Raymarine i70

[jpstevens]

Anyone have experience or comments about the Raymarine i70 wind, depth package? It's well priced and I'm thinking about replacing a 20 yr old system rather than attempting to repair/upgrade an old system that, in any case, will require a new wind transducer.

[CapnSparky]

I just finished up a similar upgrade on an IP38 and found all the old Autohelm/Raymarine transducers and wiring codes work with the new i50,60, and 70 units. I had to enlarge the mounting holes an inch in diameter or so but overall pleased with the migration.

[jpstevens]

Thanks Sparky, that encourages me to spring for the package

[Pietje]

installrd about 3years , whitout any problems , what else

[jpstevens]

Thanks, Pietje, I'm going to order the wind/depth package. Star Marine has a good price.

[Dsanduril]

I'll weigh in on the other side (isn't that the nature of internet opinions). From a function perspective no problem. I actually like the flexibility and operation. But, at least in the tropics, very inadequate in full sun settings. The newer Ray line of products just don't have the visibility of the older 60 series with LCD digits. We have a 70 side-by-side with two 60s and from about 9 to 3 each day the 70 is almost impossible to read. You have to lean in close and squint.

Couple that with the screen polarization being the wrong direction so that it simply can't be read with polarized sunglasses on. The 60s can be read no problem, you have to tilt your head 45 degrees with the 70.

That's our experience, in bright sun the 70s are less than fully useful. It's one opinion, YMMV.

[TEV]

I have a set in the cockpit and at nav station, depth, wind, AIS, etc setup on each. Work great!

[Pietje]

other positive point : you can upgrade your system with other devices if they use NMEA 2000