After some research, I have decided that a muli-display of speed/depth, plus NMEA interfacing is the way to go when I replace my old Kenyon knotmeter. I am soliciting opinions on various systems. Nexus, Raytheon, Standard Horizon. My inclination at this point is Nexus over the Raytheon (ST series) because I have used the Nexus 3000 system and I can't find any sailors that use or recommend the Raytheon systems. The Standard Horizon may be an alternative but I am looking for more modularity than S/H offers. Any and all comments, endorsements, etc. are welcome.
Fair winds.
Don
s/v Camanae
carrd48@netzero.net
Instrumentation- Nexus
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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John M
Re: Instrumentation- Nexus
Hi Don,
I have the same prediciment. I decided on Standard Horizon for two reasons; cost and simplicity. I have 2 friends with high tech/multi task instruments on their boats. More often than not, they are out sailing with the manual in lap, trying to figure out how to switch from one mode to another. If you decide on something high tech, spend the time to learn how to use the instruments BEFORE you get onto the water. And, teach someone elce.
I have yet to install my new instruments. I have 3 transducers (wind, speed, depth) feeding 2 displays. This seems to fill my needs at this time. BTW, one of the above friends is changing to Nexus, because the current system on his boat (not CD) is to complicated. The former owner of this boat had one crew member assigned to electronics while they raced.
John Martin
CD28 #346 Intrepid
johnmartin55@hotmail.com
I have the same prediciment. I decided on Standard Horizon for two reasons; cost and simplicity. I have 2 friends with high tech/multi task instruments on their boats. More often than not, they are out sailing with the manual in lap, trying to figure out how to switch from one mode to another. If you decide on something high tech, spend the time to learn how to use the instruments BEFORE you get onto the water. And, teach someone elce.
I have yet to install my new instruments. I have 3 transducers (wind, speed, depth) feeding 2 displays. This seems to fill my needs at this time. BTW, one of the above friends is changing to Nexus, because the current system on his boat (not CD) is to complicated. The former owner of this boat had one crew member assigned to electronics while they raced.
John Martin
CD28 #346 Intrepid
Don Carr wrote: After some research, I have decided that a muli-display of speed/depth, plus NMEA interfacing is the way to go when I replace my old Kenyon knotmeter. I am soliciting opinions on various systems. Nexus, Raytheon, Standard Horizon. My inclination at this point is Nexus over the Raytheon (ST series) because I have used the Nexus 3000 system and I can't find any sailors that use or recommend the Raytheon systems. The Standard Horizon may be an alternative but I am looking for more modularity than S/H offers. Any and all comments, endorsements, etc. are welcome.
Fair winds.
Don
s/v Camanae
johnmartin55@hotmail.com
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Ben Thomas
Re: Instrumentation- Nexus
Don, Last year I added electronics to my cd30. When Î got the boat it had the datamarine knot/speed instruments along with the autohelm 4000 plus. after much deliberation I decided on the raytheon systems mainly because of the integration via high speed bus and the sea-talk.Don Carr wrote: After some research, I have decided that a muli-display of speed/depth, plus NMEA interfacing is the way to go when I replace my old Kenyon knotmeter. I am soliciting opinions on various systems. Nexus, Raytheon, Standard Horizon. My inclination at this point is Nexus over the Raytheon (ST series) because I have used the Nexus 3000 system and I can't find any sailors that use or recommend the Raytheon systems. The Standard Horizon may be an alternative but I am looking for more modularity than S/H offers. Any and all comments, endorsements, etc. are welcome.
Fair winds.
Don
s/v Camanae
Now I'am running the st60 series wind speed/ knot/speed log/ and depth insturments. these all work with the autohelm 4000. along with those I went with the raytheon rl72rc radar(2k) and chartplotter combo below with a repeater display at the wheel. can view both radar and chart at wheel at same time or full screen of either. I moved the autohelm to the wheel as well. although daunting at first the system is quite easy to use. the big draw back is the radar/chart display at the wheel. it is hard to see if in heavy rain or bright sun. the units do not come with any type of hood to protect from elements. other than the compleat cover. check out a back issue of practical sailor just this last year they ran an article on these packages. forget which issue. all in all I am very pleased with the raytheon series. being familar with a system will help tremendously with the learning curve.
good luck with your choice!
p.s. depending on how many items you add to your boat that draw amps. you may need to upgrade batterys and especially the charging system.
Ben
btlandscapers@imagina.com
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Larry DeMers
Re: Instrumentation- Nexus
I also installed all new instruments this year, in an upgrade of the boats electrical and electronic project. We bought the ST-60 instruments..specificly, the tri-data. This thing is cool~! It has big letters that my old eyes can actualy see from the dinghy out astern of the boat! It has enough functions to choke the proverbial horse..but we left it set in one mode the entire summer with two exceptions. Right now, the ST-60 shows water depth, boat speed, water temp., and depth trending (up-down). We added the wind instruments, then got into a blow, and lost the entire sensor head, which we saw land 50 ft. downwind! So , will be waiting a while before replacing that instrument.
Summary is that I like the Raytheon Seatalk system. NMEA has some limitations which would prevent the kind of networking that we and another responder have incorporated into the boat. I have GPS, Flux Gate Compass (Heading), and the ST-60 TriData on the network, and this all ties into my RL72 Radar. It shows all of the parameters you want on it's front screen above and below the radar image.
We mounted the radar on a flip down bracket, to port of the companionway entrance. It is out of the way while underway, can be left mounted, but folded down at night..and we close our hatch fully. It is available should we have to leave an anchorage in the middle of the night (wind changes etc.). The best part is that it is in the shadow of the dodger, and readable under all conditions.
The only thing i did not like about the Nexus system is the central processor idea. I wanted a self contained system.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~
demers@sgi.com
Summary is that I like the Raytheon Seatalk system. NMEA has some limitations which would prevent the kind of networking that we and another responder have incorporated into the boat. I have GPS, Flux Gate Compass (Heading), and the ST-60 TriData on the network, and this all ties into my RL72 Radar. It shows all of the parameters you want on it's front screen above and below the radar image.
We mounted the radar on a flip down bracket, to port of the companionway entrance. It is out of the way while underway, can be left mounted, but folded down at night..and we close our hatch fully. It is available should we have to leave an anchorage in the middle of the night (wind changes etc.). The best part is that it is in the shadow of the dodger, and readable under all conditions.
The only thing i did not like about the Nexus system is the central processor idea. I wanted a self contained system.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~
Don Carr wrote: After some research, I have decided that a muli-display of speed/depth, plus NMEA interfacing is the way to go when I replace my old Kenyon knotmeter. I am soliciting opinions on various systems. Nexus, Raytheon, Standard Horizon. My inclination at this point is Nexus over the Raytheon (ST series) because I have used the Nexus 3000 system and I can't find any sailors that use or recommend the Raytheon systems. The Standard Horizon may be an alternative but I am looking for more modularity than S/H offers. Any and all comments, endorsements, etc. are welcome.
Fair winds.
Don
s/v Camanae
demers@sgi.com