I might consider a more feature rich transducer like the B275 with Chirp for such an otherwise extremely robust installation.
What’s the advantage? For someone not fishing.
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I might consider a more feature rich transducer like the B275 with Chirp for such an otherwise extremely robust installation.
I looked at TimeZero and it looks great. How do you integrate it with Furuno? What type of hardware is needed?
You need the 3D Plotting, Chirp Transducer like the B275, and I believe you need the TZT3 MFD.
Yes, as I mentioned previously, I already have two TZT16F units. I've zero experience choosing transducers for this sort of thing, thus it's on my 'to do' list to investigate. Hopefully I'll get it installed when it's on the hard this winter.
There's the questions of which transducers, where they'd be placed in the hull and the how they'd get connected. From what I gather it's possible to feed some models of transducers straight into one of the TZT3 units (and share that to the other via their Ethernet connection).
Our new ride came with the previous generation Garmin 7612xsv, including radar and depth, an older Raymarine AP not connected to the plotter, an older ICOM VHF not connected to a GPS... and some other broken stuff.
After I think about it for a while, I'll sort out our complete system-to-be. Another depth finder (or maybe fishfinder), another MFD, AIS... plus another VHF and a loud hailer... with everything actually connected as necessary...
Excepting radios, that build-out could end up being all Furuno (bag the Garmin stuff), or mix-and-match Furuno and Garmin, or more likely all Garmin simply because of the cost of replacing a functioning radar.
But I won't be jumping into that immediately, giving myself more time to use this boat and think about it all, first...
I've inherited some Garmin bits and pieces, but if I completely replace all that or simply add on some Furuno equipment, one reason will be to take more advantage of a newer version of TZ.
Ok, I pulled the trigger on the Furuno system.
Autopilot 711C
Fish Finding Chirp B265LH transducer for Bottom Discrimination
DRS4DNXT dome radar
TZT3 16 MFD
SCX20 Sat Compass
I'm waiting for the pain of the expense to wear off. I'm really looking forward to all the new capabilities and ease of use.
Are you sure about the B265LH?
I don’t believe it’s NMEA 2000, which was important for me for a new install. I went with the DST800L.
Otherwise we have similar technologies.
Yes, it is 2000. It is Chirp capable, 1Kw, dual band high and low frequencies. It is a step down from the B275 that includes wider coverage. I just couldn't go the extra $500 bucks for a better fish finding transducer. I wanted Chirp and Bottom Discrimination. I'll do a little fishing but not much. Furuno tech support helped me with the decision.
Ok, I pulled the trigger on the Furuno system.
Autopilot 711C
Fish Finding Chirp B265LH transducer for Bottom Discrimination
DRS4DNXT dome radar
TZT3 16 MFD
SCX20 Sat Compass
I'm waiting for the pain of the expense to wear off. I'm really looking forward to all the new capabilities and ease of use.
Ok, the one I saw had a 12 pin connector.
And the model wasn’t listed on their NMEA section of the website.
https://www.airmar.com/productinfo.html?category=NT&name=NMEA Transducers
Do you have a reference for it so I can see the certification? My installer implied it wasn’t 2000.
I have to say though Airmae really don’t provide information in an easy to find way!
Let’s hope we can get our equipment soon with all the back order delays!!
Ricky,
Are you installing yourself?
I called Furuno tech support and asked for their recommendation. We did not talk NMEA, only supplying the data I wanted at a more moderate price. I asked about other transducers and the tech said "you want Chirp" and suggested a couple options including the B265LH. L = low frequency for deep waters, H = high for shallow. and 1Kw for extra power over the 600w. My main consideration was Bottom Discrimination. Call Furuno tech support.
Commonly we allow the system to generate an autoroute. But do not engage the autopilot to follow it. Rather use the AP to go waypoint to waypoint. And intentionally place those legs to seaward of the plotted autoroute the computer has generated. Sometimes depends upon current, traffic, obstacles or other factors will place the leg to landward of the autoroute route but generally it’s to seaward.
Like seeing the autoroute on the plotter in a different color from everything else. Tells me shortest distance and where likely traffic will be. Find this very helpful although we never integrate it to directly command the AP except in ocean or offshore situations.
Of interest there’s an often quoted study where VMG for a early generation AP was compared to a human and then a windvane. Done over a long passage on the same sailboat. The AP did best, vane second and human worst. Now with current APs being self learning (NKE seems to be industry leader) and throwing out windvane as not applicable seems clear the more you us the AP less fuel you’ll burn and the faster the transit. Suspect like many on every boat I’ve owned you hand steer going out and in but that’s about it.
Now we also use Timezero with our Furuno as it has incredible route planning.
TimeZeroNeeds a PC operating system. It will not work on a Mac. Even with an emulator.
I works with the time zero app on an IPad, right?
TimeZero iBoat obviously works on iPads.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. Does it have the same functionality as the windows version, or is it Tome Zero “light”?
For instance, with the Navionics app, you can autoroute on an IPad, but are limited to 200 waypoints.
We've only used the iBoat a little, mainly to test it, because I simply have a strong dislike for anything iApple. Haven't run into any problems in the limited using and synchronizes nicely with TimeZero. It's not got all the features of TZ Navigator or Professional but sure has what most would use.
As to limitations, keep in mind Navigator also has limitations, only Professional does not. Navigator is limited to 30,000 marks, 200 routes of 500 waypoints each and 100 boundaries. Sounds like a lot but we had 65 routes in 5 months this summer. I suspect the iBoat limitations are similar but don't know that for a fact.
A couple of additional points. We don't use TimeZero as stand alone, but as front end for Furuno.
A bit late to the party, but here's my 2 cents:
I've owned and used Furuno, Garmin and Raymarine over the years. Current vessel has Garmin, but it will be upgraded to non-Garmin in the future.
Some peeves about Garmin.
1) Poor support in general. If you read the owners manuals you can better answer questions about their products than the support reps. In fact I think that is all they do, look up in the manual or search on-line for an answer.
2) Proprietary system. Many features will not integrate unless all Garmin network
3) Can't buy parts for to repair the units. Try ordering something as simple as a speaker to replace a dead one - not happening
4) Charts are very inaccurate for quite a few locations including the A-ICW and west coast of FL. Limited to Garmin charts only of chart plotters
5) Seemingly Garmin is the most expensive for what you get.
So what do I like:
Furuno: Tops in the group for radar!! Excellent, reliable, very accurate images Awesome support. Long term products that you can order parts for. Integration with PC (TZ or Maxsea). I overlay radar onto my OpenCPN computer screen charts so it's on a separate display from my main chart plotter anyway.
Raymarine: I hated C and E series equipment. LOTS of issues with them (chartplotters, and autopilots mainly) failing, losing Seatalk connections, bad support (engineers in UK, but hard to reach them). BUT with that said, I just sold a boat I owned for two years with the new AXIOM system. Incredible. Constant upgrades with new features. No system crashes, excellent support (now able to reach trained people here in the US). Great bang for the buck. Very intuitive. Choice of high quality charts. Radar integrates (unofficially) with OpenCPN
Icom: Still my choice for VHF and SSB.
So, I have different brand equipment on board. i tend to go with the best device in it's category. With N2000, it's really been easy to make it all work and get 95% off all the features to play among the brands.