C-Series vs E-Series vs Garmin + Autopilot....

This is certainly an interesting thread. I read nothing in the warranty that says you will not be covered if you buy from an online (or non-certified seller) as long as you have a receipt and visible serial number.

They make specific distinctions about "first retail purchase" which might be the clue. I buy from wholesale providers (one is very large and has been in business since 1938) and I find it impossible to believe they could be in business that long, moving a lot of Raymarine product, if none of the end customers were getting warranty coverage. Considering my online store I am going to contact Robin in the warranty department today to get the scoop and get something in writing. I would not purchase for myself or offer to sell anything that was not covered by the manufacturers warranty.
 
I left a message...

Looking again at the website they do present a contradiction relating to warranty for self install.

The warranty contains the following:

“Installation and/or commissioning by persons other than a Raymarine certified installer may invalidate this warranty.”

The FAQ section contains the following:

“Warranty coverage for self-installed products.

Question
If I install my Raymarine product myself is it still covered under warranty?

Answer
Yes your Raymarine product is still covered under Raymarine Inc’s limited warranty if you install the product yourself. In the event your product requires warranty service, the product must be removed from your vessel and returned to Raymarine Inc or a Raymarine authorized repair agent for warranty repair.”

So this is certainly confusing....

At the New England Boat show I spoke to a Raymarine rep who validated the same. He said you get the 2 year warranty if installed by a tech OR if you self install, no difference in the duration of the warranty. He said the distinction was in the "on-board" coverage. If the unit is more than $2500, and if it is installed by a Ray tech, they will fix or replace the item on your boat. If you install yourself, you need to remove the item and ship it to Raymarine for warranty coverage.

Will post when I have more info...
 
oldgrowth":cbyi5tqp said:
My dealings with West Marine matching internet prices has been they will match the price only if it is a legitimate and known company. That almost always excludes eBay and auction prices. Besides I like to buy local whenever I can and I don't mind paying a few dollars more to do so.
Click to expand...

I usually do. All my original electronics were installed by Anacortes Marine Electronics. They mostly do big boats but they did a great job on mine. And I paid a local business to install the 2nd display.
 
I just spoke to Mike in the warranty department at Raymarine.

He said the issue posted on The Hull Truth involved a buyer who did not have a valid proof of purchase and the serial number was several years old. It was for these reasons they denied warranty coverage (not the fact that it was purchased on Ebay). He said there are many examples where people buy a product from a store, it sits in their basement for three years, then they sell it claiming it's a new product since it's still in the box expecting warranty coverage. He said if you ever have any doubt, get the serial number (listed on the box) and check with Raymarine to make sure it's not an old product.

I specifically asked about Raymarine products sold from my online store, acquired through my wholesale distributers by name, and he confirmed these products would be covered by the Raymarine warranty.

He also said items installed by the buyer will be covered under warranty unless the installation damaged the unit. He gave an example of wiring it wrong and cooking the unit. He specified that "on-board" coverage only exists if installed by a Ray tech, but product coverage duration is the same for both. If you install and it goes bad, you need to remove, package, and ship to Raymarine for repair or replacement.

He agreed to reply to my email repeating the above. I will let you know when it arrives but the conversation was very straight forward and he was very helpful.
 
I received the email I was looking for from Raymarine. Mike wrote that he had his boss look at the email, and with one slight addition they both agreed to my summary of our conversation. The addition to my note was that they would 'not cover a product due to shipping damage or Acts of God'.

Thanks to Bob and others for discussing this issue and flushing out the details.
 
RayMarine is CYA on a subject which now has over 25 pages of posts on THT and which they are very aware. The person who had the complaint has placed a copy of his registration on line, as well as the seriel number of the chart plotter, which showed it was manufactured in March 05, and he has electronic proof of purchase it in 06. This is not at all unusual. Here is what he wrote:
"When originally I REGISTERED all 4 items on RAYMARINE's website electronically, they created an "INSIDER" account. In there you can register all your products, serial numbers, your personal information etc. It said nothing about I needed to send in the registration cards as well. I was under the impression, and I think I am right about this, the electronic registration was in lieu of sending hard copy. At THAT time they they also asked for proof of purchase..They had me fax them only thing I had. Print outs of PayPal transactions and the EBay information as printed from the screen."

RayMarine had dealings with him about the unit, and until it was obvious that the unit had to be replaced there apparently was no question.
But apparently the registration along with screen shots of the pay-pal and E/bay transactions were not enough proof for RayMarine.

