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(More customer reviews)The C90W is a recent Raymarine Multi-Function Display (MFD) that allows the user to see GPS data, radar data, sonar/fishfinder data, Automated Information System (AIS) data, Sensor data,and Engine data all on one display. It also allows the user to interface the vessel's Seatalk-compatible automatic pilot directly to the MFD. Essentially, the C90W is intended to and does function as the heart of a vessel's navigation, control, and monitoring system.It does much more as well, including allowing the user to buy Platinum Navionics maps which provide aerial views of GPS terrain (useful for harbor navigating, in particular) and it can be interfaced with a suitable Sirius radio unit to provide weather data on the display.There are other features of this display, so check out the Raymarine website to get the whole story.
Raymarine makes three sizes of the C-W series: nine, twelve, and fourteen inches.The C90W, at nine inches, is more than adequate for my needs and was also the largest size my vessel's dashboard could accommodate.
The USA unit comes pre-loaded with Navionics coastal charts.This data is sufficient for almost all mariners; most users will not need to purchase additional charts, although the Platinum Navionics cards are very cool.
The C90W screen is in a widescreen landscape format which facilitates monitoring a variety of functions at one time.The user can configure the C90W in almost an infinite number of ways.For example, it is very easy to have one window showing Radar, another showing GPS with radar overlayed on the GPS screen, while also viewing various databoxes such as Course-Over-Ground, ocean depth, autopilot information, etc.The screen itself is bright and gorgeous, and easily viewed even in direct sunlight.
My favorite function of the unit is the ability to overlay radar data on the GPS.This is invaluable in many circumstances, particularly when entering a harbor at night or in fog.It is VERY nice to be able to see the breakwater and navigation buoys on the GPS with radar overlaying them.This gives confidence that everything is where it should be.The unit's integration with the Marine Automatic Information System ("AIS") is fantastic.One can overlay an AIS vessel icon with the radar track for the same vessel, once again giving double surety as regards the position of another vessel.Further, it tells you the name and MMSI number of the other AIS-equipped vessel which facilitates hailing them to coordinate collision avoidance.
Another very nice feature of this MFD is its integration with any Raymarine (Seatalk-compatible) autopilot.You can plot a route or pick a waypoint and then engage the autopilot to steer your vessel along the route.This is how I invariably navigate to Catalina Island and other distant locations.Thus the MFD really does become the navigation and information center of the vessel.
One thing that I really like about this unit is how easy it is to update the firmware.The unit features a single CF card slot.One can download a firmware update from Raymarine's website, and quickly and easily update the firmware.I did it shortly after installing my C90W and it was easy and intuitive.No need for asking the dealer for help; this is a very user-friendly process.Thus, as the feature set and/or bug correction (there are always possible bugs, I imagine) improves, the user can keep the C90W completely up to date.
The menus on this unit are very intuitive.Since I was generally familiar with Raymarine menus I barely needed to crack the manual.The unit is pretty close to self-documenting.Most users should read through the manual to ensure that they know how very easy it is to accomplish tasks such as customizing the screen, building GPS routes, interfacing the autopilot to the unit, etc.One read-though combined with the excellent prompts and intuitive menus on the screen itself will be enough to make power-users out of most of us.The real value of the manual is that it explains all of the plethora of features that this MFD provides.Once the user has understood a given feature by reading the manual once, generally the menus are intuitive enough so that further reference to the manual is unnecessary.
Raymarine also makes an E-Series of MFDs.This series features touch-screen while the C-series utilizes a multifunction pad device akin to a mouse.I went with the C-Series specifically to avoid touch-screen; plus the E-series is remarkably more expensive.(But very nice!)
This unit will be the heart of my vessel's navigation, radar, and sonar systems for years to come.Highly recommended.RJB.
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Raymarine C90W 9" WS Multi Display US Charts
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