Raymarine C70 to read water depth

SAshton

SAshton

Member
Nov 30, 2007
416
somerset, mass
Boat Info
2004 280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3 w/A1 drives
What do u need to get? How to install? I'm clueless with this stuff. I'm guessing I would need to mount anew transducer. Is there a direct fit for the factory location for the smartcraft sensor? I'd rather have depth on radar screen then the hard to read dash gauges.
 
I've got a c80 and am looking to do the same thing in the spring. As far as I can tell, we'll need transducers and a digital sounds module. Specifically, I'm looking at a p79 shoot thru transducer and either a dsm250 or a dsm300.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions?
 
Yes I did. I did all my Raymarine stuff. That is pretty much plug and play. Except for the power and that's not a biggy. Easy!

You might want to think newer equipment that stuff is getting old. I know I know. My E120 failed last summer but I found a guy in FL for $600 as apposed to $1700 from Raymarine.

PM me if you want more info we can talk on the phone. Be glad to help.
 
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Thanks Mike. My equipment is only 4 years old, so while the c80 is an old model, the actual equipment is only 4 years old. That said, I want to make sure whatever I buy is compatible with newer equipment too.

Once i I actually close on the boat, I might take you u on your offer for assistance.
 
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Unless you want fish finding, I'd suggest going with one of the rm gauges like the st40 or st60. They are much less costly and will transfer the depth data to the c series via SeaTalk.

Btw you can feed depth data back to SmartCraft via nmea0183.

Personally I'd skip the p79. They have to be filled with mineral oil and frequently leak leaving a big mess in the bilge.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Henry Boyd said:
Unless you want fish finding, I'd suggest going with one of the rm gauges like the st40 or st60. They are much less costly and will transfer the depth data to the c series via SeaTalk.

Btw you can feed depth data back to SmartCraft via nmea0183.

Personally I'd skip the p79. They have to be filled with mineral oil and frequently leak leaving a big mess in the bilge.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Going on 7 years now.
As a matter of fact the P79 I installed never leaked or gave me any issues. Plus easy to install . Going on 7 years now.
 
Mike Blake said:
Going on 7 years now.
As a matter of fact the P79 I installed never leaked or gave me any issues. Plus easy to install . Going on 7 years now.
Click to expand...

Glad you have had a positive experience. However, I wouldn't have made my comment without first hand knowledge of friends and other acquaintances who have not been so lucky.

At this point I'll also add; why spend the money on new depth hardware and employ a transducer that is negatively impacted by hull construction? Our boat is going on 14 seasons with a through hull and not a drop of water (can't say that about Mercruiser transom assemblies). And the current transducer replaced the OEM Lowrance six years ago. Since the OP already has a non functioning through hull, I would think it would be better (from a technology perspective) and cheaper (from an installation cost perspective), to knock out the old transducer and replace it with a through hull that will have a clean shot at the bottom.

Henry
 
SAshton said:
What do u need to get? How to install? I'm clueless with this stuff. I'm guessing I would need to mount anew transducer. Is there a direct fit for the factory location for the smartcraft sensor? I'd rather have depth on radar screen then the hard to read dash gauges.
Click to expand...

Other than a careful install here is a good deal. http://ocala.craigslist.org/bpo/5279052397.html
 
Seems cheap enough but I'd hate to have leaking issues and it's probably easy but not a huge fan of drilling a hole thru my boat. I'd love to find the factory sensor but wish I could try 1st to make sure it's a fix. Much rather have the depth on c70 but I don't want to drill holes just yet.
 
And this will plug into my c70? Is this just a depth sensor? Anyone have it installed in a 280 to show where is the best place? Install seems difficult but not too bad.
 
SAshton said:
And this will plug into my c70? Is this just a depth sensor? Anyone have it installed in a 280 to show where is the best place? Install seems difficult but not too bad.
Click to expand...

No, You need two pieces. First a transducer and second a device to create the sonar signal and then to interpret the reflected signal. The Smartcraft Transducer actually combines both functions, hence what appears to be a high price for a basic item.

The term transducer is a little misleading. What is called a transducer is basically a resign puck with sensors/ "antennas" cast into it. That is how they can come with water temp capability, speed, and of course the various levels of fish finding.

In the RM world you either need a DSM (digital sounding module) or one of the ST 40/ 60 depth gauges to do the sonar interpreting. These upload via Sea Talk to the MFD, that in turn can download some of the data back to SmartCraft.

Henry
 
Gotcha. Seems the smartcraft sensor is cheaper now and very easy to install. Thanks for the info
 
SAshton said:
And this will plug into my c70? Is this just a depth sensor? Anyone have it installed in a 280 to show where is the best place? Install seems difficult but not too bad.
Click to expand...

You will need a DSm30, or a DSM300 to got to the chartploter. P79-DSM-chartploter all plug and play.
 
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