I dont know what to do.

[Brettoh]

I have a Evo2 NSS9 with the Totalscan transducer.

I want another screen because I am sick of changing to split screens and back again. The Evo 3 range is out of my budget.
Im thinking of installing a sounder or second unit so while underway I have the screen showing full screen chart and another displaying sounder.
Im thinking of a stand alone sounder instead of a second simrad unit. The Evo3 is out of my range.

I like the totalscan for shallow water but it seems lacking in water over 40 mts. In CQ I havent found depths over 50 mts yet.

What do you suggest? Simrad have the GO9 series with the 3 in 1 but I think it will struggle at the greater depths...will it?

There as so many units on the market. I dont know what to do.


Suggest away

[ranmar850]

I know what you mean about split screens. If I have to go back to one now, I'm ready to scream. People don't realise what a PITA, they are until they go to two separate units. How about the Simrad S2009? They are a fishfinder, vertical aspect, which will network with your other Simrad stuff. I'm not a Simrad person myself, But I did look into it when I was deciding on the new boat fitout a few years ago, and they looked like a good thing. perhaps others with Simrad knowledge would care to comment.

[scottar]

Furuno 588 or the Simrad S2009 if you want to network the unit.

[Brettoh]

I would love the simrad but from what I can see the unit is about $1700 or so and then the transducer cost is on top and they cost a fortune.

[ranmar850]

S2009 go around +/- $1300 pretty well anywhere. and don't you have a transducer already?

[scottar]

My take on it. The Simrad is a cheaper display but to get the best from it you do need to spend more on the transducer to get the performance achievable with the Furuno on something cheaper like a p66. Another option is the FCV 628 provided you can deal with the reduction in screen size and don't intend on fishing much deeper than 200 metres.

[BigE]

doing a bit of the same exercise myself except with garmin/furuno units.
never really played with Sim Rads
BigE

[Brettoh]

Its a tough game to play..always thinking what if...lol

[Brettoh]

Well, I have settled on a Furuno FCV 688. I was able to negotiate a good price and fortunately the redundant and not working Furuno soulder that was installed in toe boat when I bought it was coupled to a transducer that is mainstream for the 588 so I dont have to bother with that cost or installation problem.
The nesxt challenge is to connect the Furuno to the Simrad Evo 2. I have a wiring schematic but have no idea who might be able to make a connecting adaptor.

[ranmar850]

The Furuno will not network with the Simrad. In fact, those old-style Furunos won't network with anything, purely a standalone unit. You don't have modern functionality like being able to touch something on the sounder screen to place a waypoint, which is extremely handy if a feature has gone past on the screen as your back was turned at that time. A "module" apparently is available to do this, but it is more cost and an add-on, not really integrated.

[scottar]

Well, I have settled on a Furuno FCV 688. I was able to negotiate a good price and fortunately the redundant and not working Furuno soulder that was installed in toe boat when I bought it was coupled to a transducer that is mainstream for the 588 so I dont have to bother with that cost or installation problem.
The nesxt challenge is to connect the Furuno to the Simrad Evo 2. I have a wiring schematic but have no idea who might be able to make a connecting adaptor.

Without something like a markfish, the only thing to connect is the NMEA0183 output wires to the Furuno's input wires. The NSS used a lead that had NMEA0183 and Video outputs by their install manual - don't know if it came standard with the sets. The Furuno's wires are in the power lead.

[Brettoh]

Thanks guys.
Ive weighed it all up and Im happy with the choice of sounder. By all reports they are a fairly robust and do as advertised. Ill still have the ability to use the simrad as a sounder too. If the 2 ub=nits will run at the same time Ill have the ability to mark a place on the simrad even if I only see it on the furuno. I was leaning towards the GO9 as a a second unit but read lots about the lack of a button or knob made operation in lumpy conditions difficult with the touch only controls.
Anyway. Time will tell.

I appreciate all of the contributions guys. Thanks

[scottar]

Easy enough to mark it on the Furuno and manually transfer if required - just needs the NMEA connection.

[ranmar850]

You are right about all-touch screens on a boat. Wet fingers and a rocking boat are NOT a good combination. The hybrid systems are easily the best. The functionality of a fully networked system is hard to beat, but nothing wrong with 2 standalone units, it'll get the job done .

[Brettoh]

Easy enough to mark it on the Furuno and manually transfer if required - just needs the NMEA connection.

Yes I have the wiring map to do this. Ill see how I go with the 2 units running individually before going to the effort and expense of a cable. Im still going to keep the simrad operational with the totalscan transducer