Airmar DST replacement?

[demonboy]

Our Airmar Triducer IDST-N2000 (dated 2014) has stopped working after just four years. I suspected something was up over 18 months ago when depth would come and go but now it no longer works at all (no clicking sound, no depth, speed or temp). Some cursory research on the net suggests this is not uncommon. Needless to say I'm reticent about replacing it with another Airmar.

The B&G dealer here in Thailand is recommending the Airmar DST800, but a quick review on Amazon shows an average rating with one reviewer describing similar symtoms to our problems.

1. Does Airmar have a bad rep? I read somewhere they went through a dodgy period but can't confirm this.
2. Have the Airmars improved over the years?
3. Any suggested alternatives?
4. Are the units standard diameter and length?

Interested to hear from anyone with similar experience and alternatives to my unit with solid performance.

Thanks in advance.

Jamie

 

[pvb]

Almost all transducers are made by Airmar, regardless of what name is on the box. So it's difficult to suggest alternatives. Most Airmar transducers give long reliable life, so I think you've just been unlucky.

 

[demonboy]

Almost all transducers are made by Airmar, regardless of what name is on the box. So it's difficult to suggest alternatives. Most Airmar transducers give long reliable life, so I think you've just been unlucky.

Cheers, pvb. The agent here has since told me he has sold many DST800s without issue so maybe I did get unlucky.

 

[mersey]

As someone else mentioned, airmar make transducers for nearly every one, NASA is about the only non-airmar ones I can think of, and I'd certainly consider not as good.

I've got a DST800, works fine, I do remove it and put in the blanking plug when not in use, NMEA 2000 so output can be displayed on any brand of plotter that has N2K.

If buying today, I'd seriously consider the UDST800 that came out this year, it is an ultrasonic version of the DST800, and does away with the moving paddle wheel, which is the part most prone to issues and failure. Also accuracy is meant to be better.

 

[demonboy]

If buying today, I'd seriously consider the UDST800 that came out this year, it is an ultrasonic version of the DST800, and does away with the moving paddle wheel, which is the part most prone to issues and failure. Also accuracy is meant to be better.

Thanks for the heads up on that, mersey. Cleaning the log of barnacles is a pain, so I'll look into it.

 

[emmalina]

Hi Jamie I went through 3 in 5 years so gave up on the things now use a chirp fishfinder glassed into the hull and a P79 airmar in hull ! good luck I had one that works for about 12 hours then stops ! I keep it for a back up

 

[Pye_End]

I've got a DST800, works fine, I do remove it and put in the blanking plug when not in use, NMEA 2000 so output can be displayed on any brand of plotter that has N2K.

Anothe vote for the DST800. Much more accurate than previous log. In the summer I often take the transducer out and replace with the plug in between sails, or for a clean, but it has been in all winter and is still good.