Navman G-Pilot 3100 Navman 3100 Instruments

[Bob_Ranft]

Need new autopilot / instruments for Prout Snowgoose 37 with hydraulic steering. Many comments on the forum concerning Raymarine autopilots / instruments. Anyone have any experience of the Navman G-Pilot 3100 and Navman 3100 instruments in general.

 

[johnphilip]

We have just fitted Navman 3100 separate wind,depth and speed to our 33' Elan. Easy to fit and Navbus connection easier than NMEA to wire up. We have used a Raymarine 4000 wheelpilot because one we used on a charter boat was so impressive and so far is good on the Elan despite her being quite a lively cruiser racer. In use the 3100 are easy to read (from the wheel position to the hatch garage where they are fitted )The wind and log are excellent but the depth sometimes doubles the actual depth, then reverts to correct, so far this has not happened when shallow ,only occuring around 10 to 18 M actual depth and not for more than a few seconds, but it is disconcerting. Foxs Electronics said something to the effect of "They all do it"

 

[johnphilip]

Oh Yes I remember now
The Raymarine had an unsoldered wire in the rudder position detector. Having struggled to fit this component to find it not working and having to strip it out again was Bloody Annoying. I would be happy to give the Navman a try just for this reason

 

[Bob_Ranft]

Thanks for the info. Have had same or similar problems with a ST60 sounder giving strange temporary readings in deep water.

Cheers

 

[properjob]

I fitted a Navman G-Pilot to my last boat and have just installed one on my present yacht. Appart from being excellent value they seem to do exactly what is asked of them - steering the desired course. The basic package includes a Rate Gyro, as well as a Fluxgate Compass, which appart from steering a very accurate course if desired, enables your radar to be used in the Head-Up mode.

The control head is different from the Raymarine control head in that there are only 4 buttons to push, strange at first but easy to learn. The display can show everything that you are likely to need and repeats one line of other nav. data, GOG, SOG, etc. via NMEA or Navbus.

I have also just installed 3100 instruments, Speed/Depth and Wind but have not properly tested them yet so can't compare to Raymarine.

 

[FullCircle]

My 3100 installation is now a year old.
The depth gauge thats going deolali is a software fix. Return the head to Plastimo/Navman.
The wind instrument will start playing up shortly, as the circuit board for the little LCD display dies nort have a robust wiring connection, causing it to blink. It is not damp related, but a design/build quality flaw. Navman will send you a replacement to fit, but there arent any in the country right now, and havent been for nearly 2 months. I am assured they will be here 'shortly'.

To properly connect a Raymarine ST4000+ to wind, you will need an E55059 J Box at 136 quid, as the only NMEA input is usually used for the GPS input.

The paddle wheel does not like antifouling, so keep it cleaned regularly, and it will be good.

The above might lead you to think I have a beef with the installation, but I actually like the instruments. I also have the 3100 Repeater down by the chart table.

Navman, when you can actually get their phone number, no it isnt on the website, are very helpful.
Get the number from Yell.com.