TZtouch3 vs. Competitors - Head to Head Videos

[ForumAdmin]

If you are looking for a good way to see how NavNet TZtouch3 stack up against the competition, then we have just the thing for you. On Season 2 of Furuno Connections, we took four similar boats and put TZtouch3, along with three competitive MFD's on the boats to run them through a set of tests. We are testing the following:

1. Ease of use with each system's user interface.
2. Chart Plotter - how to do functions such as make a route, add a waypoint, showing tides on charts, and more.
3. Solid-State Radar - we have similar domes installed to check on Radar capabilities, such as target resolution, target separation, range, and more.
4. Fish Finder - We test the built-in CHIRP on each system and test them in various depths to see how each performs.
5. 3D Side Scanning Sonar - We look at each systems offering and test them side by side in shallow 15 feet of water all the way to 1,000 feet.

This is a video series like you've never seen before. So let the games begin! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 8TBSfOIp4Q
:furuno

 

[Johnny Electron]

:jump :jump

 

[MegaMartin]

I enjoyed this series, it was interesting to see many of the changes since my NavNet2s. In part these help influence my selection in a new build. I'll be following up with additional questions for help in ironing out the sonar and radar selections.

 

[Magnetron]

:jump :jump

This was a great series!

 

[essrtee8]

The series was great and I personally know most of the Two Conchs captains.

I agree that TZT3 is better EXCEPT for the charting options.

It would be helpful if we could use the CMOR chip directly with the Furuno setup.

 

[essrtee8]

I just took delivery of my new boat with full Furuno system.

I think the system is great, the charts are now dialed in and working great.

When you are used to Navionics or Garmin it is easy to knock what Furuno offers.

After using the mapmedia free charts I have to say I really like the Vector and Raster charts.

Fishfinder is great and system is very easy to use and very customizable.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Thanks for the feedback. As time moves forward, we should see advancements with charts but I agree that each charting company has strong and weak points. When taken as it sum; I agree the TZT3 system is top of the heap.

 

[Viexile]

I've watched many of these but haven't seen anything less than 10 mos. old. Pretty good stuff.

I'm on the edge of getting a TZT3 12" mfd, dff3d, DRSD4NXT (for the bird mode) and am duly confused by the transducers.

Meanwhile, I'm told everything is backordered. Transducers into late April.

What I was wondering was if I could skip the dff3d for now, get a "working" transducer (inboard Cummins, Dyer 29 undergoing total refit/rebuild) and get by until inventories come back and then get the dff3d and correct transducer to take advantage of all of the facilities available in the system. So which lower end transducer until the inventories come back (and can I even get the lower end ducer?) to have a "useful" dual transducer system?

Should I have my retailer contact anyone in particular? He has his sources, but one of them implied the ". . . dff3d is too new and you might want to wait." It looks to me like it came out over 5 years ago.

Deep dropping to 1000' for grouper, queens, reds, etc, surface fishing for tuna, mahi and wahoo. The only reason to go beyond 1KW, I think, might be to spot the errant sword at 1500' if I was even targeting them. The drop just goes over the edge from around 400 to about 1200 at Hole in the Wall then to 12000. Otherwise not targeting blues, whites or (really) sails. But do enjoy a little occasional fun.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Inventory of all marine electronics of all brands has been in high demand. The best way to get is to place it on order and wait in line unless you find whatever you need from a large distributor. This is one of the times if you see it, you buy it, because it might not be there tomorrow. If you have a good spot on the transom, I would toss a low cost Airmar P66 (525STID-PWD) on the internal sounder until you can get everything you want. There is stock on this transducer in both our warehouses so I know dealers can get them easy. We have no visibility of what dealers might have on hand.

 

[Viexile]

This is a 10-pin ducer vs. the 12-pin on the full utility models. (275, 265). So is there an adapter to get the cable into the TZT3 12F? Also, the 275: 165T-275LHW or LHW 12 pin? Is the MFD 11 pin or 10 pin? I believe the dff3d is 7 pin 2nd cable off the 275, 265?

I want this networked with the MFD/Fishfinder and the dff3d correctly first time around, since we'll be waiting awhile to see anything due to supply chain issues.

Summary:
TZT3 12F
DRS4D NXT
dff3d
CORRECT TRANSDUCER to order for full utility including Accufish and bottom discrimination? I mean, why leave anything out? Less useful options?
So if the transom mount will . . . what will it do? Depth, temp. . . . fish? For now?
What DOESN'T COME with the above purchases that will be needed (networking hardware, etc.). No other electronics on boat. Oh, and I'd really like to be using a bronze transducer rather than cutting and manufacturing a transducer pocket, but it's not out of the question.

