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Electronics Suite installation cost

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by petrel, Aug 26, 2020.

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  1. petrel, Sep 1, 2020
    #21
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    Well that is where I am now. I am deciding between Furuno and Garmin. This boat had Furuno equipment on it that performed great for over 20 years. I've taken a serious look at Garmin, but I keep circling back to Furuno for their sounder.

    After over 40 years of dragging baits for pelagics, I have been bitten by the deep drop bottom fishing bug. A great bottom machine and transducer can make snooping around for live bottom, ledges, and the proper substrate at over 100 fathoms much more effective. So far, I think Furuno is the tool for that job. However, I would welcome other's opinions.
  2. bayoubud, Sep 1, 2020
    #22
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Like you, I've had fishing boats up until now for many years. All of them had some Furuno electronics. Furuno has always had good support., even on older models. They did lose ground to Garmin and others but seem to be coming back strong. Been watching your 43 Viking refit, a classic SF for sure. She will be good as new when you finish. We had a 45 Viking years back, one of my favorite boats we owned.
  3. petrel, Sep 2, 2020
    #23
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    Thanks. Unfortunately, in order to reduce the scope of the job, and preserve the yard owner's sanity, I've decided to table the new salon floor and fish box ice maker until next fall. That will also give me more time and access to finish renovating the engine room before I add more equipment.

    I hope to have the quote on a Furuno setup soon. I am looking forward to making a decision and putting an end to my new hobby of watching youtube videos and reading reviews on marine electronics!
  4. Capt J, Sep 2, 2020
    #24
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I have no issues with Garmin sounders, they work well. As a package I much much prefer Garmin and their equipment works very well. Furuno works well too, but getting through the menu's and stuff drives me bonkers. I also recently ran one with Furuno vztouch and kept losing WAAS signal and you'd get an error and cancel it, then chartplotter would zoom way in and every ten minutes have to keep canceling it and changing the plotter distance back.........
  5. petrel, Sep 2, 2020
    #25
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    Thanks for your insights. Do you recall what year the problematic Furuno equipment was?
  6. Capt J, Sep 2, 2020
    #26
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I don't know the exact year, but a few years old. It was the GPS antannae I'm sure, but everytime there's an error it would change the chartplotter setting and zoom really close in. Their interface is just clunky.
  7. petrel, Sep 2, 2020
    #27
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    I think it was only very recently that they made the move to a more user friendly interface and system integration. A year or two ago, I would have only gone with Garmin. However, from what I've seen of Furuno's newest systems coupled with their overall reputation, I feel obliged to take a look.
  8. d_meister, Sep 2, 2020
    #28
    d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    Could it have been arrival at waypoint? The gear we had on the last delivery did that. The plotter was Nobeltec TZ, though, but there's been a lot of incest in the Furuno/Nobeltec/MaxSea relationships over the last few years. They both use "TZ" branded software, yet neither credits the other or their past relationships on their websites. Furuno once owned MaxSea, whom Nobeltec credits with developing their "TZ".
  9. motoryachtlover, Sep 2, 2020
    #29
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I to was concerned about learning Furuno having come from Garmin. What drove the decision for me was that Garmin no longer accommodates Explorer charts for the Bahamas whereas Furuno gives you the choice to buy them. Overall the system was fairly easy to learn. I have 2018 TZT 2s. Still learning but so far so good. I can recommend the modern Furuno TZT 2s without reservation. I believe there is an new version of the TZ touch series now.
  10. petrel, Sep 8, 2020
    #30
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    They are up to TZT3 now. My dealer is consulting with Furuno for a final quote, which I had hoped to have by now.
  11. Alzira II, Sep 8, 2020
    #31
    Alzira II

    Alzira II Member

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    Why furuno and not garmin? I always assumed garmin was the most popular go to system. Is there some advantage to furuno? Better radar? Autopilot? Customer service?
  12. motoryachtlover, Sep 8, 2020
    #32
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Furuno carries a reputation for product support for old units and their radar has a reputation for being superior, but their known for being hard to learn. Garmin has a reputation for being user friendly and innovation but does not support older product. I think that is a fair and balanced assessment.
  13. Alzira II, Sep 8, 2020
    #33
    Alzira II

    Alzira II Member

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    Thanks for this.
  14. petrel, Sep 9, 2020
    #34
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    I haven't made the final decision yet. IMHO Furuno sounders and radar are hard to beat, but Garmin's user interface is definitely a weekend boater's friend. However, I watched a video on Furuno's new TZT3 displays that seemed to demonstrate a new commitment to ease of use. It will be a tough decision.
  15. bayoubud, Sep 9, 2020
    #35
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Two years ago I was making the same decision. The tech told me the same as you just posted. He also said Garmin was getting ready to cancel support for some equipment that as not very old. Not familiar with the models he was referring to. Went with Furuno TZ t2 units with no regrets because of having longterm Furuno ownership and past customer support. Had a Furuno 3d unit on our last boat which was complicated to operate, but always worked. The new TZ t3 looks good, also has a pin code lock that protects your data...favorite spots! Good idea.
  16. PacBlue, Sep 9, 2020
    #36
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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  17. petrel, Sep 10, 2020
    #37
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    That searchlight style sonar is a whole other game. I did not budget for that, although it would be quite nice. I understand that typically they work better on a bigger boat too.
  18. PacBlue, Sep 10, 2020
    #38
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    It is a high end luxury device for sure. Out West I have seen them on Sport-fishers as small as 35’, definitely committed as they take a 6” or 8” hole in your boat plus enough free and clear bilge space/height.
  19. petrel, Sep 10, 2020
    #39
    petrel

    petrel Member

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    Yes, it is quite an apparatus!
  20. Brian Koch, Dec 3, 2020
    #40
    Brian Koch

    Brian Koch New Member

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    A simple rule of thumb is roughly 4 hours per screen, 6 hours on radar, 14 hours on autopilot plus fluids fittings and hoses, some will flat rate the pilot install including all hoses fluids and fitting at $1500, minimum of 2 hour on transducer unless its tank mounted, VHF 2 hours, antennas 1 hour, stereo 2 hours, amps 2 plus hours, speakers 2 hours per pair on a fresh install
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