Feedback on Simrad NSS, NSE, NSO?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by mikereed100

The last time I looked into this (about a year ago) the software existed but was something like $1200.

GoFree is just a couple hundred bucks, and for that you get the hardware.

Apparently you can use a regular WiFi router, too, as comms between radar and MFD are regular Ethernet. I believe the software is free.

Simrad rules! I was inclined to go with Simrad at first because I wanted the broadband radar not offered by anyone else so far. Then the more I studied it the better I liked the entire system!

Note that you need to have at least one NSS (or B&G Zeus Touch) MFD in your system to use GoFree. It doesn't work with NSE or NSO.

[twistedtree]

I just wanted to circle back on this topic. After a bunch of research and some extensive bench testing, I've decided to go with Simrad electronics on my new boat. This includes black box chart plotters (NSO), radar (both pulse and broadband), and of course autopilot. It will all be interconnected via NMEA 2000. I think I might have the only Nordhavn with zero Furuno gear on board. If you want to read more about the decision, venture over here Adventures of Tanglewood: Chart Plotter - Decision Made

[captainjim47]

Delivery captain/marine electronics. I've done a refit of a luxury yacht from Raymarine to SIMRAD. Used/have Furuno, Raymarine, SIMRAD, OpenCPN, Coastal Explorer, Garmin and a few others. My main problem with SIMRAD is their archaic architecture, even Furuno has a Linux based PC inside there somewhere. PC arch allows some really flexible display formats these days. SIMRAD's arch seems quite limited for display flexibility. FLIR really needs to step their game when it come to turning Raymarine into to a real company. Their documentation among other things is pathetic. I will be on an 2009 Azimut 85 today. 5yrs old and the labels on the two radar pedestals are completely unreadable, no model numbers, no serial numbers, nada.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by captainjim47

Delivery captain/marine electronics. I've done a refit of a luxury yacht from Raymarine to SIMRAD. Used/have Furuno, Raymarine, SIMRAD, OpenCPN, Coastal Explorer, Garmin and a few others. My main problem with SIMRAD is their archaic architecture, even Furuno has a Linux based PC inside there somewhere. PC arch allows some really flexible display formats these days. SIMRAD's arch seems quite limited for display flexibility. FLIR really needs to step their game when it come to turning Raymarine into to a real company. Their documentation among other things is pathetic. I will be on an 2009 Azimut 85 today. 5yrs old and the labels on the two radar pedestals are completely unreadable, no model numbers, no serial numbers, nada.

Simrads range is Linux based. You can even download the operating system !

dave