Garmin vs Raymarine

[the dude abides]

I am getting a few replacements after lightning struck my boat. I am in South East Asia. Seem to be a few dealers around but no Garmin. Every time I mention Garmin people tell me that they are for more of the weekend cruiser instead of the round the world cruiser and that Raymarine are superior.
Is there a real reason for this? As in, Raymarine is a superior tougher build, or is it just bollocks and I would maybe hear the same from a Garmin specialist talk about Raymarine.

[Neptune's Gear]

Well, as a marine electronics installer and maintainer, I'd say in order of products features and build quality, B&G, Raymarine, Garmin...
Furuno are pretty good as well, but like Simrad, they are really aimed at power/fishing vessels. IMO.
People will tell you whatever they know best is the best...

[AA3JY]

My dealer/installer recommended Garmin for its customer support over Raymarine ..even though they where a Raymarine dealer..

[the dude abides]

I already have the Garmin chart plotter and radar on board, so I thought it would be beneficial to Garmin out the boat. I go to the Garmin web site, they find a dealer in my area which is South East Asia, I ring them, but they do not do marine for what I am after.
I am finding it exasperating. I am now trying to find a dealer in Australia that can ship here. Not having much luck. Spent the whole day doing it. I have left a message on their Facebook page as there is no central place I can just ask. I just get directed to watch dealers.
I guess customer support is dependent on location

[1affiah]

Personally, I think Raymarine has steadily gone downhill since parting from Raytheon days. There is a reason why you see Ray packages on smaller new boats, and it's not because of superior quality.

Garmin (IMHO) seems to prefer selling direct to the consumer, checkout their website with all of the consumer products. I have owned several Garmin suites, and have had good luck, including a reasonable level of support when needed.

[Shanty1]

I reckon Garmin is pretty good. My mates tinny has had a Garmin plotter/sounder in it since 2012, always smashed by spray, never really looked after and still works a treat. A fishing charter company in Australia called “Big Cat Reality” recently refitted their boat with all new Garmin gear. I would say all the electronics are pretty similar. Just my opinion
Regards,
Mick

[the dude abides]

I had good service with Garmin in Australia. Here in South East Asia it feels like I am butting my head against the wall

[Pete7]

I fitted a little Garmin chartplotter/Fishfinder rather than a compass at the wheel 12 years ago. Brilliant bit of kit that was streets ahead of RM at the time in term of friendly user ability. The manual isn't needed because the menu system is very intuitive.

However, I think RM have now caught up having spent last Saturday morning playing with the latest RM Element chart plotter.

[MV Wanderlust]

Our new-to-us boat came with a recent-generation Garmin chart plotter that is integrated with the other systems and controls. The tender also has a (smaller) Garmin chart plotter. I've called Garmin several times for assistance or with questions and they were always very helpful. I'd certainly go with them again.

[the dude abides]

Will your Garmin dealer post to Malaysia?

The site here picks up on my location where I get directed to Kular Lumpar who I have rung and its just rubbish service.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I fitted a little Garmin chartplotter/Fishfinder rather than a compass at the wheel 12 years ago. Brilliant bit of kit that was streets ahead of RM at the time in term of friendly user ability. The manual isn't needed because the menu system is very intuitive.

However, I think RM have now caught up having spent last Saturday morning playing with the latest RM Element chart plotter.

Our Raymarine ST60 depth started acting up last year. After investigating the options for reoair, the cheapest fix was to just buy a Garmin fishfinder + new transducer for CDN$140. Besides the sexy colour bottom plot, it has its own GPS receiver which can plot or follow a course to a waypoint, and display SOG. And I also find its UI and menus are quite sensible.

I still think Raymarine's products are more "serious" and may stand up better to more demanding use, but Garmin is coming along nicely.

[Hillard]

Dude,
Mix and match garmin and raymarine. My ds42 had a good garmin 8212 chart plotter and original raymarine tridata etc. i got rid of all the old raymarine. Added a new nmea 2000 backbone and then added garmin phantom radar and garmin wind instruments. Added a Raymarine marine blackbox to convert depth and speed to nmea2000. Integrated the raymarine autopilot to the 2000 backbone then added 4 raymarine i70s multifunction 4” displays to replace the tridata. Everything works together like a champ across the nmea network.
Mark

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by the dude abides

I had good service with Garmin in Australia. Here in South East Asia it feels like I am butting my head against the wall

Have you not contacted JJTango in Singapore?

See: Contact Us | JJTango
Navigation | JJTango

Where are you in MY, tda? Are you in a duty-free port such as Langkawi or Labuan, or are you such that you can legitimately claim to be a yacht in transit for receipt of goods in a non-duty-free port?

[the dude abides]

I am in Langkawi. Strike happened in Koh Lipe which is only 30 nm away so came back as I had heard about Thailand being on a par with Western countries for such works. Also heard that they get their goods sent to Langkawi and then sail them up and throw on 10% VAT and specific tax per item. I went through the directory through the Garmin site to try to contact dealers. Did not see JJTangoes. I shall contact them. Much appreciated. Thank you.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by the dude abides

I went through the directory through the Garmin site to try to contact dealers. Did not see JJTangoes. I shall contact them. Much appreciated. Thank you.

JJTango deals directly with Garmin. I expect they'll satisfy you.

Should JJTango fail, then I'd suggest talking to the Marina Yacht Services Chandlery at Raffles Marina, Singapore. That chandlery is not a Garmin dealer in the way that JJTango is, but the MYS Chandlery can contact the dealer/distributor of Garmin (or any brand of which you can think) and obtain it for you.

Contact details for Marina Yacht Services Chandlery (and the boatyard, so if you're emailing put "CHANDLERY" in the subject line, if you're telephoning, ask for the Chandlery):

Tel: +65 6862 4320
Email: marinayacht@singnet.com.sg

--

I'm sure that you, like most of us, noted with sadness the recent death of Gary Burrell, the co-founder (along with Kao Minhuan 高民環) of Garmin.

Here's a link to the NY Times obit for Gar half of Garmin: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/b...rell-dead.html

After Burrell and Kao converted Garmin into a public company, starting their phased retirement, taking profits, and reducing their involvement with the company, the managers diversified the company massively to seek new profitable ventures.

Hence your problem finding dealers of Garmin marine products.

I'm sure the shareholders will appreciate your understanding and your commitment to brand loyalty.