Raymarine

[higgs]

Others have made this post, but one purpose of a forum is to spread news on products. i am going to echo the experience others have had with Raymarine.My Auto Pilot, St 6001 with a Si computer started giving me problems. The board recomended contacting Ray, which I did. Ray told me to send the 2 components in which were returned a week later, I assume repaired, and at no charge.Sure, I could gripe I should have not had to send them in in the first place, but in an imperfect world, I am satisfied - assuming of course, the unit works next spring when iI reinstall it.

 

[shorty]

I'll 2nd that

I just purchased a remanufactured S1 Wheel Pilot because ST4000 not repairable. They have been very helpful with several questions about my not yet installed unit.

 

[Bob V]

Good point Higgs

Some people seem to think that a good company does not have such problems with their products. I think if they work with you effectively to solve problems, they are also a good company. I'm a big fan of Raymarine products and they have served me well for many years on 3 different boats.

 

[Maine Sail]

For a long period of time...

For quite a long time I would copy and paste links to poor customer service reports & rants on boating forums to Raymarine's upper mgt.. You see, I was a disgruntled Raymarine customer and wanted better service so I took matters into my own hands. For over two years every time I found a Raymarine complaint on a forum I forwarded that link to them and not jsut to one person so it could not be ignored. To make matters worse for them any time I found praise for their competitors I forwarded it too so they could see what they were up against. Eventually things began to dramatically change to the point where now Raymarine has TOP NOTCH customer support. I'd like to think I had something to do with it but I'm sure it was only a small part if anyhting. The bottom line is that they changed and now have very, very, good customer support even if their products are not quite as reliable as say Garmin. Regardless I will continue to buy from them as long as they stand behind their product like the currently do. In the last seven years Raymarine IMHO has done a full 180 turn around for the better. The marine industry is still small enough that we "forum goers" can and do have an impact and can change corporate behavior...

 

[higgs]

I am sure..

you had an effect, Main Sail. Good for you and I owe you a thanks for your efforts as I certainly benefited from them.I found it interesting that they upgraded the software on my unit. It makes me wonder if there was a glitch in the original that was the source of the problem, which started once I got to L Ontario. Prior to my move, the AP worked flawlessly and accurately. This stuff is pretty complicated so I guess we have to work with the companies as they develop these products.

 

[Maine Sail]

Updating..

Updating firm ware is part of Raymarine's service. From what I've been told they update the firm ware on every unit they work on if an update is available. I had the Sea Talk buss in my C-70 fry on my old Catalina. Raymarine did not know why it failed but fixed it, updated my firm ware and replace my screen because they said they saw signs of delamination. I had never seen signs of delamination or had any screen problems, and I'm freaking anal, yet they replaced it any way! To top it all off they did all this while I waited for it, at their repair facility in NH, all in less than 35 minutes!Now if you contrast the above experience with the horrendous experience I had years ago with one of their products you'd be surprised I ever bought anything from them or even gave them a second chance...They've come a long, long way!!

 

[Tom S]

Long Story short

I was in a horrendous lightning storm and it knocked out my Radar.At first I though it was the radome, but it turned out to be radar/chartplotter(RL70CRC). I sent the different components back and forth and then found out my system didn't have a ground that the newer radomes had so that might have possibly helped knock out the transcievers. Not sure but I complained and they repaired everything for free even though it was well outside of the 2 year warrantee.Not a perfect system but pretty slick especially when you think of what you get for the $$ spent. I think Raytheon makes a pretty good system and it seems like they have caught up in the customer service area (I think good competition from garmin and others help a lot too) Anyway if I expected Mil-Spec reliablity I know it would be X times more expensive.Thanks MaineSail

 

[Tom S]

Long Story short

I was in a horrendous lightning storm and it knocked out my Radar.At first I though it was the radome, but it turned out to be radar/chartplotter(RL70CRC). I sent the different components back and forth and then found out my system didn't have a ground that the newer radomes had so that might have possibly helped knock out the transcievers. Not sure but I complained and they repaired everything for free even though it was well outside of the 2 year warrantee.Not a perfect system but pretty slick especially when you think of what you get for the $$ spent. I think Raytheon makes a pretty good system and it seems like they have caught up in the customer service area (I think good competition from garmin and others help a lot too) Anyway if I expected Mil-Spec reliablity I know it would be X times more expensive.Thanks MaineSail

 

[Tom S]

Long Story short

I was in a horrendous lightning storm and it knocked out my Radar.At first I though it was the radome, but it turned out to be radar/chartplotter(RL70CRC). I sent the different components back and forth and then found out my system didn't have a ground that the newer radomes had so that might have possibly helped knock out the transcievers. Not sure but I complained and they repaired everything for free even though it was well outside of the 2 year warrantee.Not a perfect system but pretty slick especially when you think of what you get for the $$ spent. I think Raytheon makes a pretty good system and it seems like they have caught up in the customer service area (I think good competition from garmin and others help a lot too) Anyway if I expected Mil-Spec reliablity I know it would be X times more expensive.Thanks MaineSail

 

[Tom S]

Long Story short

I was in a horrendous lightning storm and it knocked out my Radar.At first I though it was the radome, but it turned out to be radar/chartplotter(RL70CRC). I sent the different components back and forth and then found out my system didn't have a ground that the newer radomes had so that might have possibly helped knock out the transcievers. Not sure but I complained and they repaired everything for free even though it was well outside of the 2 year warrantee.Not a perfect system but pretty slick especially when you think of what you get for the $$ spent. I think Raytheon makes a pretty good system and it seems like they have caught up in the customer service area (I think good competition from garmin and others help a lot too) Anyway if I expected Mil-Spec reliablity I know it would be X times more expensive.Thanks MaineSail

 

[Bob]

vastly improved

I too have been impressed with the improved customer service at Raymarine. I recently had a problem with an older Autohelm 4000 autopilot. They fixed it for $50.00. Not bad for a 10year old plus unit!

 

[higgs]

Main Sail

Might I suggest you send the link on this discussion to Raymarine. they have obviously made an effort to improve and should hear the results.