Upgrading electronics 44 Sundancer

[Chief Ed]

Morning all,

Moving forward with the electronics upgrades on our 2006 44 Sundancer. Came with a single E120 and 4’ Analog Open Array Radar.

Ordered the new panels from Tecnografix. They came out perfect, of course.

Installed two Garmin GPSMAP1242+ (one of the is the xsv). Installed GMR424xhd2 4’ Open Array. Changed Smartcraft transducer to Airmar DST800 for now, and will add a GT51 at the next haul out. Added the AIS800 transponder. Added the Smartcraft Gateway to get all of the engine data from Diesel View on the Garmins. Finally, added the Simrad Precision 9 heading sensor (precursor to upgrading the autopilot in the next phase).

Really happy so far. Way nicer to use and a whole lot better looking. Will put 10-12 hours on them this weekend, so should have some better feedback if anyone is interested.

Here are a few pics thus far...

Ed

 

[yobub]

I'm very interested to hear your thought on the radar compared to the Raymarine. Radar seems to always be a soft spot for Garmin, and you can give us some first hand feedback.

 

[Chief Ed]

Will do. Been on a couple short runs through the bay and the Garmin is far superior. That said, the Raymarine was the OEM installed (14 year old) analog radar. It worked OK, but required constant tuning, especially when changing from long to short range.

You’re correct though, Garmin’s solid state radars (Fantom) radars have been a bit of of a soft spot. That’s why I went with the the traditional magnetron (GMR series) unit.

 

[quality time]

Don't be surprised when the temp portion of your DST800 fails. I have two and one made it one season, there are lots of complaints about this issue online.

 

[Skybolt]

Don't be surprised when the temp portion of your DST800 fails. I have two and one made it one season, there are lots of complaints about this issue online.

I second that, After 5yrs my temp gave out reporting water temp in the 90's. And now I am waiting on my 3rd replacement for bad depth readings, off the shelf failures from different sources. Very glad this can be done in the water.

I hope yours stay's stable. Great job with the upgrade's. Helm looks awesome, nice and clean look.

 

[quality time]

I second that, After 5yrs my temp gave out reporting water temp in the 90's. And now I am waiting on my 3rd replacement for bad depth readings, off the shelf failures from different sources. Very glad this can be done in the water.

I hope yours stay's stable. Great job with the upgrade's. Helm looks awesome, nice and clean look.

Any problem getting it replaced under warranty? I haven't bothered since I have a backup.

 

[Jeremygavin]

Don't be surprised when the temp portion of your DST800 fails. I have two and one made it one season, there are lots of complaints about this issue online.

Interesting you posted that. I installed a new DST800 before going in the water 2019 season and temp failed this Aug. I am trying to get Airmar to honor the warranty. It has a 2yr warranty on it and I bought it 11/19 so it has been under 2 years but was manufactured 6/19 so they are probably not going to cover it. Has anyone come up with a better alternative?

 

[Skybolt]

Any problem getting it replaced under warranty? I haven't bothered since I have a backup.

My first one lasted 5yrs. so no warranty. But the replacements were all new over the past two weeks and defective from stock. So I have had to return the defective units for refunds. I just ordered another one today, but have no faith that this one will be any different.

I wish there were another company besides Airmar that makes transducers. They seem to make every transducer out there, even ones not branded as Airmar.

 

[Chief Ed]

Thanks, all. Agreed on the DST800, Seen many issues especially with temp.

it’s kind of a temporary solution. It fit into the Smartcraft transducer’s thru-hull fitting so I could install it in the water.

I’m installing the Garmin GT51M this winter during a haul out. While it doesn’t have a paddle wheel, it’s a much more reliable unit as far as temp goes. Plus is had mid-chirp traditional sounder as well as DownVu and SideVu for the shallow stuff,

 

[ttmott]

Will do. Been on a couple short runs through the bay and the Garmin is far superior. That said, the Raymarine was the OEM installed (14 year old) analog radar. It worked OK, but required constant tuning, especially when changing from long to short range.

You’re correct though, Garmin’s solid state radars (Fantom) radars have been a bit of of a soft spot. That’s why I went with the the traditional magnetron (GMR series) unit.

Can you explain what is meant by "soft spot"?

 

[J.Wilt]

My plan this winter is to install two GPSMAP8612, new autopilot, GMR Fantom124 and a couple other toys.
I would also like to know what is wrong with the Fantom radars.

 

[yobub]

Can you explain what is meant by "soft spot"?

Just that I have read many reviews from people who have bought new Garmin gear and are disappointed with thebraday performance. People tend to be very happy with the MFD, but not as satisfied with radar performance.

 

[Chief Ed]

Out at Catalina Island this weekend. The run here (about 70 miles) was a great chance to play with the Garmin system. The radar is very good. Granted, I went with the traditional magnetron model (GMR series) as opposed to the Fantom. The solid state Fantom radars are “weak” in the longer ranges. Be sure and get at least the 120 Watt or the new 250 Watt if you go that route.

This one, GMR424xhd2, sees small boats at 3-4 miles and ships at 8-10. We started to see the tip of Catalina (not much altitude) at about 18 miles. Very happy with the resolution and the MARPA tracking works quite well.

I’ll try to get some screenshots for you on the way home this afternoon...

 

[ttmott]

Interesting; I've not heard much negative on the Fantom radar. I have the GMR Fantom 54 with the Garmin 8616 MFD's and don't find many if any weakness's; certainty not in range or detail. Unlike the magnetron based systems the doppler pulse technology does not require high wattage to achieve target data and separation within any reasonable range. I can confirm that I have excellent target return to the horizon from my bridge roof elevation (18 feet above the water). Secondly, precipitation and birds are resolved very well to the limits. Now, I installed these new electronics last summer and still learning them but at this point can't agree that they are "weak" or a "soft spot".

 

[Chief Ed]

Sorry for the glare, but here’s a pic coming home yesterday..

That’s Point Loma coming down from the North. The tip of the point is about 10 miles. My antenna is probably only 12’ or so off the water. Pretty strong return. How does that compare to you folks with Fantom radars?

Here’s a shot tracking a small fishing boat with the MARPA at about a mile and a half...

And finally, my favorite shot. .75 nmpg at 25 Knots! In all fairness, we were travelling down hill and got a little push from the small swells...

 

[Skybolt]

Interesting; I've not heard much negative on the Fantom radar. ...

From what I have read on THT, a guy there Gil Travis "Semperfifishing" has explained the newer Fantom solid state radars are for cruising boats and not for fishing. They don't pick up birds like the magnatron units do or weather fronts far off, but are very good in close quarters where the radar is needed most.

As Chief Ed stated above they "weak" in long distance targeting. Great SS of the radar, that looks awesome and well worth the money. Good luck with all the new equipment, it really looks great. Nice job!

 

[Chief Ed]

Added an engine room camera (Garmin GC200) and upgraded the VHF (Garmin VHF315). Very pleased with both so far...

 

[Skybolt]

Very Nice! Looks great. A bit of a piece of mind with the ER cam. I put mine in the rear of each engine to watch the raw water pump and dripless shaft seal.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Added an engine room camera (Garmin GC200) and upgraded the VHF (Garmin VHF315). Very pleased with both so far...

View attachment 93070 View attachment 93071

Does that just connect to the NEMA 2000 Network, like any other "node" on the network?

 

[dtfeld]

Cameras are on ethernet or the manufacturers version of that. For raymarine...it would be raynet...