Nasa Clipper depth

[mick]

Anyone have experience of this instrument? I'm thinking of getting one plus repeater. All comments gratefully received.

 

[Guest]

I was more than happy with their cheaper version .... friends with Clipper are happy ... I have a similar from Echopilot on present boat ... fine.

Really they are all about same when it comes to it ... it's only when you want to integrate with a plotter etc. / PC etc. that they start to differ.

 

[Poignard]

I have an unused NASA Clipper in original packing with instruction book. If you are interested you can have it for what I paid for it last year, i.e. £60 plus p&p at cost.

 

[graham]

Had one since 1999 used a lot still works,large digits are easy to see ,several different levels of backlight and usual alarms.

 

[FullCircle]

If Mick doesn't have, can I have second dibs?

 

[fluffc]

I can recommend the Navman REPEAT 3100 cockpit repeater - it has several NMEA inputs as well as NavBus (Navman's system). I use mine for GPS and depth repeating in cockpit - works well, and easy to read.

You will, of course, need an echosounder that transmits NMEA. But this is a worthwhile 'investment' for when it comes to integrating other kit without being tied to one manufacturer.

 

[Koeketiene]

Cheap - cheerfull - does what it says on the box.

Had it on previous boat, never failed. Will install on present boat in the very near future.

 

[Heigaro]

Great! Connected directly to my old Seafarer transducer (same frequency) and it's worked a treat ever since.
Good choice.
- Oh... and a Happy New Year!

 

[NPMR]

Works fine but has tendency to not like bubbles of water round the transponsder - says it's out of the water. clears fast and not worth worrying about. Seems accurate and certainly I rely on it.

 

[Avocet]

Same here. Have had one for 5 years or so now. Works fine.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Have one as well, but am having regular false alarms and sometimes have to turn it off as it just keeps alarming, showing incorrect depths etc.
I noticed the other day that the transducer is mounted in an oil bath and the oil looks to be pure clear and just covers the top of the td.
How much oil and what kind of oil should it be?
Thanks, Eamonn.

 

[Danny]

I had very similar symptoms on mine. It turned out that the transducer was failing and the instrument head required tuning. Don't know whether the two things were related. Nasa fixed the instrument head FOC and I bought a replacement transducer. It's been perfect ever since.

Your oil bath level and appearance sounds to be OK.

See this thread for a method of checking out the unit.

 

[Avocet]

I'm told castor oil is good and it only needs to be deep enough to ensure that the face of the transducer is covered and there is no air between it and the hull.

 

[Lakesailor]

Bubbles in the oil against the face of the transducer could be a cause of false readings. I used chain saw oil, it was technical decision based on the fact that I had a bottle.

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
I used chain saw oil, it was technical decision based on the fact that I had a bottle.


[/ QUOTE ]

Mine leaked out so i cleaned it up sealed the leak and put some cooking oil in as a temporary measure about 3 years ago,still in there and works fine.