Ahoy all... Here's today's burning question(s). I need to replace the instruments on my P30...depth, knot/log,wind speed. My old Data Marine depth & knot/log have died and with their age, approx 25yrs old, it probably makes more sense to just replace them. My wind speed is only 3yrs old and never has worked right. Standard Horizon claims there's nothing wrong with it. So...now I'm looking to replace all of these with something I can depend on for more than a few days. Everything I have is bulkhead mounted, so I will have to 'adjust' the openings for the new gear. I don't want a 'fish finder'....as long as the fish are in the water, that's where they belong, and I really don't care where they are. I don't race, so 'big bucks' top of the line stuff isn't necessary. I'd be interested to know what instruments others have had good/bad luck with.
New Instruments
- Thread starter sailme2
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Take a look at the ST40 line from Raymarine
I faced the same problem last year on my '85 H31. I replaced the existing instumentation with two Raymarine ST40 units: a combo depth/speed/log display and a wind display. Other than the pain of running the wires (which weren't long enough for a 30' sailboat), installation was a snap and the data displays are all you could ask for. The price was right too. Because the two displays can talk to each other via Seatalk, the system can even combine the speed data and the apparent wind data to derive true wind direction and speed (something my old instrumentation could not do). These instruments can also be integrated with other Raymarine products which use Seatalk like autopilots and compasses. I have heard some sailors express a dislike for the rotavecta wind transducer this system uses, but I found it to be very accurate once adjusted and calibrated. At least 4 knots of wind is necessary to get an accurate wind direction from the system. I was fine with that. You may not be. The Raymarine website has all the installation manuals posted as well so you can see what you'll be facing with the installation. Good luck.
I faced the same problem last year on my '85 H31. I replaced the existing instumentation with two Raymarine ST40 units: a combo depth/speed/log display and a wind display. Other than the pain of running the wires (which weren't long enough for a 30' sailboat), installation was a snap and the data displays are all you could ask for. The price was right too. Because the two displays can talk to each other via Seatalk, the system can even combine the speed data and the apparent wind data to derive true wind direction and speed (something my old instrumentation could not do). These instruments can also be integrated with other Raymarine products which use Seatalk like autopilots and compasses. I have heard some sailors express a dislike for the rotavecta wind transducer this system uses, but I found it to be very accurate once adjusted and calibrated. At least 4 knots of wind is necessary to get an accurate wind direction from the system. I was fine with that. You may not be. The Raymarine website has all the installation manuals posted as well so you can see what you'll be facing with the installation. Good luck.
Raymarine, Navman, Simrad, B
I have had good luck with Raymarine's ST60 promo pack which comes with 3 displays and transducers (wind speed/direction with vane, depth sounder, boatspeed). The ST40 units are certainly less expensive than the ST60 but parts for the ST40 are hard to find. Pricing for the ST60 pack is usually about $1250 (probably can find cheaper online). Navman makes inexpensive instruments but I'm not convinved the quality is up to par. Simrad's IS12 is also a good choice and comparably priced with Raymarine's ST60 system. B
I have had good luck with Raymarine's ST60 promo pack which comes with 3 displays and transducers (wind speed/direction with vane, depth sounder, boatspeed). The ST40 units are certainly less expensive than the ST60 but parts for the ST40 are hard to find. Pricing for the ST60 pack is usually about $1250 (probably can find cheaper online). Navman makes inexpensive instruments but I'm not convinved the quality is up to par. Simrad's IS12 is also a good choice and comparably priced with Raymarine's ST60 system. B
Not to argue this, but ...
