Raymarine Autopilot S3 Computer

[CoolChange91-42passage]

Well I got my first taste of the non-service department at Raymarine (Flair) or what-ever. Anyway, does anyone have or know of an S3 smart-pilot, computer that might be available. Lightning got mine and of course, Raymarine has quit servicing the units, it's only 6 years old. Anyway if anyone has put in a new system and has the old S3 computer, I could use it.

 

[artboas]

Suitable replacement

Well I got my first taste of the non-service department at Raymarine (Flair) or what-ever. Anyway, does anyone have or know of an S3 smart-pilot, computer that might be available. Lightning got mine and of course, Raymarine has quit servicing the units, it's only 6 years old. Anyway if anyone has put in a new system and has the old S3 computer, I could use it.

What you want is the S3G. It has a gyro which is much better
Lightning damage can usually be claimed under insurance. You should look into this.
If you go to the newer X30 pilot, you will need their n2K to sealtalk converter. You should just look on ebay for a S3g. Will save you compatibility headaches

 

[CoolChange91-42passage]

What you want is the S3G. It has a gyro which is much better Lightning damage can usually be claimed under insurance. You should look into this. If you go to the newer X30 pilot, you will need their n2K to sealtalk converter. You should just look on ebay for a S3g. Will save you compatibility headaches

At this point I will take anything that I can salvage the current autopilot with. S3, S3G or even X30. Tech said I could fix mine with the board from an X30, so that gives me some options, but requires someone to have replaced a working system to upgrade their boat or if their system lost some componants and they just decided to scrap it and start over. So still looking. Thanks for the input.

 

[Maine Sail]

Well I got my first taste of the non-service department at Raymarine (Flair) or what-ever. Anyway, does anyone have or know of an S3 smart-pilot, computer that might be available. Lightning got mine and of course, Raymarine has quit servicing the units, it's only 6 years old. Anyway if anyone has put in a new system and has the old S3 computer, I could use it.

Guys / Gals,

Please be aware that this is pretty much "industry standard" these days. Once a product is discontinued the manufacturer can/will only support it for as long as they have parts. On popular products the parts can vanish in as little as two to three years. At some point they have to pull the plug. They ALL do it, Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance, B&G, Xantrex etc.etc. etc.. This problem is absolutely NOT unique to just Raymarine..

This is why you should avoid buying the discontinued product or any end of life cycle product. Just because it seems like it is a "good deal", up front, in the long run it is not.

The good deal quickly vanishes once the product has been DC'd and can no longer be supported.. I see lots of folks make this mistake and get bitten. Best course of action for the LONGEST product life-cycle is to always buy the latest and greatest, not because it is the latest and greatest but because it will give you the longest service and repair life.

I talked numerous customers out of the Garmin 740's this year despite the attractive $999.00 price tag. It was painful to do because the 741 shipped well after they claimed it would.. :cussing: However, my customers will get a nice long service life out of the 741 vs. the 740 which will likely get support for another 3-4 years at best. They'd be pretty pissed in 4 years if they could not even get the unit repaired. For marine electronics buy the brand new products not the end of life cycle and definitely not the discontinued stuff... Last year I talked many out of the DC'd Ray products in favor of the e7, e95 etc. etc. in order to get the longest product life cycle.

The X5 course computer will replace the S3 but even this is not ideal as it is now at "end of life" so the X30 becomes a better deal over the long haul....... You're rudder position transducer, fluxgate, display and wheel drive are all compatible with the newer X5 & X30 computer. Course that X5 computer is now "old news" so you may want to look into Raymarines latest evolution in wheel pilots to get the longest service life....

 

[artboas]

Here's what I do, and it works

Guys / Gals,

Please be aware that this is pretty much "industry standard" these days. Once a product is discontinued the manufacturer can/will only support it for as long as they have parts. On popular products the parts can vanish in as little as two to three years. At some point they have to pull the plug. They ALL do it, Garmin, Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance, B&G, Xantrex etc.etc. etc.. This problem is absolutely NOT unique to just Raymarine..

This is why you should avoid buying the discontinued product or any end of life cycle product. Just because it seems like it is a "good deal", up front, in the long run it is not.

The good deal quickly vanishes once the product has been DC'd and can no longer be supported.. I see lots of folks make this mistake and get bitten. Best course of action for the LONGEST product life-cycle is to always buy the latest and greatest, not because it is the latest and greatest but because it will give you the longest service and repair life.

I talked numerous customers out of the Garmin 740's this year despite the attractive $999.00 price tag. It was painful to do because the 741 shipped well after they claimed it would.. :cussing: However, my customers will get a nice long service life out of the 741 vs. the 740 which will likely get support for another 3-4 years at best. They'd be pretty pissed in 4 years if they could not even get the unit repaired. For marine electronics buy the brand new products not the end of life cycle and definitely not the discontinued stuff... Last year I talked many out of the DC'd Ray products in favor of the e7, e95 etc. etc. in order to get the longest product life cycle.

