Looking to upgrade 2012 Garmin 5212

[Chili-Tug]

Hey All, I have the OE Garmin 5212 on my 2012 R-27 and looking for a plug and play upgrade. If there is such a thing. Would like to disconnect the 5212 and plug in a new or newer unit which has upgrades. I am sure there are many R-27 owners who have upgraded and would like a few recommendations on what units have worked for them. Thank you in advance for your help.
Evan
Chili-Tug

 

[jeffhowell1]

Hey All, I have the OE Garmin 5212 on my 2012 R-27 and looking for a plug and play upgrade. If there is such a thing. Would like to disconnect the 5212 and plug in a new or newer unit which has upgrades. I am sure there are many R-27 owners who have upgraded and would like a few recommendations on what units have worked for them. Thank you in advance for your help.
Evan
Chili-Tug

I have 2011 R-27 and upgraded to Garmin 8612xsv - sonar built into chartplotter - app 1 1/2 years ago. Lots to consider, first and foremost is that the physical size on 8600 series is not the same dimensions as old 5200 series. I had to fabricate new panel behind chartplotter out of cabinet grade plywood before installing 8612. As far as compatibility, most Garmin instruments will be compatible and work with new 8600 series chartplotter. New 8600 series uses active captain app to connect to chartplotter and update chartplotter software and software for all Garmin devices connected to chartplotter. It has worked very well. Be aware that Garmin stops providing software updates for older, discontinued devices. For instance, original 5212 chartplotter had stopped at 7.8 software version, new 8612 chartplotter currently running 36.00 software. Kept old radar unit, GMR 18HD+, active captain updated software on that. Kept Reactor 40 autopilot, active captain updated software on that also. Replaced GHC 10 with GHC 20, bought unit from Ranger, current GHC 50 will not fit on helm. Replaced old Yanmar i5601E (NMEA 2000 compatible) with new GMI 20, way easier to see and read. Replaced GPS antenna with new GPS receiver 24xd, upon recommendation of Martin on Tugnuts, works excellent, accurate to within 2.5'. Installed new thru-hull Airmar B619 transducer w/Garmin 8-pin connector, works great, reads bottom to 1000’, also water temp. Original in-hull P79 required an adapter to work with 8612xsv, needed a jump wire installed inside (to override temp sensor, I believe) but does work. Feel free to email me at howellhere@hotmail.com, happy to help, spent a lot of time researching, installing, troubleshooting, and optimizing all this on my old R-27.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Im in the same boat Chili - but its not a simple upgrade as Jeff states. lots to evaluate and potentially upgrade as well.

my 5212 still works fine. I chose to install a Wifi gateway on my NMEA network from yacht devices (c. $100) then use Navionics on an Ipad to get updated charting.

I do actually still prefer the charts on the older garmins due to things like
1. ability to set boat position on chart off center so I have more chart ahead of the boat
2. labels stay readable and don't rotate based on compass

at some point I will do what Jeff has done, but there's a chance I sell the boat before then

 

[Chili-Tug]

Im in the same boat Chili - but its not a simple upgrade as Jeff states. lots to evaluate and potentially upgrade as well.

my 5212 still works fine. I chose to install a Wifi gateway on my NMEA network from yacht devices (c. $100) then use Navionics on an Ipad to get updated charting.

I do actually still prefer the charts on the older garmins due to things like
1. ability to set boat position on chart off center so I have more chart ahead of the boat
2. labels stay readable and don't rotate based on compass

at some point I will do what Jeff has done, but there's a chance I sell the boat before then

 

[Chili-Tug]

Thank you both very much. I will opt to keep the 5212 and add Navionics.
EVAN