Trevor makes some good points, but I disagree on the ST40 parts availability issue. I purchased the ST40 displays brand new less than 6 months ago. I could purchase the same equipment tomorrow with no problem. The ST40 line is still being sold in hundreds or retail and internet outlets. Raymarine still promotes ST40 on their website and will service them if need be. It is not difficult to get parts at all. That being said, I have heard that at some time in the near future, Raymarine plans to discontinue the ST40 line in favor of the higher priced ST60. But keep in mind, they will eventually discontinue ST60 line as well, just as they have done with the older ST30 and ST50 lines. So parts availability and or service may become an issue down the road, just as it might for any instrumentation line that is discontinued from any manufacturer. The good part is that the ST40 and ST60 series can use the same transducers (even the rotavecta wind transducer will work with an ST60 display) and both ST40 and ST60 units use the same Seatalk language. I just don't see the parts availability issue becoming a real problem for quite some time, at least no more of a problem than todays ST50 and ST30 owners are having. Oh yeah... my cost total for the ST40 wind/depth/speed system was under $500. I could almost buy three ST40 systems for the price of a single ST60 setup. In my opinion that makes the ST40 setup quite the value.
Trevor makes some good points, but I disagree on the ST40 parts availability issue. I purchased the ST40 displays brand new less than 6 months ago. I could purchase the same equipment tomorrow with no problem. The ST40 line is still being sold in hundreds or retail and internet outlets. Raymarine still promotes ST40 on their website and will service them if need be. It is not difficult to get parts at all. That being said, I have heard that at some time in the near future, Raymarine plans to discontinue the ST40 line in favor of the higher priced ST60. But keep in mind, they will eventually discontinue ST60 line as well, just as they have done with the older ST30 and ST50 lines. So parts availability and or service may become an issue down the road, just as it might for any instrumentation line that is discontinued from any manufacturer. The good part is that the ST40 and ST60 series can use the same transducers (even the rotavecta wind transducer will work with an ST60 display) and both ST40 and ST60 units use the same Seatalk language. I just don't see the parts availability issue becoming a real problem for quite some time, at least no more of a problem than todays ST50 and ST30 owners are having. Oh yeah... my cost total for the ST40 wind/depth/speed system was under $500. I could almost buy three ST40 systems for the price of a single ST60 setup. In my opinion that makes the ST40 setup quite the value.
ST40 wind parts
Hi Paul - The only reason I mentioned the parts issue with ST40 is that I work for a company that is an authorized Raymarine repair center and we've had trouble getting circuit boards from the factory for the ST40 wind display on units that need repair. I have only heard of a couple units that needed repair but that's where my comment there came from. In case anyone is interested, Raymarine is coming out with the ST60+ instruments that are essentially the same as the ST60 but have flush mount bezels. Internal parts should be the same. Parts for the discontinued ST50 are still usually available. Best, Trevor
Hi Paul - The only reason I mentioned the parts issue with ST40 is that I work for a company that is an authorized Raymarine repair center and we've had trouble getting circuit boards from the factory for the ST40 wind display on units that need repair. I have only heard of a couple units that needed repair but that's where my comment there came from. In case anyone is interested, Raymarine is coming out with the ST60+ instruments that are essentially the same as the ST60 but have flush mount bezels. Internal parts should be the same. Parts for the discontinued ST50 are still usually available. Best, Trevor
DMI!
Check DMI - they recently introduced some new instruments that fit the size of the old holes!
Check DMI - they recently introduced some new instruments that fit the size of the old holes!
Has anyone had any experience with B&G H1000 instruments, what are the strong points vs weak points? I have the same question for the Raymarine ST60 instruments. I have 20+ year old Signet that are not working and need replacing. I know that Signet currently has a trade-in program, but the tradition instruments do not "talk" to each other or the Raymarine autohelm. The instruments are on a Peterson 34 sailed in Lake Michigan.
Look at ComNav
Take a look at ComNav. I have the earlier Nexus system which are the same units. Wind, depth, and knot log seem bulletproof. Very easy to install. One wire from each transducer to the computer. Then one wire from there to one display. Short jumpers between displays and autohelm.
Take a look at ComNav. I have the earlier Nexus system which are the same units. Wind, depth, and knot log seem bulletproof. Very easy to install. One wire from each transducer to the computer. Then one wire from there to one display. Short jumpers between displays and autohelm.
Ed, I looked at the Nexus NX2 briefly. How is the customer support, how are they to calibrate? Can the price premium be justified over the Raymarine ST60 SailPak?
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