Raymarine Vs Simrad
- Thread starter NYSail
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raymarine
before you buy raymarine, make believe you already spent your big bucks and try contacting raymarine with a problem. you have nothing to lose.
before you buy raymarine, make believe you already spent your big bucks and try contacting raymarine with a problem. you have nothing to lose.
For what it is worth ...
I have been reading about Raymarine and customer service complaints since I've been on this forum for the last 3 years. I replaced my old broken wind instrument with a Simrad IS12 and am installing it this winter. Since my speed and depth logs are Datamarine, I wasn't looking for compatibility except that when I purchase an autohelm, it will be a Simrad Wheel Pilot. I couldn't see any real advantage to having the IS15 on my pocket cruiser Starwind 27, though I was tempted to spend the extra money for it. Sorry though, my opinion isn't based on experience ... yet. But I am pleased that it appears to be a very well made instrument.
I have been reading about Raymarine and customer service complaints since I've been on this forum for the last 3 years. I replaced my old broken wind instrument with a Simrad IS12 and am installing it this winter. Since my speed and depth logs are Datamarine, I wasn't looking for compatibility except that when I purchase an autohelm, it will be a Simrad Wheel Pilot. I couldn't see any real advantage to having the IS15 on my pocket cruiser Starwind 27, though I was tempted to spend the extra money for it. Sorry though, my opinion isn't based on experience ... yet. But I am pleased that it appears to be a very well made instrument.
Beg To Differ...
i have had Autohelm, Raytheon and Raymarine over 17 years. I have had plenty of service and I have to say it has been great. I have hardly ever used the phone; I find their e-mail works the best. Last service was for backlighting on a chartplotter. They called me twice and the turn around was a week. So, while 'your experience may differ', I for one have had such good results, I would put myself in their corner for future needs. Rick D.
i have had Autohelm, Raytheon and Raymarine over 17 years. I have had plenty of service and I have to say it has been great. I have hardly ever used the phone; I find their e-mail works the best. Last service was for backlighting on a chartplotter. They called me twice and the turn around was a week. So, while 'your experience may differ', I for one have had such good results, I would put myself in their corner for future needs. Rick D.
I second Rick's experience!
Contrary to popular comment, I've always had very good results with raymarine tech support-I'll go with them again on my next system
Contrary to popular comment, I've always had very good results with raymarine tech support-I'll go with them again on my next system
raymarine
ok. don't try raymarine before you buy; call these guys with the good experiences if you have trouble.
ok. don't try raymarine before you buy; call these guys with the good experiences if you have trouble.
Two sides ...
I'm sure that every company has people that think their support is poor. Morty seems to have a real problem with Raymarine. My personal experience is that they are better than most marine equipment suppliers, much better than Navman, and not quite as good as Garmin. While I have heard complaints from customers about all sorts of things, complaints about Raymarine units and service is a topic that has never come up. It may have to do with expectations; Morty, do you have any experience dealing with other marine suppliers that makes you think that Raymarine service is different/worse by comparison? I'll grant that customer service in the marine industry is not at the same level as for other consumer goods. In that context, I find Raymarine above average. As far as Wind Instruments go, I have not tried a Simrad, the Navman I had did not perform as advertised, the Raymarine wind instrument does. I would base my choice on the the Autopilot I have or might add to the system. Steering to wind is a wonderfull feature, getting a Wind Instrument that is compatable with the AP is a primary concern for me.
I'm sure that every company has people that think their support is poor. Morty seems to have a real problem with Raymarine. My personal experience is that they are better than most marine equipment suppliers, much better than Navman, and not quite as good as Garmin. While I have heard complaints from customers about all sorts of things, complaints about Raymarine units and service is a topic that has never come up. It may have to do with expectations; Morty, do you have any experience dealing with other marine suppliers that makes you think that Raymarine service is different/worse by comparison? I'll grant that customer service in the marine industry is not at the same level as for other consumer goods. In that context, I find Raymarine above average. As far as Wind Instruments go, I have not tried a Simrad, the Navman I had did not perform as advertised, the Raymarine wind instrument does. I would base my choice on the the Autopilot I have or might add to the system. Steering to wind is a wonderfull feature, getting a Wind Instrument that is compatable with the AP is a primary concern for me.
raymarine
again, i'm not asking for anybody to take my word - i'm only suggesting trying for yourself before buying. capisci?
again, i'm not asking for anybody to take my word - i'm only suggesting trying for yourself before buying. capisci?
Raymarine service has been great
I have replaced all my old Datamarine intsturments with with Raymarine and installed a Raymarine autopilot as well as a chartplotter... All networked (SeaTalk) together. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the installation documentation (they assumed that I had more knowledge than it turned out I had) BUT, I never had any problem getting in contact with customer support and they would stay with me answering questions and giving advice as long as necassary... Maybe I was just lucky. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Instruments.htm Good Luck
I have replaced all my old Datamarine intsturments with with Raymarine and installed a Raymarine autopilot as well as a chartplotter... All networked (SeaTalk) together. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the installation documentation (they assumed that I had more knowledge than it turned out I had) BUT, I never had any problem getting in contact with customer support and they would stay with me answering questions and giving advice as long as necassary... Maybe I was just lucky. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Instruments.htm Good Luck
raymarine
ok, please, for you guys with an open line to raymarine, i'm willing to eat crow and forgive and forget if you can get just one of my issues settled. there is a gigantic suspension bridge that was purposely constructed true north-south very near my boat, and lining the boat with the centrline of bridge is easy. now how do i get the readout on my st400 mkii to show 180 when i do that? raymarine has never answered my emails, snailmails or phone calls, and yes, i've searched the manual with no success. so maybe raymarine will tell you and you will tell me.
ok, please, for you guys with an open line to raymarine, i'm willing to eat crow and forgive and forget if you can get just one of my issues settled. there is a gigantic suspension bridge that was purposely constructed true north-south very near my boat, and lining the boat with the centrline of bridge is easy. now how do i get the readout on my st400 mkii to show 180 when i do that? raymarine has never answered my emails, snailmails or phone calls, and yes, i've searched the manual with no success. so maybe raymarine will tell you and you will tell me.
maretron?
Hello, Since the topic is wind instruments, has anyone tried, or have any comments on the ultrasonic unit from Maretron? http://www.maretron.com/products/wso100.php It does not use the wind cups that seem to be a common failure point. It also uses the NMEA2000 interface, so it should be easy to integrate with other systems. Thanks, Barry
Hello, Since the topic is wind instruments, has anyone tried, or have any comments on the ultrasonic unit from Maretron? http://www.maretron.com/products/wso100.php It does not use the wind cups that seem to be a common failure point. It also uses the NMEA2000 interface, so it should be easy to integrate with other systems. Thanks, Barry
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