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In reply to Post #29
Ever opened an angling technics before? Just foam and terrible wiring.
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In reply to Post #26
Ye I've seen some of the info but I haven't got a clue what it all means if I'm honest . It's one thing that just goes over my head
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #29
There's got to be someone out there who can design the perfect boat . . . . here's my brief
Looks of a Microcat
Stability of an Anatec Cat
Speed of a Carp Royal
Weight and size of a Carptechnics SB3
Spare parts accessibility of a Lake Reaper
Tech of an RT4 v4 / RT7 but with Toslon interface simplicity
Price of an Actor
Reliability of an XBoat
Preferably made in the UK with service centres with 50miles of each major city . . .and with nuclear submarine level waterproof seals 
ChatGPT has the design skills of an accountant . . . .
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In reply to Post #28
Berns Baitboats went bankrupt, I believe. But I saw photo's of the inside of his boats and that wasn't quality work. Almost the whole hull was filled with caulk.
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In reply to Post #25
What are the berns boats like? I believe they are from the Netherlands as well.
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In reply to Post #26
There is some info on the New Direction Sonar on the new NDS website and Facebook page. There's been a split of the company it would appear, the boats and sonar now sit under NDS instead of ND.
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In reply to Post #25
I'd be interested to see the new ND sonar and if anyone knows anything about it and can say what it compares to that would be great
I see there is a new angling technics boat coming out but got a feeling the sonar will be more on the budget side
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In reply to Post #24
Yes, that one I mean. The deeper one get's good reviews as far as I can tell, but I can also imagine that there are differences compared to CL.
In the Netherlands we have Navigator Baitboats, but those are also not perfect.
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In reply to Post #13
So you mean the new deeper baitboat or the ND baitboats that had deeper fitted to them?
The new ND baitboat has apparently done away with the deeper and upgraded the sonar but I can't get a response from them for info as to what the upgrade looks like
The techadvision stuff looks good but it doesn't do a bathymetric style map of the lake for some reason, a standard deeper can do a basic one so not sure why these can't
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In reply to Post #12
Then I think I will just keep my rt4 v4 with the tablet then and not bother with the RT7.
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In reply to Post #21
Thank you, I'll drop them a msg 
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In reply to Post #20
The new lid system is completely different. Easier to remove and no silly tape on the edges. It sucks onto the top of the boat. Much better.
as for sealing for RT4s I really cant tell you but as the shell on these are similar I can only assume so
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In reply to Post #16
They have now changed the way they seal the boat and have changed the lid completely covering the batteries
Is that for the RT4 too by any chance? I'm so far out of the loop :-(
They never told me why my lights went, I know there was no water in the boat for sure. I almost bought a inspection camera to look inside, might still do at some point.
Re venting, It's a pain removing the lid on my RT4 and tbh I don't think it's a good idea doing it all the time as you're increasing the wear on the seals and asking for a leak. They could do with putting a little port on it somewhere you can open. I'm guessing they should have known about any condensation issues, it's not as if Microcats haven't had holes in the front for the last 20+ years.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #18
Time will tell - I know Leigh SD has just fitted the Blue system to an XBoat; he probably has a better idea of the tech than most; the RTK thing seems to be the most accurate GPS - no idea about the interface / usability though . . .
I like the ease of use with Toslon GPS/Autopilot - just wish they'd improve the sonar to hyper vision levels - would be an awesome combo!
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In reply to Post #17
Belch
Just had a look and it does look really good. Would love to see it in action. See full package comes to £4k. Not cheap for an unknown system
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #16
From what I understand seals / gaskets are the most consistent problem area - and with new boats they're screwed down too tight from the factory meaning over a short time period they perish and then leak. Lots of independent BB co's now upgrading the battery seal . . . ridiculous for a boat of this price point - you'd assume the first priority with any electronics / water is effective sealing; if that means screws and silicone then maybe these boats need both!
Re tech / competition check out Spyder Tech The RTX Autopilot / TechAdvision Pulse Blue looks very much like a competitor that can be fitted into different boats . . .
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In reply to Post #14
Vossy
Yeah the main areas these boats leak from my understanding was at the hopper door seals (my RT7 had it here) and from the top lid covering the batteries.
They have now changed the way they seal the boat and have changed the lid completely covering the batteries. Seems to have done the trick just a shame we are being used as field testers to get them to a working product. What I would say on these forums a lot of issues reported are user error. People buying a boat trying to use it first time and not going through the tutorials as there are a lot to learn. You will also find majority happy customers wont air that their boat works lol
As for the holes in the battery compartment I get as with condensation you need it to breath (If anything I dont think its enough holes and the whole battery compartment should be re designed to clip out instead of being screwed down). The electronics gets warm in the boat and with the cold water I understand why they make such a big fuss telling people to air the boat if not in use. With enough condensation it could trip a fuse, blow electronics and cause internal rust of components if not dried. If you look at boats like Xboat, Anatec etc their hulls are seperated to air where the CL boats arent. Bad design really
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In reply to Post #13
You can't compare a £1500 deeper boat with an RT7 lol. When working the RT7 is head and shoulders above anything else available. I do appreciate they sell 100x more boats than anyone else and as such you will get issues. Your choice if you want to take the chance for the money.
As mentioned their customer service always was quick to act. If I had an Rt4 v4 and know now what I did back then I would of stuck with the RT4 and saved myself a lot of money. Can use any tablet you like which shows much more detail on bigger screen. The smart controller is heavy and also cost £600 to replace if you break it. Also with RT7 unless hou have a pre order boat like mine you have to pay subscriptions for certain add ons.
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In reply to Post #12
If you read these forums there are 1000s thats extremely happy with theirs and 100s thats not. I reckon once the boat is a dud it stays a dud.
