I recently had the Lowrance auto pilot fitted that's suitable for the Lowrance HDS12 Gen 2 and Gen 3. It has its applications but care must be taking when plotting variable routes to ensure course changes are gradual. I don't like the way all the GPS functions are frozen while the auto pilot is functioning. One positive is its extremely accurate and one of my initial uses was returning to home base of a night time but it negates the radar that uses the GPS screen. Perhaps with more use Ill come around but the jury is out at the moment
I have a HDS Gen 3 and was looking at the Lowrance Auto pilot for my boat but coudn't find anyone that had one or anyone that was full bottle on them. For about $1500 it sounded like a good option but I didn't know that while running with the auto pilot switched on that it stopped you from useing any other functions on the unit. That sucks. I was hoping to use mine for trolling and for some long runs out to spots when the wind and swell is up and pushes you off course all the time. Do you rate it or do you think there is other brands that is better.
We have Furuno auto pilots on both our rescue boats, they have the option to run in auto where you point the vessel on the heading you want and it tracks to that or to run through your GPS that compensates for wind and tidal shift.
The later of the two models does away with the rudder position indicator which is a bonus because where it is situated near the outboards it suffers corrosion from the spray
On radio duty at the building at the moment, will get the unit details later on today,
On the new boat its running through all Furuno gear, on the one without the rudder indicator its stand alone as we were going to replace the Navman unit with Furuno but are holding off at present
I reckon an autopilot is one of the best things you can do to your boat. Once you have one you will wonder why you never did it sooner. I even had one on my old 5.8m Ally boat.
It really comes down to how much you want to spend and what electronics you are currently running.
Most systems are able to be fitted to any brand via NMEA, but you will get better integration if you run the same brand as your current electronics. On my 5.8m I was running a HDS8 and fitted a raymarine S1000. The S1000 is now obsolete, they were a cheaper unit about $1000.00. These cheaper systems don't use a rate sensor (Gyro) they rely on the GPS data from your plotter in order to work out what your heading is. They work okay once you are doing a couple of knots which allows it to work out your track and direction. They don't work very well at slow speeds. To be honest I was pretty happy with this type of unit, it worked great for trolling and for holding a fairly straight line when heading out to your spots.
I upgraded that unit to a full simrad system and Nss12 and this was a big step forward. They cost a fair bit more as you need the heading computer unit, a rate sensor, and a pump. However these give you full integration from your screen. You can fit these types of units via NMEA also, but you then need to add a Controller unit as well to integrate to your GPS unit.
The new Lowrance autopilots are similar to the S1000, they don't use a Gyro rate sensor. If you were running a late model Lowrance GPS however this would be good bang for your buck and be fairly simple to install and it will allow you operate directly from your screen.
Lastly I would say that many boating shops have minimal knowledge on Autopilots, especially the higher end units. They can be a little tricky to get running perfect.
Just be careful with the furuno units with phantom drive. Still haven't got the hedland Vmr one right. Snakes all over the place and needs a outboard position sensor fitted. Apparently some work fine but others just can't be sorted without the outboard position sensor.
I've used the s1000 and was a great unit for the money. Pump a little noisy but couldn't beat it for bang for buck. I've got an autohelm unit about to go into mine in the next few weeks.
Geraldton marine electronics are the go for that just rang them! He is coming down next week to fit Navpilot 711C should integrate well! Wonder how the SABIKI will go holding out the shelf!
I reckon an autopilot is one of the best things you can do to your boat. Once you have one you will wonder why you never did it sooner. I even had one on my old 5.8m Ally boat.
It really comes down to how much you want to spend and what electronics you are currently running.
Most systems are able to be fitted to any brand via NMEA, but you will get better integration if you run the same brand as your current electronics. On my 5.8m I was running a HDS8 and fitted a raymarine S1000. The S1000 is now obsolete, they were a cheaper unit about $1000.00. These cheaper systems don't use a rate sensor (Gyro) they rely on the GPS data from your plotter in order to work out what your heading is. They work okay once you are doing a couple of knots which allows it to work out your track and direction. They don't work very well at slow speeds. To be honest I was pretty happy with this type of unit, it worked great for trolling and for holding a fairly straight line when heading out to your spots.
I upgraded that unit to a full simrad system and Nss12 and this was a big step forward. They cost a fair bit more as you need the heading computer unit, a rate sensor, and a pump. However these give you full integration from your screen. You can fit these types of units via NMEA also, but you then need to add a Controller unit as well to integrate to your GPS unit.
The new Lowrance autopilots are similar to the S1000, they don't use a Gyro rate sensor. If you were running a late model Lowrance GPS however this would be good bang for your buck and be fairly simple to install and it will allow you operate directly from your screen.
Lastly I would say that many boating shops have minimal knowledge on Autopilots, especially the higher end units. They can be a little tricky to get running perfect.
Geraldton marine electronics are the go for that just rang them! He is coming down next week to fit Navpilot 711C should integrate well! Wonder how the SABIKI will go holding out the shelf!
Pretty sure thats the guys that do all the electronics on the snapper boats and prawn trawlers in Carnarvon, must know there shit. - (because they get a fair bit of work.)
Peko
Posts: 185
Date Joined: 01/10/14
Lowrance Auto Pilot
I recently had the Lowrance auto pilot fitted that's suitable for the Lowrance HDS12 Gen 2 and Gen 3. It has its applications but care must be taking when plotting variable routes to ensure course changes are gradual. I don't like the way all the GPS functions are frozen while the auto pilot is functioning. One positive is its extremely accurate and one of my initial uses was returning to home base of a night time but it negates the radar that uses the GPS screen. Perhaps with more use Ill come around but the jury is out at the moment
quest
Posts: 248
Date Joined: 03/08/15
Lowrance auto pilot
Hi Peko
I have a HDS Gen 3 and was looking at the Lowrance Auto pilot for my boat but coudn't find anyone that had one or anyone that was full bottle on them. For about $1500 it sounded like a good option but I didn't know that while running with the auto pilot switched on that it stopped you from useing any other functions on the unit. That sucks. I was hoping to use mine for trolling and for some long runs out to spots when the wind and swell is up and pushes you off course all the time. Do you rate it or do you think there is other brands that is better.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Furuno
We have Furuno auto pilots on both our rescue boats, they have the option to run in auto where you point the vessel on the heading you want and it tracks to that or to run through your GPS that compensates for wind and tidal shift.
The later of the two models does away with the rudder position indicator which is a bonus because where it is situated near the outboards it suffers corrosion from the spray
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
Yep that's the one I'm
Yep that's the one I'm looking at, what gps are you running it through? wbat model was the later one with no rudder indicator?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Later on
On radio duty at the building at the moment, will get the unit details later on today,
On the new boat its running through all Furuno gear, on the one without the rudder indicator its stand alone as we were going to replace the Navman unit with Furuno but are holding off at present
Stewk
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 28/11/13
I reckon an autopilot is one
If things don't change, they'll stay the same.....
dodgy
Posts: 4586
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Just be careful with the
Just be careful with the furuno units with phantom drive. Still haven't got the hedland Vmr one right. Snakes all over the place and needs a outboard position sensor fitted. Apparently some work fine but others just can't be sorted without the outboard position sensor.
I've used the s1000 and was a great unit for the money. Pump a little noisy but couldn't beat it for bang for buck. I've got an autohelm unit about to go into mine in the next few weeks.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
Geraldton marine electronics
Geraldton marine electronics are the go for that just rang them! He is coming down next week to fit Navpilot 711C should integrate well! Wonder how the SABIKI will go holding out the shelf!
Stewk
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 28/11/13
I reckon an autopilot is one
If things don't change, they'll stay the same.....
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
Geraldton marine electronics
Geraldton marine electronics are the go for that just rang them! He is coming down next week to fit Navpilot 711C should integrate well! Wonder how the SABIKI will go holding out the shelf!
burnz
Posts: 152
Date Joined: 19/02/15
Pretty sure thats the guys
Pretty sure thats the guys that do all the electronics on the snapper boats and prawn trawlers in Carnarvon, must know there shit. - (because they get a fair bit of work.)
Bryce Day
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 01/06/15
I think it's the same dude
I think it's the same dude that's installing mine. As that's where he is at the minute
burnz
Posts: 152
Date Joined: 19/02/15
Yeah id say so, Mitch is the
Yeah id say so, Mitch is the guys name and he has a couple of young guys under him.