mick
Well-Known Member
Posters generally seem unimpressed with Raymarine. What about Standard Horizon chartplotters.?
After Raymarine?
- Thread starter mick
- Start date
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Don't forget Garmin. Good kit, and more importantly, it seems, good after sales service.
Cloven
Well-Known Member
No problems with Navman - even got a free software upgrade from Plastimo.
jimg
Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong with Raymarine, I have had it fitted to 6 boats over the years and it has worked fine. When you supply so much kit there are bound to be a few problems, and you are more likely to hear from people with a problem, because generally they are looking for a solution!
It is rare and rather boring just to post that your kit works OK.
It is rare and rather boring just to post that your kit works OK.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
When I fitted my Raymarine radar I had a few problems that transpired to be entirely my fault. The support I received from them was exemplary, including means of accessing the plotter menu that would not be available unless 'in the know'. Unless things have deteriorated significantly I would certainly buy Raymarine again for their support service.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Raymarine often come out well in YM reviews as being easy to use. I've had a set + radar/plotter for 7 yrs and no problems. The instrument that seems to give the most problems with all makes is the wind transducer.
The operation of different makes can vary quite a bit and things like the use of "soft" buttons and screen resolution etc. may cause you to prefer one make. Connectability to other systems such as AIS may also be a factor.
The operation of different makes can vary quite a bit and things like the use of "soft" buttons and screen resolution etc. may cause you to prefer one make. Connectability to other systems such as AIS may also be a factor.
Stoshak
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Raymarine - I have had radar/plotters,bidata,VHF on various boats and no probs that weren't self inflicted.
Will certainly be using on the next boat.
Will certainly be using on the next boat.
mick
Well-Known Member
Does no-one have any experience of Standard Horizon?
Jonny_H
Well-Known Member
I'll give a Raymarine vote - as for Standard Horizon we have their VHF with command mic, excellent product and great support.
Raymarine seem to suffer from Bavaria syndrome - churn out 100 units and 1 has a problem (1%) its classed as isolated, turn out 20,000 units and 100 have a problem (now 0.5%) and its a production issue that black labels the company. Simple fact is the more you produce the more issues are going to crop up - I suspect many are down to installation - You must give Raymarine good marks for assistance with this though - their website and 'ask a question' section is excellent.
Jonny
Raymarine seem to suffer from Bavaria syndrome - churn out 100 units and 1 has a problem (1%) its classed as isolated, turn out 20,000 units and 100 have a problem (now 0.5%) and its a production issue that black labels the company. Simple fact is the more you produce the more issues are going to crop up - I suspect many are down to installation - You must give Raymarine good marks for assistance with this though - their website and 'ask a question' section is excellent.
Jonny
ParaHandy
Well-Known Member
I had a number of problems with my ST60s; the GPS signal kept on dropping out and the wind ST60 would frequently lose calibration ... however, some 2 years later I wanted to cure what I thought was a starter motor problem (the solenoid would "click" but nothing else) and decided to replace all the ground wires which did indeed cure the starter motor (thanks to BillMc & TK) and also all of the ST60 problems.
Raymarine don't try and deter owners from diy but they must wonder whether some of the problems they get are self-inflicted ... !!
Raymarine don't try and deter owners from diy but they must wonder whether some of the problems they get are self-inflicted ... !!
Aeolus
Well-Known Member
I've got a SH CP180 chartplotter and am delighted with it.
Channel Ribs
Well-Known Member
Standard Horizon Chartplotters are excellent, well made and with a good price range which starts at 300 quid and keeps going up in line with your needs.
The after sales service is good depending on who you buy from and good if you go direct to Yaesu UK.
I have used and fitted more Garmin chartplotters than you could shake a stick at and they are a good machine, Raymarine likewise; but for sheer value and service Horizon are great.
The after sales service is good depending on who you buy from and good if you go direct to Yaesu UK.
I have used and fitted more Garmin chartplotters than you could shake a stick at and they are a good machine, Raymarine likewise; but for sheer value and service Horizon are great.
LadyJessie
Well-Known Member
Agree with posts that say "Raymarine is fine". I have a mix of old and new Raymarine, all works great and is very reliable. The Raymarine service in the Med has been superb the few times I have had to use it. The web page support is also one of the best I have seen from any company in any business.
Can the reported problems have something to do with low usage? I especially noted a typical post on that previous thread said something like "I had my kit replaced and when I used it 13 months later it did not work...". I met a US Coast Guard officer recently and he told me that the USCG keeps all their electronics on all the time, 24/7, even when the boat is not commissioned. They have found that it is better for reliability. Maybe that is excessive for a cruiser, but once in 13 months is probably also not good for any brand of electronics.
Can the reported problems have something to do with low usage? I especially noted a typical post on that previous thread said something like "I had my kit replaced and when I used it 13 months later it did not work...". I met a US Coast Guard officer recently and he told me that the USCG keeps all their electronics on all the time, 24/7, even when the boat is not commissioned. They have found that it is better for reliability. Maybe that is excessive for a cruiser, but once in 13 months is probably also not good for any brand of electronics.
purplerobbie
Well-Known Member
what make would you recommend for a radar chartplotter replacement? I always thought Raymarine.
But is garmin worth considering? what are the chart like? can you get the bigger charts for the garmin?
What about the lowrance stuff? they have some pretty wide coverage charts.
Any other makes?
Rob
But is garmin worth considering? what are the chart like? can you get the bigger charts for the garmin?
What about the lowrance stuff? they have some pretty wide coverage charts.
Any other makes?
