Upgrade Path for Raymarine C120 Classic and old VesselView

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Puget Sounder

New Member
Nov 16, 2020
13
Boat Info
350 Sundancer, 2008
Engines
Twin 8.1L Horizon DTS; V-Drives
I'm planning ahead and thinking about upgrading the original electronics that came on a 2008 350DA. It has the Raymarine C120 Classic with a 2Kw Raymarine RADAR. Is this a DIY job and is there a reasonable upgrade path? I understand any of the newer Radar antenna's will need to be upgraded at the same time as the MFD but will I be able to use other components (GPS, transducer, etc.)? Is this a DIY for someone who is fairly handy and comfortable with electronics or am I better off seeking a professional?

The same question for the old VesselView (5?), can I upgrade just the display or would I need to replace the whole thing?
 
Honestly it’s all past it’s prime, and then some. The GPS is proprietary to Raymarine, and most current generation MFDs come with internal GPS. Likewise they come with built in sonar, so the RM DSM module becomes redundant. That leaves a 12 year old transducer, and a bunch of proprietary RM wiring that is also mostly obsolete with the new RM gear.
 
Puget Sounder said:
I'm planning ahead and thinking about upgrading the original electronics that came on a 2008 350DA. It has the Raymarine C120 Classic with a 2Kw Raymarine RADAR. Is this a DIY job and is there a reasonable upgrade path? I understand any of the newer Radar antenna's will need to be upgraded at the same time as the MFD but will I be able to use other components (GPS, transducer, etc.)? Is this a DIY for someone who is fairly handy and comfortable with electronics or am I better off seeking a professional?

The same question for the old VesselView (5?), can I upgrade just the display or would I need to replace the whole thing?
Click to expand...
Whether it is DIY or not is your call. As long as you're comfortable staring at wiring diagrams and getting a handle on marine networking, sure.

I went from SmartCraft/e120/ST8002 to VV502/Axiom+ 12/ST8002. There is a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng converter kit that Raymarine sells. They also sell a faceplate converter for the e120 to Axiom 12. The SmartCraft to VV is going to require a custom faceplate of some sort as they are not the same size. I am using my original depth transducer. Original GPS works but I see no notable difference between the built-in Axiom GPS. I have an HD Open Array radar upgrade from 2015 that I didn't have to deal with on the MFD/VV upgrade.
 
I’m looking at a similar update. I currently have an E140W installed. I also have the HD radar and that is compatible with the new Axioms witha cable adapter. Raymarine said to continue to use my GPS antenna thru the Seatalk/SeatalkNG network. Also will add a Evolution autopilot to replace the old RayPilot 650.
 
Atalla said:
Whether it is DIY or not is your call. As long as you're comfortable staring at wiring diagrams and getting a handle on marine networking, sure.

I went from SmartCraft/e120/ST8002 to VV502/Axiom+ 12/ST8002. There is a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng converter kit that Raymarine sells. They also sell a faceplate converter for the e120 to Axiom 12. The SmartCraft to VV is going to require a custom faceplate of some sort as they are not the same size. I am using my original depth transducer. Original GPS works but I see no notable difference between the built-in Axiom GPS. I have an HD Open Array radar upgrade from 2015 that I didn't have to deal with on the MFD/VV upgrade.
Click to expand...

I just did the E120w to Axiom 12 pro upgrade. The internal gps on these has been problematic, so reuse/keep your old one if it is functional. The good news is you can set the gps source via a menu choice on the axiom so you can keep the external as a back up and use the internal.
 
Steve S said:
I’m looking at a similar update. I currently have an E140W installed. I also have the HD radar and that is compatible with the new Axioms witha cable adapter. Raymarine said to continue to use my GPS antenna thru the Seatalk/SeatalkNG network. Also will add a Evolution autopilot to replace the old RayPilot 650.
Click to expand...
I decided to keep my S2/ST8002 setup for now. I was tempted by the autopilot upgrade but wanted to just replace the head unit if possible. Unfortunately not.
 
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