I'm after a bit of advice from RT4 users as to which is the better option. I have the choice of a 2020 RT4 V3 in great condition with Raymarine Pro 5, autopilot, left spiral, camera enabled, Jamara handset, 30,000 battery plus small battery, hard cases, rain covers, stealth arials plus spares, quiet motors, 2 tablets, 2 tripods, range extender etc or the new RT4 Element without the bits. There is a £895 difference in price with the V3 being cheaper. Never used one before so basically want some opinion as to wgwther the V4 is enough of an upgrade to justify the extra money plus loss of extras.....you don't even get a bag wuth the V4 by the looks of things!! Thanks.
In reply to Post #1
So buy an SB3 instead . . . (lol just on a windup)
So buy an SB3 instead . . . (lol just on a windup)
In reply to Post #2
Knew is would come
. Was expecting an X boat first!
Knew is would come
. Was expecting an X boat first!
In reply to Post #3
Wouldn't bother with one of those - big horrible ugly beasts!
Wouldn't bother with one of those - big horrible ugly beasts!
In reply to Post #1
Excuse the long post but you did ask
I have had a v3 for a few years now but have also seen a v4 in action. The only real difference I can see as a real world improvement is that they have vastly improved the autopilot on the v4, in so much that it seems to drive a lot straighter. The old v3 can be a bit more temperamental but i'm so used to it's quirks now and it doesn't bother me. From what I've seen the Raymarine is pretty similar apart from the v4 now has the sensor fitted to the outside of the boat which makes a big difference in itself. The v4 also has the sidescan thing, which I personally think is total overkill, probably handy on a trawler but a baitboat, maybe not so much, but again, that's just my opinion.
One thing to be aware of is the warranty if you buy new. This is 3 years I think and can come in handy as there is a lot of tech in these boats and as with anything there can be problems. Mine's been back a couple of times in the 3 years I've had it because of issues that were then sorted for free. This leads me onto what to be wary of on a 2nd hand boat. They always advise taking the lid off between runs to dry out any condensation that builds up inside. I always did this religiously but just as the boat came out of warranty (sods law) my Raymarine board died and cost me nearly a grand to replace. The chap who fixed it said it was probably condensation that had killed it. It was working fine one minute then died, this could happen at any time with no way of telling without splitting the boat.
All that said then, If it was me, I would get a new v4 as there have been a few other subtle upgrades since the v3, but don't go nuts. For example I have a bait spiral and have never got on with it, probably used it half a dozen times if that. Just make sure you get the low noise motors, the brushless could wake the dead. The cheaper handset (Jamara/Flysky?) is also better as it allows you to switch between the autopilot and the handset without rebooting everything, this is very handy as you can imagine, they may have changed that on the v4 though.
Excuse the long post but you did ask
I have had a v3 for a few years now but have also seen a v4 in action. The only real difference I can see as a real world improvement is that they have vastly improved the autopilot on the v4, in so much that it seems to drive a lot straighter. The old v3 can be a bit more temperamental but i'm so used to it's quirks now and it doesn't bother me. From what I've seen the Raymarine is pretty similar apart from the v4 now has the sensor fitted to the outside of the boat which makes a big difference in itself. The v4 also has the sidescan thing, which I personally think is total overkill, probably handy on a trawler but a baitboat, maybe not so much, but again, that's just my opinion.
One thing to be aware of is the warranty if you buy new. This is 3 years I think and can come in handy as there is a lot of tech in these boats and as with anything there can be problems. Mine's been back a couple of times in the 3 years I've had it because of issues that were then sorted for free. This leads me onto what to be wary of on a 2nd hand boat. They always advise taking the lid off between runs to dry out any condensation that builds up inside. I always did this religiously but just as the boat came out of warranty (sods law) my Raymarine board died and cost me nearly a grand to replace. The chap who fixed it said it was probably condensation that had killed it. It was working fine one minute then died, this could happen at any time with no way of telling without splitting the boat.
All that said then, If it was me, I would get a new v4 as there have been a few other subtle upgrades since the v3, but don't go nuts. For example I have a bait spiral and have never got on with it, probably used it half a dozen times if that. Just make sure you get the low noise motors, the brushless could wake the dead. The cheaper handset (Jamara/Flysky?) is also better as it allows you to switch between the autopilot and the handset without rebooting everything, this is very handy as you can imagine, they may have changed that on the v4 though.
