Help with sourcing transducer for Simrad NSS8 FF Plotter

[Sailon1]

Can anyone recommend a compatible in-hull transducer and cable for the NSS8?

I am replacing old Garman fishfinder and chart plotter. Doubtful that the old transducer I will be compatible.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

[SV_Sweet_Ruca]

I could be way off here, but seems any N2k transducer would work. Airmar is an industry standard.

Would it be best to call Simrad and ask what they recommend though?

[Sailon1]

Thanks for the information. I did send the question to Simrad tech-support, and am also fishing around for any user information while waiting for a reply.

[SV_Sweet_Ruca]

Cool! Shout it to Lake Erie!!!

We did the round and round with their tech support on some autopilot stuff, it was frustrating as the lower level guys were just manual readers, but once escalated they started to “get it.”

Do you plan on replacing a thru hull? If so you can probably choose anything you wish.

[Sailon1]

at this point I prefer an in-hull transducer because there Is no existing thru-hull for transducer.

As far as connectors, the Navico blue seven pin connector is compatible with NSS8.

There are several options for types of transducers, including some very pricey ones.

[SV_Sweet_Ruca]

What about this one:

https://www.bandg.com/bg/type/instru...edtemp-sensor/

If you just need depth and aren’t trying to track walleye and perch, that may be the ticket, plus you get speed and temp as a bonus.

[Sailon1]

Thanks for the info. I do plan on using the fishfinder to find walleye and perch!

[mvmorningstar]

Transducers are universal, may need adapter but the nss8 is n2k. Or simnet n2k.

[pitlaw]

The Airmar DT 800 works fine with my NSS8. I just replaced my old Simrad branded Airmar.

[Jamme]

I have an Airmar DST-200 installed with my NSS8.

[pitlaw]

Yes it’s the DST 800 that I meant to spec. It’s depth,speed and temp. The DT is just Depth and temp. Thanks. You want the DST.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by SV_Sweet_Ruca

We did the round and round with their tech support on some autopilot stuff, it was frustrating as the lower level guys were just manual readers, but once escalated they started to “get it.”

Interesting. My experience was the exact opposite. Before buying a Simrad AP and then a couple of times in the installation I called Navico/Simrad tech support.

Every time (except once when they called back in 10-15 minutes) my call went straight to a high level tech, from the level of expertise I think actual engineers, who were able to answer some fairly detailed and technical questions off the cuff. A couple of times I even had to ask for explanation as the answer was a bit technical for me to immediately grasp and I have a degree in EE.

[Kamen]

Originally Posted by SV_Sweet_Ruca

I could be way off here, but seems any N2k transducer would work. Airmar is an industry standard.

Would it be best to call Simrad and ask what they recommend though?

Transducers don't connect to the NMEA 2000 network. I don't think it has enough bandwidth. Navico MFDs have a dedicated transducer connector. It is not compatible with non-Navico brands. The OP might be able to reuse the existing transducer by splicing a Navico connector.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Kamen

Transducers don't connect to the NMEA 2000 network. I don't think it has enough bandwidth. Navico MFDs have a dedicated transducer connector. It is not compatible with non-Navico brands. The OP might be able to reuse the existing transducer by splicing a Navico connector.

Actually, some transducers do connect directly to the NMEA network. I have one that came with my B&G package that is a straight Devicenet connection to Tee on the N2K network. I haven't installed it yet since the old Raymarine transducers are still working.

By the way, those transducers, depth and speed are both connected through a Seatalk Tridata to a SealtalkNG adapter to my NMEA2000 backbone and display the depth and speed on my Garmin plotter and two B&G data displays.

[Sailon1]

Thanks, all, for the input. After reading your responses and speaking with tech support at Garmin, Simrad, and a few dealers, I found the answers that I needed.

Basically, matching one manufacturer's transducer (or adapter) with a different manufacturer's fishfinder, might work, and it might not. So for $80 I can purchase a new in-hull transducer with 25' cable directly from Simrad.
Their tech rep was knowledgeable and her recommendations were accurate and useful. All things considered, their price for this item was lower or about the same than many other retailers and eBay,

Going deeper into this, the older system that I purchased ($375, Simrad NSS8, introduced around 2008) requires an add-on (Sonarhub) for some of the more sophisticated transducers such as Structure Scan and Side Scan. In any case, the basic echofinder/fishfinder that Simrad recommended will suit my needs.

So, thanks again. No doubt, I'll be back here soon looking for info on my upcoming AP installation!