Autopilot Computer Simrad vs. Raymarine

[sailin459]

U can use Simrad AC 10 (NEMA 0183 interface to talk to the Simrad backbone.... works great!

[ShaunJ]

Not all wheel pilots are the same, some are very capable.
CPT Autopilot Inc.

[Pyxis156]

Regarding the AC12 vs. an AC42, in the manual for the Raymarine Type II Linear Hydraulic Drive System the specs look like it is roughly comperable to the Simrad HLD2000L for which Simrad specifies using an AC42. Given the size of your boat and the relatively small difference in price, I would think going with the AC42 would be the safe bet.

Regarding the SimNet cabling, while it is a proprietary connection, it is in fact NMEA 2000 data being transmitted and you can get SimNet to NMEA 2000 pigtails that will allow you to connect your Simrad gear to a standard NMEA 2000 backbone. In fact, that is what we did on our boat using Maretron for the backbone and majority of connectors and SimNet adapters for the Simnet gear. It sounds a lot worse than it is, things really are plug-and-play. We have Simrad, Maretron, Airmar and Volvo N2K sensors and instruments all coexisting nicely on our boat.

You might want to look for bundle / package deals from Simrad. When we bought our gear (last fall) we received $700 in rebates... I don't know if they still have any deals like that running now.

[s/v Jedi]

Escape plan,

-> yes, Simrad/Robertson is the best AP according to many incl. me
-> the Simrad core packs will work with any brand drive
-> AC12 / AC42 means they can deliver 12A / 42A of current to the drive

You have to read the label of your drive to find out how much power you need.

I have the older AC40 unit.

ciao!
Nick.

[SaltyMonkey]

WH is popular with commercial fisherman and many in the hard core cruising community because of their reliability. Simrad will need more repairs.

[donradcliffe]

You can cheap out on the Simrad brain--the ones for smaller boats have the same functions and the difference is just marketing. Don't cheap out on the corepack--get the AC42 unit, or your autopilot will quit when the going gets tough.

[goboatingnow]

I'd have to speak up for raymarine the x-30 corepack is an excellent autopilot and with the rate gyro and excellent sea keeper . I've done trans atlantics with them no problems.

Dave

[St. Elsewhere]

I had a WH on a boat for nine years. It was not prone to failure, but it could not hold a steady course when going north. Will did not have a fix for it. That system used a mechanical compass, WH may have a better design by now.

I have had a Simrad AP20 on the current boat for 14 years with no failures, and no maintenace other than occassionaly pumping up the air charge on the hydraulics. It stears steady on course. I would go Simrad for sure.

[SaltyMonkey]

WH has improved their line and has a number of add on options depending on what you are looking for. I'm not selling it; just trying to give strong options here besides Simrad.

[witzgall]

The deciding factor is the max amps drawn by the autopilot drive. I think (you should verify this) that the AC12 max amperage @12v is 12 amps. If you autopilot draws that, or close to that, I would go with the AC42.


Chris

[SaltyMonkey]

yes witzgall...thats a very important point!

[SV Demeter]

Will take a look at the hydraulic pump on my existing drive and see what the specs are but I am guessing it will take the higher amperage based on what I have seen it draw in a seaway. As for price there is really no difference between the Raymarine x-30 or the AC42 from simrad. Both are roughly $1,500. I was looking at the AC12 for about $700 and got excited. I am glad to hear that the simrad speaks N2k from the factory as my plan is to move to N2k as I replace electronics. Thanks all.

[SV Demeter]

Kudos to Simrad customer support. They replied in less than 24hours to my message:

"Hello,

The Raymarine Type 2 drive will require the AC42, the current draw of that drive would damage the AC12.

Regards,
Navico Technical Support"


Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread.

[Pyxis156]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

You can cheap out on the Simrad brain--the ones for smaller boats have the same functions and the difference is just marketing. Don't cheap out on the corepack--get the AC42 unit, or your autopilot will quit when the going gets tough.

The AC12/42 IS the brain, the AP units are simply control heads. You can setup a Simrad AC unit with the NSE chartplotter and no AP control head and still get full functionality.

[s/v Jedi]

I have both the Simrad and the WH and neither ever failed. However, if I could only have one, it would be the Simrad.

Raymarine comes way far behind the quality, reliability and reputation of these pilots. Furuno is Simrad with different label afaik.

The compass and rudder angle sensors of the Simrad will be available on your NMEA-2000 network if you have that. You need Simnet-N2K adapter cable(s) for this, check the documentation (Simrad SimNet guide)

ciao!
Nick.