Simrad RD68, any views?

Worth it or not ?

  • YES

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • NO

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
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No problems with my set, and and quite happy with it. Came with the boat so not able to compare with other models.
Buttons are a bit small, especially when trying to press when the boat is jumping around in a sea!
 
THere are issues, one it has to have had an upgrade or there are software problems, sometimes it suddenly goes beep beep beep for no reason and the screen on some has been prone to condensation.

It is now an older unit and worth thinking about getting something that was released in thelast 3 years over this model.
 
Pretty grim repair service

We have one away for repair with an authorised repairer in (Weymouth)at the moment,was faulty from new,tx about 5k off.Dreadful slow service,has been away for 2 months,no sign of its return as yet,despite regular appeals.
PM for details,cos we do not want to upset dealer before set is finally returned.
 
good quality unit that is now long in the tooth

some dry solder issues with units

just about any component failure will be an uneconomic repair

small screen

small button

good rotating channel selection but no handset change buttons

I have a spare flush mount kit and a spare handset looking for good homes............
 
Top stuff, thank you. PM in en-route /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Can you say if the device holds its channel and other settings if disconnected from the 12v supply (rather than being turned off at the unit)? And whether it asks for an MMSI, if one is not programmed, or alarms at all?
 
Bought one 4 years ago, no problems to date.

The buttons are small, and so is the screen. Given the choice, I'd now go for the Icom M601 which has a very clear display and sensible buttons with some useful functionality built in. I'd definitely want a 2nd mike at the helm, having experienced so many DSC false alerts and the Icom allows this

The RD68 does not retain channel when disconnected. It always powers up Ch16. DSC functionality is not available until MMSI is programmed, there are no alarms
 
I have 6 I use in the classroom, got them when the set was first launched (about 5 yrs ago). Think they are good. These sets get used on courses week in week out, the only repairs I have required is to the DSC menu button which seems to give in after a while, however my sets are getting used far more than any normal set.

Also have them fitted on 2 yacht, no problem.

Some people do complain about the size of the screeen. The menu is simple.

Although I like them I have to agree with above and say if I was buying new I would go for something else (newer).

Put a Standard on 1 boat this yr, happy with that
 
I bought mine 5 years ago. In North America, VHF sets include buttons to switch between international or USA frequencies. If you try to listen to US or Canadian boats on channel 66 with an international set, you won't hear anything because the US channel is simplex. The RD68 sold in North America allows for this by holding the Light button at power up. Not user friendly! My set also has the five-beep problem. This is quite common judging by the many internet postings. Attempts to get support from Simrad were totally unsuccessful. Finally the Power Amplifier failed while I was in Trinidad. A local company fixed this reasonnably quickly using au used part. However, in the process, they set up my set to the International version which does not allow for US channels! I have to bring it back to be reconfigured. For these reason, and specially the lack of response from Simrad, my next radio will not be a Simrad.
 
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