Randy, to answer your questions I will start with the Tracvision. Yes it is
completely hassle free. I have DirectTV at my home so I have one receiver
that is dedicated to the boat during the spring,summer,fall and comes home
to the guest bedroom in the winter. The Tracvision comes already setup for
DirectTV so once it was installed all I had to do was install my receiver. I
turn on the power to the Tracvision, receiver and TV. Inital setup takes
about 2 minutes to find the satellite, once it does so it locks on and once
locked on there are no interruptions in service. This is an in motion system
so once it begins tracking I can then drive the boat without loss of signal.
If I power the unit down then move the boat then power it back up it has to
search for the satellite again but within 2 minutes I am watching TV again.
Although it was expensive it is worth every penny.I debated between
Tracvision and Sea-tel for several weeks but finally decided on the
Tracvision based on their reputation. The boat came with a 9 inch DC powered
TV which didn't do the tracvision any justice so I took it out and installed
a 13" flat panel Sharp Aquos LCD TV. The picture is phenomenal. As for the
stereo it came equipped with all Clarion Marine AM/FM CD player, 6-disc CD
changer and 4 6.5" speakers. I used to work at a car audio shop in my early
20's and ever since then I have been installing high end stereo equipment in
my vehicles and my boat wasn't going to be any exception to that rule. Since
it already had quality Clarion equipment to start I built on that by adding
2 more Clarion 6.5" speakers in the cockpit to make a total of 4. I powered
them with a 80x4 USCoustic amp and added a 10" self amplified Bazooka tube
subwoofer under the port aft bench seat and a helm mounted remote. I added
the Delphi SkyFi XM radio reciever. I wanted a system that I could hear
clearly while hanging around outside the boat whether it be on the dock or
in the water. I chose Garmin GPS because my 1st boat had one already
installed on it so I bought the chip for the Chesapeake Bay. Since I already
had the chip when I bought my new boat i stayed with Garmin, plus I am very
familiar with to use them.I bought a Garmin 3006C color charplotter and
flush mounted in the dash. In my area storms can come out of no where and
before you can react to the dark sky it is generally too late. I got caught
in several bad storms this past summer and it wasn't fun. I don't want to go
through that again so I added the XM satelltie weather receiver to the 3006C
so I can constantly keep track of the weather around me by way of the real
time weather radar. It overlays the weather radar on top of the chart so you
constantly know where you are in relation to the weather around you. I only
got to tinker with this system for a couple of days before I had the boat
winterized but am looking forward to taking advantage of all this system has
to offer next summer.
"Brass Monkey" wrote in message
...

Thanks for redirecting, Scott.

Tell us more about why you picked the electronics you did, what the
decisionmaking process was, and how you integrated it.

What TV do you have, and sound system to take advantage of the XM,
etc...

Is the Tracvision completely hassle free?
Thanks!
Randy

Scott Gardner Wrote:
OK I will start by introducing myself. My name is Scott and I have a
2003
MAXUM 3300 SE. I purchased this boat new at the end of the 2003 season
and
had it splashed for the very 1st time in April 2004. It has twin 5.7L
Merc.
350's rated at 250 HP each with Bravo 3 drives.It had every available
option
except a generator and the navigation electronics, which is fine for
me
because Maxum uses Raymarine equipment and I prefer Garmin. So i had
the
generator installed and added a Tracvision 4 in motion satellite
tracking
system and a Garmin 3006C color chartplotter with the GDL-30 XM
satellite
weather receiver.This thing is awesome. I can see live weather radar on
my
chartplotter in real time and get up to the minute weather forecasts. I
love
my boat and how I equipped it. I cruise on the Potomac River and
Chesapeake
Bay. How about everyone else? Where do you boat and what kind of boat
do you
have? I am new to this group but hope I will fit in. Scott.
"JimH" wrote in message
...-

"Scott Gardner" wrote in message
news:C%[email protected]
This is a boat newsgroup not politics, so can we keep the discussion
to
boats only please?

-

Lets go. You start.

-


--
Brass Monkey

"Dr. Karen Grear MD, PHD" wrote in message
...
That is a great answer. That way you will never **** out any advertisers.




Indeed.

Powerboat Report has no problem outlining weaknesses as well as
positives....no need for advertising money with them.

The rest of the reviews in so called boating magazines are nothing more than
fluff...such as the one Chuck posted here in an attempt to spam a boat line
and boat dealer.

I wonder how he used the money he received from both for that review?

A new car perhaps? Or maybe a brand new electronics setup for his tug.

Only the shadow knows.

Nonsense.

To do a truly objective test, you not only need to run the compared
boats on the same day under the same conditions, you need to do like
Consumer Reports does and actually buy the products, anonymously, at
retail, from a dealer. Otherwise, how can you be certain that somebody
hasn't "tweaked" something just a bit? In Herring's example, we would
spend what, a quarter million bucks? To make sure we got undoctored
boats for a single article?

