Smart craft to MFD conversion
 

My boat is set up with a smart craft vessel view race edition (monochrome), on twin 700sci. The most important thing on my screen is the digital trim and tab as the boat doesn’t have analog indicators.

I would like to convert to a SIMRAD MFD but I’m questioning if I need the expensive vessel view link to make this all happen?

the boat has the smart craft and two Analog gauge interface boxes. What is feeling the current smart craft? And can that be used to feed a MFD?

This is what I used when I added my MFD. It works great and shows all gauges including boost. https://www.mercruiserparts.com/merc...151748-gateway

You will need a vessel view link (multi) to do this right. You'll also need an NMEA backbone, consisting of drop cable to the Simrad, a power connector, a drop cable to the Vessel View Link, and terminators for each end of the backbone.

The smartcraft instruments you have now, speak Mercury. The vessel view link module is needed to translate Mercury to NMEA2000, which the Simrad is able to understand and display.

With the new smartcraft connect you do not need to stay with Simrad to see all the smartcraft info like you previously had to. it’s also Bluetooth so you can download the Mercury app and get everything on your phone or tablet. Here’s an article about it:

https://www.speedonthewater.com/smar...eon-units/amp/

You need this..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25541373381...saAqRKEALw_wcB

And a long extension harness that goes from your engine bay to the the box in that link. Part number on the Harness depends on length you need. Call Merc and they can help you out. There are 2 types of harnesses. old one that uses terminators and does not come with terminators. And the new ones that have the terminators built in. Get the new ones .I dont know if you will need 2 harnesses or not. I think all data can travel over 1 but not sure. The Harness goes from the engines to the box which usually is placed under the helm. Then the box converts the Data to NMEA 2000. Then plug a NMEA 2000 Cable into the box and run that to your NMEA 2000 network then NMEA cable from that to your Simrad. It is a lot of expense and a lot of cable/harness crap but its cool when its done.

Chris

Thanks for all the input, but unfortunately there are so many options it added to my confusion. I made a call to Mercury and discovered something pretty amazing that solves my dash real estate issue.

the vessel view 403 has its own processor, it’s the only display they offer that doesn’t need the vessel view link box. Because my boat is already digital to the helm, with a junction box, the vessel view 403 will plug in where my old display is AND it has full NEMA out so it will feed any MFD. so in essence its a display that is the same price as the vessel view link box but has the same output.

I’m going to add this new color unit where my current vessel view is, then nema out to a new larger mfd to replace my 3206 that is offset to the left and have redundant smart craft on both, plus rsdio head unit control in the network

Just be sure it's capable of handling multiple engines.

confirmed. Thank you for the help

Ron what boat do you have ?

nor-tech 3900 super vee


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...30cdf1d07.jpeg

Come on Ron. With a boat like that you dont want a 4 inch screen. you want 2 9in screen at minimum .You want something like this.
https://mightytext.net/zVrZEs

https://mightytext.net/z4SJY9

Chris

I’m using the 4 inch screen for the processor and adding a larger mfd. I have to redo the dash but I’m still an analog gauge lover, so they are staying.

I found the 403 new in the box on eBay for $750. And it fills the hole of the current unit for the mean time and allows me to start my NEMA network. My thoughts are the 403 will eventually end up on the passenger side in place of the gps Speedo and the larger mfd at the helm. However I still need to map all this out and have innotech cut a new dash panel

the 403 is worlds over my monochrome vessel view.

Limited real estate on a nor-tech. That is a garmin 3206 on the bottom left. The panel over the wheel is only 12 inches top to bottom