Upgrade to 1kw AirmarTM260 advice for Lowrance HDS8- buy from US or locally???

[wetryin]

I have finally bitten the bullet and going with an upgrade of my 600w transducer to the bigger 1kw Transom airmar TM260 transom mount version. The ones available in the US are more attractive as the prices are cheaper ($760 there in USA with postage compared with $1200+ here). Are these compatible with our Australian version Lowrance - that is same plugs etc or am I better off buying here in australia???
Or maybe you have bought this bigger transducer os for your sounder- any experience good or bad buying overseas or locally, or anything you can add??
If Australia who do I go to for the best competitive price?
Thanks
David

[Vitamin Sea]

Hi

Little bit different but I bought a Furuno_527ID-IHD for my 585 from the States, $810.00 to my door, I think at the time they were upwards of $1200.00 here, why wouldn't you?

I would think the Lowrance plugs would be the same here as there, they are all made in the same factory...

Cheers

VS

[wetryin]

Thanks VS
Thats the way I am tending to go; just wanted imput from someone else's perspective.
David

[ozlongboarder]

If I upgrade I will buy from the USA for a $$ saving like that. The plugs will be the same.

If you do buy from the US get it from a reputable dealer like BOE marine. Have a look on
thehulltruth . com in the electronics forum for a few other suppliers as well.

[EdBerg]

I bought a TM-260 for my NSS-8 from the states as well from imarineusa.com about 6 months ago when our Ozzie dollar was about US$1.07 and it cost delivered here about half the cost to buy it locally, no difference in the unit itself but just let the company know which make and model of sounder you have as the wiring ends are a little bit different for some. I think the only differences are in the sounders as I think that the US version Lowrance units are geo fenced, but the transducers are the same.

[wetryin]

If I upgrade I will buy from the USA for a $$ saving like that. The plugs will be the same.

If you do buy from the US get it from a reputable dealer like BOE marine. Have a look on
thehulltruth . com in the electronics forum for a few other suppliers as well.

Thanks ozlongboarder
Had a look at BOE Marine from your post and I will send off an email today

[wetryin]

EDBerg,
I too heard that the transducers are the same. do you have an exact web address for i-marine?

[Linedropper]

Note the product recall below guys.

LD


Airmar Bracket Recall TM258, TM260, TM265 & TM270W (5/22/2012)

AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION - PRODUCT RECALL ANNOUNCMENT

May 22, 2012

Product: 1kW Transom Mount Support used with TM258, TM260, TM265 & TM270W


Advisory Summary: Product Recall - 1kW Transom Mount Plastic Support Failure

Symptom: The plastic support used to attach 1kW transom mount transducers to the bracket may break during installation or normal use

Product Affected: All 1kW Transom Mounts manufactured between October, 2011 and February, 2012

Warning! If failure occurs during use, the transducer may kick back into the cockpit of the boat and cause personal injury or damage to the hull. The transducer is also at risk of becoming damaged or lost. The plastic support used with Airmar 1kW transom mount transducers manufactured between October 2011 and February 2012 may break during installation or normal use. Airmar identified the cause to be a bad batch of molded plastic parts.

Corrective Action: Product Recall – Discontinue use until the plastic support is replaced.

Advisory Details: The plastic support used with Airmar 1kW transom mount transducers manufactured between October 2011 and February 2012 may break during installation or normal use. Airmar identified the cause to be a bad batch of molded plastic parts.

Upgrade Stock and in Field Repair:All affected stock must be updated. You are receiving this bracket because Airmar has either already directly contacted you or the place of business where you purchased the transducer provided your contact details. Please contact Airmar to confirm receipt of bracket and repair

[Vitamin Sea]

Here's an alternative
http://www.#############.com/_e/Lowr...cer_136_06.htm
Cheers

[whiteman]

I broke the bracket twice on the 600w version. I don't remember a recall for that piece of cheap plastic!

[Splash]

i have this transducer sitting in my shed wrapped up with tenderness.

No longer use it and have to start questioning myself if I should sell it or not... ?

Great units BTW!

SPlash

[wetryin]

Very much thanks for this; never knew about this. Sheds a different light on things.
Looks like I am buying post March or Pre Oct 2011
- and now looking locally

[EdBerg]

EDBerg,
I too heard that the transducers are the same. do you have an exact web address for i-marine?

The URL is http://www.imarineusa.com/ , I am about to send them an email regarding the bracket recall.

Cheers

Ed.

[wetryin]

Thanks Ed
I have also sent them an email. The product is currently out of stock (across the range of many different sounders fittings). I am only guessing due to the recall???

[wetryin]

Ed,
I sent imarine and email and they responded within 5 minutes. The product WAS out of stock but now its restocked with new unaffected mountings. They were really helpful and I ordered it about an hour later. It has already been shipped and will update readers as to when it arrives.
I would not hesitate to use them again. Marginally more expensive than products on ebay but they (items on ebay and other marine sites) wouldnt return emails, so imarine got my business. many thanks for your assistance in recommending them.
Watch out snapper and pearl perch, the new transducer is on the way.
D