Help with my setup

[wellbeloved747]

I am looking to purchase a Cougar R8 and will want to spec up the nag system.

ill keep it simple ill tell you what i want to do and correct me if im wrong.

Above the driver will be a Gpsmap 750s and above the navigator a Gpsmap 750, the main unit will be the 750s and the 750 just a repeater.

I will buy a Garmin radar which will have the radar cable included, i shall fit this and plug it into the back of the 750s, i shall run power to both the 750 and 750s, the included sonar with the 750s will plug into the 750s, a cable will run between the 750 and 750s so it can repeat.

is this correct? so i will need to purchase a 750, 750s and the radar and job done, plus the mapping of course!

The more i read the more confusing it gets so someone sort me out!

Many thanks

Matthew

[Portholme]

I'm not going to comment on the set up but would urge against touchscreen (I have a 750s on a 8.1m RIB). They are very splash and rain sensitive and very difficult to use in a sea.

If that doesn't put you off I find it terrific in most conditions and I'm afraid I haven't looked at upgrades so have no idea what else is out there.

[wellbeloved747]

Could you talk me through what your exact setup is?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by wellbeloved747

.......... and will want to spec up the nag system.........

You need to speak to my missus

[Gilles]

plug and pray

[Portholme]

My set up is very simple. 750s and a Garmin vhf 100i dsc. I have smartcraft gauges for the engine so not set up for nmea 2000.

Both perfectly adequate for what we need as we are only coastal. The only issue (and the guy who sold them to me tried to convince me not to buy it) is the touchscreen which is difficult to use in rain and rough weather because you're bouncing around so much. Try using a smart phone on a roller coaster as a simulator!!!

Overall the 750s is great, I had one on my old boat too which is why I was adamant on getting another, and I live with the foibles. Yesterday my son was helping and I was navigating and that was easy. It's hardest when you're doing everything yourself especially as I'm right handed and the nav is on the port side.

The vhf is excellent, reception is excellent and the screen very clear. The menus are very simple. It took two hours to get it to talk to the 750 though, which was surprising as I'd hoped it would be simple to set up.

Hope that helps. Don't be put off, just do your research.

[redthunder]

I would have thought the 750 connection to the 750s would be best done with a NMEA 2000 network. Then if you get the VHF 200i you can plug that into the network too. Thinking of getting a second 750 on my rib so let us know how it runs..

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Portholme

It's hardest when you're doing everything yourself especially as I'm right handed and the nav is on the port side.

There's a general comment lurking in there - I normally am solo, so no "navigator" luxury. I built a bespoke instrument pod to park my lowrance right by the throttle when at cruising position - The Lowrance has the buttons down the RHS, so I put the throttle on the RHS, and can work the plotter and not take my hand more than about 1" off the throttle (tho' most of the "working" buttons are within a thumbs' reach.)

Originally Posted by redthunder

I would have thought the 750 connection to the 750s would be best done with a NMEA 2000 network. Then if you get the VHF 200i you can plug that into the network too. Thinking of getting a second 750 on my rib so let us know how it runs..

If it runs 2000, one cable should feed all - you could even put a 2K sounder in the circuit so that if the 750s packs up you don't loose both. (or display differnet stuff on each - e.g engine data o nthe driver's display & "more detailed nav" on the other)

[AMac]

Fit 2x750s, vhf200i, ais600, radar and most expensive transducer you can afford this is as near the best setup I've come across
Also if engine data in N2000 connect to engines
If money no object a 2nd VHF would be good also
Spend time getting your VHF aerial as high as possible for best results