New Wind Instrument OPINIONS

[sailr4]

I have the Raymarine ST50 instruments (Depth, Speed, and Wind). The Wind transducer died and needs to be replaced. I would like to get ides on the best way to proceed. I could replace the entire suite with ST 60's; Replace the Wind only with (insert brand here), but I would need it to still "talk" to the other instruments.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I thought that I heard from someone on this board that the ST60 transducer is compatible with the ST50 display head.

Maybe this is just a rumor, but I would check it out with Raymarine.

 

[Rick D]

Good luck on that. I had similar issues. The ST50 wind transducer was broken and unrepairable by anyone who had a clue. There is a replacement available in the UK for about $600 US two years ago. US Raymarine is basically disinterested in ST50 Autohelm issues. Anyhow, since my backlighting was going out, I bit the bullet and put in a new suite of instruments. The good news was the ST50 wind cabling and mount was OK with the ST60+ transducer. It did take a while to sort out the wind parameters tho. The bad news was I am still dealing with the depth issues. I decided to go ST60+ because I wanted to use my old transducers rather than pulling the boat and dealing with 5200 adhesive. Also, I did not want to pull an new backbone for NEMA 2000. IF I HAD, I would have gone with a Furuno instrument suite. This being two years later, you may want to consider the cascade effect of your choice and think non-Raymarine.

Geesh, I forgot the reason I replied to begin with <blush>. The interface of a ST60 wind transducer and ST50 head lacks windspeed as I recall; I'm pretty sure. However, lots of other people have had a problem syncing the two.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Thanks Rick for the clarification. I must have read that the cabling was compatible and mis-remembered thinking that it was the transducer itself that was compatible.

 

[sailndive345]

Thanks Rick for the clarification. I must have read that the cabling was compatible and mis-remembered thinking that it was the transducer itself that was compatible.

I have had excellent response from Raymarine tech support folks regarding this type of question... as recently as earlier this morning

http://www.raymarine.com/Default.aspx?site=1&section=3

Good luck!

Sailndive

 

[Don12364]

This is the link to the Raymarine FAQs. No performance issues reported.

http://raymarine.custhelp.com/cgi-b...WFyY2hfdGV4dD1zdDUwIHdpbmQ*&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

[Terry in Naples]

new wind instruments

When facing this last time I decided I had enough of wires and cables so ended up with a wireless system from tack tick. They are great and I put them on myself (except for going up the mast and installing the wind sensor there) They work very well. I bought the package from West Marine and they price matched Defenders sale price for me , plus, I got a one year walk in and replace, warranty from West. I am happy with the choice as I can sit in my living room and check the wind speed and direction on the boat in the canal behind the house. So far , no problems, 4 months in.
Terry

 

[druid]

Kind of a hijack, but...

I'd like a small, inexpensive (doesn't have to be all that accurate!) handheld wind meter. Any recommendations?

druid - looking furtively for Airport Security...

 

[sailr4]

Thanks for the comments. I guess its gonna come down to what I want to spend. :-\

Terry, I am curious how you check the wind from you home. Did you get a second display unit?

 

[Tricia]

Hi Druid,

I got one of these: http://www.windtronic.us/ The great thing about them is that you don't have to have them facing directly into the wind. I went to a camera shop and got a small fitting to screw into the bottom so I could tie on a lanyard.

Tricia
Freedom 25
Vancouver, BC

 

[Pat T]

I replaced the ST50's with ST60's

I was in the same boat as you (sorry) except that my speed display failed. After searching unsuccessfully for a replacemnt I decided to bite the bullet and purchase new. Don't forget you can buy these as a set. And I bought mine at Strictly Sail and got a discount. To make things better I was able to sell most * of my old working ST50 pieces to fellow sailor's on this site and made a few hundered dollars back. Some ST50 parts are compatable with ST60 stuff. I do currently use the old ST50 depth transducer and all the old cables. I believe all old cables can be used except for the depth. Can't remember why but maybe something to do with not being able to splice this one in. You can check with RayMarine. You will however, need to splice/crimp on new connectors at the display end of the cable and cut out new holes for the displays as the ST60's are slightly larger. In the end you will be happy as the ST60 is a nicer display. Mine fit nicely in my old pod.
My fourth display in the picture is the graphic display which I got for my GPS but can also be used as a repeater for anything else.

* If anyone needs the ST50 depth display please let me know via private message.