⭐ 1/5
⭐ 1/5 – Problems with two generations of DST810 – and Airmar calls the case “resolved”
I have now completely lost confidence in Airmar’s DST810.
I have experienced problems with TWO different DST810 transducers on two different boats – first a DST810 Gen. 1 and now a DST810 Gen. 2.
My current DST810 Gen. 2 is only 3 years and 4 months old, cost more than €500, and has now completely disappeared from both the NMEA 2000 network and Airmar’s own CAST app.
I have troubleshooted the installation and tested other equipment at the same connection point, which works correctly.
Airmar’s own technical support wrote to me:
“As it has disappeared from both the network and CAST and was working well before, it suggests a failure within the DST810.”
They continued:
“If you have no success with this, it does suggest an internal failure. Repair is unfortunately not possible as the internal electronics are sealed.”
So Airmar’s own technical support believes the symptoms indicate an internal failure – while at the same time informing me that the product cannot be repaired.
Their suggested solution is to replace it with their newer DST820.
So after paying more than €500 for a DST810 Gen. 2 that lasted only 3 years and 4 months, I am basically left with the choice of having no functioning transducer or spending more money on yet another Airmar product.
But what happened next was even more frustrating.
I received an automated email from Airmar with the subject:
“Your ticket 'Help on issue with my DST810' has been closed”
The email stated:
“We are sending you this email to confirm that the ticket 47894190080 has been resolved.”
Resolved?
The transducer still does not work.
The suspected internal failure has not been repaired.
Airmar has specifically told me that it CANNOT be repaired.
I have simply been advised to buy their newer model.
And then the case is registered as “resolved”.
To be fair, Airmar also states in the email that I can reply if the issue has not been resolved and the ticket will then be reopened. Nevertheless, I think it says something about the support process when a case involving a failed and non-repairable product is automatically classified as “resolved”.
This is also not my first bad experience with this product line. I had problems with a DST810 Gen. 1 on my previous boat, and I am now experiencing problems again with the Gen. 2.
When searching online for experiences with the DST800/DST810, it is also possible to find other boat owners describing various failures and problems with these products.
I do not expect marine electronics to come with a lifetime guarantee.
But I certainly expect considerably more than 3 years and 4 months of service from a transducer costing more than €500.
And I definitely expect more from a premium manufacturer than:
Internal failure → cannot be repaired → buy the new model → case “resolved”.
Two generations of DST810 and two bad experiences are enough for me.
⭐ 1/5 – Based on my own experience, I cannot recommend the Airmar DST810.