Networking help?

[fishfordollars]

I would like to set up an electronic networking system for my Skeeter. I have many questions.

Is it possible to set it up by using one chip in one unit allowing the other two units to read the map at the same time? Is there a bandwidth issue?

If it states the unit is NMEA 2000 standard will it allow units of different manufacturer to coexist?. If so does it have enough bandwidth to allow the screen to show in realtime? Are there copywrite issues?

Will the NMEA 2000 network allow multiple sonar/gps units to use a single antenna?

Can you run the other sensors such as temp probes, speed sensors, and fuel flow sensors?

I am wanting to connect a Hummingbird 797 with a Lowrance 522c and maybe another that I have not purchased. Any help will be appreciated

[Jig Man]

Is it possible to set it up by using one chip in one unit allowing the other two units to read the map at the same time? Is there a bandwidth issue?

If it states the unit is NMEA 2000 standard will it allow units of different manufacturer to coexist?

Will the NMEA 2000 network allow multiple sonar/gps units to use a single antenna?

Can you run the other sensors such as temp probes, speed sensors, and fuel flow sensors?

I am wanting to connect a Hummingbird 797 with a Lowrance 522c and maybe another that I have not purchased. Any help will be appreciated

Is it possible to set it up by using one chip in one unit allowing the other two units to read the map.  NO EACH UNIT HAS TO HAVE ITS OWN MAPPING CARD.

If it states the unit is NMEA 2000 standard will it allow units of different manufacturer to coexist?  NOT THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF.

Will the NMEA 2000 network allow multiple sonar/gps units to use a single antenna?  YES, I AM RUNNING 2 LOW UNITS ON ONE ANTENNA.

Can you run the other sensors such as temp probes, speed sensors, and fuel flow sensors?  YES, IF YOU SPEND THE CASH TO GET ALL OF THE STUFF.

I am wanting to connect a Hummingbird 797 with a Lowrance 522c and maybe another that I have not purchased.  I'M THINKING THE 797 AND THE 522C NETWORKED WOULD BE LIKE BREADING A POSSUM TO A HIPPO.  IT WON'T WORK.

[Crumb]

Who says you can't breed a possum to a hippo?? Science is a crazy thing.

All above is exactly as I would have stated it. I do know before I networked my boat, I looked into a generic cable and connectors that would have been cheaper, however I could not find a place to purchase them. I would think with a generic cable and connectors the possibility of connecting different unit might be possible. But, as I know it, the different manufactures are pretty proprietery. You pretty much have to use their stuff to connect and communicate back and forth.

Hope that helps.

[Wayne P.]

The different mfg units don't speak the same "language". Waypoints on a Lowrance unit cannot be transferred directly to a Humminbird unit and vice versa. They have to be translated via appropiate software to the other unit's "language".

[cart7t]

I would also think no.

While I'm no expert on electronics for fishing, the first thing that comes to mind is the firmware that's at the heart of these sonar graphs isn't the same from one manufacturer to the other and thus, couldn't communicate.

If you could figure out a hack though, you could probably make a few bucks selling it on the forums.  

[fishfordollars]

Now I am really confused. I came across an article last night from February 2008 in Bass and Walleye Boats written by Allan Tarvid (No idea who he is) that included an interview from Darrell Lowarance that stated the following:

"Using the NMEA 2000 standard means any unit, sensor or other device built to that industry standard can be networked with another NMEA 2000 device, reguardless of the manufacturer or brand. Keep in mind, not all companies have adopted the NMEA 2000 standard."

"NMEA 2000 networks allow multiple sonar/GPS units to use a single GPS antenna module with other sensors connected to the network. these could include temperature probes, paddlewheel speed sensors, and fuel-flow sensors."

If anyone has tried to hook up seperate units from different manufacturers let me know. Otherwise I gusess I will try it just to see if I can keep from buying another unit.

Thanks