Chartplotter - 2011 242

[klennop]

Can you get the motor information on the screen? In my early research it looks like you can pull NMEA data from your engine and display it on some of the SIMRAD models.

[Driller]

Can you get the motor information on the screen? In my early research it looks like you can pull NMEA data from your engine and display it on some of the SIMRAD models.

Yes, if you install a NEMA 2000 Network and your engine is set up to delivery the info. My engine being a 2011 is not setup to deliver the info. I think most of the newer Chartplotters will deliver the info off the network, not just SIMRAD.

[Eric55AMG]

Driller ... you sure about that?
My 2011 sends all kinds of engine info to the little LCDs in each Tach ... things like Fuel consumption, RPM, Oil Pressure, Temp, etc.
I keep thinking if I pull my dash apart, I might be able to link/feed that data into the factory GPS (GPSMAP 521).

I absolutely HATE that I have a single "toggle button" that changes data on both the port and starboard engines, but 99% of the time, they get out of sync (ie, I'll have RPM on port, but Trim Tab position on starboard). It's almost impossible to get and keep them in sync.

Worse case, I may try to install another toggle button and figure out how to split the data selection between the two buttons, one for each engine.

[Driller]

I’m certain my chart plotter needs a NEMA 2000 network to receive the info, and there’s not one onboard. My gauges show digital data, but the input is analog not network.

But I’m no expert. Maybe there’s a member who has converted a system. Those twins data would sure look good on a 12” chart plotter.

[Eric55AMG]

Gotcha. I haven't dug into this much yet. I just assumed that the data feeds were already riding a NEMA 2000 network.

I'm very ignorant of how all this works currently and would love to hear from someone who has already blazed the path

[Ytmsn]

Driller have you read much of the auto pilot feature? If it's set up properly you can set a heading and speed and go to bed. And with forward scan it will sound an alarm if you come up on a reef or structure like 800 yards out. Pretty handy if you have to cross the ocean solo in your boat!

[Driller]

Driller have you read much of the auto pilot feature? If it's set up properly you can set a heading and speed and go to bed. And with forward scan it will sound an alarm if you come up on a reef or structure like 800 yards out. Pretty handy if you have to cross the ocean solo in your boat!

I think the controls for your engine have to be set up to run NMEA 2000 and I'm not sure about the helm / steering. I would say our older boats are not set up for auto-pilot although the SIMRAD will control them.

Here's a link from NotStock4long where he starts to connect some of his equipment, it gets over my head pretty quickly.

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=457&hilit=NMEA+2000

[nolaboater99]

Driller, I'm sorry I didn't look at this thread sooner. I did a flush-mount installation of the GO5 in my 1985 CM23. If you have the Navionics app on your iPhone and have purchased any charts, the GO5 will allow you to download those. You have to have an internet connection to both units but it looked fairly easy.

I know you're not thrilled with the installation right now but I think you will get used to it. I think you put it in a great place. I personally never liked "stuff" on top interfering with my line of sight. Give it a bit of time.
Shawn

[chrisjrockwell]

@driller - I'm considering the same options. As of now, I'm looking at mounting an ipad running Navonics with a RAM mount on the windshield. It's the 12" though so it's probably going to be too large. The A25 has a dash storage pocket to the right of the steering column. I'm not sure if that can come out and the 5" chart plotter put in. Like you, I just wanted the GPS plotter, not sonar. This is not my boat but has the configuration I'm talking about.

[Driller]

On my 2011 242 the pocket unbolts when the cover plate is removed. I had slightly more room than you. I went with the GO5 because of the smaller footprint, but could have (and might) gone with the GO7.

[iboatmon]

There is now a way to have Navionics charts combined with a sonar fish finder on an iPad for a relative small investment.. Its the Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder you can find on Amazon. I had this on my previous 252 and it worked great on a magnet mounted 9" iPad and I plan to mount one of these on my 273, as well.

The Sonar Phone includes a transducer and Wi-Fi hotspot for sending the sonar data to the iPad or iPhone. Navionics has integrated this sonar instrument with its Navionics USA Boat Chart App for iOS. You can see the charts and the sonar on a split screen and even turn the plotter on to record and enhance the bottom contours from the sonar readings as you cruise along. I have a built in Garmin 640, but the set up with the 9 " iPad screen and integrated Sonar Phone and Navionics is far superior plus the resolution is just as good. If you have an old iPad lying around
you can can install this and have a pretty good GPS/Sonar/Chart-plotter for around $150.

Here is a link to the product info. http://www.sonarphone.mobi/navionics

[Photo_G]

@iboatmon, this is really cool, thanks for sharing! It doesn't look like it has GPS so, if you're using a WIFI-only iPad, you'll also need something like this: http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/bad-el ... ector.html. Do you find that the iPad gets really hot on your dashboard mount?

I also found that the iPhone version of Navionics, which is way cheaper than the iPad (HD) version, works on my iPad too in iPhone compatibility mode...it's just not HD. This was OK with me though, for 80% less money and dual device compatibility. It's great for armchair mapping an outing before hitting the water!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boating ... 20098?mt=8

G

[Driller]

I've used the Navonics app also. I was happy with it.

[Wes]

Here’s how my installation of a Garmin GPSMAP 742xs in a 2008 Cobalt 242 turned out.

[Big Block Power]

See I like that. I might do something like that.