My Northstar NS100 VHF is a POS!
- Thread starter timinfla2
- Start date
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,344
- Boat Info
- 2006 300DA Sundancer
- Engines
- 350 Mags / Bravo III
I make certain I line up the plug's key before plugging it in and never ever force it...and it is flat calm in the slip.
Asureyez
New Member
- Apr 22, 2007
- 1,535
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 460 Sundancer Hardtop 2001 - SOLD
- Engines
- Cummins 450 Diesels
Tim, I'm a fan of Icom, Furuno, Standard Horizion (hand Helds)and frankly RayMarine fixed mount radios.
The form factor has a lot to do with you can buy unfortunately as the slug has to fit an existing hole all too often.
I recently moved to a Raymarine 218 VHF/Hailer witha traditional form factor with all the bells and no whistle. It can take a "phone" type extension for remote install as well. Its a good package and can be bought from Jim at a good deal I'm sure. I am very happy with the unit.
I'd buy the 218 again.
The form factor has a lot to do with you can buy unfortunately as the slug has to fit an existing hole all too often.
I recently moved to a Raymarine 218 VHF/Hailer witha traditional form factor with all the bells and no whistle. It can take a "phone" type extension for remote install as well. Its a good package and can be bought from Jim at a good deal I'm sure. I am very happy with the unit.
I'd buy the 218 again.
Bridog
Well-Known Member
Asureyez
New Member
- Apr 22, 2007
- 1,535
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 460 Sundancer Hardtop 2001 - SOLD
- Engines
- Cummins 450 Diesels
Looks like its time for a Bit'o Epoxy Putty and a dremel tool!
or an ICOM M605....
***Update***
My contact at Sea Ray in Knoxville just called me back yesterday and they are sending me a new RayMarine VHF and paying MM directly to install the radio per my specifications and repair any/all of the cosmetic issues that present themselves as a result if the refit.
I have to say that I'm trilled at the response of SeaRay at this point and they've gone well above and beyond what I expected - which was admittedly, a new or refurbed Northstar handset.
-Tim
My contact at Sea Ray in Knoxville just called me back yesterday and they are sending me a new RayMarine VHF and paying MM directly to install the radio per my specifications and repair any/all of the cosmetic issues that present themselves as a result if the refit.
I have to say that I'm trilled at the response of SeaRay at this point and they've gone well above and beyond what I expected - which was admittedly, a new or refurbed Northstar handset.
-Tim
Groucho
Well-Known Member
I suspect it is Sea Ray who mounts the handset...Mine has been broken in both places your is too...I guess that is kinda next on my list.
Cincy Aquaholic
Active Member
- Mar 15, 2009
- 1,329
- Boat Info
- 290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
Funny, was just getting annoyed this past weekend by knocking my handset off the mount which on mine also has 1 piece of the clip broken. I can see it getting worse sooner rather than later. Thought about trying to find a nice SS clip that would mount there but am now worried about IT breaking the handset.
Can't believe I'm going to say this but, . . . maybe velcro? At least it will stay in place if bumped.
Can't believe I'm going to say this but, . . . maybe velcro? At least it will stay in place if bumped.
bport
New Member
Velcro...velcro? Velcro! I like it.
FYI, the model they are replacing the Northstar with can be found here - http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63509414.htm
If anybody has used the radio and has any reviews to offer, as I'd certainly not ask for feedback, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tim
If anybody has used the radio and has any reviews to offer, as I'd certainly not ask for feedback, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tim
The worst support of any company I have ever dealt with without question. Over two months ago I had a problem with my NS100 radio. While keying up to transmit the radio would continually beep and display a message on the hand held stating “Antenna Problem” and it would then transmit at low power. Well I went out and bought a new antenna, and still had the problem. I checked all antenna connections, problem still there. I even tried plugging in the new antenna directly to the receiver, to eliminate the old antenna and all antenna wiring, still no luck.
I called Northstar and after being on hold for 30 minutes I finally got a live voice to talk to. They told me to pull the base unit out, and gave me an RMA number to send it in for repair. Last week I received a voice message, they “bench tested” the unit and found nothing wrong. They also want a credit card number to charge the 95 dollar fee to look at it, and 15 dollars to ship it back. Well thanks for nothing. The best part is I can’t reach them. I call and put the phone on hands free and I just get the elevator music for as long as I can hold. When I do get someone to talk to, they transfer me to someone else of course I get the answering machine.
Just terrible customer service. I need to find a replacement radio now, and it will definitely not be a Northstar product.
