Furuno to Garmin?

[Big D]

...Technology has come a long way from the days of flashers!

Believe it or not they still make modern higher tech versions of those.

[Commissionpoint]

...Technology has come a long way from the days of flashers!

Believe it or not they still make modern higher tech versions of those.

Yes, I have a screen I can flip to which interprets the transducer data and renders it on the display in that format. I don't find it awfully useful compared to the other views though. Maybe I'm just not old enough to know what the hell I am looking at and how to interpret it. I harken from the days of paper graphs and early CRT sounders. That flasher stuff is slightly before my time.

[Big D]

.....I harken from the days of paper graphs...

Funny you should mention that too. Up until the most recent technology, there were some units actually preffered over an electronic display as the resolution was much better on paper. And as far as it being before your time.....show off

[Commissionpoint]

.....I harken from the days of paper graphs...

Funny you should mention that too. Up until the most recent technology, there were some units actually preffered over an electronic display as the resolution was much better on paper. And as far as it being before your time.....show off

Somewhere around here there is a SiTex 4 inch paper grapher. Its with a bunch of other vintage marine stuff I got from my dad. There is a Motorola VHF with crystals in it in that lot too with its original bright yellow carrying case. It all still works, so I hang onto it. I completely agree about the resolution of the paper graph. Its pretty darned good, even by todays standards. Putting ink into the stylus and changing rolls is kind of a pain. Having those rolls to look over later at home is kinda nice though.

Oh, and BTW, somebody has to represent the under 40 set here.

[Big D]

......Oh, and BTW, somebody has to represent the under 40 set here.

That a boy

[Larrys78]

All in one is great! Until the screen goes black. Then it's finger in the wind and your compass. Food for thought. They will have to pry my Furuno from my wet clammy hands before I will give it up.

[Commissionpoint]

All in one is great! Until the screen goes black. Then it's finger in the wind and your compass. Food for thought. They will have to pry my Furuno from my wet clammy hands before I will give it up.

Well, if it goes black you had better hope you can Fonzi that puppy (hit it and make it work again) or go to that plan B you mentioned. I like to add the wristwatch into the plan B equation you mentioned.

Maybe I should put that yellow case with the Modar Triton 55/75 in it onboard somewhere. 35 years later and that thing is still going like a Timex.

[tsawyer]

If I'm crossing to the islands I carry my handheld GPS as a backup. I can pretty much find my way up and down the coast without a GPS. I've not had this boat down to the keys yet, but you would definitely need it down there. I'd take my backup there too

I do use it locally to be more efficient and can pick up nav aides onscreen before you can see them, but I won't get lost offshore. Florida is kinda hard to miss

I understand the idea of having the all in one break, but I don't really want three units at the helm.

[Larrys78]

In the a Pacific NW its Fog and Shipping lanes that makes Radar a must. At times you my not be able to see the water at all in front of your bow.

[Big D]

.... still going like a Timex.

Timex? OK, now I know you're over 50

[Commissionpoint]

.... still going like a Timex.

Timex? OK, now I know you're over 50

http://www.timex.com/

[Big D]

.... still going like a Timex.

Timex? OK, now I know you're over 50

http://www.timex.com/

Oh I know they're still around, but you can't fool me, you were referring to the "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin" commercials of when I was a kid

[Commissionpoint]

Timex? OK, now I know you're over 50

http://www.timex.com/

Oh I know they're still around, but you can't fool me, you were referring to the "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin" commercials of when I was a kid

I definately was making a nod to that ad campaign. John Cameron Swayze. They ran with that for quite awhile. Heres one from your day, and one from my day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHq3Yze6s0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RiqTR7xQLs

Whats this got to do with Furuno? I dunno, nothing probably but they are still cool ads and they both have boats as a theme.

[Big D]

That first one is before my time. Did you catch the difference in price? Which brings me back to the Furuno; they were pretty adamant a few years ago that they wouldn't go the touch screen route but they finally caved in to consumer demand, and I must say that unlike their predecessors, they are very intuative/easy to use but much different price point than most of the stuff mentioned earlier. Very nice system for sure. Expensive, but worth it if in the budget.

[Commissionpoint]

I guess all companies that want to remain relevant inwhatever market need to bow to consumer demands to some degree. Furuno going touch screen. Garmin going with wristwatch GPS models. And even Timex introducing quartz movements. Look what happened with Makers Mark this month. Total backtrack due to consumer outrage.

It will be interesting going forward what developments will occur in marine electronics. Just when we think we have everything, something new comes along. Garmin is integrating touchscreen GPS into two way radio devices for use in the woods. Will a handheld marine VHF with a touchscreen GPS be next? The technology sure exists for it right now. Will such a thing ever come to market? Its definately possible.