Triducers

[SPembleton]

I am going to be installing a Garmin 741xs Chartplotter and a NMEA 2000 backbone. I will therefore have to replace my current speed and depth transducers (Old Datamarine). I am considering an Airmar DST 800 Triducer (Depth, Speed and Temp in one transducer). Has anyone had experience with these. Do they work as well as having separate tranducers?

[waterdog]

I installed one five years and ~7000 miles ago.   Integration was totally seamless as I recall.   It just appeared on the network and produced the data.    It has been reasonably trouble free.   I would recommend it.   

Though last season I had no temperature data.    I have not investigated why.   But perhaps I would need to replace a depth and speed sensor to regain temperature?    That is the downside of the obvious benefit of having fewer holes in the hull and fewer sensors/instruments to integrate.   I think it is probably worth the tradeoff.

[SPembleton]

Thank you Waterdog.

BTW- Why would you want a temp sensor? Is it just for fishing, or to give you a warning before you jump in?

[Ted Pounds]

It's also useful if you're crossing the Gulf Stream...   

[waterdog]

Steve I would say that in the area I sail in we have tidal currents to 14 knots+, water temperature can go from 55 degrees to 80 degrees within a few miles, and an indication of water temperature can be navigationally informative.    But such a statement would be BS.    I have water temperature because it came with the triducer and it is just another cool piece of data to see on the plotter.    And I am not getting in when the temp is in the 60s!   

What I do use all the time is the water speed vs. the GPS speed.   We pretty much always have a knot or two of current and it is good to know what it is going on.

[Footloose]

Like Waterdog, I use my temperature sensor to decide when to swim.  It reduces the shrinkage!

[Bill Asbury]

LOL!

[waterdog]

If you are using a good sealant, shrinkage shouldn't be a problem.