Wireless Wind systems

Dos Equis · Mar 2, 2015

My mast top transducer got wiped out by a 200 kph seagull or just the wind during hurricane Odile last year. Since I am here in Mexico the final costs with replacement (no warranty), taxes, shipping and long waits on hold to Garmin, in the end cost me about $1000.
The replacement transducer sent would pair with the original Nexus WSI box. They then sent a new WSI, transducer at additional cost, plus more Mexican tax and the return of the first transducer. This new system came paired, but after it was installed it didn't read the speed/depth hull transducer or send it to the gauges. So more time on the phone and making up cables and reprogramming (with online help from support) from my laptop.
After three months and a grand it is up and working again. I enjoyed dealing originally with Nexus, but my list of vendors I'll buy from in the future is diminishing.

The original Nexus installation was very simple, but since my wiring from my first system was still in the mast I would have been better off buying a wired system.

artboas · Mar 2, 2015

Wind system

dehler25 said:
I have been reading about less than stellar performance from specific brands of wireless wind systems. Does anyone have experience or an ear for how the Garmin G wind stacks up. I have to replace mine and it sure would be nice to have less wire to run in my furling mast.

It's no big deal to put in a mast cable. (See my prior posts)
Then you have a rock solid low cost wind system
Get the Raymarine st60+, or the new i60.

Jackdaw · Mar 2, 2015

artboas said:
Then you have a rock solid low cost wind system

No such thing.

Even the expensive ones, the wired ones, have issues.

wufibugs · Mar 2, 2015

Yep, Jack. It's called the collection agency.

ice breaker · Mar 2, 2015

artboas said:
It's no big deal to put in a mast cable. (See my prior posts)
Then you have a rock solid low cost wind system
Get the Raymarine st60+, or the new i60.

I had st60, junk on both ends the gauge would not calibrate and the masthead was trash. Raymarine quoted over 600 to repair. I choose to replace all of my st60 instuments with an i60 complete set. ( so I did not need to change much wiring). Still had to send the i60 unit in for warranty after 1 season, as the unit would freeze if it was in direct sun. The face would warp and the needle get stuck until it cooled.

Given what I said, I still really like the i60, the way they look "modern" and the ability to feed the 7000+ AP. Wind angle steerage is cool and efficient.

artboas · Mar 4, 2015

I60

ice breaker said:
I had st60, junk on both ends the gauge would not calibrate and the masthead was trash. Raymarine quoted over 600 to repair. I choose to replace all of my st60 instuments with an i60 complete set. ( so I did not need to change much wiring). Still had to send the i60 unit in for warranty after 1 season, as the unit would freeze if it was in direct sun. The face would warp and the needle get stuck until it cooled.

Given what I said, I still really like the i60, the way they look "modern" and the ability to feed the 7000+ AP. Wind angle steerage is cool and efficient.

The i60 is just a repackaged st60+ with STng interface , and slimmer bezel. So, from a reliability standpoint, should be same as st60+
I've never had any problems with the masthead, but I use the long wand version.
Actually, the electronics in the raymarine masthead are more robust that most other units I've seen.
They use a very slick circuit which has a rotation sending IC (used in automotive controls) simply coupled to a circular magnet on the vane. Very simple, and quite accurate.
I upgraded all my ST60+ heads to i70s, which are fabulous. But, I kept the St60+ wind guages. Essentially, as the i60s are the same, I didnt feel like replacing the 3 existing heads (1 at each helm and 1 over the companionway) units for what it would cost