Raymarine

nik · 08 April 2009, 11:30

I have never really bothered to look at raymarine electronics in the past. But I was wondering what people thought of their kit in general.
Good? bad? expensive?

Thanks, Nick.

Nasher · 08 April 2009, 12:56

Being an ex-employee I'm bound to be a bit biased, but I believe it to be good gear, but a little expensive. However you get what you pay for.

Raymarine can be a little slow at catching up with the latest trends and developments, but you can bet when they do release something it is normally reliable and well developed.

It also depends on what you do with your boat, and how rough it will get treated.
There are other, cheaper, brands out there that will be more than OK for what 90% of us do with our boats, but if I was going to cross the atlantic I'd go for Raymarine.

Raymarine are also feeling the pinch at the moment in the current financial climate, so there are some very good deals around at the moment on their gear if you search.
The cheapest prices I know of are usually at raydirect.co.uk but I must stress I have no connection with the company.

Nasher.

Bigmuz7 · 17 April 2009, 22:25

C 120 plotter was an excellent piece of gear

I am a real fan of that ..only .. when I went to add the fish finder extention to it

£££ oh.. and then when I had to replace the screen due to some scratches

but as Nasher says you get what you pay for, and I really miss it in the current rig

JABS · 17 April 2009, 22:41

I have just goine from Lowrance to Raymarine.

The Lowrance kit is much more integrated, but doesn't have the features. It is good value for money.

If money is no object, Ray all the way. But adds ons are very expensive. And how do you easily add fuel data??

Conclusion: The jury is out.

Bigmuz7 · 17 April 2009, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

And how do you easily add fuel data??

Buy Mercury and get their guages with the engines

JABS · 17 April 2009, 22:56

My whole idea is an integrated system.

Lowrance did it. Ray doesn't.

seperate gauges is not what I wanted. Why have so many different displays??

Bigmuz7 · 17 April 2009, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

My whole idea is an integrated system.

Lowrance did it. Ray doesn't.

seperate gauges is not what I wanted. Why have so many different displays??

Dont think engine manufacturers do NMEA 'type standard' as such, but IIRC Cookee posted something about some that did something integrated and I think its a mercury type/associated product

*edit*

heres the thread

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...ruments&page=2

IBWET · 18 April 2009, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

My whole idea is an integrated system.

Lowrance did it. Ray doesn't.

seperate gauges is not what I wanted. Why have so many different displays??

I'm in the process of puttin g a C80 on mine. in answer to your last point, if your integrated system goes pear shaped in the blue yonder,and it's all you've got....I'm keeping the standard suzuki gauges as a back up. My project is really to get a bigger screen,in addition,I'm a bit gadgety so want to see if I can get the engine info displayed.

Nasher · 18 April 2009, 18:29

I thought going for a C120 in mine was a bit over the top, but now I couldn't do without it, as with the screen split down the middle showing both GPS map and Fishfinder both are big enough that you can read them at speed.

Nasher.

Bigmuz7 · 19 April 2009, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

I thought going for a C120 in mine was a bit over the top, but now I couldn't do without it, as with the screen split down the middle showing both GPS map and Fishfinder both are big enough that you can read them at speed.

Nasher.

I bow to your financial muscle in affording the fish finder...

...