Datamarine product quality?

[capecodphyllis]

Does anyone have any experience with Datamarine products?

I would like to purchase an all-in-one/multifunction instrument with Depth, Speed, Log and Sea Temp displays.

The only one I can find is the Datamarine Dart DM600

http://www.sea-dmi.com/datmar/dart.htm

It features:

Depth, speed, log and temperature indications
Battery voltage display
Heading display with NMEA 0183 compass input
Depth range to 600 feet

Any feedback about Datamarine build quality, ruggedness, reliabilty, service, etc. would be appreciated.

[foxglove]

My instruments are as old as my boat; 24 years. The knotlog works as well as the depth sounder. The wind instrument died several years ago.

That speaks well of Datamarine of the 80s but I suspect that as companies are bought, sold and newly managed, their products change with the times.

Still, if the company still has the same QC, QA and engineering standards that were put in place when the products were top of the line, they might be as good today.

I would search Practical Sailor's website to see if they have done comparisons of instrument manufacturers. You can purchase reports even if you don't subscribe.