Merlin Smartgauge from Cactus Navigation & Communication

[alan_fincher]

I am considering buying a Smartgauge.

 

The web turns up a supplier called Cactus Navigation & communication, which seems significantly cheaper than some prices quoted elsewhere, (£119.95 by the time VAT is added).

I've not heard of Cactus, so has anybody used this supplier for anything, please, and, if so, what were your experiences.

Is this a good price for this unit?

[matty40s]

I have used them several times for Smartgauges, around £150 years ago....

[Richard10002]

I bought mine from Cactus Nav for about £125. It was faulty so they took it back sent it to Merlin for testing, and a new one came back.

 

Very good and been around a long time. More known for seagoing stuff.

[Silebyman]

I bought one from them a couple of weeks ago. Good supplier with decent order tracking system

[alan_fincher]

Excellent - thanks all.

I have been burnt at least once using a marine supplier that seemed to have the goods, but turned out to be a nightmare.

 

Glad Cactus is recognised as a good supplier, so will probably use them if I go for it.

[WotEver]

Yes Alan, Cactus are often mentioned on here as the cheapest place to buy a SmartGauge.

[john6767]

I bought a SmartGuage from Cactus about 18 months ago, they were by far the cheapest.

 

The issue I had was that when it came to it they did not have any in stock (or so they said) so after waiting for a month or more, in which time they had processed payment, I asked for my money back and to cancel the order. Surprise surprise they suddenly had them in stock and I had one the next day. It of course could have been a coincidence that they had just got them in, but I am not sop certain.

 

Anyway once I got it it has been fine, no issues.

[Silebyman]

Though it's not advertised clearly, the box has the required fuses and termination included. All you need to buy is cable.

[MtB]

I've bought two so far from Cactus. One is poorly calibrated, the other is still in its box...

Other than that, no complaints!

[alan_fincher]

Having finally got around to enquiring they are out of stock at the moment.

[matty40s]

3 minutes ago, alan_fincher said:

Having finally got around to enquiring they are out of stock at the moment.

Mikes cleared the shelves....

[alan_fincher]

10 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Mikes cleared the shelves....

Hopefully he has bought all the poorly calibrated ones as well, though!

[Neil Smith]

When I ordered mine last year they were out of stock but got it 3 weeks later, they probably sell out fast because they are the cheapest so hang on if you can wait.

neil

[Alan de Enfield]

Cactus are 'known' to be the 'cheapest' but I have found that,in several cases, not to be the fact.

I recently replaced my Victron 12/50 Battery Charger. Cactus Price, £594.07, I found it elsewhere (including VAT,  Next day Delivery and warranty) at £350.

Last year I purchased a Waeco fridge and managed to get it from Midland Chandlers for over £150 cheaper than Cactus (don't remember the exact prices now)

[Neil Smith]

Its only the smartgauge they seem to be cheaper for, they must have a special deal with merlin.

Neil