VesselView instead of N2K Gateway?

diggin2day1

I currently have a NEMA2000 Gateway which sends engine information(RPM, oil pressure, water temp, GPH, etc..) to my Garmin 741xs. My problem is that I am running out of "real estate" on my Chartplotter when all that info is displayed. I have a full set of analogue gauges that have been temperamental(especially the tach... Sometimes shows a 600rpm difference!). I am considering fabricating a new gauge panel and installing my Chartplotter and a VesselView 4 into it(and removing analogue gauges). If I were to do this, can I remove the Gateway from the system? Would the VesselView replace the Gateway and output the N2K data to the network? If so, I should still be able to view engine information on my Garmin 741xs right? 

LaRea

I'm not sure about the VesselView, but the MercMonitor (same product line) does not export data to the N2K network.  If VV is the same, you'd still need the gateway.

You and your boat will be much happier with an all-digital helm!  If you want to abandon the analog trim indicators, you'll need compatible trim sensors.  Same with fuel levels.  

On mine, even though the tachs are flaky, the engine sync gauge works fine.  If yours is the same, consider keeping the sync. 

diggin2day1

I crawled into the boat a little while ago... Pulled the gauge panel out and just for poops & giggles, I dry fitted the Garmin 741xs and the only place it would fit is dead center. That doesn't leave me enough room for the VesselView, but I might be able to squeeze a Garmin GMI 20 on each side of it... Oh man my "winter project wheels" are spinning full throttle!!!

diggin2day1

Here's a few pics of the GMI 20:

Stodge

I have my vessel view and GPS side by side in my dash.  Been really happy with that change.

Handymans342

Do you have any trouble seeing the screens in the day light?

rasbury

all that fancy stuff......are you guys trying to boat to Spain or something?

diggin2day1

It's nothing fancy... I look at it this way, it is winter time and I have the boat on blocks in my backyard... Perfect time to do some repairs/upgrades(which I enjoy doing). I would rather spend a few extra bucks and some "garage time" on something that I want and will enjoy looking at, than just slapping some new gauges in the dash. I am most likely going build a new dash out of Fiberglas and mount my Garmin 741xs and a VesselView 4 side by side into it... Honestly looking forward to it. 

Stodge

No Handy, I can see them fine.  But I pretty much always have the bimini up which give a bit of shade.

raybo3

I kind of agree with rasbury........... I want to ride my boat not play with electronics. I guess I am kinda old school. I am also not a big fan of touch screens especially on a boat that could be bouncing all around. I know I know but its just me....lol 

Handymans342

Ray thats exactly why you would love my boat. Nothing electronic except the radar and Lowrance. 

raybo3

Handy I am sure I would love your boat. However I love mine a whole bunch.....lol

LaRea

Man, my personality is at the opposite end of the spectrum.  I want full awareness of everything happening on and around my boat, all the time.  Engine data, nav data, radar, comms, weather, I want it all.  The more I can augment what my eyes and ears tell me, the happier I am.

And I love the autopilot.  I think it makes me more engaged with the boat, which some people might find counter-intuitive. 

I'm moving, gradually, to a mostly-digital or all-digital helm.  That's why discussions like this one always grab my attention.

Stodge

LaRea, if I could get my gas tank info onto my Vessel View I'd be all digital.  Sadly that's in the multi-gauge.  I'm the same way though.  I have DSC and AIS (for the freighters). 

Michael T

@LaRea, I.m with you.  I'm all digital with auto pilot and automatic fuel management - I love it, particularly being able to access all recorded data - temps, pressures, fluid levels, rpms, faults - all of it. 21st century. :-)

Handymans342

Just more to break MT and costs

Michael T

Steve, how are you managing to post to this forum with smoke signals, seeing as how you hate technology and don't believe in computers, eh? Is raybo3 giving you secret smoke signal access? Now I AM jealous! :-)

LaRea

More to break?  Handy speaks truth.  A boat is nothing but an integrated collection of things to break.  More systems = more things to break.  More data = more safety and, for some, more happiness.  And each captain gets to pick his/her comfort point.  It's a beautiful thing, no?

diggin2day1

What is more to break? The analogue gauges are getting their information from the same sensors as the VesselView.... The information is being transferred to the guages via wire/cables which is same as VesselView.... Analogue gauges transform that electrical signal into usable/readable information same as VesselView. 

raybo3

Hey MT trust me there are no smoke signals going to Handy..........lol but I do find him amusing..........lol 

Michael T

@raybo3, yes he is and even has great info - for a guy with diesels LOL.

Handymans342

Your bashing me Ray

Michael T

I think that was a compliment Steve, are you fishing for a hug?

Dream_Inn

Oh man, group hug here!  I could use one since my Buckeyes just lost today!

I will say my vesselview has helped me too many times to count when an alarm went off.  The last time was for low gear lube (it was not low, just needed a little playing with) and would not have found it.

raybo3

No way bro. I would never bash Handy. I gave you a compliment............

aero3113

Speaking of electronics, take a look at this set up! This is on a Gulfstream G650 I maintain. 

Michael T

That's real cool! Steve will have a heart attack at all the technology! I think he's a Wright Brothers flyer! LOL.

LaRea

When I dream boating dreams, they look like that.

Handymans342

Never heard of a 342 diesel crash 

Michael T

.....'cuase diesels don't fly Steve,.... they barely get on "plane"  LOL ....now a set of 496s or 502s - they FLY!

Handymans342

You bashing me MT or my boat?