018 115HP Merc Pro XS 4 Stroke. Looking to add a GPS/Chartplotter with VesselView functionality. Not even sure if what I'm looking for exists, I'd like at least a 7" that can overlay engine data over the GPS/Chartplotting screens. We hardly ever fish so all of that is of little importance to me, but depth reading, GPS/Chartplotting with lake maps is a must and I'd rather not have to switch between screens to see either the map, or engine data. I'd also like to do it for +/- $500. I don't want the VesselView Mobile, I want a dedicated device that will stay on the boat.

Currently looking at the Garmin Echomap UHD 73SV, but I can't find if it can overlay engine data over the maps. I know it can do split screen, but it's also unclear if one of those can be engine data.

Don’t know of any unit that overlays engine data over maps nor why anyone would want to do that.

Also be aware that vessel-view and your Garmin don’t speak the same language. You need a gateway to connect the two. You can thank Merc for that

 

[emilime75]

Don’t know of any unit that overlays engine data over maps nor why anyone would want to do that.

Also be aware that vessel-view and your Garmin don’t speak the same language. You need a gateway to connect the two. You can thank Merc for that

Don't know why anyone else would want that, but they're the only things I care to see, so why not have them both display at the same time?

I figured it wouldn't be as easy as plugging the Garmin straight into the Mercury, but that's why this thread exists - I'm looking for experience and suggestions as to what is out there that is compatible.

 

[dingbat]

Don't know why anyone else would want that, but they're the only things I care to see, so why not have them both display at the same time?

I figured it wouldn't be as easy as plugging the Garmin straight into the Mercury, but that's why this thread exists - I'm looking for experience and suggestions as to what is out there that is compatible.

Your dealing with a 7" display. Looks big in the store......but walk 3 to 4 feet away and see how well you can see the map data while stationary.

Now imagine yourself trying to read the same map in bright sun, getting tossed around in rough water, while trying to navigating a narrow channel you've never run before. To make matters worst, lets make the map even smaller by sharing the screen with data not pertinent to the safe navigation of the channel.

For the Garmin to Mercury interface you need a SmartCraft Connect gateway, a NMEA 2000 Backbone and a software upgrade for an existing Garmin compatible units

 

[emilime75]

Your dealing with a 7" display. Looks big in the store......but walk 3 to 4 feet away and see how well you can see the map data while stationary.

Now imagine yourself trying to read the same map in bright sun, getting tossed around in rough water, while trying to navigating a narrow channel you've never run before. To make matters worst, lets make the map even smaller by sharing the screen with data not pertinent to the safe navigation of the channel.

For the Garmin to Mercury interface you need a SmartCraft Connect gateway, a NMEA 2000 Backbone and a software upgrade for an existing Garmin compatible units

You're not visualizing my use case properly. This is on a pontoon, I'll only be looking at it while sitting at the helm, meaning 2' away, at most. I had a 5" before and was fine with it, only rarely wished I had something slightly bigger(That's what she said...before someone else does)

Also, I'm only boating on relatively small inland lakes. The roughest water I'll see is the wake from other small crafts and the occasional cruiser. 99% of the time I'm on the same lake, so I tend to know it pretty well, the GPS is just a precautionary. And, again, the data that you deem impertinent, is important to me and I want to see it at all times.

Thanks for the info on the Gateway and NMEA2000.

 

[dingbat]

You're not visualizing my use case properly. This is on a pontoon, I'll only be looking at it while sitting at the helm, meaning 2' away, at most. I had a 5" before and was fine with it, only rarely wished I had something slightly bigger(That's what she said...before someone else does)

Also, I'm only boating on relatively small inland lakes. The roughest water I'll see is the wake from other small crafts and the occasional cruiser. 99% of the time I'm on the same lake, so I tend to know it pretty well, the GPS is just a precautionary. And, again, the data that you deem impertinent, is important to me and I want to see it at all times.

Nothing keeping you from making Vessel-View your "home" screen then switching pages to view GPS data when needed.

 

[emilime75]

Nothing keeping you from making Vessel-View your "home" screen then switching pages to view GPS data when needed.

Again, not what I want to do. Thanks.