Autohelm/Raymarine ST50 Instruments fried...Replace with???

[NewportNewbie]

My boat cam with a set of SR Mariner instruments installed, but not working. The previous owner gave me a box of Autohelm ST50 instruments in amazing condition, just had them tested and 4 out of 5 won't power up, the 5th one they have doubts about. So now I want a good set of instruments and don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I have seen a new set of instruments that cost 1/3 of what I bought the boat for! I think the wind instruments at a minimum would be helpful when sailing, now I am string at the wind vane at the top of the mast all the time, it''ll save my neck...lol. Depth and speed would also be nice. Ideas? Should I look for used? What brands? Any brands to stay away from? I have never had working instruments so I am not used to anything. Thanks!

[tommays]

In complete seriousness about all you really need is a Windex and a simple handheld GPS like a gramin 72H and a depth finder is OK but not going to stop groundings if you dont keep track of your area on a chart


I never even installed my 5" color chartploter in the Cal 29 this year

[Minnewaska]

After all the analysis of all the different manufacturers, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in the big players. If you want instruments, get them from a local provider that can service them. That will probably be the biggest variable in your satisfaction.

Don't let the minimalists try to dissuade you. If they were in charge of aircraft, I guess we would still be flying visually.

[NewportNewbie]

I know I don't NEED the instruments. I have a windex and its what I use now for judging wind direction. I also use my iPhone for GPS since I am never far offshore yet. I always wonder...how much wind am I in? How fast am I going? How deep is this water? All those things could be easily answered at a glance with working instruments.

[cb32863]

Not sure how much searching you have done, I have asked similar questions about instruments. If you get a decent handheld GPS that will have speed on it for you, was a suggestion to me. Another suggestion was to get a nice fish finder with charting and depth and GPS, then you kinda have it all there. Wind instrumentation tends to be spendy in my opinion but very nice to have.... Here is a link to stuff at Defender There is also WM too but, prices..... Maybe you can hit CraigsList or Ebay and find some good deals there.

Good luck and glad you are having so much fun with your boat.

EDIT: I have no affiliation with Defender except buying things there before and the recommendation of others.

Oh there is also the store here at SN...

[tommays]

Well good luck and

I hope the Cormorant do not take a liking to your boat

[capttb]

Who tested and decided 4 out of 5 wouldn't power up and how did they do it ?
I'd like to plug each one into an existing Seatalk network on another boat to know for sure before tossing them.

[NewportNewbie]

They were tested by a local Raymarine authorized dealer and service center. I am going to do my own tests as well. To my knowledge they plugged them into their demo sea talk network and the only one that powered up was the Navdata unit.

[capttb]

Okay, sounds like what you got is toast all right, good news is that those white suncovers are no longer available and maybe the most valuable part of the package.
Transducers are the thorniest part of the question, most are made by Airmar I believe, if you have some in place Ray stuff is mostly backward compatible. Otherwise will you need to haul for new ones ? If you don't have wind instrument already it's tough to string a wire to the masthead that doesn't bang.
You do stop at Minney's on your way to the boat don't you ? Instruments are upstairs on the left, never know you could get lucky.

[NewportNewbie]

Yup I have been to Minney's many times, and nothing even close to these instruments. Or even the old SR Mariner analog instruments that are already on the boat. Nothing is wired for the ST50 stuff. Whats on there now are non working SR Mariner analog instruments.