They really are for light use, while motoring, and not in any sort of weather.

If your boat is balanced (either naturally or by your good work) or motoring in relatively flatish conditions, then they will certainly work to a point. But, they're hardly likely to yield long-term happiness in challenging sailing situations.

If your boat doesn't have a balanced helm or you're in a difficult seaway -- it's kind of like asking a kindergartener to take the helm and maintain a line...it might work for a while, but....

As for Simrad. They've undertaken a whole bunch of brands: Robertson, B&G, Northstar, Etc. I too have a vested interest in them not screwing up those wonderful lines...But they're hardly seeming to be doing a very good job in these difficult times.

My Northstar displays have problems (as a result that's no fault of the products)-- to get any service done now, the units have to be sent to the Midwest US. They then have to go to Mexico to be servcied, then they return back to the Midwest, then back to us. Pretty cumbersome.