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Post by schlnrnd on Oct 7, 2022 10:18:27 GMT -5
My 4G Radar was showing No Spike Data and Radar Off messages. None of the online recommendations corrected the issue and customer service just takes you through the online recommendations. Thus, it’s redundant. The only solution was to send it in for repair but tech was unsure it could be repaired. However, I opened up the dome and realized that the belt drive had broken and was the cause of the messages. I found information on The Hull Truth forum for the replacement part which costs $3.79! Yes, just $3.79. So I bought two just in case. I share because I saw a number of posts where owners of 3G/4G radar had similar issues were told to ship in for repair and ended up having to purchase the Halo 20/20+ for half the price. This was not possible for my 2015 unit, but repair was a solution. I sent this in my feedback survey to Simrad and asked Why Simrad doesn’t share this step with customers? It would save us a lot of time and aggravation. I wonder how many other units were “unrepairable” based on a simple belt drive needing ti be replaced? Seems odd.
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 599
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Post by jerryk on Oct 7, 2022 11:11:02 GMT -5
Good troubleshooting! I find that often a manufacturer would rather sell you a new widget rather than educate you on a simple do it yourself repair. Customer service usually doesn't know what the insides of the stuff they advise on looks like, and they've never fixed anything first hand so all they can do is recite the poor troubleshooting script.
Seems odd they don't promote self-reliance and self repair, and even offer a spare parts kit and instruction for common failures, which I'm sure would be of market interest to the many offshore cruisers and liveaboards who spend time in remote locations with their marine electronics. In a pinch I suppose the more creative McGyvers out there would slap a rubber band on and call it done.
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Post by schlnrnd on Oct 7, 2022 11:33:51 GMT -5
Interestingly enough the THT thread I stumbled onto stated not only did Sim rad not have parts to replace it but they would not share where replacements could be found or what business manufactured the belts. Somehow one investigated soul was able to locate a company that made the exact belt
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Post by hookedup on Oct 7, 2022 13:28:11 GMT -5
When it's a couple hundred dollar unit I'd just get the new one, especially if they've improved it. However, radar units are expensive and you'd think they'd do a more complete job of analysis, or better yet provide a code that would get you to possible solutions. Lazy programmers or more likely they were told not to include any problem analysis. Sucks when you realize they could have helped you but choose not to. I have a Simrad autopilot and called for assistance. I gave up on them after they requested the 4th reset to factory. Not going to catch me doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
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Post by Sam on May 20, 2023 14:15:07 GMT -5
I took the cover off of my simrad 4g radar and it seems like the spinning part is wobbly I don’t think that’s normal
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