Ethernet or Network connection?

[RDJ]

To those that are schooled up on the new Lowrance equipment or have been through this process please answer this question for me:
If I am going to be setting up two new HD units with internal antenna's, does it matter whether I link them via the NMEA2000 network or simply use the Ethernet cabling and ports? Which offers the most data transfer between units or are the capabilities the same.
I realize that if I intend on introducing accessory components into the mix or more head units or external antenna's then the network is the right choice but if its limited to two units with internal antennas, does it matter or does one connection system have an advantage over the other??
Thanks for the help, just trying to learn today..RJ in Montana

[hondo]

NMEA2000 network shares gps data, waypoints, and digital info like engine interface info or other sensors. Both gps will automatically use whichever internal antenna is giving you the best position fix. You can also share a digital depth display, ie. on one of your units you could see that the other unit is reading 12.8 fow for example.

Ethernet shares the actual sonar display, ie. you could have 1 transducer and see the same display on both units. Ethernet is also used for StructureScan, satellite weather, radar, etc.

Each network does completely separate things, there is no mixing and matching between the two types of networks.

Hope that helps.

[RDJ]

So GPS data, waypoint sharing can NOT be performed through ethernet connected units? This can only be acheived via NMEA2000 network? These were actually the main two I was interested in. Just want to make sure I understand.. I did know that the sonar info was shared through the ethernet connection.

Thanks, RJ

[hondo]

So GPS data, waypoint sharing can NOT be performed through ethernet connected units? This can only be acheived via NMEA2000 network?

That is correct.

You can have the nmea network and the ethernet connected at the same time, they use different ports on the backs of the units.

[perchjerker]

kinda dumb.

one would think the ethernet would be able to handle everything

I think its a plan to get people to buy more cabling etc!!!

[RDJ]

I guess I'm confused now which is why I was trying to get a different point of view here on WC. I had been given this same info you stated hondo by another private party but when reviewing the section of the Lowrance website that the link below will lead to, I take from the info shown on pages 14-15 that the Ethernet is actually an expanded (better) means to share waypoint between units and has more capabilities than the N2K connect? Am I reading this wrong. Pages 12-18 deal specific with the capabilities of both connections with regards to GPS data..Please advise..

http://primus.lowrance.com/support/resultDisplay.do?docType=1002&contextId=646%3A4905.5130%2C1220.1321%2C4957.5061&clusterName=ClusterPublic&docset=%2FDocuments%2FUnits&linktosource=1&responseId=135ccbe2cfd4f608%3A1fe88d%3A122f5fafb27 %3A-3abc&groupId=4&answerGroup=1&score=832&page=http%3A%2F%2Fprimus.lowrance.com%2Ficr%2Funit s%2FHDS_System_Overview.pdf&result=0&excerpt=%26amp%3B%23x2022%3B+You+can+have+up+to+3+ HDS+displays+on+an+Ethernet+%26amp%3B%23x2022%3B+C an+use+more+HDS+units+on+the+Ethernet+network+but+ may+reduce+depending+Ethernet+load+%28radar%2C+wea ther%2C+%26amp%3B%23x2022%3B+You+can+have+up+to+50 +devices%2FHDS+displays+on+a+NMEA2000+network.&resultType=5000#Goto4905

Thanks, RJ

[hondo]

I hadn't seen/heard that before but it looks like you're correct RJ --- with HDS units you can share waypoints over the ethernet. That is a change from the previous generation of lcx and lms units.

Other gps functions like speed, position, heading, etc. are still not handled by ethernet, but by the nmea network. One of the ramifications of this is if you want your trails to be the same on each units you'll need to have them nmea networked so they're using the same gps position at all times.