Raymarine EV-200 or Garmin GHP 12 Autopilot system?

[down_shift]

Thinking I have narrowed the choice of autopilots to one of these two systems. For the corresponding control heads and drive units, it would be the P70 and Type 1 linear drive for the Raymarine or the GHC20 and Class A hydraulic drive for the Garmin.

Any feedback, both pro and con, would be welcome. The rest of the electronics (chart/nav, etc.) will be Garmin if that is any help.

Thanks

 

[ifmdalvey]

I fitted a complete Raymarine system last winter and used it for 6 months this summer. It work flawlessly and was extremely easy to setup, it would appear to learn the boats handling characteristics and improved with use, not that there was anything wrong to start with. Definitely recommend the Raymarine system.

 

[kappykaplan]

Raymarine type 1 linear drive has been awesome for me. Have it interfaced with the Raymarine wind instrument for single-handing.

 

[down_shift]

Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming. This will be a significant purchase and install that I want to get it right. Wish there was an opportunity to demo the systems this year but that did not happen.

 

[Tim R.]

I have the GHP12 with a Simrad hydraulic drive unit. I already had the drive unit so no need for the Garmin drive unit. We are very happy with ours. The only issue We have experienced is. Faulty rudder sensor cable. It went bad after about 2 years. My own fault as it had a heavier cable resting on it where it connects to the computer. I replaced the $20 cable and it has worked flawlessly for the last 1000 miles.

I would say I do. It like how the cables attach to the Garmin unit. I prefer cables to attach to the side of the computer for compact installation. The Garmin cables attach to the face requiring a larger installation space. Not sure how the ray unit cables attach.

 

[Maine Sail]

I have the GHP12 with a Simrad hydraulic drive unit. I already had the drive unit so no need for the Garmin drive unit. We are very happy with ours. The only issue We have experienced is. Faulty rudder sensor cable. It went bad after about 2 years. My own fault as it had a heavier cable resting on it where it connects to the computer. I replaced the $20 cable and it has worked flawlessly for the last 1000 miles.

I would say I do. It like how the cables attach to the Garmin unit. I prefer cables to attach to the side of the computer for compact installation. The Garmin cables attach to the face requiring a larger installation space. Not sure how the ray unit cables attach.

This has been problematic for me on at least one install. Instead of being able to solidly strain relieve them against a bulkhead, and enter from the bottom of the unit, they stick straight out just waiting for an owner to snag something on them.. My customer actually broke the twist lock mechanism on the housing of the CC but Garmin fixed it for N/C...

If going Garmin just be very careful where you mount the CC..

As for the EVO it really is a nice piece of gear.. Both the actuator box (controls the drive) and the EVO head (course computer/heading sensor) are bottom entrance for the cables. The cables Ray sends you WILL be too short so plan on extra $$$ for that. Also there is no NEMA 0183 backwards comparability unless you buy additional components. You will also need a converter to get to N2K, if you have Garmin or other N2K equipment. Set up is pretty easy on these and unlike the old flux gate compasses does not require motoring in small circles for hours to calibrate the system...

I do think the Garmin drive is a bit more robust but the EVO is a tad more advanced, at least at this point in time.