[MakoMatt]

I'm looking to upgrade my electronics, and get a GPS for my boat. Right now, I have a Raytheon 570 Loran, it's about 12 years old, and in addition, carry a Magellan 320 handheld GPS as backup.

Budget is less then $1,000, hopefully in the $600 - $700 range. Also have a Raytheon Raster Scan Radar, model R11X, would like to have some interface capabilities, so maybe Raytheon is the way to go??

Does such an animal exist, any suggestions??

Thanks,
MakoMatt

 

[bassavant]

GPS shopping

Matt:
I'm also looking for a GPS unit. I need to be able to interface with a new DSC radio. My only constructive advice would be this: Pick a unit that is easy to use and has backlit buttons if you fish at night. My last unit had lit buttons and my next will too if it has nothing else!

 

[MakoMatt]

bassavant, I will probably be getting a new radio as well, but, what exactly is a DSC radio, and how would it interface with a GPS?

MakoMatt

 

[baywatch]

Doesn't Have to be Raytheon to Interface

I have all the things you are chating about.
GPS: 952 Northstar w/ WASS

Radar: Furuno 1730 4KW antenna , interfaced with GPS. The radar and GPS do not have to come from the same co.

Intrepid Radio with Distress Botton that is interfaced with GPS. If the CG had the capability to pick it up it would be nice. N/A untill 2005 I think?
The most impotant thing with the radio is the antenna. I have a digital, sounds fancy right. Instaed of a coax cable running up the inside of the antenna and a little piece of copper siliconed in at the top like regular antennas. The digital has a copper rod that runs from the base to the top of the antenna and the connection is at the bottom.

It is more $$ then a standard antenna but that little cooper piece at the top will never fall inside the antenna. Usually that is what happens to a antenna after couple of 4 years or so.

My advice is to wait till the Nassau show and talk to Jim at NY Marine Electronics. His booth is usually in the hallway just outside the main floor.
He has all the toys there and will describe what goes with what. He knows the competition there and what consumers marine electronics charges so he is very competitive with prices.

When I rigged my boat with new stuff he gave me a price that blew everyone away.

I even bought a used Northstar Loran 800 off him with a warrenty.

The shows are not that far away so I would start my research now so when you are ready you will know what to get.

Try www.consumersmarine.com. They have about the best prices around for catolog companies and there site is pretty informative with the specs. If you see something you like pick up the phone and chat with a rep who will help you out even more.

Happy Hunting.

Bill

 

[615342]

Matt

If you are looking to spend under 1k you may want to look in to the Garmin line the 176's would probably be your best bet. The next step up from the 176 would be the garmin 2006 which should start around 850.00. Guys who have Garmin seem to love them. I have not really heard anything bad about them.

Also a lot of guys have been talking about the Navman GPS/plotters. I really dont know anyone who has one. Im sure you could do some D&D you could make decision. I saw a post about the 5500 series being around 550.00 and the 5600 being around 850.00. I think the 5600 is color.

I have the Northstar 952xd like Bill. I cant say enough about it. Features galore. tide charts. Backlit keys. Readable in direct in sun light. It goes on from there. I was a little ify at first but now feel it was worth the price. But Northstar's will put you over the 1k mark.

As Bill said the upcoming shows will if nothing else will get you a hands on and visual of each machine....

 

[615342]

Matt

DSC is Digital Selective Calling

Also Icom 502 Great radio. Great price.

This link should provide you with some info about DSC and MMSI.

Boat US MMSI

Also here is some reading,

I believe Sea tow is also issuing MMSI numbers from there website.

How's zit work? Good question.

DSC for VHF (there is a spearate DSC protocall for high frequency radio as well) works like this; your radio, which will be connected to a location device, can put out a broadcast which will have attached to it some information about you. The signal will be broadcast (by broadcast I mean it in the true sense of the word, where there is no particular intended receipient) with some attached information. The first and most important part sent out will be your identy, hence the MMSI, and if a suitable device is connected, your location. This information will be sent out digitally. Also, depending on the type of call being made it may send out a second frequency to communicate on). This broadcast will be sent out on low power and the channel that will be used is 70. That's on your end. If your broadcast is received, and this is just for emergency calls, the receiving radio will give an answering response and when it does that both your radio and the other one will automatically be switched to channel 16. From then on there is no real difference between DSC and any other radio.

