Basic Sailing Instrument Recommendation???

[Rich M]

I am looking for a solid recommendation for a knot meter, depth finder, log. Just a couple of years ago I purchased a Navman unit that is just JUNK and no longer supported by the manufacturer. I don't want to spend a grand just for the basics, but do want a unit that will LAST.

Or is the real answer take all instruments Off the boat for during winter storage? Is that practicle? When I think of the actual number of uses I got out of the now defunt unit it really isn't many trips away from the dock.

Who has something to recommend and a mfg. that stands behind their product?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Everybody has their personal preference but I think you will find any of the major makers will serve your purpose; none of which are cheap. Taking the instruments off in winter isn't necessary regardless of how severe your winter is.

 

[tommays]

For basic its hard to beat a Velocitek Speedpuck

 

[sailaway78]

I love Garmin

I have had a couple of the smaller Garmin plotters, and never had a hint of a problem with either one. All the newer ones have the capabilities you want. SOG, log and trip, and depth. While lots of others have the same features, I have found Garmin to be more user friendly than most, and their customer support is top notch.

 

[KD3PC]

I have older simrad, a newer Garmin...now that suunto owns tacktick, they seem to be better quality than previous and are easy on the wallet...I have heard really good things about them in the past few months.

Any of the name brands should serve you well. Spend some time playing with them at a show or WM and the cartography to make sure you see what you need to see...

all the best

 

[Ed Schenck]

Why are we always reading here on SBO about poor service and poor quality? We need an SBO Consumer's Report forum with a "sticky" listing the five star companies. You say your Navman is junk. Weren't they purchased by somebody. I think the economy is part of the problem, all these companies merging and not knowing how to put things back together. Who owns my Nexus company?

I love my Nexus system, trouble free the past six years. Those little cups have been spinning up there all this time in light winds and gales. Only the log occasionally succumbs to barnacles. Even in Lake Erie zebra mussels would get in. Otherwise no problems.

And











I second the Garmin recommendation. From my very old 12XL, to the eTrex, to the 172C never an issue. All three in regular service.

 

[Ross]

My Huimmigbird depth and my Garmin 72 gps satisfy my needs for less than 300 dollars.

 

[Steve Dion]

There is nothing wrong with the Raymarine Tri-data then you can add a Wind instrument and you are ready to go. Now you display all of data on a single display if that is the way you want to do it.

Raymarine has also succumbed to a take over, but I doubt that they will be going away any time soon.

B & G is also still around after all these years.

These companies have had a large market share so the new owners will undoubtly keep the brands alive.

 

[Freedom77]

I have had a Signet knot meter for the last 30+ years. it's reliable and accurate.

 

[Nereussailor]

I'm with Ross on this one. Pretty much the same set up for the past 5 years, Zero problems.

Dave

 

[higgs]

I would let Navman know how dissatisfied you are with their product and give them a link to this thread. your post is enough to make sure I would not buy their product. This is the nice thing about forums. We know what works and what to stay away from.

 

[Blitz]

I'mstill happy with my 26 year old Datamarine products (depth & speed) and won't replace them till they are fully dead. Will add Raymarine wind & autopilot over winter though.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I was able to replace the transducers for my Datamarine Corinthian instruments - depth & speed log. They work great for me and I take care of them by covering them every time I close up the boat for the day. I also remove the transducers before take-out and after launch so that I am sure the slings can't do any damage.

I have had a Simrad Wind Instrument (IS 15) for 4 seasons now and am very happy to have it and it has worked flawlessly. With the constant wind shifts we have, it is invaluable, especially because looking at the masthead thru the bimini is literally a pain in the neck. Many think it is not essential but I think it is.

I replaced the old Kenyon wind instrument which was on its last legs when we bought the boat.