[CA] [CA11] Axiom Pro RVX and Transducer Compatability

[jdb17]

Hello,

I have a question regarding the optimal Raymarine head unit and transducer combination for the type of fishing we do. Just as some background, we are fishing on a Grady White 305 Express, in the New England waters. We fish inshore depths as shallow as 10', and fish the canyons in waters up to about 2,500'. We're not doing any deep dropping, and while it would be interesting to mark fish in 2,500' really its more about marking the bottom there, we don't usually look for fish deeper than 500-600'. We are pursuing all different species with different tactics, and are trying to put together the right jack-of-all-trades system.

The combination we are looking to utilize is an Axiom Pro RVX, the RV-200 Transducer, and a B256LM Chirp Transducer.

Q1 - Will these three pieces of hardware interface successfully without any additional hardware? (Using the RV , and the 1kW ports to plug both in directly to the Axiom)

Q2 - We have heard from some dealers/installers that the B265LM will not work 'in real time' with the Axiom Pro scanning both frequency bands simultaneously. These same folks say using a CP570 would alleviate this latency rendering issue. Is there any truth to this?

Q2a - If the problem is that the Axiom cannot monitor both frequency bands simultaneously successfully, can only one frequency band be viewed at a time to alleviate this?

Q3 - For this setup specifically would there be any benefit to using a CP570, outside from redundancy, for finding fish, bottom, structure etc?

Q4 - We are planning on mounting both transducers on flat spots on the hull, these are slightly outboard of the center line and there may be some shadowing on one side of the RV-200 in side scan mode. Will this have a serious adverse effect on the performance of side scan or real vision?

Thank you in advance!
-Jon

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Jon,

Q1 - Will these three pieces of hardware interface successfully without any additional hardware? (Using the RV , and the 1kW ports to plug both in directly to the Axiom)
A1 - Yes.

Q2 - We have heard from some dealers/installers that the B265LM will not work 'in real time' with the Axiom Pro scanning both frequency bands simultaneously. These same folks say using a CP570 would alleviate this latency rendering issue. Is there any truth to this?
A2 - This would certainly be the best option for those seeking to maximize high power CHIRP fishfinder performance through utilization of the CP570's Dual independent CHIRP channels.

Q2a - If the problem is that the Axiom cannot monitor both frequency bands simultaneously successfully, can only one frequency band be viewed at a time to alleviate this?
A2a - It's not that the Axiom Pro RVX's Fishfinder application cannot display both frequency bands simultaneously using the MFD's internal 1kW CHIRP sonar circuitry, it is that the MFD's internal 1kW CHIRP sonar circuitry will alternate transmission/reception of the two frequency bands, resulting in a slower plots.

Q3 - For this setup specifically would there be any benefit to using a CP570, outside from redundancy, for finding fish, bottom, structure etc?
A3 - I believe so and would recommend the CP570 for those seeking optimal fishfinder performance.

Q4 - We are planning on mounting both transducers on flat spots on the hull, these are slightly outboard of the center line and there may be some shadowing on one side of the RV-200 in side scan mode. Will this have a serious adverse effect on the performance of side scan or real vision?
A4 - The situation described would essentially produce some loss of data within the portion of the sonar beam which is blocked by structure. I see this on my own boat when my outdrive is fully down, where it will produce some loss of data on the side facing the outdrive. There's not much that can be done to improve this situation other than to consider installation of a RV transducer pair which will be installed on the hull's deadrise.

[jdb17]

Hi Chuck,

Thank you very much for your insight, with your input we made a purchase of a new electronics system for our boat. We ended up going with a pair of Axiom Pro RVXs, Quantum Doppler Radar, the RV-200, the B265LM, AIS, and so on. We held off on the CP570 for now, but are considering it if the rendering latency is an issue for us.

The problem we have now though, is the flat spot we intended to mount the RV-200 on our hull is too small to carry the RV-200. The technician we are using to handle of the install told us we could use a single RV-220 mounted on one side and get similar results.

Q1 - Can a single RV-220 actually provide the full suite of RV features, down vision, real vision 3D, side scan, etc?

Q2 - It seems after doing some reading, the RV-220 requires a pair, both port and starboard to be run through the Y-cable. Is this indeed true, that we need both Port and Starboard 'ducers to make this work?

Q3 - If a single RV-220 is installed, would it result in just a blind side, or would the functionality be severely reduced?

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Again, appreciate your help Chuck,

-Jon

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Q. The technician we are using to handle of the install told us we could use a single RV-220 mounted on one side and get similar results.
A. You have either misunderstood the technician or the technician has misinformed you. The RV-212, RV-220, RV-312, RV-320, RV-412, and RV-420 transducers must be installed in pairs. One transducer transmits and receives to port and downwards, the other to starboard and downwards, ensuring a full 180° of underwater coverage.