FS: Apelco Loran DXL6350

[benjiwoodboat]

Is there any interest in this unit, or is this like trying to sell an Edsel with a years supply of New Coke in the trunk?

[Ziggy]

I don't know why anyone would want to buy a loran with poor accuracy, limited coverage, and outdated user interface, when you can get a handheld WAAS GPS with a chart plotting capability for $150 or less. Except maybe someone planning a museum of antique navigational instruments...

[benjiwoodboat]

this is kind of what I figured -- so what does one do with it, just throw it in the trash, let it navigate its own way to the landfill?

[svHyLyte]

Is the unit complete including the coupler? Do you still have any of the literature that accompanied the unit?

s/v HyLyte.

[Ziggy]

Ben,
By the way, you have a nice web site and a great boat. Good luck with it--I'll be checking up on your progress!
Ziggy

[svHyLyte]

Ben--

Before discarding or selling your LORAN receiver, take a look at the Coast Guard's Navigation Web-Site in re: eLORAN. The enhanced version of LORAN-C delivers 8 meter positional accuracy and "Legacy" equipment can utilize the up-dated transmissions. Moreover, LORAN is not subject to the issues of GNSS and particularly jamming and signal loss due to solar flare activity.

During a recent cruise to the Florida Keys we lost our primary GPS system due to an electrical malfunction. However, our old RayNav 570 LORAN-C, right there at the Nav table, continued to work and gave us reliable positional, speed and heading data.

If you do choose to sell the unit, you should have no difficulty finding buyers but if you do, send me a PM.

FWIW..

s/v HyLyte

[Vasco]

Loran is not useless it's repeatability is amazing. It'll get you to the same spot every time.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

... "Legacy" equipment can utilize the up-dated transmissions.

The old Loran-C receivers don't decode the new Data Channel, which is required to benefit from the enhanced accuracy and other features of eLoran. As far as I know, consumer-grade eLoran receivers have not reached the market yet. It is true that an old Loran-C receiver can provide a backup in case of a GPS system outage or jamming, but with much degraded accuracy (~0.1 nm). But apparently I was quite wrong about the lack of market for the old receivers, based on the enthusiastic responses on this forum and a quick scan of ebay. Ben's unit may be able to fetch $100-$200! Apparently, there is even a market for old RDF units!

[svHyLyte]

FWIW I don't believe I said that "Legacy equipment can decode the new data channel". I believe I said "Legacy" equipment can utilize the up-dated transmissions. Further, with the updated transmissions, Legacy equipment no longer needs defined slave chains. It can utilize any secondaries that can be rec'd. As to accuracy, once an initial position correction is applied for Lat-Lon, reported positions on our RayNav 570 are generally with .01 miles (i.e. 60') of the positions reported by our Garmin 2006C with WASS enabled (and with cross bearings when the GPS isn't working.)

As to whether Ben chooses to keep or sell his LORAN, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a..."

s/v HyLyte

[dacust]

There's a brand new, in the box APELCO DXL 6300 on e-bay right now with a starting bid of $9.99, $10 shipping. Someone finally bid $9.99 yesterday.

There's also a 6700. Looks very clean, w/manual, etc. Started $9.99. Now at $20.50.

-dan

[theonecalledtom]

Why remove a working installation that provides backup to your GPS?

[benjiwoodboat]

Hi All,

Interesting discussion. I do have the manual, and antenna. The wires are currently run in the boat, and I will remove them as best I can if someone would like the unit.

Thanks