Seeking opinions from owners of...

[jim rosenthal]

I'm thinking about replacing my nav equipment and would like to ask for opinions on a few of the brands out there. I'm familiar with Garmin from several friends that own them, so that isn't on the list. I don't need radar, at least not now, but the ability to expand would be potentially useful. Myneeds are:
-two stations, the inside station as a backup
-basic fishfinder/depth sounder to 150 feet, which is about as deep as the Bay gets. I fish once in a great while and I'm not good at it, so fishfinding is not a big deal to me.
-big and clear display for GPS.
-manual button capability for GPS. I don't fancy touchscreens.
-interface with AIS would be useful.
-Navioics cartography, if they still exist.

My current system is by Northstar- very old, but far enough ahead of its time that it still works well, but it's getting creaky. Sort of like the owner.

I'm looking at RayMarine, Simrad, B&G, Furuno in addition to Garmin. As I said, I've used Garmin on friend's boats and I have some familiarity with it.

Thanks in advance for any advice y'all can provide, based on real world experience.

 

[Boatsb]

Jim,

I have 2 brothers who both replaced their electronics last year.

1 went from raymarine and furuno to all garmin. The other stayed raymarine 100%.

The garmin system is the 8617 screens, a chirp sounder module and a 25k radar with a 6 foot array. He added weather and audio with a DVD and apple tv. It's a beautiful system and works great. He tore out his simrad autopilot 3 months later and went garmin.

The raymarine system is 1 axiom and 1 axiom pro with a sounder built in. He also added XM weather and audio and all the bells and whistles. It had a year old autopilot that we integrated and all is well.

Each brother thinks his is a better system but they both work great.

I have done a few simrad systems that are similar but mostly on center consoles and the way they're used is different.

PM me if you want to go over options in detail. A few members have had me supply their gear with installation drawings for the system so they could do it themself. Maybe one or two of them will post their experience.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I have just committed to redoing my electronics. I presently have Garmin and was going to buy Garmin but Garmin is no longer using explorer charts which I rely on in the Bahamas. So I went with Furuno TZ touch 2. I was/am concerned about ease of use with the Furuno. But I have been going on U tube and watching Furuno TZ2 videos and I think Furuno has attempted to address ease of use. I will soon find out. Post decision I would consider RayMarine which is now owned by FLIR who I am hearing is doing better with customer service. I don’t know if Garmin has it but Furuno has a non touchscreen controller as an option. I got it.

 

[Boatsb]

I have just committed to redoing my electronics. I presently have Garmin and was going to buy Garmin but Garmin is no longer using explorer charts which I rely on in the Bahamas. So I went with Furuno TZ touch 2. I was/am concerned about ease of use with the Furuno. But I have been going on U tube and watching Furuno TZ2 videos and I think Furuno has attempted to address ease of use. I will soon find out. Post decision I would consider RayMarine which is now owned by FLIR who I am hearing is doing better with customer service. I don’t know if Garmin has it but Furuno has a non touchscreen controller as an option. I got it.

It's called the grid. And theres a vertical or horizontal model.

Garmin has navionics and the new g3 charts which are probably better than your old explorer charts. Add in the active captain information and I believe it's the best option.

 

[MadHatter53]

I'm also looking to redo my 1980's electronics. I'm thinking of going with two axiom 12's at lower helm and one 9 on the flybridge. I like the new simrad stuff too but my budget isn't ready for either yet so I have time to research.