Navman verses stowe wind instrument

[stav]

I currently have a stowe wind,log,depth but on impulse I bought a navman wind 3100 and log about 18months ago but have yet to fit it. The stowe wind still works but I have never seen it display more than 34 knots of wind,good when SWMBO is on board. However, I am thinking about taking the boat further afield this year (Jersey to Ireland) and was thinking about geting around to fitting the new wind instrument. Mainly for the ability to sail to the wind direction. In case I have to sail home alone.

Is this worth doing, does this function really work? Or will the navman break really quickly and I will end up putting the stowe back on?

Anybody any experience with this.

Thanks and sorry if I do not add anything during the day as at work and cannot add to the forum. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[biscuit]

For what it's worth, my 3100 wind didn't last a season. Judging from posts here, this was not an isolated example. Navico have eventually sent an identical looking replacement with supposedly improved innards, called 3100s. I have fitted it, but as much in hope as expectation.

 

[oldharry]

Fitted a 3100 to my boat 2 years ago. Working perfectly.

 

[Pete7]

Just replaced our Stowe with Raymarine 60s, but only because the wind instruments stopped working and the depth told really big fibs after 19 years, otherwise I would have left well alone. Why not just keep the Navman stuff on board incase you have to change during your trip.

Pete

 

[phantomlady]

Our Navman wind instrument didnt last very long either. Wouldnt buy again /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[samwise]

There has been a long series of posts about Navman instruments and the bottom line is that they are c**p. The basic design was flawed resulting in premature failure of the LCD display. Other instruments in the range have the same problem. We bought ours in late 2005 and they failed last year. Other folk have similar experiences. The design was revised in the latter stages before production stopped and are supposed to be more reliable. I would check the serial number on your instrument to see if you have a later model. If you are in the danger zone , the bad news is that the mods cannot be retrofitted. Experiences with warranty and out of warranty responses have been varied. Plastimo (Navimo) stopped selling them a while ago. A new range of instruments with a similar look but badged as Northstar and sold through Navico are said to be better but so far there have been no long term experiences reported.
Navman plotters have had no such problems , but when my current set of Navman instruments turn up their LCDs it's the bin for them and Tacktick for me!

 

[stav]

Thanks for all the advice. I will look at two options: 1 to replace the stowe stuff and keep it on board to put back on when the navman stuff goes wrong. 2 I have been thinking about putting a 2M post on the stern to take all the antennas etc and might save for a AIS reciever later in the summer so could put the navman wind on this and have the dispaly with the autopilot and give the auto pilot a wind heading when necessary.

Thanks to all who added. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif