Helm Electronics Update - Garmin Chartplotter and Ideas

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osubux1

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Freedom 307
I have a Freedom 307 equipped with an original Garmin 5212. It also has a Garmin autopilot sitting on the right side. I am looking to do an electronics and look/feel upgrade. I am checking with other owners to get any ideas or inputs I should think about. Here is what I'm proposing:
-New Garmin 8612 (I see Garmin now has 4k chartplotters, but I don't think I need/want that)
-New Garmin autopilot
-New black backing behind switches and Garmin devices (matching the top and bottom, or one single black backing acrylic (whichever looks best)
-New switches replacing the original ones

I'm guessing others have gone this route before. So, I'm interested in any inputs, ideas, or feedback that might help me. One thing I would like to do is actually do a double screen of the 8612's. I'm pretty sure they both will fit without it being scrunched or too tight.

Grady White - Helm.png
 
Dual 12” 4K screens would be sweet- I could find twice as many hardhead catfish

Are you planning on keeping the yamaha gauge and the small square Garmin gauge too?

Have you considered swapping over to the push button switches with built in circuit breakers and etched symbols/ names on them?
 
Here’s a before and after using a simulated carbon panel from New Wire Marine. Laid it out physically with cardboard and templates to confirm usability. The helm is much smaller (Freedom 225) than yours, but you get the idea.IMG_0316.jpegIMG_0345.jpegIMG_0366.jpegIMG_0346.jpeg
 
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Gulffishin said:
Dual 12” 4K screens would be sweet- I could find twice as many hardhead catfish

Are you planning on keeping the yamaha gauge and the small square Garmin gauge too?

Have you considered swapping over to the push button switches with built in circuit breakers and etched symbols/ names on them?
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm keeping the Yamaha and the Garmin autopilot. But not sure of the placement.

I haven't looked around much, but I haven't seen any of the push button switches.
 
osubux1 said:
Wow, great upgrade there. Nice and clean. Did New Wire create the new panel for you? I've heard good things about them.e
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Yes, New Wire made the panel for me. There was a challenge they overcame - the top of the helm has a large radius at the top edge. With my template they were able to photograph the top of the template so they could digitize that radius, convert that to CAD, then g-code to run the CNC router that machines the panel. It was an extra step that they solved and it came out great. They have native cut out templates for Garmin, Simrad, etc., plus breakers, switches, tab cut outs.
Once you remove all your existing electronics, check cabling to those to see if there’s enough cable to each device to put it where you like on the new panel. I ended up relocating the trim tab switch inboard somewhat as its ribbon cable could not be easily lengthened. You’ll can avoid a lot of wiring work if you can position the accessory switches and breakers in reach of the existing wiring. I didn’t have to rewire any switches but did replace switch covers. Got those from New Wire, too.
You’ll need to “open up” your helm face by cutting a 3/4” flange around the perimeter, leaving a giant hole, but that gives you the freedom to put devices where you want. I used a pneumatic oscillating saw for that.
 
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Obviously the simplest is to leave the top part alone (maybe just replace the switch covers).

Two 8612s would look awesome if the money is not a problem. They would fit right across the bottom.
Move the AP display possibly down near the key switch or steering wheel. Its not something you need to look at much.
Why new AP? Which AP do you have?

If I were starting from scratch, I would put 12" display(s) up at the top. I like to be able to see sonar from fishing position.
Yammie gauge to the right if single 8612, lower to right if two 8612s. Don't really need engine gauges centered in front of your face.
Switches in a rectangle lower to left.

What are you doing with 5212? Do you have an ebox above?
 
SkunkBoat said:
Obviously the simplest is to leave the top part alone (maybe just replace the switch covers).

Two 8612s would look awesome if the money is not a problem. They would fit right across the bottom.
Move the AP display possibly down near the key switch or steering wheel. Its not something you need to look at much.
Why new AP? Which AP do you have?

If I were starting from scratch, I would put 12" display(s) up at the top. I like to be able to see sonar from fishing position.
Yammie gauge to the right if single 8612, lower to right if two 8612s. Don't really need engine gauges centered in front of your face.
Switches in a rectangle lower to left.

What are you doing with 5212? Do you have an ebox above?
Click to expand...
Having several issues with the AP. Have tried a few repairs with a marine outfit that is Garmin certified, and it's not holding. Recommendation now is to upgrade the AP. My unit is about 4 years out of production, and around 12 years old (all approximate).
Haven't thought about the 5212 yet. But, it works fine.
 
new wire did great work for me.

ditch fuses and go with breakers everywhere you can afford to

i wouldnt do a single panel for the "top" and "bottom". the two areas are not centered relative to each other. personally, i would pull the old mfd and auto pilot, have the cutouts glassed, and then stick in the new screens arranged as you like
 
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