B&G

[coco]

My new boat (Beneteau) delivered in 2001 was equipped with a B&G Quad system for speed and depth (standard electronics package). After a few months, the speed display went dead. Since I did want to display data from an NMEA source, I decided to fit a new h1000 system. A basic kit with an NMEA box was installed last fall. Worked very well until this week-end, when the system started to behave erratically (displaying values and then suddenly nothing on some or all data fields, then displaying again). In addition, a column of pixels on the LCD failed. I am very annoyed, since a lot of work and money was poured into the setup, and before I dismantle the whole thing and jump at B&G's throat, does anybody have made similar experiences? Does anybody have some information about the (un)reliability of B&G systems? Further, I found that the description of the diagnostics menu in the users handbook is completely inaccurate and unusable.

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[Aeolus_IV]

We installed B&G h1000 system into Aeolus (smallest system possible, just the one head at the moment), but included the NMEA Universal interface for connection to the GPS. The installation and setup are simple, and operation has been easy. However, it does sometimes take a little while for the GPS data to make it onto the display, and we have had to send the display back once as it started collecting condensation behind the glass. On the plus side they sent a replace back on return post once they had the duff unit - all done inside a week so we had the instuments back for the next weekend.

You might like to check which firmware version your kit is running - I believe that there has reciently been an new release. Call them up - they are always happy to help, and if your boat is near them (ie in the solent), they seemed happy to pop down and upgrade the firmware FOC if you are having problems. They have a website at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bandg.co.uk>http://www.bandg.co.uk</A> which gives contact details if you've not got them.

Having said all this, I would say your problem sounds more like a wiring fault than a basic system problem. If it has been working OK and it is now intermittent, this sounds like a breakdown in a physical item (ie wire, joints etc), rather than an intrisic problem with the equipment. The duff display on the h1000 should not stop or affect its operation, though it is obviously broken and should be repaired by B&G.

Regards, Jeff.

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[vyv_cox]

Last winter I installed H1000 depth with its interface and another head with a universal interface to repeat GPS info in the cockpit. The depth unit has given a consistent problem of being unable to cancel the shallow alarm without pressing the cancel button four times, i.e. going back into the set-up menu. B&G's response has been less than helpful. I was advised to get the local agent to look at the interface unit, which they did and found it to be functioning correctly. They then returned it to me. I then called them and found that they have no means of assessing the observed fault, so their assessment was a complete waste of time and postage. They now propose to install the latest software version to all components, although it would surprise me if they are not all the same version at present.

This weekend we sailed in some fairly boisterous conditions and lost the depth display on several occasions. Concluding that the damping setting might be at fault, we attempted to change it, only to find that the instrument does not have the feature shown in the manual. This is the second such omission; apparently the alarm depth that should be shown on the depth graphical display has never been available, although shown in the manual.

I must say that the other instrument has performed well but its graphical display is far from being the best I have seen. I only fitted B&G H1000 because my 20 year old Hornet setup has worked so well and reliably. My impression at the moment is that the H1000 is not competitive with the other manufacturers' offerings and that it was marketed before many of the bugs and inconsistencies had been ironed out.

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[malcp]

I too have had a B&G H1000 Depth installed all during last season and have found exactly the same problems with clearing depth Alarm (dangerous!). Having been in contact with B&G, it became clear that this was indeed an early bug and have been informed that it has since been fixed with later software releases. I think the initial release was 2.00?

I also have criticisms (?) over their Alarm display window obscuring the currently displaying parameter until the alarm is cleared, but complaints to this effect have not yielded any results, although they did consider it.

I suggest calling their customer services direct and forget about the agants.

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[coco]

Thanks everybody for the help. I talked to the B&G technical dept., and indeed the gentleman on the line was very friendly and tried to help. Now my problem is that I am located in Switzerland, and I have not contacted their agent here. We will see what they can do.

Regarding the depth alarm, I too have encountered the problem with the repetitive alarm window needing to be cleared several times (main unit rev. 02.02). The same thing happened to me with the supply voltage alarm although it was showing 13.1 Volt.

For those who are interested, this is my setup: h1000 with depth, speed and NMEA box. Garmin 152. Yeoman chart plotter. Everything is interconnected through a Sievers (Germany) NMEA multiplexer and a buffer with optical isolation. The GPS can therefore send and receive data (for ex. from the Yeoman), the h1000 can send and receive data, as well as the Yeoman. The buffers provide enough capacity to drive the multiple loads and do change the interconnect from asymetrical to symetrical. This was necessary in order to make the Simrad VHF accept the NMEA data string. Physically everything is connected to the MUX/Buffer with a shielded twisted wire.

Best regards

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[vyv_cox]

Thanks for this. Nice to know that it isn't only me. My software version is stated on the screens to be 2.02 although I understand that the interface unit could be different and account for the problem. Except that in discussion with a man at B&G (now departed) he told me that the stickers on my unit indicated it to be the latest software type. I have been promised an update to 2.04 that should fix it (they say)

I am pretty much stuck with the agent as I live in Holland. However, I am in e-mail discussion with their customer service manager, Mr. Duynisveld.

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[coco]

The gentleman at the B&G HQ told me that I could send the whole setup in (to the UK) during the winter (or whenever the boat is not used) and they would upgrade the software to the latest version. This is an upgrade that can only be factory made.

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[vyv_cox]

The Dutch agents will upgrade my system to 2.04 next week. I sail a great deal in shallow water, my alarm is set at 2.0 metres and it sounds on several occasions every time I go out. I am not prepared to sail without it and it's a damned nuisance as it is. Also, I'm beginning to be distrustful of what B&G tell me and I'd prefer to have it sorted as soon as possible.

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