Use Raymarine i60 with Axiom+ or B&G

[FatBear]

I'm just a coastal cruiser and don't go far, so keep that in mind. I currently have a Raymarine i90, an Autohelm ST4000, and a couple of other small, square instruments that aren't relevant here.

I'd like to add a Chartplotter/Multi-function display and at some point, radar and AIS. I have room for a 7" or 9" display and would prefer the 9" because of my old eyes.

I have been reading a lot of opinions and I'm going to get either a Raymarine Axiom+ 9" or a B&G Zeus or Vulcan in 9". But I'm not here to ask for advice on which to get. I like the B&G because it is much thinner and will not overwhelm my binnacle. But I will get Axiom+ if B&G won't work with the two instruments I mentioned in the first paragraph.

What I really want to ask is: has anyone successfully used the i90 and the ST4000 with the current B&G displays? Please don't suggest tossing them all out and starting over or any of those usual things that come up in these brand-oriented discussions. Please. And no theories. I would really like to know if it has actually been done within the limits of practicality. Meaning maybe a H/W adapter and careful configuration in the B&G display.

Thank you!

[George_SD]

Even if you go with Axiom+, it won't be plug and play since they are different generations and will require some converters to integrate. For raymarine use you will most likely need at least SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit.

In that regard it should not be different for either brand as this converter can also be used with NMEA2000 adapter to connect to other brands. B&G will work, but will not have full functionality in terms of Autopilot commands. You will probably have to select the waypoint on the chart plotter, but activate and confirm from the pilot instead of just doing it form the plotter.

[paul2884]

Originally Posted by George_SD

Even if you go with Axiom+, it won't be plug and play since they are different generations and will require some converters to integrate. For raymarine use you will most likely need at least SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit.

In that regard it should not be different for either brand as this converter can also be used with NMEA2000 adapter to connect to other brands. B&G will work, but will not have full functionality in terms of Autopilot commands. You will probably have to select the waypoint on the chart plotter, but activate and confirm from the pilot instead of just doing it form the plotter.

We use the axiom+ 9" with our old st60 instruments and auto pilot. It is just plug and play, but you are limited on some of the functions.
You can use waypoints and goto on the chart plotter and it sends the data to the auto pilot you then press track on the auto pilot and it all works. You cannot ask the plotters fully control the auto pilot switching it on and off but I have never found this to be an issue. We do use the remote control pad for the mfd as well as the touch screen as I find the "real" buttons and zoom knob much easier with cold wet gloves. We have been very happy with it and if you have any interfacing problems you ony have one company to deal with!

[FatBear]

Originally Posted by paul2884

We use the axiom+ 9" with our old st60 instruments and auto pilot. It is just plug and play, but you are limited on some of the functions.
You can use waypoints and goto on the chart plotter and it sends the data to the auto pilot you then press track on the auto pilot and it all works. You cannot ask the plotters fully control the auto pilot switching it on and off but I have never found this to be an issue.

I'm not really interested in waypoints and such, though I do appreciate your input. Who knows, maybe that will become useful at some point. Right now all I want the autopilot to do is to sail the course that I am on. Currently I can steer a course and get someone to push the "Auto" button and it will continue to steer the course that I am on. That is useful sometimes, but it does not make me independent because I cannot reach the Auto button from the wheel. If the MFD cannot do the equivalent of pressing the Auto or Standby buttons, then it cannot operate the autopilot in any way that is helpful to me. Fortunately, operating the autopilot is an extra that I would like to gain with a MFD, not a primary requirement.

My ST4000 autopilot is getting old and sometimes has problems with the large sail and rudder on my boat. I have been considering upgrading it to an EV1 with below deck linear actuator. I wonder if the Axiom+ can fully control this newer autopilot?

We do use the remote control pad for the mfd as well as the touch screen as I find the "real" buttons and zoom knob much easier with cold wet gloves.

Hmmm, I didn't realize this remote exists. It is rarely cold or rainy in San Diego and I wouldn't choose to sail on those days, anyway. But spray and fog can be a concern...

We have been very happy with it and if you have any interfacing problems you ony have one company to deal with!