I called Northstar and after being on hold for 30 minutes I finally got a live voice to talk to. They told me to pull the base unit out, and gave me an RMA number to send it in for repair. Last week I received a voice message, they “bench tested” the unit and found nothing wrong. They also want a credit card number to charge the 95 dollar fee to look at it, and 15 dollars to ship it back. Well thanks for nothing. The best part is I can’t reach them. I call and put the phone on hands free and I just get the elevator music for as long as I can hold. When I do get someone to talk to, they transfer me to someone else of course I get the answering machine.
Just terrible customer service. I need to find a replacement radio now, and it will definitely not be a Northstar product.
Well I bought a hand held. I had to have a radio while mine was “out for repair” and I figured I could always use a hand held anyway. So for now I have something to use, but I would like some type of replacement that uses the remote speaker and handset the way the Northstar does with the exception unlike the Northstar the new one will work of course.
I went into my local Boaters World yesterday. It is slim pickings in there now. What a shame.
- Aug 25, 2008
- 1,819
- Boat Info
- 2006 320 V-Drives 6.2s, Bow Thruster, Generator, Raymarine C80, Radar, Fish Finder
- Engines
- 6.2 Horizons 320HP
On hold for 30 minutes?
I can beat that. I called them on a Monday morning when I was trying to buy a replacement speaker. I selected the "parts and accessories" option. I was on hold for 45 minutes, when I finaly got through I was told they couldnt help me without a part number so they transferred me to Tech Support. I was on hold for another 45 minutes! Then Tech Support gives me the part number and I said I want to order it and he tells me he can't process the order, I need to go back to sales. ANOTHER 45 minutes on hold !!. Total hold time was over 2 hours!
About 1 week later I get a replacement speaker, but no covers for the screws. So I call Tech support back (30 minute wait time) to tell them that the speaker was missing the screw caps, the guy puts me on hold then comes back and tells me that the screw caps are not part of the speaker and I needed to order them seperately. Price is $2.00, shipping is $14.00. I said " why didn't you tell me that when I ordered the speaker? You informed me that the color was different, you should have let me know that I needed new caps" Tech Support agreed with me and tells me he will ship them out, no charge.
It has been 1 month and they never arrived.
I can beat that. I called them on a Monday morning when I was trying to buy a replacement speaker. I selected the "parts and accessories" option. I was on hold for 45 minutes, when I finaly got through I was told they couldnt help me without a part number so they transferred me to Tech Support. I was on hold for another 45 minutes! Then Tech Support gives me the part number and I said I want to order it and he tells me he can't process the order, I need to go back to sales. ANOTHER 45 minutes on hold !!. Total hold time was over 2 hours!
About 1 week later I get a replacement speaker, but no covers for the screws. So I call Tech support back (30 minute wait time) to tell them that the speaker was missing the screw caps, the guy puts me on hold then comes back and tells me that the screw caps are not part of the speaker and I needed to order them seperately. Price is $2.00, shipping is $14.00. I said " why didn't you tell me that when I ordered the speaker? You informed me that the color was different, you should have let me know that I needed new caps" Tech Support agreed with me and tells me he will ship them out, no charge.
It has been 1 month and they never arrived.
bport
New Member
Wow, I hate what I am hearing. I have noticed that my Northstar is jumping to low power regularly without warning - an annoyance at a minimum and potential safety concern. I am not looking forward to dealing with them based on these posts. Customer support matters.
Cincy Aquaholic
Active Member
- Mar 15, 2009
- 1,329
- Boat Info
- 290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
Thought I'd revive this thread because I got to sick to death of that damn handset falling off its mounting bracket!!! Drove me crazy.
So velcro was the solution. Didn't fall off once this past weekend. Gotta love the $1.49 improvement.
Ok, quick question. Why does my Northstar "ring" like a telephone sometimes??? It doesn't seem to display anything.
So velcro was the solution. Didn't fall off once this past weekend. Gotta love the $1.49 improvement.
Ok, quick question. Why does my Northstar "ring" like a telephone sometimes??? It doesn't seem to display anything.
Cincy Aquaholic
Active Member
- Mar 15, 2009
- 1,329
- Boat Info
- 290 SS - 2016 Ford F250 Powerstroke
- Engines
- Twin 5.7 with Bravo 1's
Good question, I don't know if that's it or not. I don't seem to see anything changing on the display but admittedly I'm not usually close enough to look carefully because its random and not telling when it will go off. Seems to happen once a day in no particular place on the water. The "alarm" is a high pitch fast ring that lasts maybe 2 seconds or so.
