Speed sensor / display selection

MarkSF · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011

I'm finding it hard to choose between the array of speed sensor / display combinations available.

At the two extremes of technology, there are the Moor Electronics setup - very simple, self-powered, displays speed, and the Garmin smart sensor which would display speed & depth on my chartplotter via NMEA 2000.

Any opinions and experiences?

For the Garmin, the major plus would be ease of installation - no drilling a big hole. The minus, early adoption of a new technology.

The Moor setup has been selling for decades so it's tried and tested.

BarryL · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2011

Hello,

Do you have or want any other instruments? Do you want to be able to display the speed and depth information anywhere else?

If you get the Moor system, the only thing that can display or use the speed information is the Moor speed display. I don't see any information on NMEA networking on the Moor site, so I assume there is none.

With the Garmin system (or any NMEA 2000 system) it's easy to send and display the data on other displays. You can display the Speed Through Water (STW) AND the Speed Over Ground (SOG - from a GPS)), and then you'll know the speed of the current too.

Lastly, what Garmin transducer can provide STW without a through hull? I can't find one on the Garmin site anywhere.

Personally, I would go NMEA 2000. It's not new technology anymore. You can buy transducers from Airmar, Maretron, Garmin, etc.

Barry

overbored · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011

I think he is referring to the garmin/airmar transom mount sensor. they work on power boats but not very well on a sailboat unless the transom is always in the water. if the transom is out of the water during rough seas the sensor does not work properly. the Moor units for sailboats all require a thru hull speed sensor and they are cheep and the do not last on a boat that is keep in the water. need to be cleaned all the time. cheeply made and no way as good as the airmar units. best unit ever is the Airmar Ultra sonic speed sensor. no moving parts, need I say more.

MarkSF · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by overbored

I think he is referring to the garmin/airmar transom mount sensor. they work on power boats but not very well on a sailboat unless the transom is always in the water. if the transom is out of the water during rough seas the sensor does not work properly. the Moor units for sailboats all require a thru hull speed sensor and they are cheep and the do not last on a boat that is keep in the water. need to be cleaned all the time. cheeply made and no way as good as the airmar units. best unit ever is the Airmar Ultra sonic speed sensor. no moving parts, need I say more.

It was confusing but what I meant was that I'd have to drill a 4" hole to mount the Moor display. I have a defunct speed sensor through-hull so whatever is getting installed will replace that.

overbored · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011

What type is the defunct thru hull. Airmar makes sensors to fit in many of the old thur hulls

MarkSF · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2011

The defunct system is an IMI (International Marine Instruments) Combi system.

I need to go measure the through-hulls. I hope they are 2" (that's the OD of the threaded shaft) as that's what nearly everything seems to be now. The Moor stuff is an exception and seems to be 2 1/8". The through-hull size might end up dictating what I go with. I can make the holes in the hull larger but it's hard to make them smaller....