To wrap up this thread, I posted picts of my now installed Radar & MFD updates in my photos album--and am adding a few comments after some experience with the new equipment.
The radar dome sits on a 5 inch stainless SeaView mount over a 4 degree wedge, so about 6 inches above the roof. I decided to use a low mount to keep the radar low when trailering, but still lift it above the roof and hailer. A much higher mount would add a little to radar distance, and much more for other roof cargo, and, of course to cost. I envy those with the nice radar arches, but too much 'overhead' for me at this time.
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
Radar:
So far, the radar has displayed all the vessels I have visually seen near me (I have looked out to 2 miles)--with tracking red/green/black approaching/departing/stationary vessels. It is linking the AIS info, which can be displayed by selecting the radar image on the 8610 touchscreen.
Sonar:
With 8 coho fishing trips this spring, the traditional 'chips' sonar is quite detailed. It is showing thousands more fish that I still can't catch.
Downvision (or ClearVu):
Works well to delineate the fishing nets very common throughout the Apostle Islands--which we need to keep distance from when motoring/dragging fishing gear past. It also shows the shallow wrecks near some of the islands/mainland bays.
Heading sensor/NEMA:
The heading sensor/gps that I installed under the V-berth's roof (18" behind the windless) is working well. It keeps the radar overlay in sync with the chart. I gained accuracy over the chartplotter's built-in gps and it allows its gps to be shared over the NMEA 0183 and 2000 networks.
Charts:
I preferred the Navionics charts, as that is what I have used on my Raymarine unit for many years. I kept the Raymarine for redundancy, and also to continue easy access to my prior waypoint and route history. This is working well. I did replace the Garmin Bluewater G3 charts that came installed on the 8610 with (new in Feb 2022) Garmin Navionics+ charts. This makes the Navionics on the Raymarine and the new Navionics+ on the Garmin to be most similar. Although I had no issues updating the charts, there are many reported issues, esp, with Garmin units older than 2019.
Despite using Navionics charts on both plotters, I still need practice with routing on the Garmin unit. Navionics routing on the Raymarine and Boating app are (to me) quite intuitive. I find Garmin's routing much less so--at least till I gain more experience with it. By having both systems I can use either one for now.
One other personal preference I tested is the touch screen--going with the all touch 8610 to maximize screen pixels in the smaller MFD size. All my prior MFD's have been button only. I now prefer the Garmin touch screen to my prior button units. For button control, Garmin offers a remote with buttons, but I don't believe I would use it enough to add it.
More electronics:
Adding electronics seems to beg the question, what additional ones to add? The MFD is 2 months old and Garmin is coming out with a "Boat Switch" to digitally control traditional switches like lights and pumps from the MFD screen. My auto-pilot saving account has not even started yet.
On my last Bayfield trip, an owner of a 30 ft sailboat walked over to chat, as we were securing the boat on the trailer. He indicated he and his wife were looking to downsize a bit. He gave the C-Dory high marks for the easy launch/retrieve. He then pointed to the motor(s) and said 40hp, saying he had a lot of experience with 40hp on his Lund Alaska boat. The power boats docked around him are spending $100 to take a trip around the island (Madeline). He/I smiled when he said the only problem with the C-Dory is that he doesn't have one yet.
Thanks again to all the folks who share on this forum.
The radar dome sits on a 5 inch stainless SeaView mount over a 4 degree wedge, so about 6 inches above the roof. I decided to use a low mount to keep the radar low when trailering, but still lift it above the roof and hailer. A much higher mount would add a little to radar distance, and much more for other roof cargo, and, of course to cost. I envy those with the nice radar arches, but too much 'overhead' for me at this time.
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
Radar:
So far, the radar has displayed all the vessels I have visually seen near me (I have looked out to 2 miles)--with tracking red/green/black approaching/departing/stationary vessels. It is linking the AIS info, which can be displayed by selecting the radar image on the 8610 touchscreen.
Sonar:
With 8 coho fishing trips this spring, the traditional 'chips' sonar is quite detailed. It is showing thousands more fish that I still can't catch.
Downvision (or ClearVu):
Works well to delineate the fishing nets very common throughout the Apostle Islands--which we need to keep distance from when motoring/dragging fishing gear past. It also shows the shallow wrecks near some of the islands/mainland bays.
Heading sensor/NEMA:
The heading sensor/gps that I installed under the V-berth's roof (18" behind the windless) is working well. It keeps the radar overlay in sync with the chart. I gained accuracy over the chartplotter's built-in gps and it allows its gps to be shared over the NMEA 0183 and 2000 networks.
Charts:
I preferred the Navionics charts, as that is what I have used on my Raymarine unit for many years. I kept the Raymarine for redundancy, and also to continue easy access to my prior waypoint and route history. This is working well. I did replace the Garmin Bluewater G3 charts that came installed on the 8610 with (new in Feb 2022) Garmin Navionics+ charts. This makes the Navionics on the Raymarine and the new Navionics+ on the Garmin to be most similar. Although I had no issues updating the charts, there are many reported issues, esp, with Garmin units older than 2019.
Despite using Navionics charts on both plotters, I still need practice with routing on the Garmin unit. Navionics routing on the Raymarine and Boating app are (to me) quite intuitive. I find Garmin's routing much less so--at least till I gain more experience with it. By having both systems I can use either one for now.
One other personal preference I tested is the touch screen--going with the all touch 8610 to maximize screen pixels in the smaller MFD size. All my prior MFD's have been button only. I now prefer the Garmin touch screen to my prior button units. For button control, Garmin offers a remote with buttons, but I don't believe I would use it enough to add it.
More electronics:
Adding electronics seems to beg the question, what additional ones to add? The MFD is 2 months old and Garmin is coming out with a "Boat Switch" to digitally control traditional switches like lights and pumps from the MFD screen. My auto-pilot saving account has not even started yet.
On my last Bayfield trip, an owner of a 30 ft sailboat walked over to chat, as we were securing the boat on the trailer. He indicated he and his wife were looking to downsize a bit. He gave the C-Dory high marks for the easy launch/retrieve. He then pointed to the motor(s) and said 40hp, saying he had a lot of experience with 40hp on his Lund Alaska boat. The power boats docked around him are spending $100 to take a trip around the island (Madeline). He/I smiled when he said the only problem with the C-Dory is that he doesn't have one yet.
Thanks again to all the folks who share on this forum.