New RADAR/Chartplotter

[Denis]

I think I might upgrade my RADAR and my chartplotter this winter. I am thinking about a Raymarine E-80. It should fit in the location I want and I was wondering if anyone has one of these units and can give me their opinion. I am going to leave my present three year old Garmin chartplotter unit for a backup but my RADAR is 15 year old technology and it is time to go. I recently took a ten day trip and the day we left was very think fog. The old display on the RADAR left a little to be desired and after staring at it for six hours I was worn out. Anyone with any thoughts? Denis

[Donya]

I have used both C-80 and C-120, I found the 80 to be a bit small if used in the split screen mode. We ran about 80mi last week in dense fog, some of it in narrow channels, at 12kts quite comfortably.

[furball]

Dennis, I have a C-120 and I'm very happy with it. Have the 2KW dome and Navionics charts. Being able to overlay the radar data onto the chartplotter is very helpful. I'm still learning to use alot of the features like setting up guard zones, target tracking and gain settings to tweak the returns. Good luck
John

[joreyn]

I have dual RayMarine stations built around E-120s. I love it. In addition to the radar overlay, you can also network in an autopilot, which is really a great feature.

[Denis]

Thanks for the reply's. I was thinking about the E-80 because of the smaller size of the display. I know bigger is better but I really dont' know where I would put such a large display on my 28. I have the overhead box where all my electronics are stored and that seems to be pretty good, it's close but not in the way visually. Where would I put such a large display as the 120?

[joreyn]

My boat is a 36 ET. The 120s are the perfect size on Blue Moon. I tend to agree that they might be too big for the 28. But more to the point, if you can afford it, I'd go with the E series rather than the C series because of the ability to network in the other Raymarine electronics like the autopilot and depth sounder. I think the networking capability is really the greatest breakthrough in the past 5 years.

[hjonas]

I have a C-120 plus wind instrument and auto pilot on my console in front of the wheel. If you would like to see a photo please let me know.

Hank Jonas
TE-28 (2004)

[Mariner]

I believe the C series units can still have other instruments connected to them, it's just that you can only have one display. I would verify this before purchasing a unit. It would be a shame to spend the extra money for an E series when all you need is a C. The price difference is quite large, as I recall.

And for the record, although we're still working with the old HSB2 series units, I absolutely LOVE Raymarine's products. They are bulletproof and quite functional. Garmin tends to make their units a little more "user friendly", but I prefer the extreme scalability and functionality of Raymarine. And once you get used to the Raymarine system, it's pretty easy to work with. Also, I believe they've vastly improved the ease of use in the new units. I found them very intuitive when I played with them a little at the boat show.

[Maye Marie]

Denis,
I have a 2001 28 with a C 120 close to you at Mystic River Marina, if you would like to take a look. I also have some pics on helms too on this sight. Would be glad to meet up with you.

[Mariner]

Gosh, I don't even remember what it's like to have to look at seperate radar and chartplotter displays. The radar overlay feature on our Raymarine is WONDERFUL.

[Maye Marie]

The C120 is same features as the E as far as multiple units or displays and accessories go. The difference would be the E is 3d capable and the C is not. The E will have a sharper screen and will show a little more definition on the 300 fish finder. Lots more money to buy and more money for the up graded nav chips you will buy each year. Add the weather option on and more money than the same option for the C again. If my budget was saying buy a smaller screen E or a bigger screen C I would go with the C. I think the bigger screen is priority and worth doing. If you run bad weather or night you will run split screen radar and chart. It’s nice to have the extra size.

[Denis]

Maye Marie, I would love to see your boat and how your electronics fit. I did not know you were so close, I am at Mystic Shipyard East. Looks like this weekend will be a wash out but maybe we can set it up for a better weekend? Denis

[Mariner]

New nav charts every year!?!?!??!? LOL! Good god, are you made of money or something?

[craw_daddy]

I have the C80 & think it is a good size for the helm area. It is mounted to a SS rod that spans the hard top inside the cockpit forward of the helm. Ialso have the depthfinder & RADAR options to go along with the GPS & plotter. I think Raymarine makes the best sonar units, but like the Furuno RADAR a little better than the Raymarine RADAR. The all-in-one C (or E) package with the common display works very well for me.

[RobS]

It is mounted to a SS rod that spans the hard top inside the cockpit forward of the helm

Sounds different - any pics?