Raymarine A68 Direct Replacement for Northstar 550 on a 270 SLX?

RichardS

New Member
Nov 15, 2015
173
South Jersey
Boat Info
2009 Sea Ray 270 SLX
Engines
Merc 496 375HP, Bravo III
OK.....

This is a follow-up to my lightning strike but I thought it would make more sense in the "Electronics" area of the forum since it's so subject specific, and may apply to boaters who haven't done it only because of lightning.

My 2009 Sea Ray 270 SLX (496 Mag with DTS and Smartcraft) lost it's Northstar 550 and transducer because of the recent event.

It's MY understanding (and if I am wrong, PLEASE, correct me as fast as possible because they are ordering parts today!!) that the only chartplotter that will fit right into the place the Northstar was, without cutting the dash, which I don't want to do, is the Raymarine A68.

SO!

First, is that true?? (I know there was an older Garmin model in some of these boats, but I'm talking about new and/or current models, not anything already old.)

Second, assuming it is the newest and latest tech chartplotter that will work, I also understand the boat needs to be re-configged to NMEA 2000 to make it all work with Smartcraft.

So that involves a NMEA tree and a gateway of some type. (which one?)

Is there anything else I need to know?

Once the NMEA 2000 network is installed, and the proper gateway is installed to replace the old Navico from the Northstar system, will I have all the functionality of the old system? Meaning, besides chartplotter functions, will I be able to see all my engine data on-screen on the A68? Is there anything else I need to buy/do to have complete functionality?

Is the Raymarine A68 the unit you guys would use? I was always a Garmin guy, but Garmin doesn't seem to be an option here.

Looking forward to hearing your input on this. I really want it done "right"! So any advice, precautions, thoughts of any kind, much appreciated!!
 
I can't help with the fit questions but we use the raymarine a68. It's a decent little unit, and while the screen isn't huge the ray software is pretty efficient laying out the data. Raymarine uses SeatalkNG, so you'll have to create an NMEA 2k network and then use the 2k->SeatalkNG cable for like $30.

I've used it this summer to navigate a few hundred miles and it has been very good in that regard. Not to mention the price is right
 
Yes, I've heard and read good things about the A68. It's way way too small for my liking but anything else that fits in that hole will be the same size, so it is what it is. I like big screens, and on my Carver aft cabin had a Garmin 7215 which I loved, but that's obviously something that could never work on this boat. And I had a Garmin 741xs on my last 21 footer, but again, that would have to externally mounted, and I really don't see anywhere on the 270 SLX that an external unit makes sense, so I'm going to keep it in the dash and make do with the small screen. If anybody has any suggestions or thoughts, I'd love to hear them!
 
RichardS,

Did the Raymarine A68 work? I have a 2008 SLX 250, with the Northstar unit that I am just looking to bring current. But I would like to make sure whatever I replace it with is compatible with Smartcraft and fits properly in the same space.

Look forward to your reply!

thanks


Yes, I've heard and read good things about the A68. It's way way too small for my liking but anything else that fits in that hole will be the same size, so it is what it is. I like big screens, and on my Carver aft cabin had a Garmin 7215 which I loved, but that's obviously something that could never work on this boat. And I had a Garmin 741xs on my last 21 footer, but again, that would have to externally mounted, and I really don't see anywhere on the 270 SLX that an external unit makes sense, so I'm going to keep it in the dash and make do with the small screen. If anybody has any suggestions or thoughts, I'd love to hear them!
 

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