That one company aspect is a very good point.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by FatBear

I'm not really interested in waypoints and such, though I do appreciate your input. Who knows, maybe that will become useful at some point. Right now all I want the autopilot to do is to sail the course that I am on. Currently I can steer a course and get someone to push the "Auto" button and it will continue to steer the course that I am on. That is useful sometimes, but it does not make me independent because I cannot reach the Auto button from the wheel. If the MFD cannot do the equivalent of pressing the Auto or Standby buttons, then it cannot operate the autopilot in any way that is helpful to me. Fortunately, operating the autopilot is an extra that I would like to gain with a MFD, not a primary requirement.

My ST4000 autopilot is getting old and sometimes has problems with the large sail and rudder on my boat. I have been considering upgrading it to an EV1 with below deck linear actuator. I wonder if the Axiom+ can fully control this newer autopilot?

Hmmm, I didn't realize this remote exists. It is rarely cold or rainy in San Diego and I wouldn't choose to sail on those days, anyway. But spray and fog can be a concern...

That one company aspect is a very good point.

We have an Axiom+ with ACU-400 and EV-1 pilot components, as well as a couple of P70 controllers, all networked via SeatalkNG. The Axiom+ displays the pilot status and you can engage/disengage the pilot from the MFD screen. The MFD doesn’t have all the pilot controls such as auto-tack, engage wind angle, etc. AFAIK (I’m currently on the hard with power turned off to some components so can’t test it all).

[Pete7]

If you go down the ST to STNG route with the little converter widget, pay attention to the power supply to the ST60s. Ideally you need to fish the power supply wire out of the ST wires and cut it. Power for the ST60s then comes via the STNG network and the widget. I did wonder if this was too much for the supply but no problems over the past few years.

Instructions are in the converter widget.

Pete

[SV Confianza]

My seatalk to seatalk get converter is finicky. It loses info from gps sometimes. All other devices work no problem. I haven’t had time to troubleshoot it, but maybe others are having the same problem.

[FatBear]

Are you combining Raymarine/Seatalk devices with a B&G display? Or is this another ominous warning about Seatalk converters?

According to the Raymarine website, the i60 is "SeaTalkng, NMEA2000 and SeaTalk network compatible". Does "compatible" mean that no adapter would be needed to connect to either the Axiom+ or the B&G displays? I'll be on the boat today and I can see I need to re-read the i60 manual.

EDIT:
I looked up the manual online. It appears that the connector on the back of the i60 is SeatalkNG and only requires a "SeaTalkng® to DeviceNet adaptor cable (A06045)" to connect to an NMEA-2000 backbone. So it appears that connecting it up is not an issue and no converter is needed. The question remains: has anyone used the i60 as input to a B&G display?

[onewadd]

SeaTalk NG is NEMA2000, just the connecters are "Raymarine". That said, your i60 is plug and play although may not have 100% functionality if your plotter is not Raymarine. Your ST4000 Auto Helm is SeaTalk and will need a SeaTalk to SeatalkNG converter to be added to the network. I just upgraded my Auto Pilot to an EV1 and with the converter was able to add four older SeaTalk units to the network. The only issue (based on my research) will be how much, if any, of the Auto Helm functions can be controlled from the new plotter regardless of brand. I can tell you that my Raymarine remote SmartController (E15023), which is one of the SeaTalk units networked through the converter, works just like it did with my previous ST7001 Auto Pilot. This is my personal experience.

[FatBear]

I'm a pretty simple guy, really. I like the basic information that is provided by the i60. I don't use, or even know of, any other fancy features it might have. But mine is mounted on the cabin bulkhead and is easily blocked by people standing in the cockpit or leaving the door open too far. If I can just see the instrument on the display at the binnacle, that's all I need. I presume that if the wind speed and direction can be displayed, then it can also be used elsewhere in the MFD in case I ever feel the need.

Likewise, the autopilot control is mounted next to the i60. In order to activate it or set it or use it at all I need to go around the wheel and forward to the cabin, leaving the wheel unattended. I would mostly like to use the autopilot to hold my course while I raise the sail, enabling me to sail the boat "singlehanded" with non-sailing persons aboard. (I'll probably never go out actually alone.) So all I need is to be able to steer a course and click "hold this course" on the display somehow and have the autopilot do that. Do you think a B&G display can issue this simple command to the ST4000 - assuming it get the right hardware adapter(s)?