In reply to Post #1
I own both.
The V4 is a much better boat. Better electronics, better feature finder and more importantly the app is by far superior. Much easier to use and you get the additional smart batteries etc you cant on a v3.
If non of that bothers you at the end of the day both do the same thing. V3 is just a lot more hassle
I own both.
The V4 is a much better boat. Better electronics, better feature finder and more importantly the app is by far superior. Much easier to use and you get the additional smart batteries etc you cant on a v3.
If non of that bothers you at the end of the day both do the same thing. V3 is just a lot more hassle
In reply to Post #6
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys.....much appreciated
Thanks for taking the time to reply guys.....much appreciated
In reply to Post #7
Agree with below I had v3 and now have v4 the echo shows up more and it just seems more precise and smoother plus there are more things you can tweak in the app .Its definitely worth getting .IThe only thing I am not happy with is the realvision upgrade .My image is blurred as soon as it's expanded enough to view .When I complained to cl they said it was the limits of my tablet .Feel I was missold it as I bought the best so it was their tablet I am using .Pretty annoyed as I feel they have had my pants down but the v4 is so good I have forgot about it .I see your familiar with the weird SBS tolson brigade they have got quite amusing even if they are telling lies for some reason or perhaps they are stranger than you think and actually believe the cack they spout .Some FB boat pages are hilarious I have even read people claiming gowi,s or Nd boats are better
Agree with below I had v3 and now have v4 the echo shows up more and it just seems more precise and smoother plus there are more things you can tweak in the app .Its definitely worth getting .IThe only thing I am not happy with is the realvision upgrade .My image is blurred as soon as it's expanded enough to view .When I complained to cl they said it was the limits of my tablet .Feel I was missold it as I bought the best so it was their tablet I am using .Pretty annoyed as I feel they have had my pants down but the v4 is so good I have forgot about it .I see your familiar with the weird SBS tolson brigade they have got quite amusing even if they are telling lies for some reason or perhaps they are stranger than you think and actually believe the cack they spout .Some FB boat pages are hilarious I have even read people claiming gowi,s or Nd boats are better
In reply to Post #8
We're not weird - we're just older, wiser, better built, more reliable and have already gone the distance so therefore have nothing to prove; think of a classic aston martin vs a new porsche hybrid
We're not weird - we're just older, wiser, better built, more reliable and have already gone the distance so therefore have nothing to prove; think of a classic aston martin vs a new porsche hybrid
In reply to Post #7
It would appear from all of the research i have done that the RT4 appears to have a similar Delkim vibe. One person will say they are the best alarm ever made and another will say you can only use them in dry weather! I've had some advice from a respected boat builder/repairer who states the Rt4 V4 has very poor build quality and the V3 autopilot has a lifespan of months at best. He recommended the X boat for reliability due to the simplistic electronics and only the motors are a potential issue down the line. I am totally naive with regard both boats so couldn't comment. Guess they sell so many it looks like they spend more time in the workshop but it's all in the percentages. A second hand Rt4 V3 is like a second hand car i would imagine whereby it could be trouble free for years or a nightmare from the start so a bit of a lottery.
It would appear from all of the research i have done that the RT4 appears to have a similar Delkim vibe. One person will say they are the best alarm ever made and another will say you can only use them in dry weather! I've had some advice from a respected boat builder/repairer who states the Rt4 V4 has very poor build quality and the V3 autopilot has a lifespan of months at best. He recommended the X boat for reliability due to the simplistic electronics and only the motors are a potential issue down the line. I am totally naive with regard both boats so couldn't comment. Guess they sell so many it looks like they spend more time in the workshop but it's all in the percentages. A second hand Rt4 V3 is like a second hand car i would imagine whereby it could be trouble free for years or a nightmare from the start so a bit of a lottery.
In reply to Post #10
. . . and that is the nuts of it all - reliability. I'd buy an RT4 with all the whistles and bells; but like cars I wouldn't rely on it as my daily driver . . .its more Alfa Romeo than Porsche tbf
. . . and that is the nuts of it all - reliability. I'd buy an RT4 with all the whistles and bells; but like cars I wouldn't rely on it as my daily driver . . .its more Alfa Romeo than Porsche tbf
In reply to Post #10
You do get a 3 year warranty which is pretty good these days.
You do get a 3 year warranty which is pretty good these days.