Rob
G
Guest
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
Can the reported problems have something to do with low usage? I especially noted a typical post on that previous thread said something like "I had my kit replaced and when I used it 13 months later it did not work...".
[/ QUOTE ]
That was my post when I mentioned that I didn't use the autopilot for a significant period after it was repaired - twice - and that in each case it failed soon after I started using it.
I don't think that lack of use was the issue - in that case, it was kept at home in a dry environment still wrapped up from the factory. I mention the period of disuse partly because it was too late really to complain about it to Raymarine as too long a period had passed since the repair - and I was in a different country etc. so the logistics of return not so easy.
My other instruments that failed - ST50's - were doing a couple of thousand miles a year, so getting reasonable use.
There was a comment on the forum a while back I think from Tome that the ST60's are altogether better designed/made than the ST50's were, so I'm hoping for a better experience with them!
Generally I didn't have particular complaint with Raymarine customer support - except for the failure to continue to support the ST50s with spare parts.
Can the reported problems have something to do with low usage? I especially noted a typical post on that previous thread said something like "I had my kit replaced and when I used it 13 months later it did not work...".
[/ QUOTE ]
That was my post when I mentioned that I didn't use the autopilot for a significant period after it was repaired - twice - and that in each case it failed soon after I started using it.
I don't think that lack of use was the issue - in that case, it was kept at home in a dry environment still wrapped up from the factory. I mention the period of disuse partly because it was too late really to complain about it to Raymarine as too long a period had passed since the repair - and I was in a different country etc. so the logistics of return not so easy.
My other instruments that failed - ST50's - were doing a couple of thousand miles a year, so getting reasonable use.
There was a comment on the forum a while back I think from Tome that the ST60's are altogether better designed/made than the ST50's were, so I'm hoping for a better experience with them!
Generally I didn't have particular complaint with Raymarine customer support - except for the failure to continue to support the ST50s with spare parts.
ex-Gladys
Well-Known Member
...Excuse the cynic in me, but do Raymarine come out well in reviews because of the advertising pounds they spend in the mags?
Pete7
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
But is garmin worth considering? what are the chart like? can you get the bigger charts for the garmin?
What about the lowrance stuff? they have some pretty wide coverage charts. Any other makes? Rob
[/ QUOTE ]
My Garmin 188c recently failed after being exposed on a rib for 4 years. Garmin replaced it for free with a new unit, can't fault there service. I have two charts for it, one covering the whole of the South Coast and only stopped 10 miles up the river Rance past St Malo, another covers the Irish sea. These are blue charts, the latest generation have even more features. Lowrance had a reputation amongst divers for providing kit that works and is waterproof even on a dive boat, the detail given by there sounders excellent. However I think other have now caught up, certainly Standard Horizons radios are well built and I will be looking at there chart plotters soon.
I think your biggest problem is being spoilt for choice, perhaps a trip to the Earls Court boat show and spend some time playing with the units could be a good move.
Pete
But is garmin worth considering? what are the chart like? can you get the bigger charts for the garmin?
What about the lowrance stuff? they have some pretty wide coverage charts. Any other makes? Rob
[/ QUOTE ]
My Garmin 188c recently failed after being exposed on a rib for 4 years. Garmin replaced it for free with a new unit, can't fault there service. I have two charts for it, one covering the whole of the South Coast and only stopped 10 miles up the river Rance past St Malo, another covers the Irish sea. These are blue charts, the latest generation have even more features. Lowrance had a reputation amongst divers for providing kit that works and is waterproof even on a dive boat, the detail given by there sounders excellent. However I think other have now caught up, certainly Standard Horizons radios are well built and I will be looking at there chart plotters soon.
I think your biggest problem is being spoilt for choice, perhaps a trip to the Earls Court boat show and spend some time playing with the units could be a good move.
Pete
SoSageofLorn
Well-Known Member
When you changed from ST 50 to ST 60, was it possible to retain the wiring or did you upgrade that as well?
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Guest
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
When you changed from ST 50 to ST 60, was it possible to retain the wiring or did you upgrade that as well?
[/ QUOTE ]
I retained the wiring and transducers for the Depth and Speed. As I understood the masthead wind transducer was incompatible, so replaced that (and the wiring in the mast down to the junction box. Beyond that, retained the wiring from junction box to wind instrument.
Basically the wiring's OK to use provided it has the same number of wires, obviously. It helps when the colour coding remains the same too... In most cases it was.
When you changed from ST 50 to ST 60, was it possible to retain the wiring or did you upgrade that as well?
[/ QUOTE ]
I retained the wiring and transducers for the Depth and Speed. As I understood the masthead wind transducer was incompatible, so replaced that (and the wiring in the mast down to the junction box. Beyond that, retained the wiring from junction box to wind instrument.
Basically the wiring's OK to use provided it has the same number of wires, obviously. It helps when the colour coding remains the same too... In most cases it was.
LadyJessie
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
the ST60's are altogether better designed/made than the ST50's were, so I'm hoping for a better experience with them!
[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting that we have such different experience. My ST50's are 10 years old and have done 30,000 plus nm's without any failure (touch wood). I will continue to buy Raymarine and recommend them to all of my cruiser friends, this based solely on experience and not on any marketing spend.
the ST60's are altogether better designed/made than the ST50's were, so I'm hoping for a better experience with them!
[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting that we have such different experience. My ST50's are 10 years old and have done 30,000 plus nm's without any failure (touch wood). I will continue to buy Raymarine and recommend them to all of my cruiser friends, this based solely on experience and not on any marketing spend.
