90% of the time I operate my trawler from the bridge helm where I am in the process of installing a Garmin 7212. I had initially planned to install a networked 5208 (slow I know) at the space limited lower helm - but - after studying the 7212 literature - it looks like a better option may be a remote 8 or 10 inch VGA LCD monitor and Garmin wireless rf remote at the lower helm. The lower helm is directly below the bridge helm so range should not be a problem. From my layman's viewpoint, it looks like this would provide the speed, information, and control of the 7212 from a second station. Have I lost my way or might this have merit?
Thanks any ideas.
Hi Bill, I haven't tried a setup like this but I think it will work. You might also look at the Garmin wireless mouse. I have the used their Remote and it's OK but I tried the mouse at a boat show and thought it made a handy addition (especially if you have a flat space near the monitor).
What you will be giving up, though, is redundancy. I don't think the 7212 has much of a failure record, but you might consider the new 741, which is small and affordable. It will network fine over NMEA 2000 with the rest of your Garmin system and will even work with a Garmin radar if you physically unplug the radar from the 7212 and plug it into the 741. It's also got built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and maybe Ant wireless and I think we're just beginning to see what Garmin is going to do with those capabilities.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=119866