Albin Owners Group

I had a Furuno 1833 radar/plotter installed when I purchased my boat in '02. A couple of weeks prior to me hauling it for the winter this past fall the radar became "intermittent". Time for an upgrade.
I had two local business' look at my boat and one quoted a price of $1800.00 (for installation only!) while the other one quoted $750.00 for installation.

I ordered a Furuno TZtouch and my son looked at the stall guide.

My son (BTW, an engineering major student at a Boston college) told me that he could install it.....His words: "How hard can it be? Mount the dome, connect it and run the wires as we remove the old ones... Do the same for the display module...

This makes sense to me....

Have any of you ever installed a radar/gps unit?

I am willing to give it a shot.....at least we can mount the dome, (where the previous one was), run the wires, etc..

What do you think?

Mike

oops....
I posted this in the wrong forum - my bad

I've installed several electronics packages, both in my own boats as well as my parents and friends. Some systems are simpler than others (my 4g radar was no harder than wiring a home computer network), but I think any modern system can be installed by someone who can read and follow directions, reguardless or degree...

and if you need to you can have a "pro" come onboard to make final adjustments (ours had the targets off by about 10 degrees) he charged a 1/2 hour to get on spot. I would for sure go for the cheap labor...although if you are paying for the education the labor may not be so cheap

Installed all of the electronics from scratch when I bought the boat. Installed the autopilot, radar, depth sounder and smart computer. I am glad I did it has been 10 years of no problems. You can do so much better job on your own. The hardest thing will probably be getting the cable run. Tight fit for the size cable. The 10 degree adjustment talked about is done right at the menu of the radar. Will be in the instructions and part of the start up procedure. Its under timing. Excess is pretty much straight forward. Enjoy the project with your son it is the good side of boating. Even if it takes a couple of turns it will be, "hay dad remember when we did the radar".

I always installed my own electronics. I can't afford the experts doing a five hour job, in three days. The best part is I know how it was wired, what may be a problem if it doesn't work when needed the most, plus it gets me me into the owners manual on how it works and how to trouble shoot problems. We elder folks tend to be afraid of technology but it is really easy.

Well..... I'm about to undertake a complete install. I'll be sure and take pictures. Garmin set up off CL. Starting next week.