Is a Raymarine E80 a simple swap out of a C80?

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:34 pm

My 318 is comin with the C80 display (I had no say in it). I'm liking the added specs of the E80.

Is the swap out a simple one? I would think so, but who'd done it or heard of it done?

I feel like I could sell my C80 and pick up an E80 at a great price, and the upgrade would be priced pretty reasonably...

SW Florida Dave · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:45 pm

As far as I am aware it should almost be plug and play, the main changes are contained in the display, I think you can just change out the unit and connect it to the raydome, tranducer and VHF radio interface. I personally would have a marine electronis guy do the change out so he can run the self checks with your dome and other componets to make sure that everything is working and talking. I had my guy set up the Sirius weather radar also just to make sure everthing would overlay correctly.

Sierra · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:13 pm

I have no experience with the C series but have loved the E80. If you want to get crazy like me, wire the video out of the E80 to the video in on your salon TV - great for keeping an eye on things when on the hook and down below. See it here.

SW Florida Dave · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:46 pm

Sierra, the link back in time to tie in to the salon tv is a great idea. With sirius weather that would really helpful here in Florida with our summer afternoon storms. I gotta do do that one. Thanks for the idea!!

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:52 pm

I've been poking around on this a bit and it does sound like a simple swap out.

I may see what the ebay market looks like for a C80 come spring and look at the E. However, I am going to try the C80 for a while so I can better understand just how much that upgrade helps.

Sierra · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:03 pm

And to help get you through the next few months, get your Navionics card, buy this card reader, download the free Ray Tech RNS software from the Raymarine site and plot some courses. The software gives you a reasonable feel for the interface and they've been promising an update (now due in December) which I expect to be a marked improvement.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:08 pm

Is the update slated for the e or c series or both?

I'll definitely have to look into that... heck - I still need to figure out what nav card to get.

Sierra · **Posted:** Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:21 pm

I forgot that the current version of the software is only for the E Series. I'm not sure about the update, but Raymarine is good with email response and I would expect they would tell you.

Assuming you are lake boating in Washington State, this is your Navionics card. You would have to check to see if it includes your specific lake.

Another consideration in the display swap is Sirius Weather if you plan to subscribe. My understanding is that the C Series and E Series use different Sirius Weather receivers (SR 50 vs. SR 100) so you would likely have to swap that as well.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:02 am

Jim at BOE worked a deal for me to swap the factory supplied C80 with an E80. Don't know that he still does that or not.

But you have to ask yourself is there something in the E80 you need? I got it because the only way to do weather was with the E-series. Now that there's an interface for the C-series I'm not sure I'd bother. The 3D capability is pretty much worthless. Yeah, it looks cool and all but I've never, ever found use for it during regular use. None. And even as a gee-whiz demo it's sorta pointless as guests are pretty much overwhelmed by even the basic chartplotting stuff.

As for PC-based chartplotter, get MapTech's Chart Navigator Pro. It comes with a dozen DVDs of charts and is arguably the best PC-based program out there. It's a private-label of Rosepoint's Coastal Explorer (just with all of Maptech's US charts). Boatfix.com had the best deal on it when I got mine.

Raymarine's PC program is utter garbage. It's slow, unstable and really not worth the hassle, CERTAINLY not worth paying to own.

Importing/exporting routes and tracks seems like a cool idea. But, frankly, unless you're planning long routes on a sailboat it's not something you'll bother doing.

Hate to burst the bubbles, but spend the money elsewhere.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:12 pm

I think those are extremely valid points - which is way I'll probably hold off on that one until there is something I "need" that the C80 doesn't offer - or doesn't do well enough.

I was just wondering if it was a simple swap - which it turns out it pretty much is with a couple of considerations...

Sierra · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:22 pm

wkearney99 wrote:

Raymarine's PC program is utter garbage. It's slow, unstable and really not worth the hassle, CERTAINLY not worth paying to own.

Fortunately, the program is free. You do have to buy a proprietary Navionics card reader. I use the program extensively and, while it certainly is not perfect, I have never found it to be slow or unstable. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they bring with the new version.

Quote:

Importing/exporting routes and tracks seems like a cool idea. But, frankly, unless you're planning long routes on a sailboat it's not something you'll bother doing.

That is obviously a personal preference with how you boat. I am among many boaters I know who enjoy plotting routes at home as opposed to being relegated to the helm for all of your plotting. I also find using a mouse much more user-friendly than using the cursor on the chartplotter, particularly when planning long routes. I always have a laptop along when I'm cruising and having the flexibility to sit down below, on a friend's boat or even at a picnic table at the marina has really enhanced my enjoyment of plotting and cruising in general. I also like that with the Raymarine software I am viewing precisely the same cartography on the computer that I see in the chartplotter when underway. Although all charts will show the same essential information, for me, there is something nice about the familiarity.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:26 pm

Yes, sorry I didn't mention the process. I don't remember exactly what I had to do. I do recall their being at least one cable I had to change (power I think, possibly nmea too). But the radar and seatalk cabling was the same. Oh, and I think the E-series handles NMEA2000, not sure about the C-series. And of course the E-series supports ethernet but I'm only using it for the weather box. The c-series weather box doesn't use ethernet.

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Is a Raymarine E80 a simple swap out of a C80?

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