That's one way it may be used. A second way is to use it to contact someone for other than emergency use. In this case you need to know the MMSI for the radio you are calling. Here you will also use channel 70, as is the case for all DSC contact calls, but you will not be broadcasting to the world in general, you will be sending your signal to the radio that has the MMSI you are calling only, and only that radio will respond to your call. Before you make that personal call you will have designated some other channel, any one other than 16, as the communication channel. If you are able to make contact with the other radio, the one for which you entered the other fellow's MMSI, his radio will, if he has set it up to do so, automatically contacty your radio and both of them will automatically go to the preselected channel, and then you may have your conversation.

A third way the things can be used is in their "All Ships" mode. In this mode you broadcast to the world on 70, first having set a preselected channel for the actual communications, and if anyone bothers to respond to your call both radios will go to that channel and you go on with your business.

So that's basically it, contact is made on 70, calls are sent digitally and your radio will be dientified in the call as well as your location if you have a device connected to give that information. After that depending on the type of call made you will either flip over to channel 16 or to a channel of your choice (preselected before the channel 70 initiating call was made) and you may continue. In no case will you actually talk to anyone on channel 70 - and that's the part that I think confuses a lot of folks.

As it is right now if you are in international waters all ships are required to monitor channel 70, but they are no longer required to monitor channel 16. The Cost Guard still monitors 16 and in many places (but not all) they are now also monitorning 70....

Jay

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Mr Matt , I think your budget is tight . I would rather see you wait and dig up some more cash . I think the best value for your money right now would be a Garmin product . Remember when you get the GPS with Chartplotter , Thats what you want you have to get a detailed chart for you area . Thats another expense for the chip . Garmin has the Blue Chart for about $130 if you do you homework .This line of cartography products is designed to provide interactive viewing of detailed nautical chart data, thereby providing navigators with innovative object-oriented cartography. These detailed electronic nautical charts look just like paper charts when displayed on your GARMIN chartplotter. Features include shading between depth contours, spot soundings, navaids, port plans, wrecks, obstructions, inter-tidal zones, and more. BlueChart offers much larger coverage areas for half the price, meaning a great value for mariners.

Now what unit do you chose ?
Well yes you might be able to get something like a 182 in black and white .Then puchase the chip .
Heres what you should consider , When you are crusing and the boat is rocking you have to be able to read the display . You have to deal with different lighting conditions . Here is the catch , the larger size displays are more cash and then you get into Color units . All the choices out there can make your head spin . Lets leave out the interfacing Which will cost you more money for cables and plugs . Thats not criticial at all .
So now you what to find a unit thats not to dificult to use . Fits your boat . Reads good in all light conditions , has a large enough display to read while underway and has a detailed chart that is constantly updated . A company that will give tech support and back there product with a good warrentee and service . All for the low price of $600 - $700 dollar range . Remember you only what to purchase the unit once . Thats will be a little tought , but you could be close . If your willing to settle .
I know some who wish they purchased a larger display but they settled and thats that , they live with it . I also now some who wished they waited for a color unit . Its hard to get the black and white after you see the color . I know its easier to read .
The bottom You need to get out there and look at the units . See the displays , remember they read different in the store then on your boat as the boat moves and light changes .
What unit to get ?
You will here many opinions so here is mine , The Garmin 2006C a color unit . I have seen them for $1700 bucks + the Blue Chart another $130 . Now I hope you didn't fall of your chair yet because you can get the black and white unit for about half the price or go with the 182 a smaller unit . Now don't hold me to these #'s . I purchased this unit after all my reserch and it works for me . Its installed on my 25' Parker and a perfect fit . You be amazed at what these units can do . This has become a very important part of running my boat . Good luck ! You can do shopping at home for prices but you got to see these units in person .
One more thing on radios remember not matter how good the antenna they still work with "line of site" . Quick story , In canyon very rough on friends 42'er Large wave rocks boat radio antenna snaps off . Great electronics all top of line But 1 $100 antenna snaped off No more comunication . If you run offshore you should have A true backup radio that meaning a second radio plus a SECOND ANTENNA That a true backup . If we had the second antenna we could have unplugged the broken one and plugged in the backup and be back on line in seconds .
http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap2006/

