B&g chartplotter turns into expensive paperweight

[rfkneller]

After three years of use, my B&G T7 chart plotter developed a crazy pattern of lines on the screen. This was on top of a depth and speed sensor that never worked correctly that was replaced by B&G. However, when it came to the chartplotter they told me that they no longer could repair the chart plotter but I could purchase another reconditioned chart plotter for $500. (unfortunately not my model and would not fit the Navpod.) This just seems like intentional planned obsolescence. Anyone else have experience with B&G products and their reliability and service?

[Outlaw7]

Try Garmin if you want planned obsolescence. At least B&G offered you a replacement Garmin just says to bad.

[tkeithlu]

Sorry to hear it. In my case it was a very old Garmin backup GPS/plotter that died. A replacement that fit the same cable was expensive, even on ebay.

One thought: It's getting to where you can run just about anything on a cheap laptop or a tablet. I've go my radar on a refurbished iPad and OpenCPN on a laptop with a separate monitor at the helm. I could have a lot more on them if I wanted - the software is out there. Then, at least, you are dealing with an item that was produced in the millions. Parts are a lot easier to find, and replacement is not outrageous.

[tkeithlu]

See the current iPad versus Android tablet thread - people have LOTS of stuff on tablets.

[rfkneller]

Thanks for the input!

[jdaltonpe]

Bought my boat last year with a B&G Zeuss 2 chart plotter. It gave up the ghost after 4 months of ownership - must have been about 2 years old. I called B&G and told them the screen died. They acknowledged that they had a problem with the original screen supply on that model. They sent me a new one and returned my deposit when the old one arrived at their warranty claims office - I was very happy with them.

[smac999]

That is a lot older then 3 years. 6 or 7 probably.

[Reefmagnet]

I've got the same model. I didn't get around to installing it until about 6 months ago. Some things can't be rushed! If you've got nothing to loose, it's possible that that fault is caused by a bad connection between the screen and it's driver circuitry so a tear down, clean and re-seat of connections might be worth a shot. Other than that, maybe hunt down a used unit to replace it with or just go with a tablet based replacement. I have both systems on my boat, and really only use the T7 as a helm mount AP control as I found my OpenCPN based nav system to work faster (T7's are sluggish in comparison) and to have more features. A tablet based system would probably still come in around the $500 mark minimum by the time you got together all the components required, though.

[thereefgeek]

I’m pretty much of the opinion that ALL chart plotters are expensive paperweights. I can’t understand why people still feel the need to have a permanently mounted plotter at the helm.

[jmschmidt]

And you were expecting what from B&G?

[nwdiver]

Had a b&g plotter die, out of warrenty but the wifi works fine so the tablet at the helm is fine so is the new tablet at the nav station.

[ozsailer]

Originally Posted by thereefgeek

I’m pretty much of the opinion that ALL chart plotters are expensive paperweights. I can’t understand why people still feel the need to have a permanently mounted plotter at the helm.

thereefgeek - Please explain. I want as much information in front of me at all times, track, AIS, wind, depth, radar etc. Surely having information instantly is just prudent seamanship.


Greg H
Lagoon 440.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ozsailer

thereefgeek - Please explain. I want as much information in front of me at all times, track, AIS, wind, depth, radar etc. Surely having information instantly is just prudent seamanship. Greg H, Lagoon 440.

Me too, particularly for pilotage in busy coastal waters which is our main cruising ground. To the point we have a new RM Element under the sprayhood and an older Garmin at the helm. Sure there is the current chart on the table but doesn't get used much because I want eyes on what is going on around me. I know were I am and if it all goes pear shaped well the log is no more than a hour old with the last position. I now rarely draw on charts, instead they are used for planning and checking for obstructions.

Pete

[torrmundi]

As I believe another responder pointed out, the crazy lines are probably due to either a zebra connector poor connection between the LCD glass and and the driver circuit board or it may be a bad driver in the driver circuit board. You can try cleaning and repositioning the zebra connector (a strip of rubber with alternating colors, like a stack of cheese and salami). If the driver is bad, then that means replacing a chip, not something most people can do without special equipment. But, you don’t have lot to lose, unless you want the paperweight.

Originally Posted by rfkneller

After three years of use, my B&G T7 chart plotter developed a crazy pattern of lines on the screen. This was on top of a depth and speed sensor that never worked correctly that was replaced by B&G. However, when it came to the chartplotter they told me that they no longer could repair the chart plotter but I could purchase another reconditioned chart plotter for $500. (unfortunately not my model and would not fit the Navpod.) This just seems like intentional planned obsolescence. Anyone else have experience with B&G products and their reliability and service?