Raymarine autopilot with "AST"

[Al]

Investigating the AST upgrade for a Raymarine autopilot and want to hear about opinions concerning the advantages vs. cost (which appears substantial). Can you help out anyone?

 

[Dan Jonas]

What is the AST Upgrade?

NM

 

[Al Story]

AST = Advanced Steering Technology

I guess you don't have it?

 

[Dan Jonas]

AST

Al,I have an ST4000+ wheel pilot hooked up to the gyro stabilized compass. That helped a lot with our steering.I believe the AST is part of their corepack computer systems. I did not know that it was optional with those systems. I seem to recall either reading about or talking to someone who had some experience with the "learning" that is part of the system and they were impressed.Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)

 

[Al]

Dan,

The AST upgrade for the system I am looking at is over $500 (not exactly sure how much over) but that seems to be a substantial price for some "learning". Thanks for writing back though.

 

[Captn Dare]

Core Pack option

I believe the AST is part of what you're paying for when you upgrade to the G style course computers on the below deck pilots. The T150G and T400G course computers have the solid state gyro built in to them rather than as an add on. It is the info provided by the gyro that feeds the auto learn functions. In addition the Gyro inproves sea keeping and allows synconization of radar/chartplotter overlay screens if the boat is so equipped.