Signet Marine Instruments

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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Anyone else have Signet Marine Instruments?

I have the SL 254 Wind, SL 267a Speed/knotlog, and SL 172 Depth.

We decided against an upgrade since it seemed the instrument suppliers had gone unstable - Navman acquired (plus problems with instruments leaking), Simrad obsoleting things, and Raymarine - well, I guess I have a grudge against Raymarine. :)

Anyway, I'd love to hear of what others think about these old instruments. I'd also love to pick up another wind display, and some spares.
 
R

RAD

jviss,

When I bought my boat 5 yrs ago there was a Signet analog speed log and it never worked, I tried to remove the paddle wheel and someone had put a lot of paint around it and I just removed the instrument figuring it'll be the same as the one on my old Bristol that worked maybe 6x a season and so I've have been thinking about A:bringing the old system to life B: starting over with a new system or C:the current system of SOG with the gps
How do you like your system?
 
J

jviss

Whew!

Rad, do I detect a little frustration with Signet? :)

I actually like mine. The speed instrument is plagued by marine growth on the paddle wheel, but that's not unique to Signet.

I like having both speed through the water and speed over the ground, so I know how the current is running.

I guess the analog speed is pretty simple. Make sure the paddle wheel is clean.
 
M

Manny

Depth sounder/knot log

I have a Signet Depth Meter (172 I think) and the Knot Log (dont remember the number). I found the Depth Sounder went haywire this spring when the boat was splashed. It was reading 60 ft in about 8 ft of water, I don't know if the transducer is bad or the display. I ended up buying a Garmin Fishfinder for depth. The knot log works okay but usually stops about halfway through the season due to something fouling the paddles. The first season we had the boat it didn't work, when the boat was hauled I found that one paddle blade had cracked and bent a little. I gently bent it and epoxied it back together not expecting it last. It's been fine since.

Manny
 
B

Brian D

I have the older Signet units

For speed and depth. I returned the speed because the display was shot. They recommended I replace the whole thing. Nah... just fix the display please. Then I put it back in the boat and it still didn't work. Pulled the paddle wheel and it was missing two paddles. Ordered a new paddle and pin. Got it and put it together and in the water it went. Worked fine for half a year then stopped. Pulled it out and it was crusted with growth, and the pin was virtually destroyed. Contacted Signet and they sent a new paddle and pin. Said the pins were a bad batch.

Now I keep the paddle out of the water until it is time to use it. System works fine, but I prefer the GPS for COG.
 
S

Steve O.

Signet parts

I have some old Signet parts that I saved because I save everything. I think I have a paddlewheel w/ cable, thru-huull plug,, depth transducer, etc. If anybody wants them for spares let me know.

I'll post an ad in the HOW classifieds 'cuz Phil likes us to do business there and not in the forums.
 
D

dave

signet instruments

I have an Oday 26 1985 with 3 instruments. The wind speed direction has lost the cups but the direction arrow is still there. Does anyone have instrunction manual and maybe a wire diragram. The depth works ok but the speed does display but I do not know if it is calibrated correct,,any manuals? KDSSAIL@HOTMAIL.COM
 
R

RickS

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Jan 28, 2007
73
Jeanneau 39i-P Milwaukee, WI
Replaced Signet for Signet

The boat had round Singet instruments when we bought her but they didn't work (analog wind direct, analog wind speed, knot meter, and depth). My son was working on a BSA Merit Badge and his project was to analyze a replacement pruchase including Signet, Raymarine, Comnav, B&G, and Navman. Since the Signet would fit in the existing holes, were straight forward, and met our needs, we replaced the instruments with new traditional Signet Instruments. After four years of use, we have no regrets about the Signet replacement decision. Signet offers a trade-in program against new instruments, and the service staff is very helpful.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Service

Yes, there's a lot to be said for the small company service you get. I complain about prices of stuff, but at least you can speak with a real person adn get it done!

They fixed my wind indicator a couple of years ago, and pretty quickly.

They won't give me a schematic at all (I'm an electrical engineer, and used to repair sailing instruments myself), nor will they give me a free manual - I can't bring myself to pay for a manual, even though they've reduced the price of one from $17 to $10. I still don't know how to adjust the offset on my depth meter.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I have current manuals

For hte depth and knot log. But these are for newer instruments. When I get home I'll look to see what models I have.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
manuals

Thanks, Brian. It's hard to tell what's old and what's not with Signet; I prefer the term "classic."

Would appreciate it if you have manuals I can use.

jv
 
jviss

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
That would be it!

I think I could use those, Brian. Can you please email me?
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Spares?

If anyone has upgraded away from Signet instruments, I am interested in acquiring your old ones as spares, or sources of parts - please contact me.

Thanks,

jv
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Maybe I jinxed myself...

.... this weekend, the wind speed display on my Mk. 254 went blank. Wind direction still working, totally blank LCD wind display.

Anyone have a similar experience? Fix? Anyone have a Mk. 254 display for parts?

Thanks,

jv
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Signet update

I just found all of the manuals for the Signet instruments on their support web page - which is a recent change, I think.

I was able to buy a used SL254 wind display on eBay for $100. So, I got my replacement, and an instant spare parts head!
 
jviss

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,090
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
Wind calibration

So, the manuals are online, as pdf's, which are scans that have been OCR'd. However, apparently the SL-254's manual, the formula for determining the calibration setting didn't scan - maybe it was in some color that doesn't easily scan - so it's not there. Can someone with an SL-254 manual please tell me the formula?

Thanks,

jv
 
S

Skipper

They charge like a wounded bull

I have the SL250 smartpak.

Works fine, however cost over $1,000...for speed, depth, water temp and some logging features.

There are now drastically better systems with comprehensive integration, better\color displays, etc. If I ever have to replace, for the money I will go with the new generation of gear.

I had the paddlewheel fouling problem, Signet admits it is a low grade wheel pin (axle) that is the culprit however they do not have an upgraded part, they just sent me the same thing as replacement.

I had a problem with the computer module, it was sending bad depth data to the display. Signet upon inspection admitted that the cause was bad soldering, however they charged me to repair it. They even charged to replace the plastic weather cover which had disintegrated after 3 years.

Summary: Reasonably good gear, overpriced, mediocre product backing.
 
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