 

[paulh]

hey makomatt - try the garmin 182C, it will come in under 1k but the chart will cost you extra. my boat is still in (woodcleft canal), if you are interested in seeing a 182c i'd be happy to demo. let me know - paul

 

[seaslug44]

INTERFACING ELECTRONICS

quote:
Doesn't Have to be Raytheon to Interface. -Baywatch


Wise words from Baywatch. There are just four letters that you need to know when it comes to interfacing your marine electronics;

N M E A
(National Marine Electronics Associaion)
www.nmea.org

This is the standard when it comes to interfacing electronics. Check the specs on the items you purchase. If you see NMEA compatible or NMEA interface port then you know you have a unit that will have no problem communicating with other NMEA units.

 

[MakoMatt]

Thanks everyone for your imput, I think I'm going to wait until the Javits or Nassau shows, whichever opens 1st., and spend a little time there getting an education about these things.

Some friends of mine have the Northstar units and they are mint, but, not in my budget for now. I also have had Icom radios, still have 2 Icom handhelds, and will look at that model 502. I'll keep my present radio as well as a backup, and run all new everything for the new radio.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how I made out.

Paul, thanks for the offer, I think I was looking at that unit the other day at Fred Chall, seems like a 1/2 way decent machine.

MakoMatt

 

[paulh]

matt - for the money it can't be beat. excellant color display, great performance (built in waas) and easy to use ! a feature i really like is that when you get within 0.1nM of a waypoint the units switch to feet. this is great when setting up on a wreck. my only complaint is that at night, i couldn't dim the screen as much as i'd like too. One of these days i'll read the book to see if i'm missing something regarding the dimming. the machine is so easy to use, i've NEVER had to read the book. that says something.

 

[MakoMatt]

Paul, sounds good, I'm not too good with electronic stuff, computers, VCR's, etc. only know the basic functions, never use any of the bells and whistle features, and NEVER, NEVER read instructions.

MakoMatt

 

[Hipshot]

I have a Garmin 180 now with chip. It's a very good unit! The only complaints I have are some screens are too busy, but you can zoom in/out clearing it up some> The 2nd. is it is very hard to read in some bright light conditions(both instances i'm talking about the chart screen. I will be looking at the Garmin 182C model at the boatshows. They offer a lot more than the 180's have a better chart(chip) are far more readable and not out of hand pricewise. They list for $998.00 plus app. $130.00 for the chip. At times West marine advertises a 10% discount on electronics ($113.00 between the unit and the chip) Plus andther 10% if you open up a credit card(cancel it later!) Plus for every $250.00 you spend you get a certificate for $10.00 off next purchase! Consumer has d prices and you don't pay tax(GOOD-NO?) but you pay shipping! When I bought my unit from West Marine it worked out cheeper with the discount and if I had immediate problems I had someone to bitch to in person,not over the phone
Hipshot

 

[5ofakind]

garmin 182c gps

I was also looking at a gps for my new boat. After asking around here, I decided on the 182c with external antenna. I did a search for this gps and went through every site to compare prices.

http://www.1st-gps-map-store.com/marine_gps.html

If you are serious about the 182c, this is the best price I have found. $859.00. I went to West Marine and Boaters World, they told me if the price was in there range they would match it, just bring in a copy of the price. If you need any other info, feel free to PM me.

 

[613766]

GARMIN.....

Had the GARMIN 230 GPS chartplotter on the old POMF, and was very happy with the unit.

Outfitting the New and Improved POMF, I almost bought the 2006C, but for a little more, went a head and said what the **** and got the 2010C.

Paid $1972.00 for it.

There are 1 of 2 Blue Charts that you can buy, 1 being a small scale designated area, and 2nd being a larger scale of designated area.

Also with the 2006 and 2010, you can download maps off of MAPTECH as long as you have the equipment to hook into your PC and purchase the so called program.