The X5 course computer will replace the S3 but even this is not ideal as it is now at "end of life" so the X30 becomes a better deal over the long haul....... You're rudder position transducer, fluxgate, display and wheel drive are all compatible with the newer X5 & X30 computer. Course that X5 computer is now "old news" so you may want to look into Raymarines latest evolution in wheel pilots to get the longest service life....

I know you'll think I'm nuts...
When I buy a new boat, or any new gear, I wait until it becomes discontinued, or "obsolete". I then buy a spare (typically on ebay), as these are now really discounted. So, it sits in a box gathering dust.
One of 2 things happen.
The original unit dies, and instead of scrambling to get it fixed at huge cost, I dig out the spare, and I'm back in business.
Then, when its time to trade up boats, I have a bunch of stuff that people are willing to pay a premium for, cause the cost of re-wiring, etc., for new gear is very high.
I, at least, get my money back for the convenience of having a bunch of spares. More often than not, I end up with a few extra bucks. It's a win-win, cause some guy with a smoked S3 autopilot has a drop-in replacement that gets him up an running with zero fuss.

 

[CoolChange91-42passage]

I know you'll think I'm nuts... When I buy a new boat, or any new gear, I wait until it becomes discontinued, or "obsolete". I then buy a spare (typically on ebay), as these are now really discounted. So, it sits in a box gathering dust. One of 2 things happen. The original unit dies, and instead of scrambling to get it fixed at huge cost, I dig out the spare, and I'm back in business. Then, when its time to trade up boats, I have a bunch of stuff that people are willing to pay a premium for, cause the cost of re-wiring, etc., for new gear is very high. I, at least, get my money back for the convenience of having a bunch of spares. More often than not, I end up with a few extra bucks. It's a win-win, cause some guy with a smoked S3 autopilot has a drop-in replacement that gets him up an running with zero fuss.

Don't want you guys to think I am not grateful for the advice, because I am very grateful and will use this in the future, but right now the horse is gone so shutting the door is not on top of my list. Anyway, couldn't resist that opportunity, seamed like it fit, no disrespect intended, have to find humor in any small thing when you own a boat, agreed? No, you're not nuts, I know the spare parts rule for boats is critical, especially with pumps, hoses and clamps and apparently in other areas as well. I am pursuing the X30 as the best option per the tech. So, if anyone has or knows of a really fantastic deal, let me know. Thanks. The stupid part is I don't really use the autopilot anyway, I don't go out single-handed, and since this problem occurred I found an inexpensive depth meter that works with the Raymarine sounder, so I can afford to wait for a really good deal to come along. I find the autopilot makes it so you don't have to learn the skill of holding a course which seems self defeating to me. Kind of like the self landing system in an airliner. What happens when you really need the pilot, does he have to relearn his flying skills. Stupid comparison I know but what the heck, seems appropriate.

 

[artboas]

The X30 will be an issue

Don't want you guys to think I am not grateful for the advice, because I am very grateful and will use this in the future, but right now the horse is gone so shutting the door is not on top of my list. Anyway, couldn't resist that opportunity, seamed like it fit, no disrespect intended, have to find humor in any small thing when you own a boat, agreed? No, you're not nuts, I know the spare parts rule for boats is critical, especially with pumps, hoses and clamps and apparently in other areas as well. I am pursuing the X30 as the best option per the tech. So, if anyone has or knows of a really fantastic deal, let me know. Thanks. The stupid part is I don't really use the autopilot anyway, I don't go out single-handed, and since this problem occurred I found an inexpensive depth meter that works with the Raymarine sounder, so I can afford to wait for a really good deal to come along. I find the autopilot makes it so you don't have to learn the skill of holding a course which seems self defeating to me. Kind of like the self landing system in an airliner. What happens when you really need the pilot, does he have to relearn his flying skills. Stupid comparison I know but what the heck, seems appropriate.

It is not readilly compatible with ST1 as per my prior post.
It has st1 inputs, but will not bridge between st1 & STng

You will need their converter for this.
Please take this statement as true, cause I've been there, and spent lots of time tracking it down
If you don't do this, your wind & boat speed won't be passed through the pilot

 

[seadaddler]

S3

I would look on E-bay for the older models like S3 or S1 or S2 and see which one you can use by also looking on Raymarine .com to see what the difference is because as mentioned they would be easy and less of a problem to install.
I have heard many problems with the newer auto with all your older system on your boat.
Nick

 

[fourfax]

S3 for sale

Well I got my first taste of the non-service department at Raymarine (Flair) or what-ever. Anyway, does anyone have or know of an S3 smart-pilot, computer that might be available. Lightning got mine and of course, Raymarine has quit servicing the units, it's only 6 years old. Anyway if anyone has put in a new system and has the old S3 computer, I could use it.

I was thinking about a total system upgrade so I would be willing to sell my S3. What would you be willing to pay for it?

 

[CoolChange91-42passage]

Hey FourFax, I sent you a private message, guessing you didn't get it. Anyway, come up with a number and I'll tell you if it makes sense to me. Hard to know what you're thinking. Hard to put a value on the S3 since if it goes out, not repairable. If you are going to upgrade anyway, then surely it's worth a couple hundred for a S3. Let me know if you are going to upgrade and we can negotiate the price. Thanks for the offer, Jim Becker