Upgrading electronics

[Xcalibur]

Hello all,

Just reaching out for a little feedback on my current system with my first post. Updating our family boat is a 30’ Downeast single diesel purchased in 2006. Boat was commissioned in 2000 with the below electronics and we added some in 2007.

-gp1650f gps fish finder (dash)
-model 841 mark2 radar (overhead)
-fcv585 w/b117 (overhead)

The GP has an alarm and contacted furuno support to see what this ment. Appears that the internal battery is going bad and I would have to replace.

I would like to update my gps and fish finder and slowly add to this package. I am repowerring the craft this year so electronics are not my first priority. At this point it appears the fcv 585 and 841 radar are in working order but I will want to replace it in the future with new solid state radar (drs 4dnxt).

The question is I limited on size with my dash and looking to add a new gps and autopilot. I also want to try to be forward thinking with integration for future radar replacement. I am thinking mfd as my best option. My measurements say I can easily fish a tzt3 9” and a navpilot 300 on the dash. The tzt xl 10x is a tad taller and looks like we might be able to make that work in the existing space. I have room for the 12” tzt3 but that would make the navpilot not fit.

Probably come down to preference but here are the two options I am considering:

- go with the mfd in the dash either tzt3 9” or tzt xl 10” with the navpilot 300 and just add the NXT radar later that will connect in.

-go with the gp1971f and the navpilot 300 and add a dedicated radar screen in the overhead to replace the 841 with the nxt later when I upgrade that.

Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Quitsa]

From the photo, it looks as though you would have a hard time fitting a TZT3 9 or a TZTXL 10 because they are wider and higher than your GP1650. Perhaps there is more space to the port side where the photo cuts off? Or maybe you can relocate the ignition switch panel, which is taking up a lot of valuable space and doesn't need to be right in front of the person at the helm.

I have a somewhat off the wall idea you might consider. The old TZT2 12" MFD has a noticeably bigger, brighter display than either the TZT3 9 or the TZTXL 10 but does not have a much bigger footprint because it does not have the hybrid controls on the side. If you're okay with just touch screen, which works fine, you could probably find a good condition used TZT 2 12" for less than half the cost of a TZT3 9. It will work with the newer NXT radars. Otherwise ,if you can make room at the helm and have the budget, I would try very hard to fit a TZTXL 16" display since you will only have one display. If you try to run radar and a chart side by side on a 9" or 10"display after you get a new network radar, it will get pretty compressed.

The FCV585 is a good sounder. Unless you get a new higher performance 1 kW CHIRP transducer to use with the new MFD, you won't really see much benefit to replacing it by the way.

You should take note of the steering system helm pump and ram volume and check with Furuno tech support about the autopilot. You may need a NavPilot 700 to power an autopilot pump that is big enough.

 

[Xcalibur]

Quitsa thank you for the response. I have spent the last two weeks moving key switches and gauges. (See pic)

I measured out the 16xl and would have no where to land the navpilot.

I will see what’s available for tzt2s out there.