duncan99210
Well-Known Member
I've got a the battery monitor and wind indicator. Both cheap as chips, both work just like they're meant to and both were easy to fit. What's not to like?
NASA Marine
- Thread starter OGITD
- Start date
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Raymarine cups don't seem to have the same problem. I know that it is a lot more expensive, but I doubt that the plastic cups molding is a big part of the total product cost. Bit I know little about plastics.
pvb
Well-Known Member
My Stowe wind transducer is 20+ years old and still spins merrily.
Seajet
...
pvb,
as long as it still sends a signal to the display that's a minor miracle ! I always thought Stowe made good kit, a rotten shame they went out of business, a lot of people could do with their trail log now.
pcatterall
Well-Known Member
Seconded
Davegriff
Well-Known Member
Nasa Navtex circa 1992, still going strong.
Ardenfour
Well-Known Member
I modified my Lyu by placing the pin with a stainless set screw and nuts. The two failures I had were due to the circlip coming off, and the pin detaching from the body. Been through a few gales now and no further problems so far.
pugwash60
Well-Known Member
I've had good service from them too, my windometer failed, I sent it off as instructed, they fixed it and sent it back for about 15 quid along with a chat on the phone about the stuff and tested my depthometer too which was seemingly working OK but I need to clean off some antifouling under the transducer which has probably built up a bit thick with possible air pockets. The instruments are pretty old, they came with the boat. Great result as I've spent enough on her this winter with a new fridge unit and 3 new sails.
joha
Well-Known Member
Have a Navtex pro plus, has been on 24/7 for almost two years and no problems.
J
J
Playtime
Well-Known Member
It's good to read some positives about NASA products and service; more good reports than bad for a change. I do get disappointed when the same 3 or 4 'knockers' rush to trot out their bad luck stories whenever NASA products are mentioned.
I've had 3 Navtex units (on different boats), an AIS engine and a battery monitor. All have worked well over many years and been good value.
I've used NASA service twice. Once to obtain a new firmware chip to update the AIS engine to the latest release (to show Class B targets) and once to replace the serial to USB converter that comes with the PC Navtex unit. On both occasions the service was swift and courteous. In the case of the converter, this was not a NASA product but was replaced by return.
I've had 3 Navtex units (on different boats), an AIS engine and a battery monitor. All have worked well over many years and been good value.
I've used NASA service twice. Once to obtain a new firmware chip to update the AIS engine to the latest release (to show Class B targets) and once to replace the serial to USB converter that comes with the PC Navtex unit. On both occasions the service was swift and courteous. In the case of the converter, this was not a NASA product but was replaced by return.
macd
Well-Known Member
I'm pleased to hear that NASA's service ethic has improved. When I last rubbed shoulders with them about eight years ago it was mean and grudging. But if the OP's experience is truly the "best service in decades" then that's a poor showing on the rest: NASA merely did what they said they'd do, and promptly. Good on them, but that's not exactly earth-shattering
More impressive is service I've had from Garmin:
1. GPS unit died. Unit is of indeterminate age but def out of warranty (it came with the boat): inspected by Garmin and pronounced dead. Replaced free of charge, postage included.
2. Another Garmin GPS, aerial damaged, on yet another boat and also out of warranty. Rang service department:
"What model did you say it was?"
"128."
"Hold on a minute." (Sounds of rifling through drawer.) "Thought so...I've got one here. What's your address?"
It arrived, gratis, the next day.
Now that's service.
More impressive is service I've had from Garmin:
1. GPS unit died. Unit is of indeterminate age but def out of warranty (it came with the boat): inspected by Garmin and pronounced dead. Replaced free of charge, postage included.
2. Another Garmin GPS, aerial damaged, on yet another boat and also out of warranty. Rang service department:
"What model did you say it was?"
"128."
"Hold on a minute." (Sounds of rifling through drawer.) "Thought so...I've got one here. What's your address?"
It arrived, gratis, the next day.
Now that's service.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
I am sorry that you are disappointed. Equally I find the fervent support for a company that produces a wind transducer that is not fit for purpose and a Navtex with weak reception rather strange. It's not just me that has had these problems; they have been reported here many times. It's especially poor that the company seems to have known about the deficiencies for years but ignores it. Lets hope that the Japanese or Koreans don't get into marine instrument manufacture any time soon, or Nasa, like the UK motorcycle industry, will be dead in the water.
tokoloshe
Well-Known Member
You really do have a problem!
Amulet
Well-Known Member
Guess it just depends on your experience. I have 8 NASA instruments on my boat ranging in age from 10 to 3 years. All of them do what is asked of them. Never failed to pick up a Navtex signal when I needed it. Have done normal maintenance of moving parts and broke some due to my own mistakes. When I called always got to speak to someone who understood and got swift and cheap replacements. I feel really fortunate that I'm so much luckier than everyone else. Aside: I would add my vote to the praise of Garmin too. In fact, all in all I find I more often than not get good service provided I start the interaction on a positive tone. Generally I've noticed that snivelling evokes poor service.
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Seajet
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" Snivelling evokes poor service " ?! Apart from sabotaging the English Language I can disagree as a distictly ex-NASA customer.
Their windspeed unit has become legendary in the realms of instant breakdowns and unrealabity.
Their windspeed unit has become legendary in the realms of instant breakdowns and unrealabity.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
I snivelled to Garmin that my 15 year old GPS45 was no longer working. They sent me a used but fully working replacement from their legendary drawer of old GPS's at no cost.
NormanS
Well-Known Member
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
"unrealabity". What's that you said about sabotaging the English language?
They are unreal, and a bit bitty. Wasrong with that?
Seajet
...
"unrealabity". What's that you said about sabotaging the English language?
Guilty as charged; my excuse is working in a dark room on a keyboard with some of the letters worn off, it's a hard life here in Sussex, just the other day I was mugged for printer ink cartridges...
Yours,
Saboteur to the masses,
Andy
Retired in Crete
Well-Known Member
I have just bought a NASA Clipper wind instrument but not fitted it yet.
The masthead unit now has a moulded plug/socket to attach the unit to the cable. This is a new feature as it is not mentioned in the manual but explained on a separate note.
I am now wondering if this is to make replacing the masthead unit easier!
Only time will tell
John
The masthead unit now has a moulded plug/socket to attach the unit to the cable. This is a new feature as it is not mentioned in the manual but explained on a separate note.
I am now wondering if this is to make replacing the masthead unit easier!
Only time will tell
John