Looking to outfit my '03 Contender 31 Open with Furuno electronics. My question is can anyone provide advice on how best to configure a system. For instance, should I get seperate gps/plotter and fishfinder units which is how it was configured albeit Northstar Chartplotter and Furuno 600 sounder (yes, talk about obselete) OR get 2 mfd's which I assume is all integrated with the "black box" so I can display either or as well as radar and any other info? Hopefully someone experienced in Furuno can give me some insight and point me in the right direction. Im sure the best thing is to take in a show, which I intend to do, but I like hearing other captains thoughts and opinions as well. Thanks
Configuration Suggestions
- Thread starter Bertboy1
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While I am a staff member, I do have lots of time on the water. Dual MFD vs one MFD and a sounder comes down to user preference.
One question might make it easier. Are you a power user on a fish finder or do you prefer to let it do its own thing?
If you prefer to adjust settings while fishing, then a standalone fish finder is a great idea. It will do good on auto but manual adjustments are easier with the dedicated controls, in my opinion.
If you prefer to let the system do its own thing, then the redundancy of two MFDs is nice.
One question might make it easier. Are you a power user on a fish finder or do you prefer to let it do its own thing?
If you prefer to adjust settings while fishing, then a standalone fish finder is a great idea. It will do good on auto but manual adjustments are easier with the dedicated controls, in my opinion.
If you prefer to let the system do its own thing, then the redundancy of two MFDs is nice.
Typically trolling I'll run on auto but when bottom fishing I'll go manual and play with settings. So do you know if the new tz3 mfd's with the hybrid controls are as adjustable and comparable to the stand alone sounders? And thanks for your reply.
Quitsa
Furuno Super Fan
Another factor that is important is whether you intend to have multiple sounder sources such as a DFF-3D -- which I highly recommend. The DFF-3D is great for trolling because it shows you a wide swath under the boat so you can see if there are fish or bait balls off to one side. They are also great for bottom fishing because of the ability to create detailed charts that you can use to pinpoint structure.
With a DFF-3D on your network, having two MFDs makes much more sense because it allows you to display the conventional sounder and the DFF-3D split screen. Once you have a little practice with the menus, adjusting sounder settings is simple on the MFD. Of course not as easy as turning a gain knob on a standalone sounder, but you gain a lot of flexibility with the networked MFDs.
I would add that if you plan to have radar, having two displays will be even more helpful because you can run the radar full screen and use the other MFD for charts, sounder, etc.
With a DFF-3D on your network, having two MFDs makes much more sense because it allows you to display the conventional sounder and the DFF-3D split screen. Once you have a little practice with the menus, adjusting sounder settings is simple on the MFD. Of course not as easy as turning a gain knob on a standalone sounder, but you gain a lot of flexibility with the networked MFDs.
I would add that if you plan to have radar, having two displays will be even more helpful because you can run the radar full screen and use the other MFD for charts, sounder, etc.
Good advice. Appreciate you taking the time. I guess thats the purpose of the TZ3 mfd Hybrid 12" to give the best of both worlds. Touch as well as the conventional knobs for adjustments also. Although I'm not sure i could fit 2 12" mfds side by side on my console. Thinking I may only have the space for 2 10" screens. I'll have to get some unit dimensions and see what my options are. Thanks again
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Quitsa
Furuno Super Fan
I wouldn't get too hung up on the hybrid controls. They take up a lot of display area. For example, a TZT 13X hybrid requires a mounting hole that is 14.7" wide. A TZT 16X needs a 14.89" wide hole. But that 0.19" of width gets you a screen that is about 20% bigger. Screen area is the gift that keeps on giving, especially when you are splitting the display into two or more panels. Except on really rough days, the touch controls are easy, especially on a boat like yours that is pretty big and has a good ride.
I have a TZT 10X with hybrid controls at my tower helm that replaced an old TZT2 12" display that was about the same overall size. I really miss that bigger screen. I didn't really have a choice because of software updates that made the old TZT2 no longer fully compatible.
I have a TZT 10X with hybrid controls at my tower helm that replaced an old TZT2 12" display that was about the same overall size. I really miss that bigger screen. I didn't really have a choice because of software updates that made the old TZT2 no longer fully compatible.
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