www.iFourWinns.com

Just wondering if anyone is using the DSM module with the C80 on their Vista? My electronics package has a C80 with radar but the DSM was not installed. A basic 235k depth transducer was installed and is connected to the C80 as a NMEA0183 device. This only affords me a depth display but no shallow water alarm. I was looking at upgrading to a DSM300 but I also need to upgrade the transducer. If I upgrade, is a brass transducer better than the plastic currently installed?

Just wondering how others are using the C80/C120. We primarily do river boating so having a depth sounder would be helpful. I can add another depth display(Garmin GMI10) but I'm not sure where to mount it with everything else is on the helm.

Just looking for ideas as I assemble my to do list.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

(I am loathe to post when I don't think my advice will absolutely be helpful, but it's January, snowing and I'm losing my mind)


Are you also asking if you can simply leave the current transducer in place? As you may know, Raymarine transducers use a seven pin connector to interface with the DSM and that is different than the five pin NMEA connection your current transducer likely uses to connect to the C80, so I doubt they would be compatible and an upgrade would be absolutely be necessary.

I tend to do things over-the-top so I am the last person who should be saying this, but spending what will amount to $1,000 to add a depth alarm seems hefty. If you can figure out where to put it, the Garmin or another NMEA compatible display would seem to make sense both in terms of expense and not having to put another hole in the boat's bottom. Although I just took a look at the V338 helm and it certainly will be a challenge to find the space.

I have generally found Raymarine tech support to be very responsive (phone and email) and, obviously, a Ray dealer will have the answer and likely have some alternatives we might not think of.

Let us know - now I'm curious (and I hope I was at least moderately helpful)!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I appreciate any and all info. Yes, I have already discovered that the compatible transducer is different than what is installed. At least the hole size is the same and I can easily reach it. I was just wondering if brass would be better than the plastic transducer that matches the dsm.

I am ebay surfing and hope to do the dsm and transducer for under $500.00. I'm willing to wait. That would be worth the hassle of having to find a space to mount another device. I love Vessel View but don't like how FW is mounting it to the far left of the helm. I'll explore those options next. Maybe Smartcraft gauges would be better.

I guess the mid winter blues are catching up with me.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Yes, get brass. Plastic won't hold up if you are pulling the boat in the winters. It will get brittle.

I've been very happy with the DSM300 & C80 on my boat. That is, until it crapped out on me.

I show water temps over 200 degrees, no sonar, and no depth support.

Raymarine has given me some troubleshooting info -- and it's all under warranty. We're not sure if it's the x-ducer or sounder module itself. I'll fix it when I haul the boat out in march...

If I could go a different direction in electronics, I'd go to Garmin and dump everything else. But... mine came with the boat... and it has all the features I need right now.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I'm with you. The C80 came with the boat but given the chance, I would have gone another direction. Thanks for the input on the transducer. Hope they get your issue straightened out. Any idea what transducer you have?

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

When I bought my boat, the previous owner ripped out the C80 , DSM, and GPS Antenna. He left the transducer (Brass)—would have left a big hole in the bottom if the "Clown" pulled that out too, tougher to sell the boat—. I reinstalled all the above, I did go with the DSM 30, not the larger one (DSM 300, I believe). Overall it was a pretty simple task. Any raymarine dealer should be able to answer the differences in components, but if you are getting conflicting info, I did a ton of research on the C80 raymarine and associated products—I may have something helpful to offer. My last boat had the Garman, I liked the setup and software much better—I am in total agreement with the above comments.

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PANACEA
2007 V288
Twin VP 5.0GXi/Sx
5K Kohler

Is a shallow water alarm really going to make any difference? If you're moving it certainly won't help, you'll already be run aground by the time the alarm notices. Are the charts for your area inaccurate?

If I were to add the fishfinder I'd probably choose the brass transducer. I've considered adding it but, truth be told, I don't need it and haven't been in situations where it would have helped me any. I don't fish so it'd be a waste there too.

Now, if I were to squander some coin I'd love to consider getting a side-scan sonar setup. If just to get a peek at the bottom as we motor around.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I am professional marine pilot and I can tell you that I do use all kinds of different marine equipment, and as far as I am concerned, the C80 is not that bad at all! I have used it extensively on a trip I did last summer and that the shallow water alarm works fine on my boat..I think one of the big drawback I found was that when you zoom out the display on the electronic chart, you lose some shoals that could get you into trouble!!!! I am quite impressed with the radar too, comparing to commercial grade,when it is tuned properly, you can pick up really small targets..Overall I think it is pretty good!

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Dan
2008 V318 5.7 Gi
KAMARIA