[C320-list] Replacing Nav Instruments

[Troy Dunn]

Warren-

If I understand correctly, you are looking to replace the chart plotter and
the instrument heads (the displays for wind/depth/speed) with something
that isn’t super fancy but also doesn’t require a masters degree in
electronics to get working and use.    I think Raymarine is essentially the
"Apple" of the marine world.  You pay a little more but "it just works".
  When I replaced my ST60 displays I went to a tridata display for depth
and speed (and sea temp) so that I could add my autopilot without
installing a new navpod for the displays.   I kept the ST 60 for wind and
used an ITC-5 converter to get the wind info onto the newer SeatalkNG (aka
NMEA 2000) network.   Wonky Dog did not have a chart plotter so I did have
to install a new navpod for the chart plotter.  I went with an Axiom Pro
12.   It does display depth, wind, etc on the chart plotter itself but I
like having those numbers displayed nice and large.   You can see my
installation in my owners gallery.  There is a sub album there called helm.

Troy Dunn
Hull #514
Wonky Dog

On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 8:52 PM Warren Updike via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Our 320 is 1994. GPS failed years ago and I wired-in a Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx
> to provide the GPS signal. That worked fine for a long time but now, the
> other instruments have lost clarity and are hard to see in daylight. I'd
> like to replace most of them with a Chart-Plotter, but am faced with the
> old wiring and network protocol. I'm in my 80's and the brain don't process
> well or fast.
>
> Hopefully, there are owners of similar 320 generations out there who have
> faced this upgrade and can offer some advice on how to approach the
> project. I'm not against spending the money, but don't need to go overboard
> either. We sail on the Chesapeake Bay so our need for anything other than
> low-end instruments.
>
> Thanks for any advice you may offer,
> Warren Updike
> 8800 Walther Blvd: Apt 4307
> Parkville, MD  21234
> (C) 410-790-4014
> (H) 410-657-1311
>
>