Raymarine.....would you buy them now?
 

Hello, I have been window shopping for the X-5 autopilot and ST-60 sailing package for a while mainly due to price! I wonder if I should buy a set now @ $2400 for both or should scrap the idea considering they are about to tank as a company?


I currently have the OE equip Datamarine goods on my C-30 and a autohelm 4000 wheel pilot. Would you reccomend a changeout for newer or repair what I have AKA a working AH 4000 and working DM except the wind which tells speed but no direction (I understand these are rebuildable).

I want the slim new look to the Raymarine and the coupling of wind+autopilot too

Thanks

Josh

We were just about to outfit our cruising boat with a full suite of raymarine,... but there is no way we are going to lay out that kind of money for a product whose stock lost 70% last weekend. I can't imagine what they would have to do or say that would make me change my mind.

I have Raymarine/ Raytheon instruments, autopilot on both my CAl 9.2 and Santana525. I've had to return the St50 speed for not working when it got cold, ~35f and it was repaired out of warranty for free(yrs ago). Service is an issue that should be considered, replacement parts also if service is not available. I checked the yahoo site to find out what was happening, Raymarine appears to be debt ladened, broke off talks with Garman, stock price fell, a little rebound today. When the economy tanked, they tanked and their stock did not recover. I hope that they will be able to restructure and continue, I like their products. In the mean time, I'l shop for extra instruments to have spares on hand....

I have Raymarine/ Raytheon instruments, autopilot on both my CAl 9.2 and Santana525. I've had to return the St50 speed for not working when it got cold, ~35f and it was repaired out of warranty for free(yrs ago). Service is an issue that should be considered, replacement parts also if service is not available. I checked the yahoo site to find out what was happening, Raymarine appears to be debt ladened, broke off talks with Garman, stock price fell, a little rebound today. When the economy tanked, they tanked and their stock did not recover. I hope that they will be able to restructure and continue, I like their products. In the mean time, I'l shop for extra instruments to have spares on hand....

I guess one of my concerns is wether or not the product will last for 5 or so years? I will sell the ole gal by then and just dont want to be stuck with inop irrepairable parts.....

My concern as well - as I am in the market for new cockpit instruments. Depth, speed, chartplotter and an autopilot. But I don't see any complete options out there unless you have many $1k's to spend. Is Garmin really becoming a major player where Ray has dominated? Would it be wise to build a system around Raymarine or Garmin or look elsewhere?

I have a garmin gps that interfaces well with ray. pilot.Think almost anything reasonable new talks to each other.Furno used to be real choosy.marc

I think hand held chart plotters are the way to go. No chance of lightning damage, and the garmins have held up well for me.

Handhelds are just as prone to lightning damage UNLESS you happen to store it in a closed oven or pressure cooker during the lightning storm. :rolleyes: Just cause it isn't connected to the 12 VDC electrical system doesn't mean that lightning can't fry it.

I agree they can get fried in a hit, but I was thinking about the boats that get a side-shock from a nearby strike at the dock and loose everything that's wired in, leaving only their hand held undamaged.