New instruments

I firmly believe wired systems to be more reliable (cue chorus of groans from owners of TackTick etc). As for make, perhaps you should say whether you want to interface with an autopilot, in which case you'll get better functionality usually by getting instruments from the same maker as the autopilot. Otherwise, B&G displays are excellent, and Garmin/Raymarine are close behind.
 
There is no "best". There is little to choose between the 3 main manufacturers, Raymarine, Simrad/B&G and Garmin aaand you will find satisfied users of all of them. The basic instruments are simple and reliable so it is mainly an issue of display and interface. The choice becomes perhaps more difficult when you start looking at integrated systems where, although the functionality of each is similar, the interface is often unique so you need to dig a bit deeper before buying. However with just speed/depth/wind not much to differentiate them. Many suggest you hard wire the wind rather than rely on wireless, but I have wireless garmin and no problems so far - but only 2 years' old.
 
Personally I might decide which chart plotter I like most based on current models so that if you decide to buy in future you have same make instruments ? It may however be your criteria is price based and that is a more important factor and so future compatibility rates lower on your selection criteria. Another factor might be if you intend to trade in your boat soon or it's a keeper?
 
I’ve had the raymarine wireless wind and depth/ log for the last two years and no issues, connected with micro talk to chartploter and auto helm
 
Like you I have given up on NASA as the stuff just leaks water in the displays - which NASA say is very unusual. So I sent them pics of the lot all misted up. Repaired wind still does not work. Compass is carp too.
Just ordered Raymarine wind, depth, log from Mainsprite ( Maldon) at boat show special offer.
( Prezzie from the wife- fantastic thing love:encouragement:).
Might still get the deal if you buy ASAP
They give excellent after sales service as well
 
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I replaced all my Nasa stuff 10 years ago with Tacktick. There are positives and negatives, and Raymarine are taking the Wireless stuff forward. I have always had Garmin plotters. Positives for the Tacktick are not having to run multiple cables all over the boat. The Hull transmitter (for compass/log/depth) is mounted in a convenient out of the way position below decks with short cable runs in lockers to the three transducers, and apart from an early warranty problem due to a load of defective sounder transducers has been faultless. Wind transducer is pretty much fire and forget, although now mine is about to be replaced because both the anemometer bearings and batteries have gone, and although replaceable (I did the batteries about three years ago). In comparison, a mate with wired Raymarine wind, had to replace his last year after 8 years...

I've also installed Raymarine below deck Autopilot, and used that "opportunity" to install NMEA2000 (actually STNG) backbone. This means I've been able to remove most of the NMEA 0183 (huge simplification) apart from the plotter to VHF connection. Raymarine now make a Tacktick to NMEA2K gateway that allows the AP to steer to the wind from the wind transmitter.
 
We fitted a full Tack Tick set up in Spring 2006 and have been very pleased with it. Only problem has been that the wind transducer seized up andrequired new bearings. Since then I've applied a squirt of Wurth Ultra 2040 annually which has kept things running. Original batteries are fine .... only takes a couple of hours of sunshine to get them fully charged at fitting out. Initially we found the.chapter/page system a bit confusing but that was back in 2006 when such things were a novelty.
 
Depth is useful. Autopilot too. The rest you can manage without. A windex or similar is fine for the wind. Your plotter gives you speed and tide and current already. I like a compass but lots of people don’t bother. Depth though, that’s a must. When you look at it you can interface with it using your eyes. Job done.
 
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