I buy Electronics on the internet, but in every case, I buy from an outfit which is established, has certified techs on their payroll, and I get an invoice in the packed material. I would think that if you have a letter signed by an official of RayMarine saying that your object which you purchased on E/bay was covered, then that would certainly be sufficient. But I would not rely on just "information".

I put this on the forum for what it is worth--a caveat.
 
OK, it's a done deal (again!) this time from a reputable dealer and not through E-Bay. Got the E80 System Pack and the 4KW dome. Was able to find it with a 5M cable (vice the 15M one) that has a right angle connector for the display. That should be just right as the dome will be near the front of the pilot house. I hated to coil up all that cable on CAPTAIN'S CHOICE.

Now for an autopilot. Byrdman has a SIMRAD that he swears by but they apparently don't make his model, the AP16V any more. I'm a little leery of the interface with a dissimilar mfr but since it's a NEMA electronic one, shouldn't make any difference. I'd like to have the wireless capability but would want the control head too. My TC255 has the Seastar Hydraulic steering with twin Suzi 115's on it. The autopilot should give me the stable heading info I need for the correct Radar overlay, I think.

What are others using and what is your recommendation? Where are the electronics/hydraulic pump located? I had a ST6001 on CAPTAIN'S CHOICE but never got around to installing the pump. Hopefully the new owner did it.
 
I misspoke and need to make a correction. Garmen bought up TR-1 to fill their need for a auto pilot not furno. sorry about the miss information.
 
You should get a rate gyro on the auto pilot, rather than just the flux gate compass, for several reasons. First it will give a more stable heading with the pilot, and second it is necessary for the Radar overlay. RayMarine makes several very good pilots. Simrad/Robertson also has some very good pilots---but not sure about the compatablity of the rate gyro compass (which is available on the Simrad also. Both RayMarine and Simrad have the virtual feedback, and with the outboards I would consider this a real plus. Most outboard pilots come with a linleal feedback, which does not work well--and it is best to do with a rotary feedback.

This is a place where you would be smart to contract with an electronics firm. You will need some help with setup--although it can be done, it can be a bit tricky. Also you will have to bleed the SeaStar hyraulics. There is an electric pump set which makes this much easier, less messier and much faster, which a good installer will have. Maybe you can do the physical installation, but then have the final setup done by the technician.

As for the 115 Suzuki--From what I understand you will have to use the Suzuki or Lowrance (the same) NMEA back bone--and probably use a Lowrance LMF 200 or LMF 400 guage for part of the interface--then splice a RayMarine cable to the Suzuki cable. There does not seem to be a direct Suzuki to RayMarine cable--plus you need the backbone. There are two connectors--red--the newest and Blue--the older ones. Try and use all red connectors. There should be a 3 cm plug on the left front of the engine which is 3 cm in diameter and the EP 20 adaptor will plug in there, and then into the backbone. The question is how much "stuff" do you want to clutter up the navigational display with. Most folks who are doing this, are using the Lowrance guage for most of their engine data (it includes fuel flow, oil and water pressure, temps etc).
 
Captains Cat":1486tprx said:
Has anyone interfaced the NEMA on the Suzuki Engines with the RayMarine E series to get an engine display?
Click to expand...

I am trying to do the same thing with my Yamaha NEMA. Tried to find a Yamaha booth at SBS but no joy. Will have to contact Yamaha directly, I guess...
 
Captain Cat;

I have a Garmin 3210 with all network digital options and the 4kw radar. Love it.
However, I chose the Simrad AP16 for the autopilot, which has a virtual rudder feedback rather than mechanical. This makes for easier install and less items to break, which is common with mechanical feedback rods. I didn't hook up the AP to my plotter but, it is a simple operation if I thought it was needed.
Mounting was all overhead and I have a completely clear view and clean dash board. Look at photos in my album to see mounting.

Gene Morris
 
Thanks Gene, nice looking install. In the picture that has the hydraulic pump in it, where are those electronics/pump located? Looks like it may be forward of the helm under the hatch in the bow berth? Maybe I wouldn't have to cut my hydraulic lines, just run them from the pump to the helm ones and run the old ones that were into the helm to the pump. Is that what you did?

Charlie
 
A little late to the party but here goes.
It seems that power consumption might be considered when deciding which system to go with.
For example the Honda 40's common on many C-Dorys only have 10 amp, 126 W alternators. The engines aren't necessarily run at rpm's that will yeild those numbers either. And batteries could be weakening too.
An E series Raymarine that uses 20 W power coupled with the 34 W draw of the 4Kw radar antenna on top of all the boat's other electrical demands really add up. Although a C series that uses 10 W matched the 2 Kw antenna using 28 W saves only16 W.
Lets not forget the 30 W the depth module uses.
Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?
 
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