Auto Pilot remote from Mad Man Marine

[Ken13559]

Neil, my SPX5 Core Unit is mounted in rearberth bulkhead. If I were to mount the WRC2 Receiver next to the Core Unit, is there any problem as the antenna is very nearby. Should I get the extended antenna and have the antenna mounted away from the Core Unit & WRC2 receiver?

 

[Tymadman]

Hi Ken,

I would definitely recommend the external antenna option for your situation. Interference won't be an issue.

 

[Tymadman]

Hi Ken, I would definitely recommend the external antenna option for your situation. Interference won't be an issue.

(Grrr, hadn't finished typing !)

... But keep as much distance between the antenna (I assume you mean a VHF antenna?) and the receiver as is practical.

 

[Ken13559]

I was referring to the WRC2 antenna interfering with Course Computer if its mounted too close. Anyhow, I've gone through the manual and think I understand the wrc2 better now. With 5m cable the Receiver can be mounted away from Course Computer. The ext.antenna version is omni directional i suppose.
Qn: would the shipping cost still be A$20 if I were to order 2 units?

 

[Tymadman]

I was referring to the WRC2 antenna interfering with Course Computer if its mounted too close. Anyhow, I've gone through the manual and think I understand the wrc2 better now. With 5m cable the Receiver can be mounted away from Course Computer. The ext.antenna version is omni directional i suppose. Qn: would the shipping cost still be A$20 if I were to order 2 units?

Hi Ken,

Yes, the external antenna is omni-directional. The distance between the receiver and the course computer won't matter except to the extent that the course computer physically obstructs the antenna.

If the two units can be shipped to the same address in one package then the postage cost would be $32.50 total. The postage cost is by weight so two units puts the total weight into the price range.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Well, I have ordered this remote from Neil at Madman Marine. I have already received two personal responses from him, general questions about the boat size, etc. It makes me think that he is genuinely interested in the product, and that it will work as stated. I'll keep on top of this if anyone is interested, I'm awaiting the drop. Another thing, the fact that he signed on here was another reason for my decision, if he doesn't get shredded by this gang, it must be alright.

(Plus I like products from that corner of the world. Serious sailors down there. I'll keep you posted)..

 

[Ken13559]

I've got mine installed and running great. I can sit anywhere in my boat and steer her. Works as advertised. Real fun.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Cool, man. I liked everything I saw about it. The smaller key chain size fob also got me. Ray makes two different remotes that I'm aware of, and although I'm sure they're fine products they just seemed so big and clunky. One of them gives your position or something on the Ray remote if I'm remembering correctly, but again, I can't count the things on the boat now that already does that. Bam port, bam starboard, that's really all I want it to do.

Not to mention Ray is twice the price or more. Hmm, let me think on this a second..

 

[Kestle]

Neil, I have a 25 foot boat, with a Raymarine ST 1000 tiller autohelm. At the moment it is not connected to anything but the power.

Do I need some kind of buss, or can I connect the remote receiver directly to the Raymarine's NIMEA connections?

Thanks in advance - Jeff

 

[justsomeguy]

http://www.madmanmarine.com/manuals/4576852338

You want the AP-WRC2 manual, I think.

 

[Tymadman]

Neil, I have a 25 foot boat, with a Raymarine ST 1000 tiller autohelm. At the moment it is not connected to anything but the power. Do I need some kind of buss, or can I connect the remote receiver directly to the Raymarine's NIMEA connections? Thanks in advance - Jeff

Hi there Kestle,

The 3 wires of the remote control just connect to the back of the ST1000's bulkhead connector. The wires are small enough to slide into the terminals with the existing power wires still in place. It's a bit fiddly to do but at least you don't have to alter the existing power wires. Don't drop the terminal screws either
The remote uses SeaTalk, not NMEA.

 

[Sailbaum]

Plus one

I ordered the remote from Madman last fall. Great customer service - Neill was very responsive and interested in making sure I received and was satisfied with the product ! Installation was a piece of cake (st6002) and it appears to work well (tests perfectly at the dock - with temps in the teens and tweens, I haven't sailed with it yet). I have the external antenna version, but even without the antenna, the remote works from all around the boat.

