Navman

Hi there,

I am in the process of ordering a new RIB. My dealer is specifying Navman fishfinder, VHF and plotter. Are they any good?

--Andy

Yeah mate, I have a navman 4200 fishfinder unit, bloody brilliant, does, water temp, speed (via paddle wheel) ,depth, fish, engine hours, nautical mile log, back lit, and if you buy the optional sendor, fuel management - + loads of other bits

Thanks for the reply.

Can they be flush mounted? Do you have any pics?

--Andy

yes, mine came with swival bracket, and flush mounting bolts and nuts

http://www.ollysrib.741.com/Fishfinder.JPG

Navman is great, my new rib came with the Fishtrack 660. I am using the C-Map MAX charts. out of this world!
I wasnt sure about navman untill i started using it, now I am very impressed.
Also have the Navman VHF, havent used it much, but looks like it has more features that you would ever need.
Both units are well protected from water and easy to use while on the water.

We have had Navman tracker 5600 ended up getting 3 of em under warranty, all leaked water in.
We had a fishfinder Navman ,ended up getting two of em under warranty,

We inhereted a Navman DSC radio on our current rib, after 90 hours less than a year , the backlit display has failed completely.

This is the scary bit, try for yourself and ring the Plastimo helpline

the Navman agents, no one answers, returns emails or messages

the Navman stuff just isnt up to it

You will find that everyone has been at the boat show. I work for a Plastimo dealer and when it comes to repair of navman kit out of warranty we can't get any spares despite having a service dept. The unit has to be returned to a third party trade only repairer who will then quote for the repair, charges are incurred from go - delivery then the quote, even if you do not go ahead with the repair.
Not very good after sales out of warranty service.

Mark

I am looking for some electronics to fit an Avon 620. Can you suggest any kit? I want a GPS plotter, fishfinder & VHF.

--Andy

VHF go for Raymarine or Icom.

For a boat that size maybe the Garmin 178c combined plotter/sounder.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap178c/

Go for something with a built in aerial - much easier!!!

On a bigger boat I would go for Raymarine but they are missing out a bit by not having a combo unit!!!

If the GPS has a built-in aerial, does that mean the unit cannot be flush mounted?

--Andy

Mark Parkin Navman man at plastimo

07884 442297 Mobile
0148977 8863 direct line office
email m.parkin@plastimo.co.uk
The other guy in there is Paul who is the Tech guy .

PLASTIMO UK
HAMILTON BUSINESS PARK
BOTLEY ROAD
HEDGE END
HAMPSHIRE

I posted my VHF set back with a covering letter a new one was returned next day , did not have M1 M2 programmed in so they sent another one next day .

Please do not say where you got his number as he is a customer of mine!

Please do not say where you got his number as he is a customer of mine! ex-customer? :D

If the GPS has a built-in aerial, does that mean the unit cannot be flush mounted?

--Andy

Hadn't thought of that - depends on the design I suppose - would still be ok with signal - they work in a car!!!

You would need the built-in aerial to have a clear unobstructed view of the sky. You're right that flush mounting could be a challenge - a friend of mine managed a flush mount using a custom made kit which wasn't so much flush as surface mount!

Our own chartplotter has the aerial mounted only a few inches away from the unit, built into the top of the console. It works well, but doesn't work with a mobile 'phone placed on top of it.