Marine electronic networks

[petrophobe]

New Coho Offshore should be done in July. Debating Garmin GPS map 4200 multifiunction network/radar/sonar/VHF/fuel sensor combo VERSUS Raymarine multifunction network. Seems like the commercial boats lean toward Raytheon. Touchscreen isn't going to work in cold weather is it? Anybody think HD radar is worth the price for a small recreational cruiser?
:question:

 

[potbuilder]

New Coho Offshore should be done in July. Debating Garmin GPS map 4200 multifiunction network/radar/sonar/VHF/fuel sensor combo VERSUS Raymarine multifunction network. Seems like the commercial boats lean toward Raytheon. Touchscreen isn't going to work in cold weather is it? Anybody think HD radar is worth the price for a small recreational cruiser?
:question:

Commercial lean toward Furuno.

 

[kodiakrain]

Commercial lean toward Furuno.

ABSOLUTELY, ...........Furuno.

 

[Kidless]

If your looking for marine electronics, he's no longer a Furuno deler; they finally dropped him & he just recently became a Raymarine distributor back in Nov..

Also, Polar wire is now a Raymarine distributor & has a shop & techs to install the same product w/ good service {before, during, & after}!

New Coho Offshore should be done in July. Debating Garmin GPS map 4200 multifiunction network/radar/sonar/VHF/fuel sensor combo VERSUS Raymarine multifunction network. Seems like the commercial boats lean toward Raytheon. Touchscreen isn't going to work in cold weather is it? Anybody think HD radar is worth the price for a small recreational cruiser?
:question:

 

[Glaciercraft]

Petrophobe,
I personally would stick with Furuno equipment, although the new Raymarine stuff is very nice also.

 

[Kidless]

Correction - update; Glaciercraft is not on the Raymarine distributor / sales listing. Appears the only game in Anchorage for Raymarine products is Polar Wire & West Marine.

 

[Glaciercraft]

Kidless,
You are correct, we decided not to become a Raymarine dealer, rather we have decided to purchase all of our marine electronics though large distribution, saving us and the customer money. The decision was mostly based on West Marine, Port Supply and other large venders and their ability to buy the equipment at much better pricing than any small dealer. West Marine or Port Supply can also sell at any pricing they want, where as the small dealers are bound to MAP pricing and we don't get the big fat year end kick back checks like the big boys do.
As for Furuno, after being the only dealer/service center for the last ten years in Anchorage, with little to no support from the factory we felt that renewing our dealer agreement with them was not in our best interest. Giving us the ability to purchase any and all marine electronics available to the public through large distribution saving us and the customer money in the long run.
We will now be able to sell Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad, Garmin, ect. without any conflict of interest and binding factory dealer agreements.
We are making many changes in how we do business, how to better serve the customer and how to save money.
I hope you are enjoying your boat, it was one of the nicest boats we put out last year.
Good Luck and Take care!

 

[kodiakrain]

Giving us the ability to purchase any and all marine electronics available to the public through large distribution saving us and the customer money in the long run.
We will now be able to sell Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad, Garmin, ect. without any conflict of interest and binding factory dealer agreements.
We are making many changes in how we do business,
how to better serve the customer and how to save money.

Hey G, I sure appreciate your perspective on this and sounds like a good business move,
Electronics,.....So many to choose from, I personally appreciate a business that carries them all if that is possible vs. the exclusivity deal. :topjob:

Now I gotta ask, as a dealer in the stuff, what's your opinion, on the OP's questions concerning cold weather and touchscreens, as well the value of HD radar for any of us?
(HD in radar,.... sounds good to the gearhead, have you viewed one in the real world,......
as in, at night, offshore,.... anything to it, or just fancy marketing?)

What's the current sales pitch? Thanks

 

[Glaciercraft]

K,
I am not a big fan of any touch screen unit. I do not like finger prints on my screen, especially if they have fish slime on them.
I'm not sure the cold weather will effect the screen performance. They do not use a heat sensitive screen like an iphone, it is pressure sensitive.
HD digital radar is the best that I have seen, depending on who's it is. The digital radar from Furuno and Raymarine is outstanding! The HD stuff from Garmin is total crap in comparison. The radar from Simrad is also very good, but not as good as Furuno or Raymarine in my opinion.
I have been running the new digital radar from Furuno for the last two seasons and I love it. Zero wait time redraw and instant zoom in and out on range scales. Color density returns just like a sounder, very easy to understand what you are looking at and how dense it is. Is it a big steel boat, fiberglass, wood ect.
Great system, well worth the money.

 

[pacific23]

Check prices at www.boemarine.com those guys are great to deal with and usually have awesome pricing.

And I LOVE my Furuno equipment .

 

[Glaciercraft]

Check prices at www.boemarine.com those guys are great to deal with and usually have awesome pricing.

And I LOVE my Furuno equipment .

I think I speak for all small business's, spend your money where you make your money and it will pay off in the long run.
It's pretty tough to take your boat in to the guy's at boemarine if your having trouble. There is nothing like being able to have a tech look at your equipment directly and diagnose the problem. Thats tough to do over the phone.

 

[pacific23]

Just trying to help someone save some MONEY and yer right that equipment that you Plug in can be very difficult to work with and buying from a MARINE ELECTRONICS DEALER that carries everything .
I can tell you one thing ANYONE that has dealt with www.boemarine.com WILL deal with them again when another purchase is needed.

I have no interest or receive ANY compansation for sales from BOE , just trying to help a fellow boater out with time and money.

Later Dude...

 

[Kidless]

Hi Pacifc23, thanks for the additional marine electronics link.

Just trying to help someone save some MONEY and yer right that equipment that you Plug in can be very difficult to work with and buying from a MARINE ELECTRONICS DEALER that carries everything .
I can tell you one thing ANYONE that has dealt with www.boemarine.com WILL deal with them again when another purchase is needed.

I have no interest or receive ANY compansation for sales from BOE , just trying to help a fellow boater out with time and money.

Later Dude...

 

[jrogers]

It is pretty amazing on how everyone has nothing but good to say about BOEMarine. These forumns can really work for (or against) a business, depending on your reputation.

 

[kodiakrain]

Modern Electronics, Absolutely DIY

Modern Electronics, Absolutely DIY

It's pretty tough to take your boat in to the guy's at boemarine if your having trouble. There is nothing like being able to have a tech look at your equipment directly and diagnose the problem. Thats tough to do over the phone.

Well, I've just got to respond to this idea, for the sake of the guys who may be setting up their new system or upgrading these days,

In my opinion, "This idea that you' d better pay heavy, cause you MIGHT need local tech support for your electronics,
is a total mislead and a non issue in every way."

I realize GC is a local biz owner, and as nice as it is to buy local, which I support for other reasons, I have been hearing this line from local Electronics dealers for so long, then looking at the mark up on prices for support that you'll probably never need, it's just not real and I believe should be corrected.

If you want to spend thousands to support the local guy, that's cool, just don't do it for fear of being without tech or even installation support.

In my years as a Commercial Fisherman, I have completely outfitted Electronically four different vessels with highend packages, one vessel had in excess of twenty thousand worth of electronics.
and I HAVE NEVER seen a modern electronics item fail.
They're just too solid state these days, Radars, Plotters Sounder etc. will last far longer than your patience with the technology.

Second, the installation is too easy, if you can wire stuff up at all. And the idea that the local small business can stay up to date with the rapid pace of technology (unless they were in Close Relationship with the parent company) is almost impossible.

So as a result of that extra money you spent, the tech guy will probably be coming down at $90/hr to ask if you have a manual they can read for troubleshooting ideas.

In my yrs I have only had minor troubles with two ComNav Autopilots, both were installed by other owners, with drive pumps that were under spec'd and once I called the parent company, talked with their tech guys, diagnosed/troubleshot over the phone, ordered the right part, installed myself, Both have never had a problem since.

My favorite company of High Reputation, is Consumer Marine Electronics, an east coast online company that has Stellar sales guys who know their equipment as well as any in the biz,
as well as knowing the marine industry, those guys will sell you what you need and not any more, get the stuff to AK quick and inexpensively,
then, you'll slap it in yourself sticking with the directions, using good wiring practices, Never a Problem again

At least until the newest and greatest thing comes out,.....

Not trying to steal business from anyone, just feel that quote, is a marketing strategy that is being used on a site where we are all brothers and friends asking and giving advice, should get good, HONEST advice, and in my opinion again, that is absolutely not Real

 

[petrophobe]

Thanks for the opinions. Sounds like Furuno has a loyal following. Now, how about the networking of radar sounder plotter VHF and fuel consumption all into one multifunction electronic unit?

 

[Snowwolfe]

New Coho Offshore should be done in July. Debating Garmin GPS map 4200 multifiunction network/radar/sonar/VHF/fuel sensor combo VERSUS Raymarine multifunction network. Seems like the commercial boats lean toward Raytheon. Touchscreen isn't going to work in cold weather is it? Anybody think HD radar is worth the price for a small recreational cruiser?
:question:

As a person who has kicked around ordering bigger ocean boat for years it is currently narrowed down to a Sea Wolf, Thunderjet Offshore, or GC. How long from the day you ordered it to your scheduled July finish date?

BTY, I purchased most of my electronics from BOE and they are a top rate outfit.

 

[petrophobe]

How long from the day you ordered it to your scheduled July finish date?

How long from the day you ordered it to your scheduled July finish date?

Snowwolfe,
Thanks for the opinion on BOE.

I was lucky enough to pick up a GC order that had been in the hopper for a while, but the original person got deployed and have to give it up. Appreciate the sacrifices our soldiers make. Coho supposed to hit the jig this month then into the cradle. My understanding is 18 mo to 2 yrs for a new order. Someone remarked that their boat was about 6 weeks behind at one point. SR at GC has been fine to work with so far.

 

[Kidless]

Why are you still reflecting both Furuno & Raymarine advertisement banners on your Glacier craft facebook page? From your previous reply, I thought you were no longer a dealer for either product? Has this decision just recently changed? :hmmmm:
Glacier Craft Boats, LLC.
Is adding Raymarine to our flagship of high end marine electronics.

Glacier Craft Boats, LLC.
Authorized Furuno dealer since 1997

[

Kidless, You are correct, we decided not to become a Raymarine dealer, As for Furuno, after being the only dealer/service center for the last ten years in Anchorage, with little to no support from the factory we felt that renewing our dealer agreement with them was not in our best interest. ]

 

[Glaciercraft]

Alaska R&C Communications, Inc is no longer a dealer for Furuno. Glacier Craft Boats, LLC has taken over all of the marine electronics and aspects there of.
Glacier Craft Boats, LLC is a dealer for Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad, Northstar, Icom, Standard Horizon and many more. GCB will no longer be bound by factory direct dealer contracts, that inhibit us to what and who we can sell for. GCB will retain factory support with Garmin, Icom, Northstar, Standard Horizon and many more but we have chosen to drop factory contracts that inhibit us from selling other manufacturers or that may cause a conflict of interest. GCB will be dealers of all of these products but we will no longer have any conflict of interest. This will better serve our customers with lower pricing and more choices.
GCB will still be the only shop in Anchorage with a factory trained and certified radar technician to repair and service Furuno, Simrad, Raymarine, Northstar and Garmin.