I know this is a hard concept for many of you to understand, and the
posts of some here certainly support my observations, but it is
possible to comment on Thing A without running down Thing B or Thing C
at the same time.

Most of the items a shopper will consider are subjective, and subject
to individual preference.

You guys seem to expect an objective comparison between top sirloin,
lamb, and lobster and some definitive answer about which meal is
"best". When you read a restaurant review, do you fault the reviewer
for failing to comment on every other Chinese joint in town?

How about movie critics? Can a critic say anything useful about "Lord
of the Rings" without discussing "Ray", "The Titanic", and "Glory"?

Boat reviews point out the highlights, and any glaring deficiencies in
a boat. You don't read that many with glaring deficiencies because by
the time a builder gets to major mfg status, the market weeds out the
guys building true crap.

I've never seen a major mfg. boat that is totally unsuited for safe and
appropriate use by somebody, under the right conditions. Two equally
knowledgeable boaters will evaluate the same boat, and one might rule
it out immediately and go on to buy something else, while the other
likes it so much he writes a check on the spot. Which one was "right"?
(Hint: most likely both, they simply prioritized different needs).

Most people who write those fluff pieces will readily admit they are fluff.
The articles are designed to sell ad space, not inform the boat buying
public or provide a viable review of any boat.




"JimH" wrote in message
...

"Dr. Karen Grear MD, PHD" wrote in message
...
That is a great answer. That way you will never **** out any
advertisers.




Indeed.

Powerboat Report has no problem outlining weaknesses as well as
positives....no need for advertising money with them.

The rest of the reviews in so called boating magazines are nothing more
than fluff...such as the one Chuck posted here in an attempt to spam a
boat line and boat dealer.

I wonder how he used the money he received from both for that review?

A new car perhaps? Or maybe a brand new electronics setup for his tug.

Only the shadow knows.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Nonsense.

To do a truly objective test, you not only need to run the compared
boats on the same day under the same conditions, you need to do like
Consumer Reports does and actually buy the products, anonymously, at
retail, from a dealer. Otherwise, how can you be certain that somebody
hasn't "tweaked" something just a bit? In Herring's example, we would
spend what, a quarter million bucks? To make sure we got undoctored
boats for a single article?

I know this is a hard concept for many of you to understand, and the
posts of some here certainly support my observations, but it is
possible to comment on Thing A without running down Thing B or Thing C
at the same time.

Most of the items a shopper will consider are subjective, and subject
to individual preference.

You guys seem to expect an objective comparison between top sirloin,
lamb, and lobster and some definitive answer about which meal is
"best". When you read a restaurant review, do you fault the reviewer
for failing to comment on every other Chinese joint in town?

How about movie critics? Can a critic say anything useful about "Lord
of the Rings" without discussing "Ray", "The Titanic", and "Glory"?

Boat reviews point out the highlights, and any glaring deficiencies in
a boat. You don't read that many with glaring deficiencies because by
the time a builder gets to major mfg status, the market weeds out the
guys building true crap.

I've never seen a major mfg. boat that is totally unsuited for safe and
appropriate use by somebody, under the right conditions. Two equally
knowledgeable boaters will evaluate the same boat, and one might rule
it out immediately and go on to buy something else, while the other
likes it so much he writes a check on the spot. Which one was "right"?
(Hint: most likely both, they simply prioritized different needs).


Nice CYA job Chuck. We all know better though.

It was nothing but fluff and spam.

So what did you buy with the blood money?

Hurtwit wondered.

I wonder how he used the money he received from both for that review?


A new car perhaps? Or maybe a brand new electronics setup for his tug.



********************************
A new car? Ha! Chicken feed.

With the vast sum of money I recieved, I paid cash for the homes on
both sides of yours in A... *... Ohio! Howdy, neighbor.

(I didn't know mobile homes were subject to sales tax in OH, so the
total came to about eleven bucks more than I thought it might. How do
they justify that much for a single wide these days?).

I didn't have enough left over to start my full-ride scholarship fund
for terminal aids patients, muslim clerics, and cross dressing anti-war
activists in your community. This creates a rather serious
inconvenience, as I had already invited about two dozen such
individuals to relocate there. I guess I'll have no choice except to
lodge them, rent free, on either side of your abode until I collect
another royalty check and can then afford to put them all through your
local university. Remember to "love thy new neighbors," but don't get
too lovey with the terminal aids patients- that could have some
negative consequences. :-)

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hurtwit wondered.

Powerboat Report has no problem outlining weaknesses as well as
positives....no need for advertising money with them.

The rest of the reviews in so called boating magazines are nothing more
than
fluff...such as the one Chuck posted here in an attempt to spam a boat line
and boat dealer.

