Advice Before I Buy

[johnar]

Hello All,


I am about to buy alot of new electronics for my boat and would like some advice to save money.


Here is a list of things I want to buy:

1. Chartplotter
2. Autohelm
3. Masthead Wind Station
4. Radar

A friend has the Raymarine A-50 Chartplotter with the SmartPilot X-5 Wheel autopilot and the ST60 Plus Wind System.

I like the system and how it all hooks together but I would also like to have Radar.

the cost for the above system was;

1. Chartplotter $ 1,ooo
2. Autohelm $ 1,000
3. Masthead Wind Station $ 600

That is if i remember right. anyway it is close to the cost.

My question is I am sure it is cheaper to buy things like this in a package deal. But when I looked up the specs on the A-50 there is no Radar hookup so I then looked at the C-70 that has everything but I did not see any Nav charts.

I would love to keep the cost below $5,000 for the system if i can.


I would like some ideas/input on what way to go.

Dutch

[Tempest245]

Hi Dutch,

Are these used pieces ? Are you planning on installing everything yourself? Wiring etc?

Without getting into specific configurations there are so many.

My first thought is that your budget might be a little low.

How will you mount your radar? Masthead, Pole mount or Backstay? The mounts alone can run you a few hundred to a $1,000.

How will you mount your Chartplotter? Helm? will your existing pedestal guard accomodate the plotter...will you need a navpod? Two possible additional purchases.

How will you power these devices, do you have sufficient room on your panel? Will you need a sub panal, fuse block?

Other's can weigh in on the merits of individual components, I just want to make sure you have ALL the pieces on the list that you'll need to consider.

[johnar]

The prices Are new and I beleive they charged him $300 to install them.

As for Mounting and installation I could do it myself, I havent really thought about where I would install the Radar yet but I guess on the Mast.

The Helm has all the room I need to install both the Chartplotter and Autohelm,
The power needs are not a problem because I have a new 360 panel that I am installing also.

I did price out the C-70 Radar system at MSRP: $1,455.00 U.S. Dollars, but do not see that any Nav charts come with the system or the GPS.

The Autohelm cost just under $1,000
The GPS is $350
The Wind system is $500
Each of these come with everything needed to install, so the only question is the Chartplotter/display and Radar. If i go with the A50 I know it comes with all the charts for $1000 but would not have the option of Radar.

If I go with the C70 & RD218 2kW Radar Package for $1,900 I do not see it coming with the Charts.

As I am writing this I quess I need to find out the cost of the Chart chips and it would answer my question.

Dutch

[mysterjr]

hello

i have here for sell new not used c70 rd218 2kw radar package with gps ant r125 and sea map for 3829 $canadian if you allready got the gps antenna its 3322 + transport no handle charge it come with all needed
part for instalation and we give you all instruction you need if ever you have probleme


good bye
jonathan methot

[johnar]

Thank you very much Jonathan but if I am not misunderstanding it, this is the same package less the chart that sells at West Marine for $1,800 USD.

[Lost Horizons]

Navionics Gold charts for C-series chartplotters cost $200 for a region. They are not included with chartplotters. You may need to get more than one region depending on your cruising destinations. Navionics web site is helpful in deciding it.

[johnar]

Thank you Lost,


Yes I knew this and that is why I have desided to buy both the A-50 Chartplotter that comes with all the charts preloaded and the C-70 package that comes with Radar.

Total cost is around $2,800 unless I can find a sale going on.


Dutch

[mysterjr]

yes it is the same west marine put it at 200$ off i tink its a very good compagnie we bought many stuff from them always glad to deal whit them but i tink in there package they dont give you gps antenna they sell it around 299$ c70 need nmea signal from gps antenna make sure you have one or if not would be good for you to get one

[David M]

Have a look At Furuno and Garmin before you settle on Raymarine. Raymarine might be going out of business.

The out of your state, online retailers will give you the best prices.

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by johnar

I have desided to buy both the A-50 Chartplotter that comes with all the charts preloaded and the C-70 package that comes with Radar.

If you are buying A-50 for the sake of redundancy you still need to buy charts for C-70. Otherwise, $200 for a chart card seems more economically sound than $900 or so for A-50 that has limited charts coverage and resolution (they suggest adding optional Gold or Platinum charts to A-50 to improve those, probably for a reason). Even if you need two charts for the C-series, for example East coast and Gulf of Mexico, it is still more economical than getting an A-50 in addition to the C-70.

Now, the A-50 (or A-70) version with "the rest of the world charts" may be an interesting opton; I wonder how detailed those charts are.