2007 40DA Incremental Electronics Upgrades?

[Redhook98]

Howdy! Been a member here for along time, but only recently got back into a SR. Been dabbling in bigger trawlers for awhile and "lost my way". Lol! Now I have a 2007 40DA with QSBs. I have what appears to be the original dual E120 displays, open array RADAR (analog I believe), ST8002 Autopilot and SmartCraft SC5000 DieselView. My depth finder is currently not connected or the transducer is bad. Sounds a little sketch. The SC5000 works, but is fading in a few areas. The E120s look great with no issues.

I would like to start by replacing the right E120 display with either an Axiom or a Garmin (or?). Funding is not there yet to replace both displays and the RADAR, so thus the incremental upgrades. Planning on keeping the left display to control and display the RADAR for now. Not sure if that unit would also keep a GPS capability? I realize the new and old will not co-mingle info. I'd like the updated GPS capability and to display my engine data on the larger screen of the new proposed display. What can I tie into the new unit (realize this may depend on which I get).

Can I just start with a Smartcraft to NMEA 2000 converter and a new display? I also realize I will need to keep my SC5000 in place to control the gauges. I see that Defender has the Axiom 12RV and transducer on sale right now.

I did a few searches on this, but could not directly find my exact situation. Thanks for everything!

 

[bobeast]

Pretty much any modern MFD will have built in GPS hardware. That said, an external GPS mounted up high will almost certainly be more accurate and will likely provide a heading sensor. A heading sensor will keep the charts oriented to your bow when you aren't moving. This is especially important if you want to keep the Radar overlayed on top of your charts when you aren't moving.
Your existing auto-pilot will have a heading sensor already included. That said, if that heading sensor is not on NMEA 2000, you may want to consider a stand-alone sensor.

As for brands, I'm particular to Garmin for their intuitive interface and wide range of available accessories. Whatever you choose, the Radar will need to be from the same manufacturer as your MFD. That's one of the few areas where you cannot really mix and match.

A SmartCraft -> NMEA 2000 gateway is a good choice and there are several options available. Any of them will allow you to view engine data on your MFD. Again, I like Garmin's consumption of this data.

For an incremental approach I would prioritize as follows.
1) MFD(s)
2) Functional transducer (for depth at least)
3) NMEA network (if not already onboard)
4) Heading sensor
5) external GPS (if not included in # 4)
6) Radar
7) NMEA gateway

There is an ongoing debate on 100% touch-screens vs physical buttons. I prefer physical controls, but hate giving up screen real-estate for them. Garmin has a very nice Remote available, and when paired with a 100% touch-screen MFD, will give you the best of both worlds. I'm pretty sure other MFD brands will allow for a similar setup.

 

[Redhook98]

Thanks for the info. I have had Axioms on my last few boats and a few Garmins, but those were installed from the ground-up. No previous systems installed. The issues I am having involve the already installed Smartcraft system with the DieselView, the relationship with the installed gauges (the DieselView controls those gauges) and the engine parameters being shown on a new MFD and having to convert from SC to NMEA2000.

Not to worried about the AutoPilot integration. Hardly ever use those for anything other than holding a straight course in heavy seas anyway.

 

[Golfman25]

Incremental, yeah right. That's what I thought.

I would forget about trying to integrate the old with the new. Just throwing good money after bad. I chose Garmin. I started with, I'll just to some engine gateways and run a NMEA backbone. That quickly moved into a radar and "small" MFD, which changed to a larger MFD. And if your going with the larger MFD, you "need" the Fantom radar. Oh, but then I need to hook the smaller MFD to the larger MFD. And, yeah, -- the depth and tridata don't work. So now they tell me there is a NMEA transducer I can get along with another "tridata" Garmin display. Haven't done it yet, but Chit, there goes another $900, spend now or later -- But hey, already have the NMEA backbone in the engine room, so it will be easy. Oh, and yeah let's do the stereo - ok, that's next year, right. When It's all said and done, the old autopilot will work on it's own accord. Everything else will be NMEA/Network integrated. It sucks you in like quicksand. Good luck.

 

[Redhook98]

Quick update. I switched all connections from my center E120 to the left unit and made that the Master. Radar, GPS, etc. I ordered an Axiom+ 12-RV and adapter plate for the center unit. That way I can keep the analog Radar for now and it is of some use. As soon as these get installed, then I will get the Mercury SC/NMEA2000 adapter from SB marine and port over to the SC system and get engine data. I may even tuck the SC5000 unit up under the dash and install an Axiom 7 where that was so I could have engine data on a separate panel, and retain gauge use. Anyone done this?