New Dash - Layout Options

[dtfeld]

Looking to redo the dash. I have moved/updated everything leaving the entire center of the dash empty, but full of holes from old electronics (its the original 2001 panel). The original ST60 tridata has been removed and is behind the dash, it only function is convert the analog Speed/depth/temp data, and put it on the N2K network.

I have 3 options in mind..

#1 Twin 7" Axiom+ (and maybe a i70s between them).
#2 9" Axiom 9" (My preferred look, but may be tight).
#3 12" Axiom (but requires moving switches and rewiring)

Pros and cons?

 

[BillK2632]

I personally like #1. I like having multiple screens you can dedicated to certain types of data - navigation on one, engine info on another and the autopilot in the center (that is auto pilot?).

 

[Brett H]

I would put the two largest MFD's that would fit, side by side, in the center. Then would put the smaller Autopilot on Left and Matching Tridata on Right.

By having the two larger screens side by side, they are your primary focal point for Chart & Radar.

I like to keep the Tridata (& VHF) powered up even when the MFD's are off. This way I still have depth when at anchor.

 

[Stee6043]

I agree with the above, having two plotters side by side is extraordinarily useful. I'll often run with the same destination on both but have one zoomed in to see the nearby features, one zoomed out to show the destination. I also run one in knots and one in mph.

This is my twin 7" setup.

 

[The Bill Collector]

#1

 

[bobeast]

What @Brett H said.

Multiple MFDs are a must have IMO. However, a 7" screen is tiny. While I get the aesthetic appeal of having a balanced layout, it can limit your use of precious real-estate, by creating vast expanses of unused white space.

 

[dtfeld]

I have a 12" in the pod to my left which is my main display right now. This represents what my dash looks like right now, and we are talking about a second, maybe a third screen (in the case of the 7" Axiom).

I'm leaning towards the single 9". The 7" are just too small for my aging eyes, especially at night. Twin 9" would be better if they would fit. The single 12" would be nice, but I'm not sure I'm up for moving switches and the rewiring that would take.

 

[dtfeld]

I was out today and I realized I missed my Big ol' 1990's era ST60 Tridata. The information is on the screen , but Raymarine doesnt have data boxes like some others, and the data just isn't easy to pick out...

 

[Strecker25]

I like option 1 too. A 12” would be sweet but rewiring the switches will really suck

side note, did you go axiom? And did you go to one screen in the left side Pod?

Im going to replace the main GPS, it’s the 2002 C80, with a 12” this year but leave the smaller radar screen. Next year I’ll do radar and that smaller unit with another MFD but now I’m wondering if two MFDs are really necessary if I put something in the center stack

 

[dtfeld]

I like option 1 too. A 12” would be sweet but rewiring the switches will really suck

side note, did you go axiom? And did you go to one screen in the left side Pod?

Im going to replace the main GPS, it’s the 2002 C80, with a 12” this year but leave the smaller radar screen. Next year I’ll do radar and that smaller unit with another MFD but now I’m wondering if two MFDs are really necessary if I put something in the center stack

I have a 12" Axiom to the left in the "pod".The differnce between the 2001 and 2002 is the pod (as I call it) will only fit a 12" Axiom (and barely) Nothing wider, an axiom Pro will not fit. The 2002 have a lot more room vertically in the pod. I've seen 2 12" fit there, one on top of the other.

Here's a shot of the a Series I had, but since upgraded to the Axiom...

 

[Strecker25]

I have a 12" Axiom to the left in the "pod".The differnce between the 2001 and 2002 is the pod (as I call it) will only fit a 12" Axiom (and barely) Nothing wider, an axiom Pro will not fit. The 2002 have a lot more room vertically in the pod. I've seen 2 12" fit there, one on top of the other.

Here's a shot of the a Series I had, but since upgraded to the Axiom...

View attachment 100221

Ah got it. Yeah, we have the larger space so I was thinking either 2 x 12” or a 9” and a 12”

I actually loved my A series on the old boat, if I could find an a127/a128 I might jump on it for a couple years until I start to do the real refit.

 

[dtfeld]

Ah got it. Yeah, we have the larger space so I was thinking either 2 x 12” or a 9” and a 12”

I actually loved my A series on the old boat, if I could find an a127/a128 I might jump on it for a couple years until I start to do the real refit.

I loved my a128, and I thought LightHouse2 was a much better operating system (more mature). However, the Radar I chose requires the Axiom and LH3. Its getting better with every revision, but still is a work in progress.

