Upgrading and integrating new MFD into older system

[Quebecnewf]

We are running the following Raymarine products on a high speed patrol boat ( Zodiac):

- Raystar 125 GPS Receiver
- Raymarine ST60+ Graphic Display
- Raymarine DSM300 Digital Sounder Module
- Raymarine E-Series Display
- Raymarine Radar

This is all ( older) model equipment installed on the boat as a complete new system by the builder Zodiac. Year 2007 approx

We are looking to upgrade the system and integrate into the new system without doing a complete replacement.

This is what we need , in broad strokes.

We need a new model MFD most likely a 15" . Unit will need to be touch screen as well as button controlled. Will have to have Bluetooth and wifi .

We will want to attach a heat sensor night vision camera to the new system

We will want the option of attaching another radar to the system.

We are interested in forward looking sonar and an upgrade to our depth sounding. The system we have now works very poorly at high speed. This is , we know a hard problem with any boat that is moving at high speeds and at times leaving the water.

One of the limiting factors with our old system is the limited number of tracks we can lay down. We do lots of work in confined waters with many shoals and reefs , much of this done at high speed and in low light and fog conditions. We need to lay down good tracks during times when conditions are clear and then use these tracks to navigate safely during adverse conditions. In the areas where we operate there are still large errors in the electronic charts as they are just scans of the old paper charts.

Given the above parameters can you give me a rundown on what you think might meet our needs.
If you need more info please feel free to post questions.

Thank you in advance

Quebecnewf

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Quebecnewf,

Q1. We are running the following Raymarine products on a high speed patrol boat ( Zodiac):

- Raystar 125 GPS Receiver
- Raymarine ST60+ Graphic Display
- Raymarine DSM300 Digital Sounder Module
- Raymarine E-Series Display
- Raymarine Radar

This is all ( older) model equipment installed on the boat as a complete new system by the builder Zodiac. Year 2007 approx

A1. Please click here to view replacement of the currently installed E-Series Classic MFD with an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD. The a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs feature support for up to two compatible radar transducers. Special attention should be paid to the portion of the FAQ addressing analog radar compatibility with the a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs.

Q2. We are looking to upgrade the system and integrate into the new system without doing a complete replacement. This is what we need , in broad strokes. We need a new model MFD most likely a 15" . Unit will need to be touch screen as well as button controlled. Will have to have Bluetooth and wifi .
A2. The currently installed E-Series Classic MFD will need to be replaced with an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD, as the E-Series Classic MFDs are not compatible with the a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD. As indicated within the previously referenced FAQ, all items except for analog radar transducer are either directly compatible with or may be adapted for use with an a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFD. Of these, an e165 or a gS165 w/RMK-9 Remote Keypad would be recommended to meet the size requirement specified.

Q3. We will want to attach a heat sensor night vision camera to the new system.
A3. Of Raymarine's a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs, only the 6" and 7" a-Series MFDs will not support thermal cameras within a system featuring a single MFD.

Q4. We will want the option of attaching another radar to the system.
A4. As indicated within the response to Q1, the a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs feature support for up to two compatible radar transducers.

Q5. We are interested in forward looking sonar and an upgrade to our depth sounding. The system we have now works very poorly at high speed. This is , we know a hard problem with any boat that is moving at high speeds and at times leaving the water.
A5. Raymarine does not currently offer forward looking sonar products, but has supported displaying video from such products (ex. Interphase SE-200B FLS, etc.). High speed bottom tracking can be a challenge for high speed shallow draft vessels, particularly if equipped with a transom mounted transducer. I personally have had excellent performance with a M260 In-Hull transducer and DSM300 in maintaining bottom contact at speeds approaching 50 MPH and would accordingly recommend trying this transducer.

Q6. One of the limiting factors with our old system is the limited number of tracks we can lay down. We do lots of work in confined waters with many shoals and reefs , much of this done at high speed and in low light and fog conditions. We need to lay down good tracks during times when conditions are clear and then use these tracks to navigate safely during adverse conditions. In the areas where we operate there are still large errors in the electronic charts as they are just scans of the old paper charts.
A6. Raymarine's a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs support within the MFD's internal memory of 15 tracks (each track can contain up to 10,000 track points). As track data can also be stored to a microSD memory card, waypoint, route, and track storage is only limited to the size of the user supplied microSD memory card present within the MFDs memory card reader.

Q7. Given the above parameters can you give me a rundown on what you think might meet our needs.
A7. It is recommended that an e165 or a gS165 w/RMK-9 Remote Keypad be considered to meet the requirements specified.

[Quebecnewf]

Thank you very much for all the timely information. Looks like we will be visiting our Raymarine dealer in the near future.

[Quebecnewf]

Been doing a bit more research and thinking another option for us would be to buy the Raymarine charting soft ware and install it on a Toughbook . Mount that in the boat with a gimbal mounting system.

Reading the info I am thinking this should be a simple setup .

Is there any thing I am not seeing that given the list of equipment above that we are running would cause this not to be feasible?

Is there more equipment we need to buy other than the software and a cable. We have the Toughbook.

Quebecnewf

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Quebecnewf,

Please click here to view a FAQ addressing how to interface an E-Series Classic MFD to a PC running RayTech software.