[CA] [CA11] Questions about networking

[corndog]

I'm trying to select a fairly inexpensive fishfinder system and had some questions for you folks...

Are the sonar transducers ethernet devices? One of the reason I ask is because I'd like to extend the length between the MFD and the transducer way beyond what's recommended and if it's an ethernet device, that should be pretty easy. I came across the iTC-5, which is an obsolete device that converts analog transducer signals to ethernet for use on the SeaTalk network, but since it's obsolete and I can't find a the newer equivalent, it has me thinking that transducers are now ethernet devices. Also, if they are ethernet, can you connect them to your laptop for use with the RayTech software without the MFD? Aaaaand last one for now, is the aSeries the entry level MFD with network ability? I don't want a sonar module and am hoping you can just buy a MFD with transducer.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum corndog,

Q1. Are the sonar transducers ethernet devices?
A1. Negative. Fishfinder transducers are designed to be mated directly to the transducer socket of MFD or fishfinder sonar module having fishfinder sonar circuitry which is specifically matched to the type of fishfinder transducer (ex. RealVision, HyperVision, 1kW/2kW CHIRP, 50kHz/200kHz, DownVision, CPT-S, etc.).

Q2. One of the reason I ask is because I'd like to extend the length between the MFD and the transducer way beyond what's recommended and if it's an ethernet device, that should be pretty easy.
A2. Should the total chased cable distance exceed the transducer cable's length plus one length of fishfinder transducer extension cable, then a compatible fishfinder sounder module would need to be installed within this distance. The fishfinder sounder module would then be interfaced to MFD (the MFD need not have internal fishfinder circuitry) via an appropriate length of RayNet (F) to RayNet (F) Cable. RayNet cables may be joined together for total lengths which are commonly accepted for Ethernet communications.

Q3. I came across the iTC-5, which is an obsolete device that converts analog transducer signals to ethernet for use on the SeaTalk network, but since it's obsolete and I can't find a the newer equivalent, it has me thinking that transducers are now ethernet devices.
A3. The iTC-5 is not obsolete and continues to be offered by Raymarine. However, this product will not support fishfinder features. The iTC-5 Analog Instrument Converter is designed to support interfacing analog instrument transducers to systems featuring Raymarine's i70/i70S Multifunction Instrument Displays via the system's powered and properly terminated SeaTalkng / NMEA 2000 backbone. The iTC-5 allows all instrument transducers to be led to a single location which may be well away from the i70/i70S MFIDs and other Raymarine products. With respect to sonar, this product would only support supplying numerical depth data to the system.

Q4. Also, if they are ethernet, can you connect them to your laptop for use with the RayTech software without the MFD?
A4. See the response to Q1 regarding networking. Please note that RayTech software is no longer being sold by Raymarine and the last supported operating system for use with RayTech was Windows 7 ... which is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Q4. Is the aSeries the entry level MFD with network ability?
A4. Yes.

Q5. I don't want a sonar module and am hoping you can just buy a MFD with transducer.
A5. It would appear that this will ultimately be determined by the chased cable distance that the MFD and transducer will be separated from one another, the maximum depth of water to be fished, and they type(s) of fishfinder sonar imagery desired. Accordingly, it is recommended that your review Raymarine's Element, Multifunction Displays, and fishfinders web pages to view the different types of fishfinder products and the imagery which each would support.

[corndog]

Chuck, thanks for the welcome and I can't thank you enough for the thorough reply, super informative.

It sounds like I won't be able to get away from the module and that's okay. Knowing that I'd like to keep costs down, but need the cable length for the transducer, can you point me in a direction of how to start putting a kit together? Do I start by selecting the module and then seek out a compatible MFD and transducer?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

corndog,

Q. Do I start by selecting the module and then seek out a compatible MFD and transducer?
A. Indeed, the maximum depth of water to be fished, the type(s) of fishfinder sonar imagery desired, the desired size of the screen, any space limitations / concerns, and whether you prefer a touchscreen-only interface or a combination buttons & touchscreen interface (HybridTouch). It is recommended that your review Raymarine's Element, Multifunction Displays, and fishfinders web pages to view the different types of fishfinder products and the imagery which each would support.