Come to think of it, there is also a depth guage of the same vintage as the ST4000 (ST60 series, I think, with original Seatalk) which would be nice to see on the display because it is often blocked along with the other instruments. Hopefully I can get that integrated as well, though I don't need it nearly as much. I generally know where the shallow water is where I sail and can ask people to get out of the way when I need to watch it. If you are bearing down on the shoreline they do seem to grasp the immediate need to know the depth. :-)

Thanks

[Pete7]

We have our ST60 instruments connected to the RM Element (cheap version of an Axiom, but has buttons which I wanted. the ST60s connect via the Seatalk to NG Seatalk perfectly and display depth wind and speed on the Element.

Go with the 9 inch display if you can. Radar on the 7" wasn't great and cut off the top and bottom of the circle due to the landscape layout of the screen if zoomed in. I had the chance to play with both in the shop before buying and that made the difference to pay the extra for the 9 inch display.

Pete

[FatBear]

Thanks, Pete. And for that photo of exactly what I wanted to see! I really appreciate it.

The i60 display is much easier on the eyes, but only if you can see it way over there on the bulkhead. I often cannot. This looks like it should work just fine.

Without major changes to my binnacle, I'm kind of jammed on the space available. I'm still working out the plan, but I'll probably squeeze the display in between the uprights of the SS grab bar above the compass. I measured a B&G 9" Vulcan and it will fit. I need to look up measurements for the Axiom+ 9", but I suspect it will also fit. I think I have 10-3/4" of width available, but I don't want something as wide as that or it will rattle. So I'm probably limited to one without buttons and knobs. I like buttons and knobs, but you don't always get what you want.

Brian

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by FatBear

…So I'm probably limited to one without buttons and knobs. I like buttons and knobs, but you don't always get what you want.

Brian

Hi Brian, touchscreens do not work when they’re covered in water, such as from rain or waves and spray. Is your binnacle location sufficiently protected from the elements that the mfd screen will stay dry? If not, get a mfd that has buttons. Or buy and mount the RMK-10 remote keypad control.

We have an Axiom+ 9 on our boat, but it is in a protected location and doesn’t get wet. But even wet fingers interfere with touch screen operation.

[FatBear]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Hi Brian, touchscreens do not work when they’re covered in water, such as from rain or waves and spray. Is your binnacle location sufficiently protected from the elements that the mfd screen will stay dry? If not, get a mfd that has buttons. Or buy and mount the RMK-10 remote keypad control.

Thanks for the warning. It is something to keep in mind.

I do not have room for a 9" one with buttons in the location where I wish to put it. And I am in San Diego. Rain is unusual in San Diego. It's one big reason why we retired here from Oregon. So it's unlikely I will be sailing much, if ever, in the rain. Waves and spray are a possibility that I do have to think about, though Nonsuches are pretty dry boats.

I also have a new bimini on my list, though probably not for the next couple of years. The old one is no longer usable. After that the display will be covered. In the mean time, it will only be covered by the binnacle cover while docked. And if a wet screen does somehow become a problem, maybe I'll make a foul weather hood for it.

[sailingharry]

You're looking for a very specific existing user experience, which might be hard to get.

My experience is not specific, but worth sharing.

The i-60 is N2K, nothing but a cable to connect it. Slam dunk. (But if you do not currently have a network, you will need to set up a basic network. Just like computers, you can't connect two with one ethernet cord, it has to go to a router.)

The autopilot is ST. The $100 or $200 ST-STNG adapter is an awesome piece of kit. It will absolutely connect your autopilot to your chart plotter. As an added bonus, if you do not currently have an N2K or STNG network on the boat, it is a "network in a box", provides everything you need for a basic network.

But perhaps the most important note for your use case. My current bost and my previous boat had the chart plotter effectively connected to the autopilot, and it would share things like routes. As an added bonus, the autopilot would share magnetic heading, so the chartplotter knows where the boat is pointed (heading, as opposed to COG). But in both cases, and I believe this is universal, using the chartplotter to control the autopilot (on/off) cannot be done across brands. I'm not going to bet the farm, but I'll certainly wager a beer!