The one thing I'm looking for is a good main screen right in front of me. having it off to the side is OK, but not ideal.

 

[Strecker25]

I loved my a128, and I thought LightHouse2 was a much better operating system (more mature). However, the Radar I chose requires the Axiom and LH3. Its getting better with every revision, but still is a work in progress.

The one thing I'm looking for is a good main screen right in front of me. having it off to the side is OK, but not ideal.

i lost out on one on eBay the other night, went for $300

 

[Skybolt]

Funny I am in the midst of doing this as well. I feel for you not wanting to rewire switches etc.

I think a 2nd 12" in the middle with tach's on either side, top, with the DSM's under them. Then switches far left and right sides.

I can't speak enough about having twin 12's. I could never go back to just one for all the reason list above. On nice days right is longest leg of route displayed with radar overlay and the left is zoomed in with radar overlay. Bad days are right with radar rings only and left is the same, zoomed in with overlay, depending on the visibility level.

Now the question is are you going to stay with Raymarine or not? Garmin dose have data bars and very customizable N2K screens, just a thought. Possibly the best of both worlds.

 

[dtfeld]

Funny I am in the midst of doing this as well. I feel for you not wanting to rewire switches etc.

I think a 2nd 12" in the middle with tach's on either side, top, with the DSM's under them. Then switches far left and right sides.

I can't speak enough about having twin 12's. I could never go back to just one for all the reason list above. On nice days right is longest leg of route displayed with radar overlay and the left is zoomed in with radar overlay. Bad days are right with radar rings only and left is the same, zoomed in with overlay, depending on the visibility level.

Now the question is are you going to stay with Raymarine or not? Garmin dose have data bars and very customizable N2K screens, just a thought. Possibly the best of both worlds.

I agree the twins front and center would be ideal. No way to fit 2X 12". I'd have to look to see if 2X 9" could be stuffed in. Obviously the 2X 7" are an easy retrofit, but the 7" are just too small for my eyes (but I like the look of the twin 7" on @Stee6043 panel. I'm leaning towards a single 9" as a good compromise, and not having to move/rewire everything.

I've made my bed with Raymarine, It has all the bells and whistles and scratches most itches. Everything is integrated and works and plays nice together.

 

[Stee6043]

I agree the twins front and center would be ideal. No way to fit 2X 12". I'd have to look to see if 2X 9" could be stuffed in. Obviously the 2X 7" are an easy retrofit, but the 7" are just too small for my eyes (but I like the look of the twin 7" on @Stee6043 panel. I'm leaning towards a single 9" as a good compromise, and not having to move/rewire everything.

I've made my bed with Raymarine, It has all the bells and whistles and scratches most itches. Everything is integrated and works and plays nice together.

Of course bigger is always better but I've never once struggled to read my 7's. You can zoom/move one or the other to ensure features are legible. The text size is readable even for my aging, so far uncorrected eyeballs.

I think if you spent a couple minutes playing with a single 9" vs two 7" you wouldn't spend another second considering a single 9". The usability of having two will quickly offset the smaller chart size on the 7".

I don't know about Raymarine but I don't think the text/data displays will be different on any of the Garmin's. Whether it's a 16" or a 7" those data fields will read the same. The only thing changing is the amount of space for the chart...I'm almost certain.

 

[Skybolt]

I agree the twins front and center would be ideal. No way to fit 2X 12". ...

Actually I was thinking a single 12" front and center, with the tachs and DSM's on either side of the main screen. I guess your pic #3 and move the switches further out to either side.

Something like this (Sorry for key board char. O = Tach or DSM):
O| Main |O
O|Screen|O

 

[Riptide III]

I agree with the above, having two plotters side by side is extraordinarily useful. I'll often run with the same destination on both but have one zoomed in to see the nearby features, one zoomed out to show the destination. I also run one in knots and one in mph.

This is my twin 7" setup.

Looks familiar!

 

[dtfeld]

Current configuration pic attached. Heavily leaning towards a single 9” front and center. I’d have a 12”and a 9” just offset side to side.

I would intend to run one zoomed in, one zoomed out. Regardless it would be a lot of screen, especially in a split mode.

 

[Skybolt]

Current configuration pic attached. Heavily leaning towards a single 9” front and center. I’d have a 12”and a 9” just offset side to side. ...

Your boat and it should be how you like it. Either way you go you will have an awesome setup.