I do not hesitate at all in highly recommending this.

 

[Kestle]

Hi there Kestle, The 3 wires of the remote control just connect to the back of the ST1000's bulkhead connector. The wires are small enough to slide into the terminals with the existing power wires still in place. It's a bit fiddly to do but at least you don't have to alter the existing power wires. Don't drop the terminal screws either The remote uses SeaTalk, not NMEA.

Thank you for confirming and correcting me...

Best - Jeff

 

[Chris Patterson]

GOT it!

The Madman Marine autopilot remote hit the ground yesterday. It was a sure-nuff bummer to knock the ice off of the mailbox to get it out, because I was too late to get south, but no matter. I would love to blame the ice on Neil, but he's sitting down under in the summer right now, and probably laughing, I would.

But here again is another prime example of an exemplary company that a lot of the 'big boys' could stand to emulate a little. You people know me well enough by now to know that I will SLAM a stupid company, and the sailing world is proliferant with junk and fluff. Not so here. ANY time I get to use Australian components I am thrilled. (Is my heritage leaking?). These people are dead serious about their sailing boats, and this product is spot-on as well. The packaging was well thought out, extremely well that is. Bubble wrapped all around, and the box is pro. The FULL COLOR, and flawlessly written manual was a relief just thumbing through it. Excellent.

I'll throw some pictures up later of this, but you get the idea. If this works as I expect it too, and I have no doubt whatsoever that it will, I'll keep on top of this with instal photos maybe, but this truly looks like an hour installation. Two hours for Maine, but I'll help him out if he calls and is nice..

 

[Mechman]

I've had one of Neil's magic little boxes hooked up to my autopilot now for over 6 months. It's great being about to sit comfy on bean bag directing operations..

And Neil has been great to deal with. Could be because he is a Kiwiaussie?

 

[Tymadman]

I'm just hoping Chris' expectations are met once his remote is installed!

And mechman, I just believe that people should get value for money and receive good service.

Thanks to you both for the kind words.

 

[Chris Patterson]

A MadMan conclusion.

And now I'm mad as hell. The reason? Is because Neil can make a marine product that WORKS right out of the box, and no one else seems to be able to accomplish this much.

So a couple of days ago, at the marine mechanic consortium, where everybody else thinks we get together to plot and scheme about how best to get money out of a client, that is actually an open meeting that the owners could attend if they wished, but the conspiracy is ingrained too deep. So Rick asked what direction I was headed, and I said I was going to install a remote control for an autopilot, three wires, two screws, I recollect I'll be busy for about 6 hours. He said that sounds about right. (If you work on boats for a living, you'll appreciate that joke).

But no. The wiring took five minutes. Mounting the box took five minutes. And it worked. Just like that. None of this, "Go into the setup menu of your autopilot, reconfigure this and that, while simultaneously shooting your .45 into the air while drinking straight liquor".

It just worked. Just like that. I was more shocked actually. I mean seriously, when I hooked it up, and the wheel responded as it should, I at first thought that I had done something wrong it worked so well. WOW!
I could not have spent more than twenty minutes tops, and ten was tie wrapping.

This is one marine sticker that goes on my work truck. I promise you that there are not a lot of 'em on this most honored place. Very few.
So if anybody out there that is thinking this through, or trying to make a decision on it, (and the usual apprehension over buying something a tad out of your comfort zone), have no fear here. BIG bang for the buck.

Thanks Neil. Quality, performance, and price. Good luck in the future with your enterprise Sir. This is hands down my most recommended marine install yet.

 

[Tymadman]

Glad you're happy with it Chris!
My whole aim is to provide simple and affordable electronics so it's pleasing to hear that you consider the remote control to be both of those things.
Next you'll be needing one of my NMEA to WiFi Bridges ;-)

Thanks for taking the time to report on your experience. It always amazes me that people such as yourself and Mechman take the time to write about my humble devices.

The first sentence gave me a fright BTW