I wonder how he used the money he received from both for that review?


A new car perhaps? Or maybe a brand new electronics setup for his tug.



********************************
A new car? Ha! Chicken feed.

With the vast sum of money I recieved, I paid cash for the homes on
both sides of yours in A... *... Ohio! Howdy, neighbor.

(I didn't know mobile homes were subject to sales tax in OH, so the
total came to about eleven bucks more than I thought it might. How do
they justify that much for a single wide these days?).


I pasted the parts of my post you conveniently cut...a new MO for you in
your lame attempt to support your position.

But the end result is always this....childish name calling and insults....is
that what you have been reduced to Chuck? I thought better of you but I was
obviously wrong.

A shame. And quite juvenile.

Grow up Chucky. OK? ;-)

A shame. And quite juvenile.


Grow up Chucky. OK? ;-)

***************

What name calling?

As for the rest, if you make an outrageous statement you have to be
prepared for an equally outrageous response.

We libs have a saying: "What goes around comes around......" Expect no
less.

(There's no need to repost your entire harangue when I'm only taking
issue with the most asinine line or two.)

wrote in message
oups.com...

Hurtwit wondered.

Powerboat Report has no problem outlining weaknesses as well as
positives....no need for advertising money with them.

The rest of the reviews in so called boating magazines are nothing more
than
fluff...such as the one Chuck posted here in an attempt to spam a boat
line
and boat dealer.

I wonder how he used the money he received from both for that review?


A new car perhaps? Or maybe a brand new electronics setup for his tug.



********************************
A new car? Ha! Chicken feed.

With the vast sum of money I recieved, I paid cash for the homes on
both sides of yours in A... *... Ohio! Howdy, neighbor.

(I didn't know mobile homes were subject to sales tax in OH, so the
total came to about eleven bucks more than I thought it might. How do
they justify that much for a single wide these days?).


I pasted the parts of my post you conveniently cut...a new MO for you in
your lame attempt to support your position.

But the end result is always this....childish name calling and
insults....is
that what you have been reduced to Chuck? I thought better of you but I
was
obviously wrong.

A shame. And quite juvenile.


Grow up Chucky. OK? ;-)

***************

What name calling?



Look up Chucky......

ZZZZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

As usual. Quite predictable. Quite sad.

Gould,

Since you used the movie metaphor, lets follow the thread a little farther.

If you read a movie critic who thinks every movie he sees is wonderful, you
would begin to question the critic's ability to provide a review one can
believe in. When one reads "boat reviews", the "reviewer" always loves the
boat. There are movie critics who can be bought. The distributors give
them a airline ticket to Hollywood, put them up in a 5 star hotel and the
distributor is guaranteed a 5 star review. These movie "critics" are
whores, who sell themselves for the price of an airline ticket and hotel.

The difference between these unreliable movie critics and Boat reviewers are
the price they charge to sell out. Boat Reviewers use ad dollars as the
price to give a great review, they might also be persuaded by perks offered
by the mfg. There are many reliable movie critics who are not whores, the
same came not be said about boat reviewers.

You boat review provided a valuable service, because it highlighted the need
for boat buyers to take what they read in boat mags with a grain of salt.






wrote in message
oups.com...
Nonsense.

To do a truly objective test, you not only need to run the compared
boats on the same day under the same conditions, you need to do like
Consumer Reports does and actually buy the products, anonymously, at
retail, from a dealer. Otherwise, how can you be certain that somebody
hasn't "tweaked" something just a bit? In Herring's example, we would
spend what, a quarter million bucks? To make sure we got undoctored
boats for a single article?

I know this is a hard concept for many of you to understand, and the
posts of some here certainly support my observations, but it is
possible to comment on Thing A without running down Thing B or Thing C
at the same time.

Most of the items a shopper will consider are subjective, and subject
to individual preference.

You guys seem to expect an objective comparison between top sirloin,
lamb, and lobster and some definitive answer about which meal is
"best". When you read a restaurant review, do you fault the reviewer
for failing to comment on every other Chinese joint in town?

How about movie critics? Can a critic say anything useful about "Lord
of the Rings" without discussing "Ray", "The Titanic", and "Glory"?

Boat reviews point out the highlights, and any glaring deficiencies in
a boat. You don't read that many with glaring deficiencies because by
the time a builder gets to major mfg status, the market weeds out the
guys building true crap.

I've never seen a major mfg. boat that is totally unsuited for safe and
appropriate use by somebody, under the right conditions. Two equally
knowledgeable boaters will evaluate the same boat, and one might rule
it out immediately and go on to buy something else, while the other
likes it so much he writes a check on the spot. Which one was "right"?
(Hint: most likely both, they simply prioritized different needs).