Radar and Chartplotter

I really like the Furuno Navnet system.

I won't recommend a brand because they all have excellent features. If you're going to have it on a flybridge, make sure you will be able to see the display in the sun.

Also, it's nice to be able to overlay the radar screen on top of the chartplotter so you only have one screen to watch.

Other than that, look for one that has features you think you will use. It would probably be worth your time to spend time talking with a couple of different electronics installation companies. Tell them what you want to spend, tell them how you think you want to use it, and get their advice that is gained from their experience.

I have recently bought new electronics in Stuart.
I was talked into Garmin (have always had Raymarine), they are the touch screen 7's and 5's, after giving the supplier a hard time about how much touch screen worried me in the wet conditions, he poured water over the Garmin screens and it had no negative effect in thier use.
They are the best, easiest to use system I have used. various models to suit your budget. Highly recommend them.

+1

it is really that good.

The last Navnet I used regularly was an '08 I believe. It was fine except that it only accepted I think 19 routes. I do like Furuno radar though. Raymarine is OK, but nothing special. I don't find their menues intuative. The only Simrad radar I've run I hated. Garmin chartplotters can give you so much more info and access info easily. I have a little old 176C that hold s 50 routes and has gotten me from Maine to Miami when Norstars and Raymarine were losing their fixes. The 10 data screens are almost unlimited in the info that can be called for and courseline, tracks, heading lines and vector lines are real easy to see. I'm not thrilled with the menue accesses on the new models though. Plus, I don't like touchscreens. Real hard to work with while bouncing around at 20 or 30 kts.
To me, integrating the systems is a must, and I'd go with less than my dream unit if my dream couldn't do it. I want my course and waypoint on my radar. I also want to be able to manually adjust gain, etc. without searching through 5 menues. Loved the old knobs. Same with EBLs. As for clarity and target defanition, all the radars are pretty good these days.
I too don't use overlay, nor 3D. I also don't care too much about the size of my charplotter, but I want my radar as big as possible. Don't much care for split screens. I'd rather my little 176C and a big radar,

Get some quotes from installers. It is my experience that installation is very expensive. If you get a firm price with everything you want included, you may be able to save some money.

Some things to consider ...

Connection to a heading sensor will stop the chart plotter map image from spinning while at rest. This feature is a must have for me.

If you have an autopilot, it's possible that the heading sensor for your autopilot can serve this purpose.

Overlay can be very nice if only to verify the practical range of your radar and to verify that the radar is agreeing with your chart plotter map.

I too don't use the overlay feature much but I do use split screens. I set one radar view for 1/8 mile and the other for 1/2 or 3/4 mile.

I have the NavNet 3D system ... have a Garmin 3210 as a backup. I absolutely love the chart plotter on the NavNet 3D which basically looks just like a MAPTECH Map.

I don't use the 3D functionality.

I have a single 12 inch screen ... 2 of them would be a real luxury but of course would drive up the price too.

Mike

Installation

In this tough market you should not be paying too much for installation. I certainly did not, and I double checked to make sure it was not a "bloated" supply price. It was a fair price.
However I won't say who did the installation, just to be fair.

My experience is, like many people with some business experience, let everyone involved get something out of it so that you get a good job done. Especially with tech systems. What is the point of great electronics installed badly?

In my opinion Furuno NavNet stands alone as the best quality product... particularly the radar. I'm not a fan of the GPS chart - radar overlay. In fact I recommend to people that they don't use it. I don't like a bunch of junk covering up what the radar is trying to show me. Just because the equipment can do it, doesn't make it a good idea.

I agree and never use the overview either......

I'm noticing a patern growing here, i.e. 'Let's throw on another option nobody wants so we can charge more
.