Navman Instrument Reliability ?

[capricorn]

Noticed a few comments in recent posts about issues with Navman instruments.

I've had Navman 3100 Multi,3100 Repeater,3150 Wind and 5100 Plotter installed for a couple of years now with no issues.

Are these instruments getting a reputation for poor reliability/longevity or is this just an isolated few problems ?

 

[Plank]

I have Navman 3100 series speed log and digital wind. I keep losing parts of the digits of the speed display. not sure if this is the LCD unit or some input problem but it is getting worse. Is this a common problem?

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

I've used a 900 Tracker chartplotter for five years. The first one bought was u/s but Plastimo replaced it like gentlemen. The chart chip contacts were iffy, on the chip, causing occasional crashes. New chip and its been well behaved, sending its NMEA signal to the VHF and doing all it was asked to do.

 

[gardenshed]

I had a couple of probelms with my 3100 pilot and was told that there was a manufacturing fault with the early display units causing a problem with the LCD displays. Late last year, all the cockpit displays showed the same probelm, I sent the units back and they have been replaced under warranty.
The instruments themselves are reliable and I've found the after sales support to be good and honest. No messing around with odd diagnosis and when the probelm was noted, no hesitation to admit liability and arrange replacement.
They are suffering from a lack of stock so it appears that demand has outstripped supply right now and they may struggle to get you a replacement quickly.

 

[Maree]

I installed a Navman 3100 Multi and two repeaters in 2003, in a fairly protected area under the sprayhood. They worked fine that season.

In 2004 we crossed the pond, and 2 weeks out we had strong rain in a following wind and they got wet. The multi and one of the repeaters died, and the cause was that the screen had delaminated from the casing.

Plastimo replaced promptly once we were in the UK (even though the units were not purchased in UK and we couldn't vouch for purchase date) and they implied that this was a known problem.

Replacements have held up so far but maybe they're again waiting for us to be away from land before acting up!

 

[Habebty]

[ QUOTE ]
I have Navman 3100 series speed log and digital wind. I keep losing parts of the digits of the speed display. not sure if this is the LCD unit or some input problem but it is getting worse. Is this a common problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly the same problem with mine. Now about to apply for my third replacement set in nearly three years from Navman. They were very good about replacing them last time, will they do it again?

 

[TiggerToo]

I have sent of the third Navman 7100 back in 1.5 years. The staff have been very good, no excellent, at responding and dealing with this without quibbles, so far. I am waiting for their response on this latest issue. The problems before were with faulty internal components (volume regulators and GPS interfacing). This time it has gone completely dead.

Do they have a issue with whoever is supplying their goods? Pity because it seems like a sturdy bit of kit and works well ... when it works. Afterservice care is fantastic, but they need to have more reliable kit

 

[FullCircle]

Ditto, 3rd set in 2 years, great service, looks like plenty of the same issue.

 

[cliff]

Navman 3100 multi + repeaters - NO problems with units in 5 years. Only "problem" was the wind reading sometimes jumped 180° for a few seconds and then humped back to correct reading. Navman arranged for dealer to supply new M/H and cable - turned out the "problem" was the "Dri-plug" on the deck was a little damp - plug cleaned, dried and resealed and no further problems in 3 years. IMHO Navman sell pretty reliable kit and if there is a problem their after sales service is second to none.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[TiggerToo]

[ QUOTE ]
IMHO Navman sell pretty reliable kit and if there is a problem their after sales service is second to none.


[/ QUOTE ]

completely agree. I am now waiting for the replacements. Still I would like to think that the team at the other end of teh phone a) pushes for improvements in realiability in the kit supplied to them; b) is adequately rewarded for their efforts by whoever decides on their payslips: they are effectlively keeping the company afloat!

 

[gardenshed]

Cliff/Tiggertoo:
my experience exactly. That is why after making my complaint and receiving a professional response, I wrote to their MD to emphasise that the people I was talking to were excellent and that he should be focussing on improving their supply chain and manufacturing support.
Hope it doesn't change now that they have been bought by Simrad (?)