Which One Would You Buy - Furuno or Simrad

[Jaymannyc]

My new 44 foot catamaran offers two choices of complete systems.

Choice A: (all furuno)
Furuno twin plotters at the helm
wind indicator at helm
autopilot control at helm and nab station
general data at helm, nav and master cabin
radar
speed, depth, temp transducer
fish finder
AIS B

Choice B: (all simrad)
two NSS plotters at the helm
4g radar
and all the similar bits


My big issues is:
a) global service
b) performance

Thoughts?

[goboatingnow]

at the current stage of development, Id buy SIMRAD as right now I believe they are ahead in technology and its application. Good stuff too. performance is very good, range of devices is second to none, good autopilots and better value for money then Furuno.

As to serviceability, Id say Furuno has a better clued up service and repair operation then Simrad, though the Navico hook up is helping things, both can be difficult to get parts for in "furrin" places. Thats my personal experience

I personally would also consider Garmin and Raymarine, buts thats just me!

No doubt Nick will be along presently ( I can hear the tatami mats being rolled away as I type)

[skipmac]

No way to mix and match? The Simrad autopilot is thought by many to be the best. Furuno radars are hard to beat.

[Jaymannyc]

can't mix and match. and not really price sensitive. Thanks for the feedback. What makes the simrad autopilot better?

Any differences in the charts or they both use the same?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Jaymannyc

can't mix and match. and not really price sensitive. Thanks for the feedback. What makes the simrad autopilot better?

Any differences in the charts or they both use the same?

Autopilots have a good pedigree bring from the Robertson stable. I wouldn't mix and match anyway you loose too much. There's very little to criticise in any of the marine radar companies, especially in the high end stuff.

I would think a bit harder before settling on a 4g.

Dave

[mikefossl]

The 4G radar would be the deal maker for me. Nothing like it from Furuno that I'm aware of. Low power, instant on and super close in detail.

[DotDun]

I have the Furuno NavNet3D (2 MFDs, 4k radar), with RM AP and nav instruments. A friend recently installed the Simrad NSO.

Performance wise, the Simrad hands down wins. The NavNet3D is very slow to boot, once it's up and running it's tolerable. Might not be a fair comparison as I haven't played with the Furuno BB, it is suppose to have better performance. The Simrad is easier to change the configuration as most of it doesn't require a reboot like the Furuno.

IMO, Furuno has better chart choices, both C-Map and Navionics, whereas Simrad is Navionics only (in addition to their own internal for US). Furuno also has both Maxsea and Nobeltec PC software that integrates with NavNet3D.

Simrad is ahead in N2K integration, but that *should* be just a software release for Furuno. Furuno has moved to a new release once a year, which can be aggravating waiting for a bug fix or new features. (I know of 2 bugs in the current release that are annoying).

I don't think mixing chart plotter and AP brands is an issue. My Furuno drives my RM AP to it full capability and the RM gives stabilized heading to the Furuno (all over N2K). Obviously, mixing CP and radar is an issue.

If you care about what's under the hood, Furuno NavNet3D is running on Windows CE (v5) and Simrad NSO is running Linux.

Furuno is releasing a new touch screen system, to be announced and the boat show">Miami boat show in a couple of weeks. It could interesting (or not).

[skipmac]

Can't speak from personal experience but Simrad APs are known for bulletproof reliabilty and holding a good, straight course, doesn't hunt, etc. Have not heard an owner that didn't like theirs.

It's on my list for an upgrade down the road.

[Bash]

pick the autopilot you want, and match the electronics to it.

(for my boat, that would be the Simrad.)

[David M]

I have had a Furuno MFD-BB (black box) for a few years now. Never any trouble and excellent customer service.

[Carlr]

I've used both. Simrad acquired Northstar after Northstar's quality went downhill. Simrads GB system failed miserably.

Stick with their autopilots. Still the best.

Furuno 3D Manet is excellent and is of professional (vs consumer) quality and reliability just like their radar systems.

[Jaymannyc]

thanks all for the great stuff. does the navionics pc software having routing software based on polars?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

No doubt Nick will be along presently ( I can hear the tatami mats being rolled away as I type)

No worries, here I am

I would tell them what to do with the boat if they don't let me choose the electronics myself. If I would ever be faced with one brand take it or leave it, I would choose Furuno or Garmin I think.

So here is my current POV:

1. sensors: Compass, GPS, wind/weather and depth/speed/temp from Maretron. The tri-ducer is really an Airmar and sold by others too, incl. Furuno. This is all N2K gear.




2. Cockpit displays: The new B&G Triton or Raymarine i70 or Furuno RD-33's. Be careful if the chosen one fits as these tend to be larger than the old standard. Whatever chosen, use conversion cables to connect these to a standard N2K backbone.
For the three brands I named, I like them all and think the newest always looks better than what came before it... so soon Garmin will come with something new too.




3. Radar/plotter: Furuno, no question. Power consumption is minimal and nobody needs perfect radar performance 15 feet from the bow. When the new radar technologies have finished evaluating every 3 weeks with a new line, I would check them out again... but they will never show SART, RACON etc. so as long as those are around it will never be my primary radar and I stay with Furuno. Furuno radar on NobelTec, repeated to iPad:


4. Autopilot: no question: Simrad (Robertson).


5. AIS: not out yet but anytime soon the new color Vesper marine:


6. VHF: Garmin 300 with N2K support


7. PC software: TimeZero from maxSea or NobelTec (the one with newest release is better so changes every time)


ciao!
Nick.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

4. Autopilot: no question: Simrad (Robertson).

$4680 in Australia
Outback Marine Simrad AP28 Autopilot Core Pack

$2000 cheaper in the US
Simrad AP28 01 Autopilot System - AP2801 Simrad

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by cat man do

$2000 cheaper in the US

Ah well, easy enough to FedEx in and I understand under $5k no import duties

ciao!
Nick.