Conference wahoo::fishing

    Buy the RayNav 570 or Apelco 6100, they are the same unit in a 
    different case. You will get the best of all worlds for about $700.
    The unit has a 5 line display, is very accurate and easy to use
    after a ramp up period. This in my opinion is the best unit to
    be had for under 1K.
    
    Bruce

    There is a pretty good set information on LORAN in the SAILING notes
    conference

    A second vote for the Raynav 570 this is the one I have.
    If you can get the Raytheon Employee discount from a friend go for
    the Apelco. I tried to get it on the Raynav ; But they consider
    this to be commercial gear and the Apelco is there consumer line.
    Oh Well, I had allready bought before I knew and I was about to
    get the Raytheon R-20 Radar to go with it. No discount.
    
    Be sure you install a Dyna plate for grounding and keep the anntena
    lead as short as possible.
    
    Best bet for loran is to use it ALL the time, Not just when you
    need it.
    
                                         Walt
    

    	I guess I'll jump on the bandwagon too and give a plug for the
    Apelco 6100. It gets me where I want to go and (more importantly)
    it also gets me back - no matter what the visibility.

    A lot of you fisherman seem to rally around the Ratheon or Apelco
    LORANS.  Now as I understand it the RAYNAV line is Raytheon's
    commercial line and the APELCO is Ratheon's consumer line.
    
    Assuming this is accurate are there any substanative/functional
    differences?  RAYNAV does cost more.  Does one get anything
    in return for the additional bucks?
    
    Another question:
    
    	Is installation complex?  Should it be done by an marine
    electronics expert?  What's a fair price for installation? ( I have
    a TIARA Pursuit 2500).
    
    Thanks,
    
    Carl

    Carl,
    	To my knowledge there is no difference between the Apelco 6100
    and the Raynav 570 other than the package. Radar is a different
    story the Apelco is definately low end stuff - still good (I hope), 
    but definately targeted for less critical applications.
    	As far as installation goes, it really isn't difficult. I had
    mine done by the boat yard and even they didn't screw it up too
    badly, so it must be *VERY* easy. All I had to fix was the lugs
    on the ground wire. This was the best experience I had with anything
    that they installed. Anyway, the installation is no more difficult
    than any other piece of marine electronics and if I had to do it over 
    again I would install it myself. As a matter of fact I am planning on 
    installing an Apelco RADAR over the winter myself and that's a lot
    more complicated than LORAN.
    Good Luck,
    Paul

    Carl 
    Pauls right about package differance, Not much else, Functions are
    the same. I went with the RAYNAV 570 due to the fact that a fellow
    I know buys them in BIG volume, He builds and sells turnkey boats.
    So. I picked it up below wholesale( Can't beat that)
    
    The case on the Raynav is a bit more durable and sits low profile.This
    would be important in a tight application. I have no problem with
    space though. they both are ANSCI compatable so you can interface
    with computer,depthfinder,radar, fire control or what ever you want.
    
    Give me a call if you need it installed, like paul said it's real
    easy;But if not done right it's real easy to screw up.
    
                                                 Walt
    

    Just came by some interesting information regarding APELCO and RAYNAV
    differences.  Sources include an "expert" in servicing marine
    electronics and some folks at the Boat/Fishing show at the EXPO
    this weekend.
    
    Functional differences:	none
    
    Design Differences		- lower rel components in APELCO
    				- higher service rate (MTBF)
    				- electronic modules more difficult
    					to repair
    
    Comments as to validity?
    
    Right now I am leaning towards the RAYNAV 570.  Is $700 uninstalled
    a good price?
    
    Carl

    Carl.
    I paid the same for mine last spring, It's still a good price. Also
    spring and extra fifty and go with a "Dyna-plate". Keep your antenna
    as far away from your VHF Ant as possible. Hieght is not critecal.
    
    Also run Seperate power cables from the battery through a breaker
    and "KEEP THEM AWAY FROM IGNITION WIRES!" Run a braided ground strap
    to the "Dynaplate"
    
    And keep the unit as far away from any CRT'S ( ie: Video depth,
    Raster scan radar or TV set or computer)
    
    Have fun.
    
                                        Walt
    

    I installed my 6100 in about 2-3 hours, the only hard part is runnin
    g the wires. How you wire will depend on your boat, I ran mine down
    the gunwales direct to the batery so it took me a little longer.
    All you need is +12, ground and a good earth ground (I used my engine
    block). The barrel connector will need to be soldered onto the coax
    for the antenna once you run it, this is a little tricky if you
    don't know how a coax is hooked up in the barrel connector. Otherthan
    that just pick a spot away from your compass and go for it. I like
    the 6100 so much I am keeping it now that I am trading my 21'
    chris in for a 25' grady white. The grady has a SRD loran in it
    which I have not heard too many positive things about. The only
    thing I wish now is that I had the Raynav 570 because it would fit
    in the electronics box on the grady where the apelco won't.
    Would you be interested in a 2 year young Apelco? I could then buy
    the raynav and put it in the box.
    
    
    Bruce
         

    'Didn't want  to  start  a new note but this is sort of a new
    question.

    Does any  one  have experience with the Apelco DXL 6600? This
    unit  is  the  6100 with a grahic display added.  I have read
    the  notes  on  the  6100  so  I  am  primarily interested in
    comments on the usability of the graphics.

    Also it  wasn't clear from the discussion of the 6100 how you
    can  store  trips  so  any  info on that would be helpful.  A
    competing model allow you store 20 trips of 10 waypoints each
    from the 200 waypoints allowed on unit.

Thanks,
Paul

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