Have Garmin 7612 in 410

nealtrombley

Active Member
Apr 7, 2016
414
Sw Fl Ft myers
Boat Info
1988 Sea Ray Laguna Sold!
2002 Sea Ray 410 Dancer
Engines
2002 Yamaha 250OX66
twin Cats 350hp
Came with boat
Has radar
Auto pilot
All works good
Chart/ sonar

I also have in my possession a new Lowrance HDS live 12
I’d like to add the Lowrance for back up with no sonar at this time just use the chart plotter NMEA compatibility etc

any thoughts on two brands versus only one

I’m a Navico guy by heart but the Garmin has done great
 
As long as you don't intend to view the radar and sonar, or control the autopilot on the Lawrence, it should work fine.

One thing to consider is that each plotter will have its own built in GPS unit which may or may not agree with its sibling. I know the Garmin allows you to select an external nav source, and I would assume the Lawrence can do so as well.

I'd at least do some pre-install testing to see if you can get the Garmin to recognize the Lawrence as a nav source, or versy-vicy. If that doesn't work, you may want to think about adding a separate "tie-breaker" GPS (good excuse to add an AIS transponder).

Another thing to check is to determine if the heading sensor used with the Garmin auto-pilot, puts its data on the NMEA bus. If not, the Lawrence charts won't orient to your bow when the boat is not moving. This would require an additional Heading Sensor.
 
Th
As long as you don't intend to view the radar and sonar, or control the autopilot on the Lawrence, it should work fine.

One thing to consider is that each plotter will have its own built in GPS unit which may or may not agree with its sibling. I know the Garmin allows you to select an external nav source, and I would assume the Lawrence can do so as well.

I'd at least do some pre-install testing to see if you can get the Garmin to recognize the Lawrence as a nav source, or versy-vicy. If that doesn't work, you may want to think about adding a separate "tie-breaker" GPS (good excuse to add an AIS transponder).

Another thing to check is to determine if the heading sensor used with the Garmin auto-pilot, puts its data on the NMEA bus. If not, the Lawrence charts won't orient to your bow when the boat is not moving. This would require an additional Heading Sensor.
Thank you
I plan on separate gps for the Lowrance
My lighting shadow caster works with the Lowrance newer NMEA 2000
My Garmin does not

also I just installed the new Vesper Cortex vhf/ Ais system it will work with both systems
 

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On something as critical to the operation of all those systems and really the hub of your onboard navigation, I think it would be much easier to go with a second Garmin. While you can share data across a NEMA2000 network, the cartography, radar, autopilot control and anything proprietary to Garmin will not transfer from the Garmin to the Lowrance unit. You may have to purchase/update 2 Nav cards as well, depending on what works in each unit and if it can be networked and shared. With the new systems, the back lighting levels and night mode are usually networked so thats a considerations for me as well. Another consideration is upgrade path. Sticking with the same brand usually allows an (easier) upgrade path.

I'm surprised the Shadow Caster wont work Garmin 7600. Not even a firmware upgrade or other path?? Not sure what your exact parts are for the systems, but I thought this all would be worked out by now. I could see where this could be a deal breaker, but I bet there is an easy work around.

Garmin is top notch stuff. I bet you could ebay what you have and get a equivalent Garmin for about the same money. Then its a matter of buying a few network cables to have a true second system with everything operational. Everything would be accessible from both MFD's. You wouldn't have to learn 2 systems, have different manuals onboard, figure out the networking etc.

I currently have a single 12" Axiom in the nav pod to the left of the helm, but looking to add a second 9" right in front of me to allow the chart to be displayed at a different zoom. When I run I like a zoomed out map, a zoomed in map and usually radar. That requires 2 MFD's and a second brand would not allow that.
 
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I see your issue!! Those dirty b****ds over at Garmin dont allow the 7600's to upgrade to OneHelm!!! That certainly complicates things. However, looks like Shadow caster has a N2K controller on the way (Vaporware Alert)!!!

Here's a crazy idea per my preference to stay in family. Sell the Lowrance, buy a Garmin 8612 and network that to the 7612. The 8612 becomes your master display, capable of controlling your shadowcaster system, and everything is accessible on both displays anyway you want to set it up, with minimal technical hassles associated with 2 brands on board.

Looks like that might be a 1 boat buck upgrade.
 
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I see your issue!! Those dirty b****ds over at Garmin dont allow the 7600's to upgrade to OneHelm!!! That certainly complicates things. However, looks like Shadow caster has a N2K controller on the way (Vaporware Alert)!!!

Here's a crazy idea per my preference to stay in family. Sell the Lowrance, buy a Garmin 8612 and network that to the 7612. The 8612 becomes your master display, capable of controlling your shadowcaster system, and everything is accessible on both displays anyway you want to set it up, with minimal technical hassles associated with 2 brands on board.

Looks like that might be a 1 boat buck upgrade.
 
Yeah I was speaking to Shadowcaster this morning and that’s exactly what I’m going to do I’m still gonna keep the remote controller that I have just so I don’t have to turn on my MFD’s to turn on lights that seems to be the correct thing to do , sell the Lowrance go with the 8612 and yes Garmin is a pain in the butt
Like apple

my choice would have been all Simrad

thank you
 
They all have their pros/cons...pick your poison. But they all do a pretty good job over all. I have had my issues with Raymarine, especially the new LightHouse III, its always in development...ie half baked.

I bet long term you'll like that setup.
 
Came with boat
Has radar
Auto pilot
All works good
Chart/ sonar

I also have in my possession a new Lowrance HDS live 12
I’d like to add the Lowrance for back up with no sonar at this time just use the chart plotter NMEA compatibility etc

any thoughts on two brands versus only one

I’m a Navico guy by heart but the Garmin has done great

Wanna sell that 7612?
 

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