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I have an Alpha3000 w/ mosfet. It has a mechanical drive (ram) which attaches to the rudder post with a mechanical simple means (teleflex cable) to de couple it from the steering. When disengaged it presents no drag on the helm and does not impact of the "feel". I have used it for more than 18 yrs in coastal as well as difficult offshore conditions with only one problem with the circuit board about 12 years ago which was serviced by Alpha. This pilot drives my 16K# fin keeled boat well in all conditions, but does hunt a bit in large quartering seas and does not like to steer when the boat is over canvased (but who does?). The pilot does NOT interface with GPS and course headings are set with a large rotary dial which is marked like a compass. (very intuitive and now being used in some of the new digital pilots instead of push buttons for 1 and 10 degrees) I am completely satisfied with the autopilot which I think is world class robust and reliable. Raymarine, the Walmart of the marine industry has bought up and re packaged some of AutoHelm's older (crappy) products under a Raymarine logo. Still crap I bet. And the parent company's customer service is world class awful.
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