Cheap Chinese AIS Transponder ordering

I got stung for £49 duty..... I guess thats the luck of the draw!!! Still a great price though.

Shouldn't be any duty as i understand it, just VAT, which would suggest you paid £245 + VAT = £294? Or did the £49 include a handling charge?

Still not bad at £294 I guess - but better at £207, what's the secret LK? :confused:
 
There is one thing that puzzles me. On the main AIS display screen there is Tx and Rx in the bottom right hand corner of the "radar" display with a circle above each of them. I was expecting the circles to change colour when it transmitted or received a AIS "packet". My be it is my eyesight or the flash is very quick but I have not seen these change colour. It is however transmitting, I can detect the transmission on my ham radio and it was picked up by another boat in the marina, and receiving. From where I was in the marina I could only pick up the one other boat in the marina, and neither were moving, so there would not be a lot of flashing to spot. If anyone else is testing one please let me know if it behaves differently.

The picture, by the way, shows how it reacts to my McMurdo Smartfind AIS MOB beacon in test mode. Note the little red icon top right showing an alarm. One good thing about a newer AIS "plotter" is it knows what is an emergency beacon.MatsutecSARTAlarm.jpg

Also I have not tested the waypoint upload/download via serial line so I would be interested how that works.
 
I don't really know, it's 100% clear on import docs that VAT was not due. Fingers crossed I'm testing Saturday.

Oh it was due, just someone couldn't be bothered.
A few years ago I bought an aircraft item in from USA by post fully expecting duty (8% I think at that time) and VAT on about £250 and to my surprise wasn't charged anything.
It is just luck of the draw I think.
 
There is one thing that puzzles me. On the main AIS display screen there is Tx and Rx in the bottom right hand corner of the "radar" display with a circle above each of them. I was expecting the circles to change colour when it transmitted or received a AIS "packet". My be it is my eyesight or the flash is very quick but I have not seen these change colour. It is however transmitting, I can detect the transmission on my ham radio and it was picked up by another boat in the marina, and receiving. From where I was in the marina I could only pick up the one other boat in the marina, and neither were moving, so there would not be a lot of flashing to spot. If anyone else is testing one please let me know if it behaves differently.

The picture, by the way, shows how it reacts to my McMurdo Smartfind AIS MOB beacon in test mode. Note the little red icon top right showing an alarm. One good thing about a newer AIS "plotter" is it knows what is an emergency beacon.View attachment 39215

Also I have not tested the waypoint upload/download via serial line so I would be interested how that works.

Sorry maybe I should have posted this on the other thread my intention was to ask those who have managed to procure one.
 
I'm a little concerned that the plastic divider tray in the box was totally smashed...

Photo evidence ...

HP-33A-592814956434-L_zpsd995c668.png~original


New thread about using the device here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?385367
 
Mine arrived today, they sent it by courier. No VAT on the doorstep, I will wait to see if I get an invoice.

I'm a little concerned that the plastic divider tray in the box was totally smashed. The unit seems OK, but I won't be able to power it up for a month.
Haven't you got a 12v battery handy or plug in to your 12v car socket. If it's not working, you need to know quickly to get a replacement or refund.
 
Haven't you got a 12v battery handy or plug in to your 12v car socket. If it's not working, you need to know quickly to get a replacement or refund.

You are right of course, so (with the confirmation of the pin-outs from the other thread) I quickly plugged in into my lab power supply. It booted and went to the Radar display. No time to test further, but a bit happier now.
 
Been quoted $376 delivered to the UK

Just had one delivered $365 Excellent communication from Matstutec and delivery service by DHL enabled me to be on site for acceptance..

Now the fun begins in replacing all the cables to the pushpit mounted Antennas and mounting in the Binnacle.
 
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