With the recent introduction of Furuno's FI50 Instruments, Garmin's new instruments and autopilots and the existing full lines available from Raymarine and Simrad, all the the players have aligned themselves with complete soup-to-nuts packages.
At one time, you could make a case to buy Raymarine because you wanted the "complete look", consistant integration among the components and a one stop shop for warranty and service. I'm sure Raymarine sold a lot of value-added peripherals simply because the customer wanted all the complimentary gear to go with their radar or plotter.
But now that all the major manufacturers have the complete package, how does one go about choosing one over another?
A very common package if you wanted to go the Furuno route over Raymarine was to have a Furuno radar/Plotter and sounder, an Icom VHF, B&G instruments and a Simrad autopilot. You were getting the best of all worlds there as each were, and still may be, considered the best of their class.
Wouldn't you now just go with the Furuno pilot and VHF if your radar, plotter, sounder and instruments are all Furuno?
I really think this is going to minimize the cross pollination of vendors on new boats. Your going to have a "Garmin Boat or a "Raymarine Boat".
So where does that leave Icom or Standard (which was recently purchased by Motorola)? Where does it leave B&G?
B&G will keep it's niche in the racing/cruising sailboat scene. But Icom is an interesting free agent. Garmin needs a VHF now that they took on TR-1 autopilots. Maybe?
Anyway, this is nothing but good for the consumer in my opinion because it will force the manufacturers to make sure each component is better than the next guy's. In other words, Raymarine, for example, is not going to want to lose a whole package because they threw out an inferior VHF or their sounder was weaker than the competition. (I'm not saying they are, it's just an example.) They wouldn't want a potential customer saying, "I like most of their equipment, but I've heard the autopilot is terrible, so I'm going with a Simrad package."
Consolodating the manufacturers is not exactly the American way as far as free market capitalism goes, but life's too short to wade through 10 different radar choices for your boat.
Let's have a few make really great products and then support them 100% when you find the one's you like. The revenue will just allow them to keep innovating and the cream always rises to the top.
I'd really love to get rid of all my analog gauges and go with electronic instruments. Is there any product out there that can convert older analog senders to NMEA so I can do this?
I'm sure gald you are not doing my boat. I'd let you design the interior, because furnishings should match, but electronics are another matter. I realize that there are some pretty dumb owners out there, but why are you adding to their ignorance. I would want the best and most reliable equipment, regardless of manufacturer. There is nothing wrong with a Furuno package and a Simrad pilot. Or to use your example, a customer rejects a Raymarine system, because their VHF isn't that great? Come on now, Nothing wrong with an RM package and an ICOM VHF is there? Garmin makes a great plotter and a poor to fair sounder. Would you recommend to a die-hard fisherman to use their sounder because they already have their plotter?Â
Jeff, as a professional I would expect you to make recommendations based on a products performance, not it's "matching look". I would also expect your blog to not perpetuate marketing hype and honestly judge products and uses on their individual merits.
That's just my 2 cents as a seasoned professional.
People DO make decisions because they want their electronics to match. Jeff doesn't make people do that, but as a professional he recognizes it.
Sometimes there are cool features to be had be going with a single manufacturer. I can think of 2 things that I liked, the RM autopilot integration with the plotter (select a waypoint and have it automatically engage the ap). Another thing is the Simrad wireless remote that can control the AP, the plotter, and even act as a wireless VHF station. I really love this remote and considered getting a Simrad VHF just so I could use it. Would have also considered a plotter (and still might if they release a new one that has the features of the new Navnets, etc).
Another thing to consider is that manufacturers all know we want our boat to look good (and similar device looks help that). By bringing out complete lineups they are creating competition with each other. Garmin's new autopilot looks really good. Simrad and Furuno will have to work to keep up. Isn't that good for us?
This blog has reported lots of new electronics, use that information to educate yourself about what's important to you and make your decisions accordingly. As to Jeff doing your boat, I don't think that this, or any other article he's written, was designed to do your boat. If you want help there, tell him what's important to you, and I'm sure he could suggest a few directions for you to look at. Or better yet, hire a professional to design your system based on what's important to you (but remember, your perfect system might not be mine).
Jeff, for myself, it was an interesting read. Thanks for the info.
Well thanks to both of you for your comments. I've "done" hundreds of boats over the last 13 years and believe me, I've been the Furuno/Simrad combo platter guy for a long time. But things are different now. I would be suprised if you could honestly tell me that the Furuno pilot isn't going to steer your boat as well as a Simrad. And I do believe looks are important, both because the equipment will have complimentary buttons and features that makes learning the equipment easier and more intuitive. I also think that a mismatch of equipment on the dash does look worse than a "bridgeline" package, for resale and just general asthetics, this does matter. Happy Thanksgiving.
I wouldn't speak to the autopilot, but I have a hard time seeing how anybody is going to beat Icom at their game (not to contradict the author -- this is just a thought). Icom makes great stuff, and it is not especially expensive. A VHF installation is not too complicated -- and Icom even makes all three major colors: black, white and grey. I think companies like Raymarine and Furuno are going to find that tough to beat.
I had a Raymarine VHF that came with my boat and it worked well -- while it worked. It croaked about a year after I got it. That might not have been Raymarine's fault -- I never did find out what killed it -- but my Icom is the same age and still cranking along.Â
We'll see, but I'd bet money that companies that are best-of-breed in niche areas are going to reamain kings in their respective domains, so long as the products remain solid. Put another way, nobody is ever going to lose customers putting an Icom radio in a boat. Â Â
I agree, Icom is a good product. What happens if Garmin buys Icom? Would you then give more consideration to a Garmin system?
I think Jeff is saying (and I agree), that if all things were equal, many people would go with a single manufacturer for everything for looks and support. It looks cleaner and calling support would be easier if everything was Garmin, or Raymarine, etc. You would eliminate the "it's not our problem call the other guy" issue.