01-19-2019, 01:41 PM
NAVICO purchased NORTHSTAR several years back along with others and stopped making NORTHSTAR units although they integrated some of its functionality into the SIMRAD line. I.E. SIMRAD is now part of NAVICO as well as LOWRANCE. Not sure if GARMIN purchased Navionics but assume they did based on the prior post.... I have 2 screens on my 38 Open. One is a FURUNO 1933 open array radar w/GPS Chartpoltter & Fishfinder.. I overlay the radar returns on the chartplotter of the FURUNO. I use my GARMIN 7612 as the primary GPS/Chartplotter for navigation purposes and integrated the FURUNO 1933, the GARMIN 7612, and the SIMRAD Autopilot via NMEA 183.. When I select a Waypoint (or Route) on the GARMIN data is sent to the Autopilot and the FURUNO. The destination waypoint is displayed on the FURUNO chart/radar display and is used by the Autopilot when AUTO is selected... All in all a great system that really works well.. Should the FURUNO fail I have a decision to make regarding wanting to have a uniform helm (2 GARMIN units w/Radar) or purchasing a new FURUNO that excels when it come to radar.... Oh well, that's life. M2C
