Replacement Instruments - recommendations?

[neil1967]

I am in the process of buying a new (to me) yacht, which has B&G Hornet 4 instruments dating from 1987. Neither the wind speed nor direction instruments work (normal or close hauled), the depth gauge reads erratically (depth disappears and is replaced by a series of horizontal moving bars every few seconds) and the log is over reading by around 2 kts (may be adjustable, but I normally expect to see under reading!). I believe that the time is right to replace the instruments with something more modern. I cannot afford like for like B&G replacement (around £5k) and will be using the yacht for liveaboard cruising, so I don't need anything too flash, but I would like a reliable set of instruments that are relatively easy to install, are networkable, and are not so proprietary that I could not add to the system at a later date. The yacht is also fitted with a Raymarine C70 plotter and Raymarine GPS which I would like to connect in (not currently connected to the Hornet 4!). Raymarine ST60+ would seem an obvious choice, but again they are not cheap. I would be grateful for any suggestions for alternatives.

Thanks

Neil

 

[sailorman]

I am in the process of buying a new (to me) yacht, which has B&G Hornet 4 instruments dating from 1987. Neither the wind speed nor direction instruments work (normal or close hauled), the depth gauge reads erratically (depth disappears and is replaced by a series of horizontal moving bars every few seconds) and the log is over reading by around 2 kts (may be adjustable, but I normally expect to see under reading!). I believe that the time is right to replace the instruments with something more modern. I cannot afford like for like B&G replacement (around £5k) and will be using the yacht for liveaboard cruising, so I don't need anything too flash, but I would like a reliable set of instruments that are relatively easy to install, are networkable, and are not so proprietary that I could not add to the system at a later date. The yacht is also fitted with a Raymarine C70 plotter and Raymarine GPS which I would like to connect in (not currently connected to the Hornet 4!). Raymarine ST60+ would seem an obvious choice, but again they are not cheap. I would be grateful for any suggestions for alternatives.

Thanks

Neil

i have a Hornet 4 wind spd transducer for sale

 

[Shanty]

A couple of years ago, having tired of continually repairing NASA instruments, I fitted Garmin.

I'm very impressed by them. They are networked using NMEA2000, so very easy to do, and easy to extend.

A vast improvement on the earlier version of NMEA. The displays are very clear and can display any of the data available on the network.

I added a Lowrance plotter. That was plug and play, with data from the Lowrance available on the network with no setting up required.

 

[Koeketiene]

FURUNO

 

[bbg]

Guapa says Furuno. They came out top in a recent YM test.

 

[Slipperman]

I replaced all my old Navman instruments 2 years ago with TackTick, and they have been brilliant so far. In particular the wireless wind system means one less reason for going up the mast.

 

[Jacana]

This topic keeps re-appearing and it is ridiculous that the yachting community is so poorly served by what are fairy basic but unreliable instruments often at ludicrously high prices.

If someone were to produce a reliable and straightforward product range with less unnecessary bells and whistles and a price to match they would clean up the market.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

This topic keeps re-appearing and it is ridiculous that the yachting community is so poorly served by what are fairy basic but unreliable instruments often at ludicrously high prices.

If someone were to produce a reliable and straightforward product range with less unnecessary bells and whistles and a price to match they would clean up the market.

Garmin instruments are reliable, straightforward, do the basics very well and are reasonably priced IMHO.

NMEA 2000 is undoubtedly the way to go. Los of flexibility and easy to install.

 

[pvb]

In particular the wireless wind system means one less reason for going up the mast.

Until the battery needs replacing...

 

[Twister_Ken]

Until the battery needs replacing...

Unless the battery is faulty, that's many years out.

 

[uxb]

Until the battery needs replacing...

That's why you fit the solar ones....

I'm in the process of fitting Tacktick to my new boat. Very easy to fit, simple to set up and the last set never gave any trouble.

With negligible power consumption. ( the sounder needs a 12 DC supply. )

 

[SailorBill]

Until the battery needs replacing...

That's why you fit the solar ones....

I'm in the process of fitting Tacktick to my new boat. Very easy to fit, simple to set up and the last set never gave any trouble.

With negligible power consumption. ( the sounder needs a 12 DC supply. )

So how do they work at night then?

 

[richardbrennan]

If you decide to go for the ST60+option; I replaced a set of ST50s with ST60+ last year. I bought them as a bundle (wind,log,depth) from the Marinesuperstore at Port Solent which gives a reasonable saving over buying them individually.

 

[sailorman]

If you decide to go for the ST60+option; I replaced a set of ST50s with ST60+ last year. I bought them as a bundle (wind,log,depth) from the Marinesuperstore at Port Solent which gives a reasonable saving over buying them individually.

i relaced all my B+G stuff 12 yrs ago with ST60s + A/H 6000+. sooper kit but it was made in England

 

[uxb]

So how do they work at night then?

Mine runs on dark light at night - it's the delux version.

 

[Goldie]

Sailing instruments were reviewed in Nov 11 YM, P76, along with a couple of paragraphs about networking. Not all ranges were tested - the most obvious omission being the ST60+ range - but the best mid-range buy was voted the Garmin GMI10.

NMEA2000 looks very easy to install/expand (on the face of it, not first hand experience!)

 

[SailorBill]

Mine runs on dark light at night - it's the delux version.

 

[SailorBill]

Sailing instruments were reviewed in Nov 11 YM, P76, along with a couple of paragraphs about networking. Not all ranges were tested - the most obvious omission being the ST60+ range - but the best mid-range buy was voted the Garmin GMI10.

NMEA2000 looks very easy to install/expand (on the face of it, not first hand experience!)

A review of sailing instruments that doesn't include one of the most popular brands Not much point in taking much heed of the results then!

 

[sailorman]

Sailing instruments were reviewed in Nov 11 YM, P76, along with a couple of paragraphs about networking. Not all ranges were tested - the most obvious omission being the ST60+ range - but the best mid-range buy was voted the Garmin GMI10.

NMEA2000 looks very easy to install/expand (on the face of it, not first hand experience!)

i think Garmin will be market leaders in the future

 

[Goldie]

A review of sailing instruments that doesn't include one of the most popular brands Not much point in taking much heed of the results then!

I didn't say that Raymarine weren't included in the review, just not the ST60+ .....!