Good Autopilot

J

Joeshoes

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exMember
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
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1967
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Was thinking about buying an autopilot for the Pursuit 3000.

Any ideas? One that is easily installed.
One that is not cheap but not too expensive. Go on eBay? One that I can install myself?

Thanks,

Joe
 
Auto pilots are a bit complex so it really depends on how technical you are, I would not consider this a DIY for most people. As for brand I would likely want to stick with a common brand for communication compatibility. I currently have a system that came with the boat the brand is no longer in business but the unit still works well however I would really like to update it to a Garmin unit I like their system it's reasonably priced and all the other electronics I have are Garmin so I know it would be a plug and play system (more or less it still requires a bit or complex tie in). The steering hookup could be the hardest part but then I install electronics for a living so that is the easy part for me.
 
Consider the Simrad AP 28 system if you have room and are willing to part with the $ . You will love the rotary controller not found on the smaller AP 24 . If you haven't installed an AP before ( I haven't either except my 1st very basic one-with good results , but have always had AP's since the mid 1980's & wouldn't want to be without one now), it may be wise to allow a pro to do yours for optimum reliable results.... . But I don't see why you couldn't do it if you are quite confidently capable. It can be quite confusing to set up properly if you are unfamiliar with the procedures.
 
Garmin, period. Garmin pulled the engineers off their aviation auto pilots to do marine, which is why you got neat features such as control wheel steering, suspended steering etc. They applied aviation standards to their units such as "hard over" protection etc.
 
Otherwise known as shadow drive. I agree with the Garmin choice for everything they also make pretty simple to install equipment and offer great tech support.
 
Garmin also has better features if you fish, figure eights, etc....

Simrad was the standard but I think the Garmin is now better.
 
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