That feature can be benificial as far as keeping right up to date as to Markers and Channels if there is any significant changes.

Also the DSC, Distress Signal Calling, links into your GPS, so when you hit the DSC Button on the radio, it locks in your Coordinate #'s from the GPS, so GC can get your location.

Do your homework and look at what is best suited for your needs.

Good luck.

 

[616323]

Go with the Garmin...

I agree with the rest of the guys with going with a Garmin. I have the 180 now I bought it about 4 years ago, the unit has been great. I went to the NYC boat show to check out all the units and found that unit to be the best for my price range for what I would be using it for.

What I like best about Garmin is they are very easy to use. Anyone can operate these things, read the manual though. Also, there web site posts software updates that be downloaded to keep the base unit firmware up to date.

My only complaint with the one I have is its a little slow when moving the cursor around and zooming in and out. This has been fixed on the new units, they now have a RISC processor, fastest available on the market. What ever unit you choose don't forget to factor in the cost of any additional mapping details you want, thats how all these companies get you. You purchase the detail for where you will fish if you travel with your boat then you have to purchase more maps.

As far as interfacing with the VHF to get the new DSC feature its not a difficult task as long as the NMEA versions are compatible. I just bought a new Standard Horizon Itrepid+ that I will be connecting to my Garmin 180 in spring. Its easy to do if you will be installing your new GPS yourself, just connect the blue wires and push a few buttons, instructions in manaul.

Have fun checking the units out of the shows..You will have hard time walking away from the color units

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Also the 2006c and the 2010 have much better RESOLUTION . The Ram storage and 12 channel waas . NMEA ready AND NOW THE BLACKBOX , turns your unit into a VIDEO FISH FINDER / CHARTPLOTTER GPS ALL IN ONE . ONLY AVAILABLE ON THESE UNITS . The 2010 is like watching TV .

 

[617110]

USCG NOT FUNCTIONAL TILL ~2005

Just wanted to clarify that. I think the Doctor or someone else said it, but I just wanted to repeat that for you.

I have and use the DSC. I think it works great when I want to contact someone I know who is out but not sure what channel their on. I hope I or anybody I know has to use it for any other reason.

Rumor has it however, that ALL Commercial ships are required to maintain DSC. I also heard that commercial aircraft have it also, don't know how true or likely that is.

For the most part, until the USCG gets their act together, we are relying on other people to respond to us, help us by coming to the posted lat/long that is displayed, and relay our coordinates to the USCG and other vessels.

The best way it will be helpful (God forbid) is when there is someone on the boat that has no idea on what to due should the captain become unconscious. Prepare the guests by telling them something like...

'Hit THIS button, talk to whoever comes back on the radio, put on your PFD'

Hopefully, your lat/long will be broadcasted like it is supposed to do.

Does Anyone know if there is a way to test the functioning of these things? EPIRBS can be tested...right?


somoan
somoan

 

[seaslug44]

Self-Testing EPIRBs

From the Noaa.gov website...
quote:
Most EPIRBs have a visible test switch that is usually spring loaded so it cannot be left on inadvertently and thus reduce the life of the battery. A light will indicate that the test circuits are operating correctly. Sometimes this light will also activate the strobe light. It is recommended that the self-test switch be held for no more than 2 flashes of the strobe light or no longer than 1 minute after the first self-test mode burst transmission. When operating a 406 MHz EPIRB self-test, the EPIRB is allowed to radiate a single burst which is specially coded so that it is ignored by the COSPAS-SARSAT system. The EPIRB must never be tested by actual operation.If it is accidentally activated in the transmit mode, then it should be turned off at once and the false alert cancelled by calling the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Station and have them contact the nearest Rescue Coordination Center

 

[623628]

Garmin 176C

I got the Garmin 176c. It is absolutely wonderfull i got it linked to my radio and sounder. It is pin point acurate and a very hardy unit. It has all tide stations and moon phase.The only promblem is it has a small screen but tbe positive is u can also take it in the woods as it can also be used as a hand held. For the Price of 600 u cant go wrong with this unit.