Replacing/Upgrading electronics

[whiteyvt]

I have a Furuno Navnet Vx2 Color video plotter GD-1920C, with incorporated radar 1834C, and a Furuno GP-1850DF color DGPS plotter Echo Sounder. I would like to replace/consolidate these into a single MFD but don't know where to begin and what would be compatible with the connected radar, GPS and depth sounder units I have (maybe they need to be replaced too?)

[catalina_mike]

Doing my upgrade as we speak to Simrad. 4G, Total Scan, Forward Scan. Bottom paint and all the other stuff.

[Nancy]

Hi David -

You might want to call Furuno and ask them about compatibility of new MFD with older subsystems. Based on a conversation I had with Raytheon a couple of years ago about our 2005 equipment, don't hold your breath.

Are you uncovered yet? We did that today.

[RobS]

As far as communicating with other brands, you will be limited to NMEA 0183 data sentences. Not much.
Best bet is to call Furuno like Nancy states and see if the older NavNet can speak to the newer Navnet networks.

[Alan_Douville]

Put in a new Raymarine Axiom System, learned that my new RV-220 Transducers mark fish well < 80 FOW, not so good out deep. Adding in a 3rd transducer now, 1 KW beast which Level 2 Tech suggested...wish I knew that up front.

[catalina_mike]

My surprise was adding a sonar module to bring the forward scan into the system. Only one of the two transducer ports support "high deff" so to speak. So sonar module and ethernet cable.

[Jaredh]

I have a Furuno Navnet Vx2 Color video plotter GD-1920C, with incorporated radar 1834C, and a Furuno GP-1850DF color DGPS plotter Echo Sounder. I would like to replace/consolidate these into a single MFD but don't know where to begin and what would be compatible with the connected radar, GPS and depth sounder units I have (maybe they need to be replaced too?)

I just went through a similar transition on Isla from a Furuno VX2 setup to the new TZT2 12". Initially I was trying to piece things together using existing peripherals, but ended up replacing everything but the VHF and transducer.

Your existing transducer will likely work with the new furuno stuff, and if you go with the tzt2 there is no need for a sonar black box because the sounder is included.

You would need a new radome. I ended up going with Furuno's DRS4D-NXT and the sea trial yesterday was unbelievable. Radar overlay identified moving targets automatically and projected their course onto the screen based on their current speed and heading.

You would need a heading sensor as well to get the most out of the radar (chart overlay), I think you could use a converter to make your old one work if you have one installed.

We also went with the Navpilot 300 autopilot and the integration with the TZT2 display is really slick. Also added Sirius sat weather as well.

It's not cheap but I am thrilled with the end result. Electronics have come a long way in 15 years!

[Pitou]

Good choice Jared.

I went forward with the same system as you in spring of 2017 when the first of the DRS4D-NXT radar antennas hit the market. I also paired it with a 12 inch TZT2 connected to an Airmar tilt transducer. Paired it up to my existing Simrad autopilot and this setup is leaps and bounds ahead of my old '06 NorthStar 6000i.

Wanting a standalone option for the fish finder and liking a full screen for GPS I also added a Furuno FCF 628 that has the same rezboost as the TZT2 that can be switched A or B to display depth/fish finder on either screen.

Over the years, I've had Garmin, Simrad, Northstar & now Furuno gear and am very happy with this choice.

Another nice thing with Furuno is that they continue to support and repair legacy gear well into the future. With both Garmin and Simrad I found support to be pretty good, but as technology advanced support for my legacy gear became non-existent which has left me sour. Maybe things have changed with Garmin and Simrad support, but I keep hearing all good things about Furuno legacy support.