I just received an Email from Defenders. The email says that the Raymarine SPX-5 wheel autopilot will not be available until December. This probably means Spring 09.
Raymarine spx-5 wheel autopilot
- Thread starter Orion4290
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I just received an Email from Defenders. The email says that the Raymarine SPX-5 wheel autopilot will not be available until December. This probably means Spring 09.
I have a Simrad WP-30. It works well, but tends to dislike any electronics around it...a bad flaw in a wheel pilot doncha think? If I put my cell phone in the drink holder it won't hold a course well. Don't know about Raymarine, but anything that is coming out this late is likely to need an exterminator once it DOES get released.
The X5
The X5 is now almost a year past the origional release date. It has been continually moved back, since early this year. Which means it may be available in Dec. and it may not. I gave up in June, and went ahead with an S1. It works very well. Only problem is the rudder sensor, which is a genuine, certified PITA to install. Once you get past that, your home free. In one of my talks with Raymarine tech support, they told me that you can get the gyro programmed/installed into the S1 computer for 400 bucks, which supposedly eliminates the need for the rudder sensor. Since Simrad discontinued the WP30, the Raymarine unit is about the only game in town, unless you want to go to some really high dollar, below deck units.
The X5 is now almost a year past the origional release date. It has been continually moved back, since early this year. Which means it may be available in Dec. and it may not. I gave up in June, and went ahead with an S1. It works very well. Only problem is the rudder sensor, which is a genuine, certified PITA to install. Once you get past that, your home free. In one of my talks with Raymarine tech support, they told me that you can get the gyro programmed/installed into the S1 computer for 400 bucks, which supposedly eliminates the need for the rudder sensor. Since Simrad discontinued the WP30, the Raymarine unit is about the only game in town, unless you want to go to some really high dollar, below deck units.
X-5
My understanding is that the computer has to be sent in to Raymarine. I don't know how much better, if any it works with the gyro. But it eliminates the need for the rudder sensor. With the rudder sensor installed, you do get a readout on the display of rudder position, whether that is important to you or not. If it was me, I would pass on the X-5. First there is no way of knowing the actual release date, there have been a bunch of them already. I waited through three release dates, before I went ahead with the S1. And secondly, I would expect a bunch of bugs in the early models, since they have been having so much trouble getting it on the market already, and their tech support will not be near as familiar with the new unit. The S1 installation is pretty easy and straightforward other than installing the rudder sensor.
My understanding is that the computer has to be sent in to Raymarine. I don't know how much better, if any it works with the gyro. But it eliminates the need for the rudder sensor. With the rudder sensor installed, you do get a readout on the display of rudder position, whether that is important to you or not. If it was me, I would pass on the X-5. First there is no way of knowing the actual release date, there have been a bunch of them already. I waited through three release dates, before I went ahead with the S1. And secondly, I would expect a bunch of bugs in the early models, since they have been having so much trouble getting it on the market already, and their tech support will not be near as familiar with the new unit. The S1 installation is pretty easy and straightforward other than installing the rudder sensor.
X5
Thanks for the reply, I was fortunate that the rudder quadrant is under the aft cabin bed and made the rudder sensor installation a breeze (it still was a PITA) and I use the rudder position on the display a lot now that I have it and I agree that when they do release the X5 there's gonna be trouble.
I think I'll call Ray Marine and ask the question as what benefit you would get buy adding the rate gyro and leaving the ruder sensor
Thanks for the reply, I was fortunate that the rudder quadrant is under the aft cabin bed and made the rudder sensor installation a breeze (it still was a PITA) and I use the rudder position on the display a lot now that I have it and I agree that when they do release the X5 there's gonna be trouble.
I think I'll call Ray Marine and ask the question as what benefit you would get buy adding the rate gyro and leaving the ruder sensor
Let us know
Rad,
Would be interested in what Ray says about adding the gyro and leaving the rudder sensor installed. How bout posting the answer here, might be worth looking into.
Rad,
Would be interested in what Ray says about adding the gyro and leaving the rudder sensor installed. How bout posting the answer here, might be worth looking into.
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