Hi everyone,
I just bought a new to me boat (1990 sea ray 420) and it has an RDP-139, with transducer(unknown model as of today), and an open radar array (model also unknown right now). The current chart is a navionics from 2001.
I am looking into updating into a newer system and doing some research. I am pretty sure I won't be able to use my radar with anything newish (I am guessing here, and I know that's not too helpful) that the entire system was installed in 2001. I don't fish much, so while that is a nice feature to have (and there is already a hole in the boat for a transducer) it isn't top priority. Main use is for safe navigation.
If I stay with Furuno (all my previous experience is with Raymarine) it looks like GP1971F, or TZTL12F would be the current generations. The pricing is dramatically different for those units, and my simple brain can't seem to figure out why. They appear to have the same features.
Also, a quick look online is showing used resale units of the RDP-139 near the cost of the new GP1971f, I feel like I have to be missing something (or is that simply because to upgrade the RDP-139 you have to replace all accessories too?).
The boat is out of the water right now, so I am thinking it's the best time to make a change especially if a new transducer is needed.
Any insights from people that know this equipment better than me?
I just bought a new to me boat (1990 sea ray 420) and it has an RDP-139, with transducer(unknown model as of today), and an open radar array (model also unknown right now). The current chart is a navionics from 2001.
I am looking into updating into a newer system and doing some research. I am pretty sure I won't be able to use my radar with anything newish (I am guessing here, and I know that's not too helpful) that the entire system was installed in 2001. I don't fish much, so while that is a nice feature to have (and there is already a hole in the boat for a transducer) it isn't top priority. Main use is for safe navigation.
If I stay with Furuno (all my previous experience is with Raymarine) it looks like GP1971F, or TZTL12F would be the current generations. The pricing is dramatically different for those units, and my simple brain can't seem to figure out why. They appear to have the same features.
Also, a quick look online is showing used resale units of the RDP-139 near the cost of the new GP1971f, I feel like I have to be missing something (or is that simply because to upgrade the RDP-139 you have to replace all accessories too?).
The boat is out of the water right now, so I am thinking it's the best time to make a change especially if a new transducer is needed.
Any insights from people that know this equipment better than me?