instrumentation

[suse]

All the instruments in my boat are ancient, but mostly they still work. However, if I wanted to update to new: depth sounder, gps, radio, wind direction +anything else the panel cares to suggest (eg fishfinder), and wanted to integrate them, and wanted it to be cheap but effective, and most importantly, DEAD SIMPLE to install (complete electronic dodo), what should I go for? (The thought of a new boat, fully installed might be the preferred option, but too expensive)

Thanks for suggestions.

Susy

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[Talulah]

My feeling on this is to go for Raymarine. When there has been a problem they have always repaired/replaced without fuss or hazzle. There are loads of other owners who can offer advice. The support network is good. They are easy to install. If you have half a system you are likely to see other components to extend it on the second hand market. (i.e. ebay)

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[Rohorn]

Hi...I'm interested to see what you trawl here, 'cos I've got all old Autohelm (now Raymarine) ST 50 tridata instruments, which like yours still work, but I'd thought of up-dating to the later ST60 instruments.
However, I was put off a bit when the anemometer head finally jammed, (albeit after 13 years constant operation) it cost a staggering 350 euro for a new one (in Greece). Maybe there's some other make around which is just as good but at a reasonable cost.
Cheers....R



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[bedouin]

If you want REALLY simple installation go for the TackTick ones. They are all solar powered and linked wirelessly so there are almost no wires at all. The only exception is a single 12V connection to the log/depth transducer, I assume because there isn't much sunlight in the bilges.

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[Rowana]

TackTick

But have you seen the cost??

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[poter]

Susy

Starting at the cost effective end would be NASA. if you are going to install yourself then the easy part is the instrument dials. The hard part is the transducer/windvane.

However if you have a local rigger, then he may be able to help with the masthead parts and mousing your cables down the mast.
The surface glands to get the cables into the boat are fairly easy to fit.

Go for a fish finder to use as a depth sounder, and the transducer can usually be mounted inside, so you won't need a hole thru boat. the other advantage is the fishfinder can be mounted on a bracket in your cockpit.

The only item that may cause you a problem is the paddle wheel fitting for the Speed/log instrument. This obviously has to go thru the hull, & unless you are happy drilling a hole in the boat & fibre glassing in a new skin fitting, get a local boat yard to do it for you.

Cost... around £400 for your wind &speed log
And around £100 for your Fish finder
GPS Loads to choose from ....hand held on a bracket starting at around £100 up to say a Raymarine C70 Colour chart plotter at £1000 .

Radio: you can get a nasa DSC radio at around £200 at present.

Try Marine Electronics
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/Products/system/index.htm

or All Gadgets
https://www.allgadgets.co.uk


hope this helps.

poter.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by poter on 22/03/2004 16:47 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[qsiv]

Re: TackTick

.. but theres almost no installation cost, and you can pop the display heads below decks to avoid pilfering, or keep by your bunk to check your depth calculations were correct. I doubt that you need as many displays as you might have with other systems, either.

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[sailorman]

Raymarine, even i can wire it up.
just plug-in & play

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[poter]

Re: TackTick

Yes agree no installation cost.... but Just the speed display is £490 & the wind display is £630 the wind transmitter is £400 and the depth/speed transducer is £75
Total for the two instruments of just over £1500..... Nasa Kit complete around £310.
You can get an awful lot of labour for £1200, or even buy the rest of the instruments, & get change.

I agree that tacktic is great kit but Suzy was looking to be price conscious & the Tactick kit is really the Rolls Royce, price wise!


poter


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[sailorman]

Re: TackTick

i have a NASA navtex.
the rest of their kit looks like the local agricultural blacksmith made it.
( sorry all Blacksmiths)

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[Joe_Cole]

What do you have at the moment? The easiest, and possibly cheapest, thing would be to get something which is compatible with your existing wiring/transducers. Or do you want to replace the lot?

Joe

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[Mudplugger]

Re: TackTick

Got to disagree Guy's, used NASA Clipper on last boat for Wind,Log, Gps Repeater,Echosounder,etc, never had a problem with any of them and all simple to install. Remember they actually make the instruments for a couple of the others....Tony W

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[FullCircle]

Re: TackTick

Suse,
I am delighted to hear you are replacing all the kit.
I vote NASA too, as my boat is Target Log/Depth and Clipper GPS Repeater.
BUT..... I would like first dibs on your old kit, if possible,as I need at least wind instruments. Then I can change my byline at the bottom to 'need Eberspacher'.... and then Lynn would stop hassling me for heat sometime this year.


Thank you most kindly in anticipation


Jim & Lynn


<hr width=100% size=1>Second Chance - First Love. Still no wind instruments, c'mon peeps its for (my)charity

 

[MrFish]

I'd reccomend Navman - by Plastimo in UK, I think. I've fitted them on my keeler in NZ 2 years ago, and have found them to be very good. They are very competively priced over here - but the big difference was a 3year plus 2 year warrantee - basicaly 5 years replacement warrantee if you registered your purchase. Easy to instal, easy to use, easy to read the LCD screen while sailing. I have a grey scale fish finder - gives depth, speed through the water, engine hours, water temperature, an idea of the nature of the seabed under your keel (good to know when anchoring) and even shows some fish below; I also have the wind instruements - very good, clear screen, easy to operate, too. The Navman GPS500 is a bit old now, but the chart plotter GPS's as great. They can all talk to each other using Navbus, as well as NMEA
Worth a look, anyway. www.navman.com
Cheers
Ian

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