Experience with B&G electronics?

pilot · 01-12-2007, 08:07

I used all my sailors life AUTOHELM/RAYMARINE electronics.
Bought a new boat now where the electronic components (Autopilot,GPS, Depth,Speed are from B&G.
One thing I noted immediately is, all "warning sounds" are way to low on volume. Looks like the engineers never sailed at 35 kts.
But my real concern is: how is the spare part situation around the world?
RAYMARINE is, from my experience, not a to bad factor.
Anybody experience with B&G?
#
Thank you for your time

Vasco · 01-12-2007, 10:01

I have B & G instruments on my CS36M. In my opinion they are superior to Raymarine. Parts have been available in Montreal and Florida. I have a Cetrek autohelm so I don't know about that.

pilot · 01-12-2007, 10:57

To clarify, what do you mean by superior to RAYMARINE?
I personally have the impression that the "software handling/operation" with RAYMARINE is some kind more easy.
But this could be as I was used to RAYMARINE for years.

**GordMay** · 01-12-2007, 10:57

B&G Distributer Locator:
Distributor Locator | B&G

defjef · 01-12-2007, 11:38

Shiva has B&G Hornet system with several cockpit repeaters including one that reads GPS data and they have been working perfectly for 22 years and the AWI has been in use almost continuously in that period with the spar down for only 2 winter seasons.

I'd say that's reliable.

Vasco · 01-12-2007, 13:26

I've had B&G instruments for 12 years. The wind instrument has worked perfectly all the time. I've had to change an impeller, the temperature sender went crazy. On the Raymarines I've had them since 2004, changed the whole wind instrument twice, the present one still goes wonky occasionally. The speed indicator jumps all over the place, I've given up on it, relying on my GPS most of the time. If I were interested in sailing fast it would be really frustrating as it jumps all over so it's hard to know if you've made the right adjustment to the sails, whereas the B&G is steady and reflects changes in speed well. In addition the Raymarine impeller seems to foul up a lot quicker than the B&G.

donradcliffe · 01-12-2007, 14:43

The B&G system is a bit harder to learn than Raymarine, but is OK once you are familiar with it. B&G reliability in my experience is better than Raymarine, but not all that great. B&G is used on a lot of race boats, so product support is available in a lot of places.

pilot · 01-12-2007, 16:24

OK, guys,
thank you for the answers meanwhile.

Charlie · 01-12-2007, 20:58

B&G Hornets are no longer supported by B&G. You can get most of the parts from an outfit in Florida. If you call B&G customer service they can give you the number. I've misplaced it.

01-12-2007, 08:07	#1
pilot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: germany, Berlin, boat at Ft. Lauderdale Boat: MANTA 42, before Morgan 41 Classic, GibSea 106 Posts: 91	Experience with B&G electronics? I used all my sailors life AUTOHELM/RAYMARINE electronics. Bought a new boat now where the electronic components (Autopilot,GPS, Depth,Speed are from B&G. One thing I noted immediately is, all "warning sounds" are way to low on volume. Looks like the engineers never sailed at 35 kts. But my real concern is: how is the spare part situation around the world? RAYMARINE is, from my experience, not a to bad factor. Anybody experience with B&G? # Thank you for your time

01-12-2007, 10:01	#2
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,803 Images: 34	I have B & G instruments on my CS36M. In my opinion they are superior to Raymarine. Parts have been available in Montreal and Florida. I have a Cetrek autohelm so I don't know about that. __________________ Rick I Toronto

01-12-2007, 10:57	#4
GordMay Administrator Site Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 9,330 Images: 230	B&G Distributer Locator: Distributor Locator \| B&G __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

01-12-2007, 13:26	#6
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,803 Images: 34	I've had B&G instruments for 12 years. The wind instrument has worked perfectly all the time. I've had to change an impeller, the temperature sender went crazy. On the Raymarines I've had them since 2004, changed the whole wind instrument twice, the present one still goes wonky occasionally. The speed indicator jumps all over the place, I've given up on it, relying on my GPS most of the time. If I were interested in sailing fast it would be really frustrating as it jumps all over so it's hard to know if you've made the right adjustment to the sails, whereas the B&G is steady and reflects changes in speed well. In addition the Raymarine impeller seems to foul up a lot quicker than the B&G. __________________ Rick I Toronto

01-12-2007, 20:58	#9
Charlie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nevada City. CA Boat: Sceptre 41 Ohana Posts: 1,507 Images: 2	B&G Hornets are no longer supported by B&G. You can get most of the parts from an outfit in Florida. If you call B&G customer service they can give you the number. I've misplaced it. __________________ Fair Winds, Charlie Between us there was, as I have already said somewhere, the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation, it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other's yarns -- and even convictions. Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad

01-12-2007, 11:38	#5
defjef Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: up from NYC Boat: Shiva - Contest 36s Posts: 1,181	Shiva has B&G Hornet system with several cockpit repeaters including one that reads GPS data and they have been working perfectly for 22 years and the AWI has been in use almost continuously in that period with the spar down for only 2 winter seasons. I'd say that's reliable.

01-12-2007, 14:43	#7
donradcliffe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Heading south for the winter Boat: Beneteau First 456 Posts: 309	The B&G system is a bit harder to learn than Raymarine, but is OK once you are familiar with it. B&G reliability in my experience is better than Raymarine, but not all that great. B&G is used on a lot of race boats, so product support is available in a lot of places.

01-12-2007, 16:24	#8
pilot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: germany, Berlin, boat at Ft. Lauderdale Boat: MANTA 42, before Morgan 41 Classic, GibSea 106 Posts: 91	OK, guys, thank you for the answers meanwhile.

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