I couldn't get the Navico link to open, but the Raymarine link is to a RETIRED product, not their newer ones. Yesterday, I spent time on one boat helping to install NMEA 0183 instruments in a network and on another who was installing new NMEA 2000 instruments. The 0183 job was a confusing nightmare, while the 2000 job was a simple plug and play with no regard for understanding the network, multiplexers, baud rates etc. Really, we spent 2 hours on the 0183 install of 2 instruments just sketching out wiring diagrams and consulting manuals trying to get a usable design without actually running or connecting any wires or devices. The 2000 install was maybe 10 minutes to hook up 5 devices without cracking a manual or even paying any regard to the installation instructions. Maybe 10 minutes - we were sitting around talking a lot, so the actual install was probably shorter.

Again, all new instrumentation being made now by the majors are fully complaint standardized NMEA 2000. The days of problems like you describe above are gone, and there is certainly not a slow down or loss of functionality by using NMEA 2000 on them. However, that can be the case if you try to connect new stuff using NMEA 0183, although Lord knows why someone would prefer to do that.

Is your Furuno MFD the current Navnet 3D one? If so, I have one on order and specifically asked Furuno if it will take heading data from a non-Furuno unit (in my case Maretron and Simrad). Furuno said no problem. The only requirement is that the heading sensor outputs standardized NMEA 2000 sentences at a standard rate. The problems arise in connecting OLD compasses and rate-sensors to the unit.

Sounds like plug and play to me.

Mark