Which Instruments

[Guest]

I have a 37ft wooden cruiser which is in the middle of a major refit and am trying to select instruments. I want log, sounder wind & GPS repeater. All are to be fitted on the steering binicle. I have a Garmin plotter GPS at the chart table. I'm exasperated with NASA instruments going faulty and am going slightly up market.
Has anyone any experience of Plastimo Navman 100 or Silva Star?

 

[philip_stevens]

I've got Navman speed, wind and depth instruments on a bridge station over the cabin entrance. I have had no problems whatsoever with them. The speed is connected into the wind to give apparent and true wind readings, and all are connected to the GPS - so I am able to see all the Navman outputs on the GPS as well. Even depth reading.

I intend to also fit a GPS repeater at the same bridge station before the season, also Navman althought the Silva instrument is a bit cheaper as I want to keep them all the same.

If you want to find out some more about Navman instruments, go to
http://www.navman.com/marine/products/oviewslg.html

regards,
Philip

 

[jfkal]

Autohelm 60 series

 

[Chris_Stannard]

I have fitted Ray Marine ST 60 instruments, speed, depth and wind, multi at the nav station. If you are thinking of fitting and autohelm these combine with the Ray Marine wheel pilots, and with the GPS. Your Garmin may not be the best choice, since it would interface into such a system using NMEA. You can get good discounts on Ray Marine instruments from Greenham Regis in southampton or Cowes, who are usually also helpful with advice.
Are you also thinking of radar, since if you are iy makes good sense to have one from the same manufacturer again. I did have some problems with ST60, but RAy Marine did sort them under warranty and their customer service is not bad.
A complete system would be of the order of £1600 for a radar, £350 for a GPS and about £1300 for the instruments. If you are reasonably adept there is no reason why you should not fit these things yourself, especially if, as I guess the mast is out. If you do do not forget to do loop back tests on the wiring at each stage to ensure you have got continuity. This means connecting two ends, say at the mast head, and then using a multiu meter to ensure there is no resistance at the bottom. This way you can make sure all your wiring is sound before you get every thing back together, most important in case of the mast or for wiring which disappears behind panels/headlinings