|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 17:02:26 GMT -5
I have no knowledge of these units what do you guys recommend what are you using any information will be helpful. All my electronics are Garmin so I would like to stay with the Garmin
|
|
|
Post by outtadblue on Aug 26, 2018 17:58:03 GMT -5
That's the only thing I don't have on my boat but will most definitely have on my next one. I would recommend staying with garmin. I have used garmin and simrad, auto pilots and I like the garmin unit better. Just my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by fishnfool on Aug 26, 2018 18:03:28 GMT -5
Dang Glen, going all out!
|
|
|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 18:10:50 GMT -5
Not as much as you have, lol I was looking at the Garmin Compact Reactor 40 Hydraulic AP. with GHC 20 corepack Good sales this coming weekend. But for me to pick a unit it's like shooting darts just unsure what to get.
FactoryOutletStore.com 010-00705-08 this weekend $1999.00
|
|
|
Post by hookedup on Aug 26, 2018 18:20:29 GMT -5
After reading quite a bit of Garmin's information, I went with Simrad. Garmin's disclaimers are scary. Seems for you to have a "this should work" Garmin autopilot you have to go with the most expensive one. If you get a pump that is too small or too large, Garmin says they won't help you and that they won't work right either at troll speeds or at high speeds. Since Sailfish uses Uflex steering (at least it does on my boat) I was concerned about performance and Garmin's lack of warranty.
On my Robalo I had a Raymarine chartplotter and autopilot. Other than my experiments to make sure it would work I never used the chartplotter to control the autopilot. 99.99% of the time I used the autopilot to keep a course (it did great), or to run a zig-zag pattern.
So, on my Sailfish I have a Garmin chartplotter with Garmin's NEMA 2000 and I chose a Simrad with their version of NEMA 2000 (exactly why is there a standard if every manufacturer has their own version???). I can get a cable to connect them together and it means pressing one more button to get the Simrad to do what the Garmin AP does from the chartplotter. Simrad doesn't have all the disclaimers and if you get the AP44 with the Autopilot you can update code via USB.
I had really wanted to stay with Garmin, but their wording on their products was a worry. I didn't want to spend 4k+ to get a Garmin that was suggested to avoid the problems with pump size since Simrad is known to work well, even if your pump is too large for your system.
I have the electronics installed and was ready to do the hydros, but the Uflex steering uses a 5/16s Uflex hose instead of the 3/8 normal size. Now I have to get some additional fitting before I can actually use it. Hopefully, you won't have the same issue, but if you have a Uflex steering you should check the hydro hoses to make sure you have what you need to hook up whatever AP you get.
|
|
|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 18:34:34 GMT -5
Thanks, not knowing what i'm getting into I really need to do my homework before buying.
|
|
|
Post by kbh on Aug 26, 2018 20:02:37 GMT -5
Simrad AP was really pretty easy to install. I just bought a dozen extra brass fittings to make sure I had all I needed. As I recall it was only 3 hoses and a couple of NMEA 2000 connectors. The instruction book was self explanatory. Seems like it took 2 half days including having the hoses made locally. I'll never have another boat without an AP since my wife is relatively useless. If I go overboard, I'm pretty much screwed....
|
|
|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 20:16:12 GMT -5
i think most of us are in the same boat,,, i know i am,,lol
|
|
|
Post by hookedup on Aug 26, 2018 20:19:41 GMT -5
I may end up having hoses made too, but I'm hoping to get some 5/16 hose connectors to use so I can do the install myself. I had bought some Uflex hose connectors, but the ones I've got won't work. No one was open this weekend, so I'll be on the phone tomorrow trying to locate them so I can get the AP completed.
|
|
|
Post by Dirty D on Aug 26, 2018 20:39:40 GMT -5
I just recently put the Garmin reactor 40 with the GHC20 in my 2660 with twin 150's. I bought the 2.1 liter pump and it is awesome. The smart pump is overkill for my size boat and way more expensive and the Garmin rep I talked with told me the 2.1 pump would be more than enough since my Seastar cylinder is less than 10 ounce capacity. Also I talked to a few marine electronics installers before I purchased and they all gave high recommendations for the Garmin. It holds the heading even when at idle and I like the "smart steer" where you don't have to go to standby if you want to make a turn or avoid an object in the water when in auto pilot. Got mine from WJM marine, not from Garmin and saved a lot of money. I also have Garmin electronics so I was happy to stay with them. Very happy with my choice and for you guys that don't have autopilot all I can say is if you get it you'll wonder why you didn't install it sooner. Tight lines.
|
|
|
Post by fishnfool on Aug 26, 2018 20:46:52 GMT -5
Let's see your install Dale.
|
|
|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 20:48:40 GMT -5
Hay Dale all said and done what did the everything cost. you can send me a PM if you don't want to post it. Thanks, this sounds like a possible fit for my boat.
|
|
|
Post by finatic on Aug 26, 2018 20:50:09 GMT -5
Let's see your install Dale. That would be awesome.
|
|
|
Post by Dirty D on Aug 26, 2018 21:37:27 GMT -5
Let's see your install Dale. I'm going down for labor day weekend so I will get some pics and post them after I get back next week. Not much to see as the pump is inside the console back in where the batteries are but I can get a few pics of the head unit. I'll see what I can get.
|
|
|
Post by Dirty D on Aug 26, 2018 22:02:20 GMT -5
Hay Dale all said and done what did the everything cost. you can send me a PM if you don't want to post it. Thanks, this sounds like a possible fit for my boat. Sent you a PM.
|
|