Marine Electronics Reviews - Websites & Advise

JREX

Recruit
Joined
Sep 29, 2007
Messages
2
Hello,
I am in the process of purchasing a new electronics package for my boat that I will primary use for fishing and cruising/overnight in the Northwest Area. The dealer suggested the following electronics package. I am a new to this field so I am asking if you guys and girls have any sites that you visit with good reviews & info on marine electronics. Would certainly love to get more knowledgeable in this area.

What do you think of the following:

Radar / Chartplotter: Furuno 1824 C NT 10.5 Color, with chartplotter overlay
Sounder: Furuno BBFF1
Transducer: Furuno CA 50/200 1T
GPS: Furuno BBWGPS
VHF: Icom M422 with Shakespeare 5225 XT Antenna

If you think I can do better, what would you go with.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Marine Electronics Reviews - Websites & Advise

look pretty standard to me. all have good reps.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Marine Electronics Reviews - Websites & Advise

If your talking saltwater and depths over 100 feet it sounds like a very good package. All top of the line equipment.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,152
Re: Marine Electronics Reviews - Websites & Advise

A couple of comments:

The chart plotter on that system is one of its weaknesses. If you can wait a bit I’d opt for the new Navnet 3D system. The new Navnet offers much better performance and mapping capabilities.
http://www.navnet.com/

If your using your sounder as a fish finder as well I’d get rid of the BFF and go with the DFF sounder module. The performance of the digital unit is worlds ahead of the old analog stuff.

Transducer wise I’d go with either the Airmar B164 Tilted Element transducer for a thru hull application or a M260 for a shoot through solutions. If you have the space the M260 is the way to go but if not you certainly can’t go wrong with B164. The B164 is more or less a flush mount so there is no need for a bulky fairing block hanging off the bottom of the boat. (BTW: Airmar makes the Fruno transducers so you're getting an Airmar transducer one way or another) ;)

You’re going to want a larger display. A 10" screen is pretty small to use as a 4 function display. I run a separate sounder on my boat and run GPS and radar on an 8” display. The 8” display works well for 2 functions but I wouldn’t want the sounder display on there as well. IMHO it would even be too much for a 10” screen as well.

And oh ya, don’t forget your going to need the PG500R heading sensor if you want radar overlays

VHF wise. I'd go for the Icom 504 instead of the 422. A bit more money but it's your life line. Don't cheap out. The 504 is a superoir unit for about $100 more
 
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