What effects does one see from the gyroscopic steering options in the new breed of autopilots. Is it worth 500 bucks?
Gyro-stabilized autopilots - what's the deal?
- Thread starter Debra B
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I went from a system without to one with...
My H29.5 had a Raymarine ST4000+ with no Gyro. I went to a H410 with an ST6000 with a Gyro and there is a world of difference in accuracy and consistency on the autopilot. For example, the trip from my summer slip to the marina where I hauled out for this winter was a due north course in 20 to 40 NW winds and 4 to 6 foot rolling seas also from the NW. I was under power, not sail, but I set the pilot for due north and sat up under the dodger and only had to go back to the wheel when it was time to alter course. She tracked straight and true for over one hour in those conditions. I could never have done that on the old system.
My H29.5 had a Raymarine ST4000+ with no Gyro. I went to a H410 with an ST6000 with a Gyro and there is a world of difference in accuracy and consistency on the autopilot. For example, the trip from my summer slip to the marina where I hauled out for this winter was a due north course in 20 to 40 NW winds and 4 to 6 foot rolling seas also from the NW. I was under power, not sail, but I set the pilot for due north and sat up under the dodger and only had to go back to the wheel when it was time to alter course. She tracked straight and true for over one hour in those conditions. I could never have done that on the old system.
Tested Them
Debra, I recently tested various makes of radars with chart plotters for a UK magazine. My 376 has had a Raymarine 6000 since 1996 but it does not have the so called 'Gyro' compass. It behaves impeccably and one could not wish for a better system. However if one intends to integrate a radar with a chartplotter overlay - and therefore have to work the radar in 'North Up' mode, then the gyro is needed to stabilise the radar display so that it does not swing round every time the boat moves. I have the feeling that the benefits seen by Mulf were most likely to be the result of having a competent autopilot rather than the gyro compass. Raymarine do an add-on Gyro box for their standard fluxgate compass.
Debra, I recently tested various makes of radars with chart plotters for a UK magazine. My 376 has had a Raymarine 6000 since 1996 but it does not have the so called 'Gyro' compass. It behaves impeccably and one could not wish for a better system. However if one intends to integrate a radar with a chartplotter overlay - and therefore have to work the radar in 'North Up' mode, then the gyro is needed to stabilise the radar display so that it does not swing round every time the boat moves. I have the feeling that the benefits seen by Mulf were most likely to be the result of having a competent autopilot rather than the gyro compass. Raymarine do an add-on Gyro box for their standard fluxgate compass.
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