Chartplotter upgrade C70 to GO9

[Carverlvr2]

For anyone considering an electronics upgrade, here’s what I found and conquered.
Bought the 2004 366 a few months ago on a lake I’ve never boated and the PO that promised to run through all the features of the boat and show me around the lake…well, doubt I’ll see him again. The existing (and I assume original) Raymarine C70 didn’t display anything but lines when I seatrialed. Also no maps Compact Flash card either). Fired up perfectly in the survey. Finally figured out they have a known connection issue on the screens. Took it all apart, fixed the connection issue, ordered the software update and an “old” maps card. After all that, the maps and info were still so basic, I didn’t feel comfortable sneaking into any coves and hoping it was deep enough with no submerged logs or rock walls. I’m an ex car stereo installer so not afraid to cut if I have to but REALLY prefer not to. Did tons of reading/digging and only found one post where a guy had the same same c70 and went to Simrad GO9 but no details of the install. So, I waited till the Black Friday deals and had both, the Raymarine Axiom 9 and the Simrad GO9 in my hands for about $500 ea. The Axiom has an adapter for exactly my conversion but it’s another $70 and raises the plotter off the dash. And it needs a $70 adapter to use their own (and more expensive) transducer…and could not see how detailed their Lighthouse Maps are. Figured it was going to cost another $300 vs the Simrad that just, and I mean just, fits in the same opening. The C70 cut in was rough and far from strait. I love how cleanly it fits and sits in the dash. Simrad P70 in-hull transducer plugs right in, and even has a 2nd SIM card slot for another maps card if I want. Now I can add engine data, fuel and water tank info, and battery management! I’d love to hear from anyone that’s added engine data from their 2004 or newer Volvo Penta 8.1’s, or added any other data to their MFD. I apologize in advance for pix loading sideways or in reverse order.

[bud37]

Your story brings back memories....I think you are right to move on from the c70. I did the same years back, between the outdated charts, no updated depth coverage for certain places, not intuitive etc etc. It was ok for some chart areas but not all.

Was going to use it for an MFD but I could never get it to talk to different units, like the depth/speed, radar, radio, engine..... even with an interface. Much easier to upgrade to current gen all the same.

Looks good in there.

[Carverlvr2]

Thanks. Funny part is I got the GO9 for $450 and sold the C70 for $200! And I’m not using the transducer that came with the go9 so I’ll probabaly sell it too. Next step (in the spring) is to run the new P70 ducer cable and NMEA 2k backbone from the engine room to the bridge. That should be “fun.” Once the network cable is in, I can start adding data to the screen.

[g36]

You can setup a nmea2000 backbone and purchase fox marine engine gateways for your engines and will able to show a bunch of your engine data on your new screens. Very nice to show this in real-time imo. The owner of fox marine is good to work with and help you get thus setup if you need it.

[Carverlvr2]

I’ve seen the Fox Marine mentioned and also Yacht Devices that appear a little less expensive. Are either really plug n play or is there more programming and conversions involved?
Anyone with experience on the smart shunts from Victron or Renogy? I’m reading that the BT is poor at best from Victron and it’s twice a much as the Renogy with an lcd monitor and bt. I like the idea of an easy reference monitor without having to connect my phone via yet another app.

[bud37]

QR_BBPOST Anyone with experience on the smart shunts from Victron or Renogy

Are you wanting to monitor the battery system ?....if you just want a good monitor and shunt the Victron 500amp BMV 700 is hard wired, don't need an app. I have had a couple in different boats.... they worked great for me, if wired correctly.

If I recall, there are others here that have/are using that unit.

[g36]

The fox marine gateways output the mefi computers data. Theres no setup to it except plugging each one into the engine data ports The setup is on the simrad and is basically going to the data inputs and selecting the info you want displayed labeling it correctly and where to see it on the screen/window. I use 2 lowrance hds units. since I had upgraded to a larger and touch screen a while back i use the smaller one to display both engine data and the other for the navigation,camera depth etc. I could overlay the info on my one display also if i wanted. this works great with my 97 carver. You need to verify which mefi you have and this can be done by contacting fox marine. Any doubt sending a pic of the back of it will indicate to them what you have. If you don't want a nmea2000 setup you can also output the live data to a ipad or Android phone using the fox app

[g36]

I also have the victron battery monitor and monitor both my battery and solar setup. Newer ones have Bluetooth which I have had no issues with. But if you don't want to use the app just use the guage

[KyleR]

I also have the victron battery monitor and monitor both my battery and solar setup. Newer ones have Bluetooth which I have had no issues with.

I have the Victron BMV-712 with Bluetooth and have never had any issues connecting, which I do multiple times a day to keep an eye on things.

[Midnightsun]

I went the easy route and used a Victron Bluetooth shunt. Easy to install and the app is your gauge. The app also lets me see all my other Victron devices and their functionality in one place. Really like this approach. https://www.amazon.ca/Victron-SmartShun ... rce=1&th=1