Furuno VX2 Radar, Plotter, GPS, Fluxgate Compass

Furuno NavNet vx2 is a legendary, “classic” marine navigation system. It was the industry standard for commercial and serious recreational vessels for many years, famous for its incredible reliability and rugged, “tank-like” construction.

Important Context: Legacy Status

Before integrating this into a modern setup, it is important to understand that the NavNet vx2 is a legacy system.

• Support: Furuno has long since succeeded this platform with newer generations (NavNet 3D, TZtouch, TZtouch2, and the current TZtouch3).

• Parts & Compatibility: While the vx2 is incredibly durable, parts (specifically replacement displays and proprietary networking cables) are becoming difficult to source. Additionally, it does not support modern high-speed networking or the advanced multi-frequency/live sonar technologies found in current MFDs.

System Capabilities

If you have a functional vx2 system, it is a powerhouse of integrated navigation:

• Radar Plotter: Supports Furuno’s high-performance open-array or dome radar scanners. The radar overlay on the chart plotter was one of the features that made NavNet famous.

• GPS & Echo Sounder: Built-in GPS receiver (or external antenna) and a dedicated sounder module port. It is known for producing very clean, reliable sonar returns, even by today’s standards, when paired with a quality transducer.

• Fluxgate Compass: Furuno’s PG-500R or similar fluxgate compasses were the standard pairing for vx2, providing the critical heading data necessary for radar overlay and autopilot steering.

Technical Considerations

• Networking: The vx2 uses the original “NavNet 1” Ethernet protocol. It is not natively compatible with the NMEA 2000® or high-speed Ethernet standards used by modern displays.

• Charts: It uses C-MAP NT/MAX cards, which are still available but lack the depth and detail of modern vector/raster charting packages.

• Expansion: You can still find used components (keypads, displays, radars) on the secondary market if you are committed to maintaining a legacy setup.

Strategic Insight for Your Business

Given your background in high-performance automotive parts and your interest in modern, high-speed marine electronics, it is important to weigh the “vintage” reliability of the Furuno vx2 against the “factory-level” performance of modern systems.

• Recommendation: If you are building a new system, the NavNet vx2 is generally not recommended because of its limited integration with modern sensors, trolling motors, and live sonar.

• Upgrade Path: If you are a fan of the Furuno brand, the NavNet TZtouch3 is the modern equivalent. It offers the same legendary reliability but features a high-speed processor, 4K resolution, full NMEA 2000/NMEA 0183 integration, and compatibility with modern solid-state radar (NXT) and professional-grade sonar.