So OK my second set of Ritchie HV-77s seems to be failing. Appears that 13-14 years is the best I can get out of them.

It appears they are being replaced with SR-2


using HV-77 to SR-2 Adapter

are there any great alternatives out there that are cheap?

Vic - is the problem the fluid level is low, glass clouded, or other? There are folks who rebuild the compass. http://www.compassrepair.com/

globes cracking.

Vic,

I replaced Madcap's with a Nexus 125 bulkhead compass from Mack Sails in Stuart FL. http://macksails.com/

I paid $264.00 in 2009 for it in 2009. Here are a couple bad shots I have of it. The level gague on the bottom is nice and it has a light.

I replaced mine with a Danforth compass for good value. I think they are called Saturn now by Aquameter. I also found it used the exact same mount as the Ritchie which was nice.

Vic
This summer I replaced my 2 old HV77's with the new SR-2's
I think I paid around $165 each. They mount different and the hole size is smaller. Not enough so that the hole had to be covered but enough so that I ended up making cover plates to accomodate the mounting screws.

I like the vertical dial edge ... I'm seeing that price on ebay ... but am thinking of ordering the adaptor plate direct, but spraying it white.

It looks like off season Ebay including shipping price is ~155...
Ordered two out of NY. Will order adapter plates direct tomorrow.

Ok, a relatively simple operation to move from HV-77 to SR-2 using Ritchie's over-priced adapter plate. Takes about an hour including wiring per compass. original hole required notching, then caulking adapter, and simple replacement. The new compasses include a back cover not pictured here. The inclinometer doesn't really look that good under the adapter plate so positioned it under depth gauge. it is included with compass, but since it is out in sun I figured that I would only use one and change it out when it fades. Boat uses two compasses. Initial crew response today was "great"
had 30 degree lift, then 30 degree knock as the wind was cycling in from offshore.

correction ... photo of compass used in first entry to this thread was the HV-76 with the flat dial. the HV-77 has the vertical dial. The SR-2 combines vertical and flat. I took that top photo off an Ebay offer page ... obviously they used the wrong photo for the HV77. Have to be careful of ebayers.