 

[Johnny Electron]

There is a 10 to 12 pin transducer adaptor shipped with every TZT3. It was just a suggestion as a temp transducer until you get your shopping list. It might be better to just wait and get everything you want straight off. I know the market is crazy right now.

 

[Viexile]

No, that's fine. I'm happy to do the transom mount thing if only to have depth while waiting for the correct transducer.

Quick question: is there a bronze based transducer that will provide for ALL (or nearly all) of the bells and whistles the TZT3 12 and the dff3d make available? All I seem to keep coming up with is SS or the pocket mount transducer. It looks to me like the 275 is correct in one of it's forms, but in other forums I see that someone feels it doesn't support accufish but the 265 does.

 

[gtstang462002]

The 275 does not support AccuFish, the 265 does. Neither support bottom discrimination at this time. I think I read somewhere that one of the software updates in the future may provide AccuFish for the 275, but that has yet to be seen.

 

[Viexile]

ANOTHER QUESTION: So what is the utility difference between the 275 and the 265? I've tried side by side comparison from the advert brochures, but still not clear on which is "better" for my displacement (downeast lobster style) boat.

Is there a tech who can clearly state, with the dff3d, TZT3 12f and scx20, the side by side utilities of the 265 vs. the 275 so I can make an intelligent selection? Thank you.

 

[gtstang462002]

ANOTHER QUESTION: So what is the utility difference between the 275 and the 265? I've tried side by side comparison from the advert brochures, but still not clear on which is "better" for my displacement (downeast lobster style) boat.

Is there a tech who can clearly state, with the dff3d, TZT3 12f and scx20, the side by side utilities of the 265 vs. the 275 so I can make an intelligent selection? Thank you.

You will probably get better answers to this question by posting it in the fish finder section. While I am not a tech, I have 2 boats. One with a 265 and one with 275 respectively. Both perform flawlessly. The 275 has a wider acoustic cone for the high side and the 165 uses a little bit lower frequency on the high side. Both are excellent choices, physically the same size. In today's electronics market where getting components is extremely difficult due to supply chain issues, I think availability would be the determining factor for me.

 

[Magnetron]

Is there a tech who can clearly state, ... the side by side utilities of the 265 vs. the 275 so I can make an intelligent selection? Thank you.

Sure I can,

On the B265LH Low/High the ratings are:

Low frequency: 42 to 65 kHz
25° to 16° beamwidth
Maximum depth of 914 m (3000')
High frequency: 130 to 210 kHz
10° to 6° beamwidth
Maximum depth of 304 m (1000')

On the B275LHW Low/High-Wide the ratings are:

Low frequency: 42 to 65 kHz
25° to 16° beamwidth
Maximum depth of 914 m (3,000')
High frequency: 150 to 250 kHz
25° constant beamwidth
Maximum depth of 152 m (500')

1. B275LHW has a higher frequency range than the B265LH on the HF side for better target visibility in the shallower water.
2. B275LHW has a wider beam width than the B265LH for better coverage at all frequencies.

From talking with customers, often the TZ Touch 3 paired with the B265LH is the most popular. If there's a primary need for the extra frequencies or wider beamwidth, than the B275LHW is a great choice except the TZ Touch 3 currently doesn't support Bottom Discrimination or Accu-Fish with this unit. If you want BD/AC with the B275LHW than Furuno recommends the DFF1-UHD sounder for that transducer which does those functions.

Hope this helps, :sail

- Maggy

 

[Viexile]

Thank you! That covered what I needed to know. First retailer was pushing the 260SS, but I have a built-down lobster hull and it's all bronze below the waterline. I finally determined a pocket mount transducer is the only way to go, sucking up my courage and firing up one of my favorite tools (the sawzall). Seems as though the transducer selection is always the confusing part. After cutting out most of the aft deck and replacing the framing, deck and putting down 6 layers of biax, a pocket mount transducer will be a cakewalk. And Furuno has some GREAT videos on the process. There's also a few elsewhere (like the downeast boat forum). Build a bulletproof box to fit, then make sure it's fair below and solid above and in the right location.

I only have a 2.5" wide keel, so she'll have to be faired out appropriately. That part's easy.

I'm going to go with the 275, dff3d, TZT3-12P, SCX20, DRS4DNXT.

It sounds like it allows for expansion.

I seen nobody in the northern Caribbean area I'm in with this kind of gear. A few sailing catamarans have TZT3, but nobody is using it for fishing as far as I can tell.

Order is into five figures, paid yesterday and going in today I believe. But I've switched to authorized dealer/installer who will guide me on installation. Nobody works on my boat but me except in certain circumstances. I've done over 10 boat refits. But I've never turned down adult supervision. Ask my youngest son, who has stopped me from really screwing up more than once.