Skipper Marine Electronics

[Larry Weiss]

I have recently received another catalogue from Skipper Marine
Electronics. They also have an outlet here on Long Island. Since I am
shopping for a DGPS Chartplotter, and also a small radar unit, I am
considering buying from them. Their catalog is quite thorough.
However, I am disturbed that it is laced with warnings about other
dealers, and that it is filled with claims about how Skipper uniquely
upgrades, tweaks and tests all of their products before delivery. For
example, about the Northstar GPS it says:

Choose your dealer carefully. All of Skipper's Northstar units have
the latest
hardware modifications correcting the poorly soldered boards found
in some
units and latest software permitting route editing from the stored
waypoint list.
Many of the older versions are still on the shelves of general
marine outlet
stores and mail order catalogs. Skipper's pre-delivery laboratory
computer
simulations and certification ensures you receive a properly
performing unit
with the latest software. Why gamble with anyone else?

Are their claims legitimate? Has anyone had any experience with this
company? Why should I buy from them over my nearby West Marine (where
the price is right and I can return anything for any reason)?

Larry Weiss
"...Ever After?"

[hkrause]

Larry Weiss wrote:
>
> I have recently received another catalogue from Skipper Marine
> Electronics. They also have an outlet here on Long Island. Since I am
> shopping for a DGPS Chartplotter, and also a small radar unit, I am
> considering buying from them. Their catalog is quite thorough.
> However, I am disturbed that it is laced with warnings about other
> dealers, and that it is filled with claims about how Skipper uniquely
> upgrades, tweaks and tests all of their products before delivery. For
> example, about the Northstar GPS it says:

It's malarky. What else would you expect from a company named Skippy?

The ads originate in Kansas but are datelined New Jersey just to throw
everyone off.

[CEKnick]

I've reviewed the Skipper Marine Catalog also and find their product reviews
useful from time to time, but their claims about "Upgrades, Tweaks,
Calibration and Tests" are pure Bulls**t. They ship the products in factory
sealed boxes, just collecting extra money from people naive enough to pay
it. I won't tell you not to buy from them, but if you do don't waste your
money on the Calibration Service. The prices do seem to be average with out
paying the extra fee.

Larry Weiss wrote in message <36C71023...@ix.netcom.com>...

>I have recently received another catalogue from Skipper Marine

>Electronics. I am disturbed that it is laced with warnings about other

>dealers, and that it is filled with claims about how Skipper uniquely
>upgrades, tweaks and tests all of their products before delivery. For
>example, about the Northstar GPS it says:
>
>

[Steve Danaher]

I used to buy from Skipper, but have discontinued for several reasons.
One of which is their recommendations. Sometimes they will heavily
promote substandard equipment as the best available. Overtime, those
recommendations have sometimes proven to be completely off the mark.
They do sell good equipment, but not better than anyone else.

Steve Danaher
sdanaher...@2xtreme.net

[Idakrules]

A few years ago I purchased a Sitex Fishfinder with dual beam through hull
transducer, a Furuno radar and a Loran unit.

Their staff was quite helpfull in my selection.
Although the main reason I bought from them was price, they will also beat
anyones price and forget about all the extra charges if you ask them too.

I shopped around for the best catalog price Faxed it to them with a copy of my
order and they beat all prices only by a few bucks, but since I live in NJ, I
also saved another 6% on sales tax.