I agree with you but I also think there's a lot more than is reported. fwiw, yes Carp Lounge can be good, but they can also be bad.
I've had 3 RT4's. The 1st with chirp and auto pilot was put back and back and back then finally delivered late Friday am. I explained to them that I was leaving for France that night and could they please ensure there was some charge in the batts & transmitter box. When it arrived the transmitter box had been left on since it left them, it was completely dead. After charging the boat went in circles and howled like the dead and it wouldn't pair with the transmitter, luckily I'd ordered the hand set too. Then after a few days when it did pair I sent it out to a saved spot and it went past it and hit a damn wall, luckily there were weeds on it so all was good if you could call it that. On coming home I was made to feel like I was in the wrong by CL even though I offered to re write the instruction manual for them as not only was it plain wromg it was crap, to put it politely. The boat went back and I went to Germany to pick it up, the motor had burnt out, defo not my fault I was told after all that. That boat once repaired was faultless.
The second boat was bought as a basic build new A grade, what turned up was a B grade with wonky head lights, the chromed fittings were all chipped and something else I cant remember. CL were very good in that as I was again going to France a week later they told me to keep the boat, use it, and they'd sort out a replacement new boat when I got back, which they did, which was very good of them.
Boat 3 sat in my bedroom for 3 years during illness not being used, still in it's box. 1st time of use, sent some baits out in the am, 12 hours later went to do the same, lights not working, the boat had done less than 100 yards. It was out of warranty and it was explained to me I'd have to pay to open the boat up and that it was probably corrosion. It was sorted quickly by CL U.K and Rowan was a star and gave me a discount.
3 boats, 3 problems. How would anyone feel about that. Was I just unlucky.... 3 times
I get the feeling CL are a victim of their own success. The product is imo the best there is, but the quality assurance is so bad it's unbelievable and some of the design changes are a joke. Who puts holes in the bottom of a battery tray where water will go straight into the hull if it
gets in.
A lot of the posts I read are of boats leaking, I mean come on, what the hell.
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In reply to Post #12
Thanks for that info mate. In am also on the Dutch RT4/RT7 group and there some of the moderators said CL sell 200 boats every month (imagine that), so if CL have the same percentage of boats that go wrong, this means in absolute numbers more boats that go wrong every month than other makes. Makes sense, but in the end you just hope or even expect for such an amount of money, nothing may go wrong. But in the end even Bugatti's, Ferrari's and Bentley's do also go wrong.
About the alternative for a nice sonar: would the Deeper Baitboat be an alternative? That seems to get better with every update?
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In reply to Post #9
Ive had the V3 and V4 RT4s both served me well. Spent best part of 6k on an RT7 with every optional extra for it to go back 4 times in a year to Carplounge. First time it started sinking. 2nd session the motor and hopper seized. 3rd time Got wet again. Then the GPS didnt work and the software was buggy.
Carplounge was always good to get the boat to and back to me but I got so fed up basically threatened them with legal action. The owner was very apologetic and since replaced my boat in full with new gave me full 3 year warranty and even though I had advanced package for life gave me some extra bits. Boat been flawless since but in the back of my mind like my old BMW E60 M5 every time I start it up I wonder what will go wrong  . If you read these forums there are 1000s thats extremely happy with theirs and 100s thats not. I reckon once the boat is a dud it stays a dud.
The last time my RT7 went in before they replaced it I bought an Xboat with Raymarine and X310 controller. As you are coming from an RT4 with Elements you wont like it if you are anything like me. The boat might be more reliable but the autopilot is wildly inaccurate and the dragonly is not great compared to Elements. Great boat though.
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In reply to Post #10
Yes, i seen the Toslon X boat with the smart controller, but the image quality and detail seems a lot worse than the one on the RT7. I will do my home work more! Thanks
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In reply to Post #9
I do too, the last thing I'd replace it with is a RT7. I'd be looking at the Toslon.
Just take a look at the CL Freedom of speech group on FB.
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In reply to Post #8
Why is that mate? I have a rt4 at the moment and think about upgrading to the RT7 with the smart controller.
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In reply to Post #7
If any other boat can do raymarine elements or similar tech with a trustworthy autopilot I would drop carplounge tomorrow. This would not even be a debate lol
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #6
Yes I was interested in the hypervision element and whether that is 'carplounge only' tech or whether it would cross over on the Blue Pulse . . . either way good for CL to have some hopefully more reliable competition! If the tech matches raymarine but with an easier 'pick up and play' interface then game on . .
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In reply to Post #5
Had a look at this now and it does look very similar to the old Raymarine dragonfly variant. Cant compare it to Elements though thats for sure the detail with hypervision is completely on a different level.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #4
The TechAdvision looks v similar . . .designed for bait boats (Raymarine was never really designed for them) 'Blue' version pending has side scan etc etc
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Im sure I read recently that certan Raymarine aren't available anymore. I think its the pre element 1, I saw a few comments from disgruntled RT4 owners on the FB page as spares no longer available.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4306 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
If the boats hull is suitable (large enough / easy to access etc) then you can fit Raymarine to any boat . . .not just RT4/7s. Can recommend Leigh Stewart Day (have bought stuff off him in the past with zero dramas; hes also really helpful on all things baitboat tech)
Maintains and sells lots of XBoats (with Toslons removed) and ND2s with Raymarine fitted. He also does the new TechAdvision Pulse Red sonar which looks an interesting alternative . . I like the look of this combined with the Toslon XR310 autopilot / joytsick remote!
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Are there any other bait boats out there that supply raymarine sonar other than carplounge?
If not what sonar is the next best that's readily available with new baitboats?
Just for reference I don't have any particular bait boat in mind , my main preference is the sonar I'm just not paying carplounge money
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