The masthead speed sensor on my DM 5000 failed last summer and I sent it to DMI Marine for repair after I hauled for the winter. It was returned in November, and I checked the box to be sure it was inside and put it away for a springtime installation. Jump ahead to this past weekend, spring is here and I am ready to go up the mast. Removing the unit from the box I discover that both the wind speed sensor and the API sensor are not fastened to the housing and are covered with the damping oil. It is not the same unit as I sent them, bare aluminum housing and arm instead of black anodized finish.
So it isn't just that it wasn't put back together, it is a different unit from your original.
Question: when you "checked the box to be sure it was inside", I don't understand, if it was silver wouldn't that have been noticeable? And "in pieces"? Geze, what a mistake! So much for being trusting.
When contacted by email DMI responded too bad... so sad, too late to make claim to UPS for shipping damage. There was no damage to the box and the unit was tightly packed in peanuts to prevent movement.
So, apparently the unit was switched and another customer got yours. And either the other customer didn't say anything or DMI doesn't want to admit there was a problem. Bummer. Besides, UPS would probably not support a claim for the shipping of the wrong item under the guise of "shipping damage". It is clearly a DMI screw-up. "So sad" they make a reply like that. Not good.
DMI did offer to put the unit back together, charging me 50% of $250 plus shipping both ways, another $50. This seems unreasonable since the main parts should all be new.
Agree, it is unreasonable. Trying to do anything about it would have been difficult even back when you received it without some kind of proof of what was sent originally, and that would've been difficult. I don't think there is a serial number on that part. Given the time that has passed it will be, in Navy terms, "pushing a rope". They're on to new jobs and don't want to be bothered with dealing with an old one they've already been paid for.
Any thoughts or prior experiences with DMI Marine?
Thoughts are above, prior experience? Had very little. Also have the Link 5000 since 1988 and it has worked well. Did have a problem years ago with the wind sensor but that was a long time ago and don't remember what it was other than some kind of wiring problem. At the time they seemed, meh, okay. Didn't want to talk much on the phone. In the meantime I picked up a few parts to keep as spares. Otherwise, the Datamarine 5000 is, in my opinion, a really, really good unit.
The unit has never discolored like so many other brands have and looks nearly as fresh as new. EXCELLENT! Has held up, has a lot of capability, and was way ahead of its time. The one single thing I would like about a newer system is the elimination of the paddlewheel speed transducer. There is a lot of debris in the water, both sticks, eel grass, and algae, and it can mess up the paddlewheel. An inboard unit would be nice to have. Would like a remote wind speed indicator to have below deck in the aft cabin but never got one. The remote nav station is nice but to get out of a warm bunk to see what is happening isn't what I like to do.
I do have a *.pdf copy of the original Link 5000 manual if you need one.
Helm - doesn't look 30 years old, partly because it is covered when not in use.
Edit: the thumbnail was too small and the full image really large, so went with it.
