I have a client who is getting his 5th or 6th DSM sounder module within 12 weeks. The original unit (1 1/2 years old was spotty in operation. I replaced it under warranty, and this unit kept "falling asleep"(three blink red (high temp which did not exist)). I did the boot strap upgrades on the module, and E120's had current software .it was OK dockside, but would fail intermitantly during cruising. The Ray rep was called in and he replaced it with a new unit, and it failed immediately due to "cold solder joints. He replaced it with another new unit, and it failed due to cold solder joints. (I wasn't there, but thats what the rep said) a new unit is being tested under heat for 48 hours, and will be installed early next week. I hadn't seen the solder joint for almost two years, but the rep said this was ongoing until November 2009 in manufacturing. Symtoms are loss of bottom, blinking depth, DSM connection lost message, but screen stays blue, and may restore connection by itself.
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The problem for most of these units has been software related and new software for the DSM300 has been released by Raymarine. It is available on the website and is version 4.11
Find it here: (copy and paste in URL)
http://raymarine.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/raymarine.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1431&p_created=1265925091&p_sid=1uXzrAZj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9Nyw3JnBfcHJvZHM9MTAsNTkmcF9jYXRzPTk0JnBfcHY9Mi41OSZwX2N2PTEuOTQmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1
Thank you, that was done early on, with the chasing around plugging in and out of the power cord. The Ray rep that showed up claimed it was the cold solder joint problem raising its head from years ago. The boat went through at least five boxes over several weeks Two by me, and at least three by the FL west coast Ray rep before the problem was fixed on the boat. Tnx Bill
Bill, I have installed and replaced more DSM units than I would like to think about. We have had up to 4 units at a time fail right out of the box from Raymarine. I can not recall any installations done over the last 4 or 5 years that the DSM unit did not have to be replaced. This is by no means just a software issue. Unfortunately if they have a Raymarine integrated system there is not much hope. It does not look like there is going to be an improvement in the near term. Chuck
I have a c120 and i'm looking for a dms 30 or dms 300 to add to boat with p66. my boat is 18ft starcraft. my fishing depth primarily 13 -30 ft do you think it will be a good set up?
I have just replaced a very problematic DSM300 that is combined with my trusty E120 Classic MFD. I replaced the DSM300 with the new CP370 that has just been released to replace both the DSM300 and CP300 fish finders. The new CP370 fired up immediately and began working out of the box with my E120 and B744 DST transducer. I could not be happier with the result. Not a low cost solution but solid reliable performance.