Instrumentation?

[mickshep]

Assuming the old girl will be able to withstand the shock I have decided to drag Fosca into the 21st century and replace the aging whirling diode depth sounder and equally ancient sum log with something a little more modern. (Lying Bu**er, I chopped through the bloody cable by accident) /forums/images/icons/blush.gif
My question is what to go for? The three I've looked at are;

Target, (Cheap 'n' cheerful)
Clipper, (Not quite as cheap 'n' cheerful)
Raymarine, (Even less cheap 'n' cheerful).

My question regards the above, relate to ease of use/fitting and reliability. Is it a case of getting what you pay for or another example of 'Fashionable Brand names'.

Cheers as ever, Mike




<hr width=100% size=1>My Mum say's I'm not a fat b@st@rd, just heavy boned.

 

[kds]

Have been very pleased with the Clipper on my last two boats. Easy to fit and seems robust. Readout is clear too, despite 2 on one screen. Good value.
Ken




<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.canongrange.co.uk>Bed and Breakfast, cathedral Green Wells, Somerset Canon Grange</A>

 

[BigART]

Navman get a good write up as well.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.DoItCruise.info>http://www.DoItCruise.info</A>

 

[aluijten]

You might have a look at NAVMAN. They carry a 'cheap' line and an full featured line of instruments. I've heard good things about them. I have just bought a VHF set from NAVMAN, as as far as I can tell after a short land-test, it looks good.

Sold in Europe via PLASTIMO

Arno

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[LeytonC]

NASA clipper duet, i have 1 and its never let me down in 5 years

<hr width=100% size=1>Thanks

Leyton

EXTAR Software - Software that works for you
Phone : 07803 139 736

 

[Talbot]

Navman are a nice set, but I bought the Silva Dataset cause I thought their design was elegant, and the transducers were the same as those used by their more expensive offerings. Been very pleased with them (combined log and echosounder, and a wind instrument) The cheapest version is interfaced with each other, but there is no NMEA output. If you really want that you need the more expensive version which has full NMEA functionality.

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[FullCircle]

Fitted SILVA Star Log and Depth on my Limbo, cheap. Worked well and looked good, but usual paddle wheel fouling to be jump started each weekend (East Coast River Crouch ) Alarm OK

Used NASA Target Log and Depth, very cheap on the Jouet. Has worked very well all season (they are about 5 years old). Usual paddle wheel fouling. Alarm not very good.

Fitted NASA Clipper GPS repeater, v cheap on both boats - highly recommended as cockpit repeater.

Besides no NMEA, both the above only read to 10ths of a knot, and dont configure for 100ths for the racers amongst us.



I am considering NAVMAN 3100 with Digital Wind for new boat to get the NMEA functionality, but still looking for best deal on that.

Jim


<hr width=100% size=1>Jeanneau 35 - only 13,272 lbs displacement, not even 6 tons,what a lightweight!!!

 

[Koeketiene]

Fitted a NASA Clipper Duet when we bought Yanita - problem free since installation.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I have nasa clipper speed and wind with a close haul and repeaters at the nav station. All for the price of the raymarine wind or near abouts.

I am very pleased with the units, the speed log fitting needs to be fitted correctly using the right materials, I skimped on this the first time around. Now fitted correctly I am very happy with it.

A deciding factor for you might be to have a look at the prices on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>. When I was shopping around it really helped my decision making.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>Woof</font color=red>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/P.html>Posting pictures tutor</A>

 

[pvb]

Like you, I've been looking at instruments, as my old Stowe system is starting to give problems. Also like you, I don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want good value for money. I've assumed you'd be looking at a combined speed/depth display to maximise value. On this basis...

I'd rule out all the NASA products - the Target and Cruiser models are rather ugly; whilst the Clipper Duet is very basic indeed for the money, and the identical digit sizes are potentially rather confusing. Also, the Clipper Duet (at around £150) has no variable damping of the speed reading, no deep water alarm, no water temperature readout, only 1 level of backlighting, and only a 1 year warranty.

For the same £150, you could have a Silva Star Sea Data set, with a less confusing display, variable speed damping, 3 level backlight, shallow and deep alarms. And it's a nicer looking instrument, too, with a 2 year warranty.

The Raymarine ST40 Bidata costs a bit more (around £180), but doesn't have any significant additional features over the Silva, and the secondary digits on the ST40 are very small (only about 12mm high).

Best buy around at the moment is probably the Navman Multi 3100 at around £200. Current generation Navman products are superb, and they have stacks of features, making them great value (I've been very happy with my Navman chartplotter). The Multi 3100 has an excellent display with 30mm and 20mm high digits for good legibility. It has everything the Silva and ST40 have, plus a speed trim function, a countdown timer and a battery voltage readout. It can also be interfaced with a GPS so that the speed readout shows the SOG from the GPS rather than the waterspeed. And like all Navman products it's very easy to operate, and backed by an owner manual which sets new standards in clarity.

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[Spuddy]

Similar position with Xmas lights depth sounder. On a superficial look, fish finders seemed to offer more for less money - but I don't really need more, just a simple number.
Any views from anyone who's considered this option?
regards...spuddy

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[ShipsWoofy]

I use a fishfinder for my depth, if I get really bored of seeing the trends of the sea bottom or a graphical representation of a channel, I can always switch it back to just numbers or it even has an old type spinning display, which I used to hate then. Some people for unknown reasons like them.

Anyhow, I would endorse the Lowrance X51 for yachting, it is a neat and tidy size and does everything I need. But as a sailor who quite often runs the boat up a beach and operates in shallower water, the fishfinder is brilliant.

Still think the nasa clipper separates are great kit for the money.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>Woof</font color=red>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/P.html>Posting pictures tutor</A>

 

[BrendanS]

For shallow water use, ever thought of using one of the forward looking sonars? It's a subject that's come up a few times, but never gets much discussion

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Are you going to lend me the money first mate.

Have you seen the price of them?

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>Woof</font color=red>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/P.html>Posting pictures tutor</A>

 

[BrendanS]

It's well worth looking at the competions on the home page once in a while. No need to make up witty phrases etc, just enter your name. There was one up as a prize about a month ago. I speak from experience as I won one about a year or so back on here. Haven't installed it yet

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni