Fuel Flow Meter/Gauge Questions - Page 2

fdheld34 · #11 11-16-2008, 10:16 PM

Thanks all for the info. I think I have a better understanding of the workings of a fuel flow meter. After looking at all info, I think I am going to go with the Lowrance LMF-200 w/ fuel sensor. Seems like a good little gauge capaple of so many different functions. Also,after reviewing all links presented it looks like it is a good mid range unit for my needs. I do have a Lowrance Globalmap GPS but not sure if it will be compatible with all options that this gauge is capable of with extra sensors. Guess I should take out of box, review GPS manual and see what it says and take it from there. Never thought about using gps in conjunction w/ flow meter to determine mpg. I would rather do a little math than spend extra money on a sensor at this point.
Thanks again,
-Fred

stoney · #12 11-17-2008, 09:05 AM

I have navman F3100 and i can not recommend them. It was very useful for 2 years and now the display has faded out. I contacted navman and they will not warranty it but will sell me another display for $200. They also got a bad batch of senders and had to replace that. Now I have this 4" square hole in the dashboard that is useless. I upgraded to a new chartplotter and will add the sender compatible with my chartplotter this winter. I found it very useful to see mpg.

fdheld34 · #13 11-17-2008, 09:38 PM

Stoney, Thanks fo the info on your experience w Navman.
Has anyone had experiences with the above metioned lowrance??? Would like to know before I make my final purchase.
Thanks, Fred

McGillicuddy · #14 11-17-2008, 10:08 PM

That sucks. I had the exact opposite experience with NAVMAN. I had a fish finder out of warranty go bad and they replaced it with a new one for $99 repair fee. Sent a new transducer to boot. How long ago was that Stoney, I have only had excellent customer svc from them

fdheld34 · #15 11-17-2008, 10:36 PM

Wow Gillie..now I am really confused

..guess you would recommend the Navman unit.and had good customer service..might have to do some more research prior to purchasing anything.....
-Fred

McGillicuddy · #16 11-18-2008, 02:35 AM

Fred, I don't mean to confuse the issue and the 2 years Stoney spent using his is certainly more time than I've spent with mine. I bought mine 'cause I was impressed with a friend's Northstar fuel meter/readout and I already had a compatible unit. Didn't have the cash for a Floscan either...

I did get the impression from several tech managers at Northstar in MA the they were happy to have been bought by Navico last year because they felt Brunswick New Technologies(former owners) had not properly supported what they felt was a good product.

Hope mine's not a lemon.

stoney · #17 11-18-2008, 09:05 AM

The response I got on 9/19/08 from Ron at Navico (owner of Navman, Lowrance, Northstar, Simrad) is that the display is waranteed for 2 years only. Tough luck buy a new display or fill in the square hole in the dashboard. I've used Lowrance equipment since 1979 and never had a problem except I keep moving up to get the latest equipment(bigger better display). So I'm going to get a Lowrance fuel sender and tie it into the network, so it can display on the big screen GPS as MPG. I really liked having MPG display.

strick · #18 11-18-2008, 11:34 AM

I've had 2 Navman fuel flow meters and neither has worked properly. On my 23 that I sold to tcorks the screen took a crap and I've had problems with the flow sensors have acting up. One minute they are working fine and the next they are not. Now the one on my 20sf is reading zilch...zippo...nadda

Customer service is important however I'd rather never to have to make the call in the first place.

strick

McGillicuddy · #19 11-18-2008, 08:20 PM

Dang! Looks like I've been duped. Strick's right on - rather not have to use cust. svc. Guess I should've paid for the quality and gone with a FloScan...penny-wise pound-foolish...Ante-up, Fred. I think there's a lesson here -- Go Big or go home. DANG!

fdheld34 · #20 11-19-2008, 12:17 PM

Gillie- I hate to do it but from the consensus guess I will have to Ante-up, ..I will probably end up going with lowrance and then kick myself for not going w/ flowscan for a little extra money..thats how it usually happens w/ me too. At least I was educated here and my selection is narrowed to the two. Now just have to find a low price flow scan and then make a choice!!!
Thanks
-Fred