Raymarine...blood out of a stone ST40s 50s 60s

[Roger_D]

you might be interested in this exchange...to be fair it was quick. Start at the bottom.


Discussion Thread
Response (Chris Martin) 08/03/2007 11:09 AM
The ST 40 is the oldest here, been around since 2001. The ST 60 Plus units came out in 2006. We try and upgrade the series every 5 to 7 years.

Customer (Roger Jan) 08/03/2007 11:00 AM
Thanks
Of the ST40s and ST60+s, which the most recent and which is most likely to be discontinued first.
Thanks again

Response (Chris Martin) 08/03/2007 10:56 AM
Yes it is, the ST 40 can also be used but has the same wiring issues as the ST 60s.

Customer (Roger Jan) 08/03/2007 10:52 AM
Ok, is the ST60 plus compatible with the ST50s. Are any other Raymarine products compatible,ie the ST 40s i need to replace the speed head and need advice on what to replace it with, ie the most future proof. Thanks

Response (Chris Martin) 08/03/2007 10:41 AM
Yes, the ST60 will talk to the ST 50 but you will have to cut off the ST 50 SeaTalk connectors and replace them with the small spade connectors that the ST 60 use.
Well actually the ST 60 have been discontinued, They have been replaced with he ST 60 PLUS.

Customer (Roger Jan) 08/03/2007 10:28 AM
The st50 speed head is one of 7 st50 instruments I have all connected ie depth, wind, compass, st 7000 and multi repeaters etc. What can I replace the speed head with? Would ST60s be compatible with the other instruments..would they connect, or can you advise what else I can do. Will you be discontinuing the ST60s as well,if so when.Thanks

Response (Chris Martin) 08/03/2007 10:09 AM
There is a memory chip in the unit that may have gone out. Unfortunately, we can no longer service, repair, or provide parts for the ST 50 line of instruments.

Customer (Roger Jan) 08/03/2007 05:37 AM
My ST50 speed resets to 0 each time I power up. Does the instrument have a small lithium battery to retain the log reading. Is so, can this be replaced? Thanks

 

[Gunfleet]

No customer service issues there then. The first of these instrument companies to make rock solid gear and stand by it, in the style of Garmin, will make a fortune. Otherwise you might just as well buy the cheapest.

 

[jimg]

Hang on the ST50's were around in the 1980's! They have to become obsolete at some time. There must a market for a company to support and refurbish these old instruments.

Are you saying Garmin support everything they have ever made for life?

 

[Gunfleet]

[ QUOTE ]
Hang on the ST50's were around in the 1980's! They have to become obsolete at some time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? Not sure I follow that line of argument.

[ QUOTE ]
Are you saying Garmin support everything they have ever made for life?

[/ QUOTE ]

The only time I couldn't get something fixed for reasons of obsolescence they offered me a cheap deal on a replacement. I'd like it if you could update their charts, but I believe there are copyright problems there.

 

[mainmarine]

Garmin don't support their 45 Gps anymore don't know how long before the 48 is no longer supported. There are places that repair Raymarine stuff.

 

[jeremyshaw]

My Raymarine GPS was bought and fitted in 2003. Earlier this year it packed up. No data. I did a full analysis of the voltages thanks to a handy techie friend and sent it in for repair with a note explaining the fault. They told me it is was broken, obsolete and irreparable and that would be £25 please for the 'diagnosis'. I was a bit miffed. I can understand it with 10 year old equipment, but having to throw stuff away at 4 years and being charged for being told what you told them? Not good.

They do offer you 25% off new kit, but I can buy it cheaper in the States anyway...

 

[Roger_D]

Can you let me know which places repair Raymarine stuff?

 

[mainmarine]

you can try here to search for some one close to you:
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=1406&Parent=379
or Waypoint1 in Plymouth or these who advertise on ebay, search for item No 230156060358. Never tried them.

 

[gandy]

Thanks, that's a useful insight. I was thinking of replacing our flakey ST30 sounder with an ST40, but it sounds as if the ST40 is about to be retired.

 

[scarlett]

I have no problem with the service of either company. Raymarine replaced my ST60 autohelm head with no quibble. The ST 60 software has glitches which cannot be fixed and a cheap system might be the way to go if I had to buy new.

Garmin replaced my defective G Chart system and charts for with a shortly to go out product for very little money.

I think 'our'-'my ' problem is that we see the things as boat instruments and the companies think of them as part of the computer industry with similar replacement times. Maybe we are thinking in terms of the last century rather than this. hey ho.

 

[Roger_D]

Thanks very much for these leads. I will let you know how I get on in due course.