Matsutec AIS transponder from AliExpress

[webcraft]

Having been absolutely delighted with the Matsutec transponder on Avy-J I have decided to get one for Fairwinds as we are planning a jaunt across the N Sea this year.

I bought the original from Amazon, but the only place I can see them now is AliExpress. Has anyone else bought one of these from AliExpress, if so which vendor and were there any issues with the transaction?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Matsutec | Innovative Navigation Technology ! absorbed Sailing Yacht and Marine electronics!NMEA0183

Have you considered buying it direct

 

[kwb78]

Has anyone else bought one of these from AliExpress, if so which vendor and were there any issues with the transaction?

No, but I have bought various other things from aliexpress without much issue. Matsutec seem to have their own store on there (under Matsutec Marine Store and also Matsutec Brand Marine Electronics).

My rule of thumb for aliexpress is to look for how much feedback the store has and how many items they've sold. If they are well established they are usually OK. You can also usually look at the business licence for the store and for both the above stores you can see the company is at the same address as on the Matsutec website. Stores labelled as 'choice' on aliexpress are generally shipped directly by aliexpress and usually have a return address based in the UK which simplifies things if you have any problems. I had to return one item that was faulty on arrival from a choice store in the past and had to send it to a uk address and the refund was processed quickly and without any arguing.

One thing to bear in mind is that you might have to pay import duty (though I don't think this applies to electronics) and VAT on items coming from China. If it's under £135 aliexpress will charge you this at checkout, but for items over it they won't. It's then pot luck as to whether UK customs pick up on it and charge you (via the courier + their handling fee) or you get away without.

You don't usually get the same warranty protection as buying from a UK retailer, so that's something to consider when choosing to buy from aliexpress over somewhere here. The difference in price might not be worthwhile. Obviously if it's not available from a UK seller then that's a different consideration.

 

[fredrussell]

I bought an HA-102 from AliExpress a few years back. Turned up quick sharp, no import taxes to pay and has been working perfectly ever since.

 

[Refueler]

Matsutec | Innovative Navigation Technology ! absorbed Sailing Yacht and Marine electronics!NMEA0183

Have you considered buying it direct

Buying from Ali-Ex will usually incl Customs etc as well ... so why buy direct ?

I buy a lot of stuff from Ali-Ex and have no problem.

 

[snowbird30ds]

Mine came from ali express with no problems, has worked fine for several years now.

 

[superheat6k]

I bought my Matsutec 12" plotter / AIS direct from Huayang - Susan or Terry. Not contacted them since 2022 but try terry@huayang-tech.com

Once paid for arrived within a fortnight, and no tax to pay.