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Post by chrissyt on Dec 3, 2021 9:31:47 GMT -5
I would like to install auto pilot on my 270cc this winter. There are so many choices I want to make sure I will be happy with what I install, so I would like any suggestions as to what everyone is happy with. They all claim to be the best and greatest but i just want something that works for this hull which has twin f150's for power. Thank you in advance for any recommendations, Rob
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Post by fishnfool on Dec 3, 2021 9:44:30 GMT -5
Rob, My first suggestion is to stick with the brand that matches your other electronics, everything tends to play better together that way. I installed a Garmin Reactor 40 with shadow drive and GHC display on my 2660 w/twin F150s and couldn't be happier - one of the best upgrades I've done. I have a complete Garmin suit too. This isnt to be confused with the Garmin Compact Reactor which I steered clear of for my set up and intended use due to reading some reports that it wasnt good for slow trolling (tended to wander a lot) and was more of a basic/entry level AP. I hope that helps. www.boemarine.com/garmin-reactor-40-hydraulic-autopilot-with-1-2-liter-pump-kit.html
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Post by chrissyt on Dec 3, 2021 10:06:42 GMT -5
Thanks fishnfool, that's the one I was looking at since I have a Garmin 8612xsv installed. Was a little confused when they got technical about the litter size of the helm. Thanks again for the reassurance about that unit. Happy holidays and a safe winter, Rob
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Post by fishnfool on Dec 3, 2021 10:11:15 GMT -5
Thanks fishnfool, that's the one I was looking at since I have a Garmin 8612xsv installed. Was a little confused when they got technical about the litter size of the helm. Thanks again for the reassurance about that unit. Happy holidays and a safe winter, Rob So you want to size the pump for you steering system capacity. Bigger isn't necessarily better in this case. I did the due diligence already, speaking with both Garmin support and BOE and was directed to the 1.2L pump, which would be the same for your boat as I suspect you have the same single ram hydraulic SeaStar steering system. The other option is the smart pump which is good for all applications. I didnt go with the smart pump version for a couple of reasons despite being Garmins latest iteration. 1) At the time it was more expensive and 2) more importantly if the pump fails you can't just replace the pump, you have to replace the entire unit which has the reactor unit attached to it.
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Post by chrissyt on Dec 3, 2021 10:26:26 GMT -5
I will stick with the 1.2 litter pump also. Thanks for all the research , Rob
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Post by hookedup on Dec 3, 2021 10:32:14 GMT -5
The smart pump still doesn't have a very good maintenance reputation and I wouldn't choose that either. It does have an excellent performance reputation.
On my previous boat I had a Raymarine and no complaints about it or how it integrated with my Lowrance or Raymarine MFD. I wasn't thrilled by Garmin's autopilot choices when I went to add the autopilot and I went with Simrad. It's not bad, but setup is a bear and I wish I'd gone with Garmin or Raymarine. Both of those are much easier to set up and since you do setup when you install and at every software update having a simple process for setup is important. Only real advantage I see with Simrad is the ability to adjust how fast and how hard it turns at low or high speeds. Takes awhile to get right and while adjusting I got to take several sharp turns at high speed, but once set correctly it handles trolling and high speed very well.
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Post by jski59 on Dec 3, 2021 13:40:02 GMT -5
I agree with Richard in that it's not 100% necessary to have the same brand autopilot, they all network and will follow waypoints, routes, etc. Not to say there's anything wrong with Garmin (I've never had their autopilot) but I've always found the "you must use our pump" requirement kind of bs and pricey (at least in the past).
Out of two Simrad and one Raymarine system, I found the Raymarine EV200 to be the easiest to setup and totally rock solid. The Simrad's were a little finicky but work fine in the end.
For pumps, I prefer the Seastar 1219 pump...it's a small footprint and seems to take up less room. No problems on three different boats.
Not sure if you've had an AP before, if not you're going to love it!
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Post by chrissyt on Dec 3, 2021 17:07:42 GMT -5
thanks for all the feed back. I will be making up my mind in the next month which one. Hope they will be in stock as all other marine supplies are hard to find. Thanks again, will post when it is installed on which one I get , Rob
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Post by chrissyt on Nov 20, 2022 7:55:03 GMT -5
Installed the reactor 40 but upgraded to the 2.1 litter pump. Been almost a year now and very happy with the operation. Was not that hard to install as I placed the pump under the footrest and made for easy access to connect everything to the helm. Hardest part was finding hydraulic hoses for the installation which I purchased from amazon ,Rob
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Post by hookedup on Nov 20, 2022 8:43:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback. Always nice to hear how things turn out and glad you're happy with the outcome.
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Post by Dirty D on Nov 21, 2022 20:57:16 GMT -5
Installed the reactor 40 but upgraded to the 2.1 litter pump. Been almost a year now and very happy with the operation. Was not that hard to install as I placed the pump under the footrest and made for easy access to connect everything to the helm. Hardest part was finding hydraulic hoses for the installation which I purchased from amazon ,Rob I have the same Reactor 40 with the GHC 20 and smart steer. 2.1 litre pump, and going on year 4. It's been flawless. Also had a Raymarine unit in my other boat which was pretty good also. I like to match the autopilot with the electronics. Good luck.
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