Furuno NavNet discussion and questions

[krush]

I'm trying to understand the NavNet system and history. I get there are 3 semi-current versions today. NavNet3d, TZ Toch and TZ Touch2.

The background for this education endeavor is to potentially create a system for a boat with 2 stations (bridge and lower) and cockpit controls. Also, I want to integrate everything onto NMEA 2000/canbus---meaning radar, heading, autopilot, engine gauges, and maybe things like various alarms/power management (though much later).

So here are the questions:

tzt2 has built in sounder, built in GPS, and has power supply for newer radars (saves on extra modules to buy). Can a navNet3d or TZT unit network and get the radar/gps/sounderr information from a TZT2?

Can a TZT or a NavNet3d MFD network and control the autopilot (NavPilot 711)?

Lastly, does the remote app that lets an Ipad be used to control the MFD allow all functions, like adjust autopilot course??


The reason I ask these questions, is that it can get expensive to add multiple MFD's at two stations on the boat. Would it be feasible and reliable to put a new TZT2 at the helm used the most and then put something like a TZT at the other station. And then for other functions like engine display or autopilot control, could a used NavNet3d interface and be used as a "dumb" display to show engine parameters or various other "extra screen" information. Of course, and Ipad can also be used anywhere around the boat (or in the cockpit).

 

[saltshaker]

Call Furuno. They're extremely helpful with stuff like this. They may have different suggestion on what might work best for nwhat you're trying to accomplish.

 

[SeaEric]

Or you could go to Garmin equipment which already does all of that.

 

[Pascal]

I ve been using navnet for 9 years or so, putting a lot of miles on them first an 2003 vintage Navnet and now a Navnet 3D system installed in 2009

Both systems, on different boats, have the nasty habit of crashing on average once a day. 99% of the time it s ni big deal, it restarts and boot up in about a minute or two. Problem is when it happens when you need the radar or the gps...

Not impressed.

That said the 3D is really nice though. The charts are much better than the previous generation and has many useful functions. Ours runs off a black box computer with Furuno control box and 2 20 or 22" displays.

Personally I don't care much to integrate everything together as it compromises reliability. Why would you want the AP to be tied into the nav system. Same with depth... I like having a separate sounder. I mean sure it s cool how the navnet3D records your track with depth info but is it also really useful or just cool?

I haven't put many hours or the new Garmin stuff but I like the interface. I ve done a few trips with Raymarine and never like the interface.

No idea if the latest navnet systems are more reliable than the 3D. Hope they are.

 

[SEVEN]

1 (360) 833-5151 Furano direct line. Great people to work with.

 

[saltshaker]

Or you could go to Garmin equipment which already does all of that.

It's not a question of functionality as both Furuno and Garmin will do what he wants. What he needs to know from Furuno is the compatability of products. No different than if he was trying to do the same with Garmin. I'm a big Furuno fan but I admit the Garmin stuff is easy to use and well thought out. Either is an excellent choice as both make very good products.

 

[krush]

Or you could go to Garmin equipment which already does all of that.

What does Garmin do differently and/or better? I think it's a chevy vs ford type argument. Both brands get the job done, but the companies have slightly different ways of doing it. Some say Furuno is not so cutting edge with it's products and more conservative.....all I know is the commercial vessels I've been on had Furuno equipment (or JRC). I'm open to both, but I just always hear praise for Furuno's after sale support.

Furuno really seems to hit it out of the park with their new radar--it appears to offer big ship function like auto target aquire and track for multiple targets, and this is before throwing AIS info in there.

I don't need a big whiz-bang system. I just want to integrate stuff as much as possible to minimize the amount of boxes and screens all over. Also, I want to make sure the backbone network stuff will last at least 10-15 years. It looks like CAN-bus and ethernet are here to stay for a bit.

 

[Boatsb]

Give me a call and I'll run past the experience I've had with both brands.

Remember your not planning a transatlantic crossing.

 

[krush]

Put this in the other thread too. It's worth checking out the images on the new radar....it does big ship radar stuff

I'm reading on the interwebs that solid state radars don't see the birds as well, but they are pretty amazing at traffic tracking and separation. I care about avoiding boats, not so much about finding birds.....but I have the old CRT Furuno for that

Here's some pretty amazing features for a small boat radar: http://www.panbo.com/archives/2016/...r_radome_radar_redefined_most_definitely.html

 

[krush]

I haven't looked at Garmin documents this closely, but I do like how Furuno gives I/O diagrams of all the pins and connections of there stuff like this. Give a nerd like me lots of info http://www.furunousa.com/ProductDocuments/NavPilot 700 711 720 Interconnection Diagram.pdf


ALSO here is an FAQ that answered many of my questions: http://www.furunousa.com/ProductDocuments/NavNet TZtouch2 FAQ.pdf

And this overview answered other questions: http://www.furunousa.com/ProductDocuments/NavNet TZtouch2 System Overview.pdf

 

[Bayside Bert54]

My Furuno Navnet 3D, radar, sonar, has been very stable. I only have one 12" screen but it's easy to add more with the black box addition. Not sure about the newer Touch equipment. I just added a Furuno Navpilot 700 autopilot to the system but have not run it on seatrial yet. On my '84 Bertram 54 SF.

 

[Boatsb]

Furuno does not have the same level of sonar. Nor as easy of a user interface. It's not designed for this market.

Like I've said before for the pleasure boaters garmin is by far the best. Then raymarine, simrad and furuno.

For commercial it's furuno.

 

[nautibake]

FWIW, our Furuno's were installed by PO (on 2 out of 3 of my previous boats as well), and I plan to stick with them, so solid. One MFD 12 on the FB and one at the PH helm. Hard to believe I can pick up the phone and talk to not only a person, but typically a very proficient one. They also respond almost instantly to e-mailed questions.

As to original poster's question, I'm not sure about the NMEA-2000 part. I'll admit that my circa 2012 MFD 12's seem to have some trouble exchanging everything I want over the network, but I think it is what the admiral calls "user-dorkiness", maybe not the units themselves.

Maybe next year an upgrade to the TZTouch 2's? Had a demo on them at FLIBS, and the user interfaces seem very intuitive (unlike some of their older gear!).

Nothing against Garmin, and I have used their 430 and 530 units and the newer MFD's on airplanes for years, excellent gear. Just seems that I'm drawn to Furuno in the marine world...

 

[krush]

tempting! http://www.thehulltruth.com/parts-forum/819865-furuno-tzt-14-mfd-sale-trade.html

 

[nautibake]

tempting! http://www.thehulltruth.com/parts-forum/819865-furuno-tzt-14-mfd-sale-trade.html

Wow, that is about 50% off!? Very tempting indeed?

 

[krush]

Wow, that is about 50% off!? Very tempting indeed?

I just really have no need for it right now. I don't even know where I'd put it....and I still have to hook up all my existing stuff!