Which One Would You Buy - Furuno or Simrad

[firstboat]

awesome thread. What about the fact that the Simrad radar does not communicate with Racon?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by firstboat

awesome thread. What about the fact that the Simrad radar does not communicate with Racon?

The Simrad radar works on a different frequency than the SARTS and Racons meaning you just don't see them. All normal radar kits see them.

ciao!
Nick.

[Jaymannyc]

i went with the furuno tz touch and all other furuno stuff, BUT my AIS is the new vesper marine.

[macmoon]

I vote for Broad Band radar from Navico/ Simrad. Their AP will be the replacement for my WH if it ever dies.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Jaymannyc

i went with the furuno tz touch and all other furuno stuff, BUT my AIS is the new vesper marine.

Looks good to me. Will be interested to get some feedback on the tz touch when you get aboard.

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by 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?

I've just been through the exercise myself. My criteria was that I wanted the full electronics package from the same manufacturer. I know they say that everything talks to each other these days, but when (not if) they don't then one manufacturerer likes to blame the other and the customer is on the merry-go-round. Ask me how I know?

As far as I'm concerned it boiled down to either Simrad or Furuno and either would have made an excellent package. For me with an hydraulic steering system I wanted the Simrad autopilot and so I took the full Simrad suite. In Australia it was about $12,000 cheaper than Furuno so that was a bonus. Either way you won't be unhappy.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by cat man do

$4680 in Australia
Outback Marine Simrad AP28 Autopilot Core Pack

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

Considering that I have a powerboat that when under autopilot will be going from point A to point B, no tacking, I am wondering if just using one of these for $1600 will do the job



Outback Marine RAYMARINE SPX-5 SMARTPILOT WHEEL

Big difference in cash between that and the Simrad/Furuno

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Considering that I have a powerboat that when under autopilot will be going from point A to point B, no tacking, I am wondering if just using one of these for $1600 will do the job



Outback Marine RAYMARINE SPX-5 SMARTPILOT WHEEL

Big difference in cash between that and the Simrad/Furuno

Maybe & maybe not.
You get what you pay for!

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Considering that I have a powerboat that when under autopilot will be going from point A to point B, no tacking, I am wondering if just using one of these for $1600 will do the job



Outback Marine RAYMARINE SPX-5 SMARTPILOT WHEEL

Big difference in cash between that and the Simrad/Furuno

From the RM site....

The SmartPilot X-5 Wheel is designed for yachts with a laden displacement of up to 16,500lbs (7,500kg)

Remember, always take the fully laden displacement weight of your vessel into account. This is often 20% above the designed displacement. Do not choose a pilot which will always be working at the limit of its design capabilities.

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by Jaymannyc

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

This brings up an important point, and indicates to me a level of sophistication on your part that makes the electronics choice a no brainer.

My vote for you would be **neither** furuno or simrad, but rather the B & G Zeus.

It has all of the best of the simrad stuff, AND some really sophisticated Sailing specific things like calculating a course based on current, wind and sailing performance of your specific boat. Not everyone will use that kind of info, but if you will, then the Zeus is literally the only game in town.

[Safari38LH]

I have working on somewhat the same problem. I needed to replace my radar and wanted to add AIS, weather etc. I ended up ordering the Simrad NNS 8 and 12, one for the nav station and one for the helm. I figure offshore the AIS will always be on and most likely the radar will be on all night also. The NNS 8 at the helm doesn't take that much power so it will always be on. AIS for long distance and the 4G low power consumption radar for close distance seems like a good combination.

[Safari38LH]

Xymotic hit the nail on the head. Zeus!! Which by the way is compatible with all the Simrad stuff.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by DotDun

From the RM site....
The SmartPilot X-5 Wheel is designed for yachts with a laden displacement of up to 16,500lbs (7,500kg)

Remember, always take the fully laden displacement weight of your vessel into account. This is often 20% above the designed displacement. Do not choose a pilot which will always be working at the limit of its design capabilities.

Is that a boat with efficient balanced spade rudders or one with a slab like barn door of a rudder?
Depending on rudder type, loads will be very different I would think.

My thoughts on it were:

I have 2 very efficient foil shaped balanced spade rudders
Fully laden displacement is around 8500kg reducing as diesel is burnt off.
Majority of the time it should be in that 7500kg range.

The autopilot wont have to contend with the same loads as a sailing vessel as she will not be trying to round up or broach.
Also being a powered vessel it will mostly be running in low to no wind and low sea state making it easier for an auto pilot where as a sailing vessel will be usually be needing wind and increasing sea state making it more difficult for the autopilot.

I see no reason why my autopilot usage in a new vessel will change from my previous usage, which has been hand steer through tight areas with direction changes and once in clear water, press the button and travel in a straightish line for several hundred miles before disconnecting and hand steering again at destination.

I don't need a sophisticated unit, as long as it can handle the loads.


Sorry, but none of this helps or has anything to do with the OP which was

Which one would you buy Furuno or Simrad

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Is that a boat with efficient balanced spade rudders or one with a slab like barn door of a rudder?
Depending on rudder type, loads will be very different I would think.

I understand! I thought I would point out the design specs of the unit.

Originally Posted by cat man do

My thoughts on it were:

I have 2 very efficient foil shaped balanced spade rudders
Fully laden displacement is around 8500kg reducing as diesel is burnt off.
Majority of the time it should be in that 7500kg range.

The autopilot wont have to contend with the same loads as a sailing vessel as she will not be trying to round up or broach.
Also being a powered vessel it will mostly be running in low to no wind and low sea state making it easier for an auto pilot where as a sailing vessel will be usually be needing wind and increasing sea state making it more difficult for the autopilot.

I see no reason why my autopilot usage in a new vessel will change from my previous usage, which has been hand steer through tight areas with direction changes and once in clear water, press the button and travel in a straightish line for several hundred miles before disconnecting and hand steering again at destination.

I don't need a sophisticated unit, as long as it can handle the loads.

I agree with your thinking, but remember if you call RM for support and they ask you the displacement, you may not like what they have to say.

[goboatingnow]

In my experience with small raymarine units on power boats is that you need to heed the displacement rules and if anything go up a level. The small units provide poor tracking when used outside the recommended range.

Dave