I just bought an st4000 a/p but installation looks like a real pain, i have limited location areas for the fluxgate compass and need extra mounting hardware for the head unit. After a responce about locating the fluxgate I checked into simrad. Looks like a breeze to install but how is the performance compared to the st4000? I found the simrad wp30 for $769 w/handheld remote, a savings of almost $200, so what is the best way? Any ideas? Thank's Steve
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Yes easy to install.
Steve: The Simrad is very easy to install and has better power than the Autohelm unit. There is a single cable that you must feed down your pedestal (that is the biggest problem). The cable has 6 wires. Two for power, two for the simrad interface (Corus) and two for NEMA. They provide a wiring block to hook the wire to. They only question I have for you. What type of pedestal do you have. Is it a traditional round post or one of the newer pedestals? If you have a traditional round post, the only thing that you need to worry about is making sure that you use the shims that are provided with the kit (if they are needed). The shims prevent the mount from deforming when you tighten the hose clamps on the pedestal. END OF STORY
Steve: The Simrad is very easy to install and has better power than the Autohelm unit. There is a single cable that you must feed down your pedestal (that is the biggest problem). The cable has 6 wires. Two for power, two for the simrad interface (Corus) and two for NEMA. They provide a wiring block to hook the wire to. They only question I have for you. What type of pedestal do you have. Is it a traditional round post or one of the newer pedestals? If you have a traditional round post, the only thing that you need to worry about is making sure that you use the shims that are provided with the kit (if they are needed). The shims prevent the mount from deforming when you tighten the hose clamps on the pedestal. END OF STORY
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Steve G.
Steve,It's a H31 round pedestal,have ?4u
Thank's for the fast responce.I plan to go cruising next week and would like to have a/p then. my question is, will thw wp30 interface w/etrex gps and my laptop using capt'n software? Thank's alot, Steve G.
Thank's for the fast responce.I plan to go cruising next week and would like to have a/p then. my question is, will thw wp30 interface w/etrex gps and my laptop using capt'n software? Thank's alot, Steve G.
Same basic setup.
Steve: This is the same basic setup I have on my H'31. You may have a little problem here that I have not yet resolved. There is not a cable that is already made to hook up the PC, GPS, Autopilot and DC all at one time. I am actually looking at doing this on my boat this year. I only have the PC and GPS hooked together. My boat will self steer but not to a pre-defined course (yet). I am in the process of getting new instruments (Nexus System 3000). I think that this will solve my problem (and will probably create another one). They have NEMA IN and OUT ports on the CPU. Just be sure that you USE the shims on the inside of the mount if you need them. I installed my mount on the pedestal without them and sort of cracked the housing. I realized that they were missing and went back and redid the mount. I would suggest that you get a fish tape to pull the cable down the pedestal. That is probalby the most difficult part of the install. Good luck. Your going to wonder how you did without it.
Steve: This is the same basic setup I have on my H'31. You may have a little problem here that I have not yet resolved. There is not a cable that is already made to hook up the PC, GPS, Autopilot and DC all at one time. I am actually looking at doing this on my boat this year. I only have the PC and GPS hooked together. My boat will self steer but not to a pre-defined course (yet). I am in the process of getting new instruments (Nexus System 3000). I think that this will solve my problem (and will probably create another one). They have NEMA IN and OUT ports on the CPU. Just be sure that you USE the shims on the inside of the mount if you need them. I installed my mount on the pedestal without them and sort of cracked the housing. I realized that they were missing and went back and redid the mount. I would suggest that you get a fish tape to pull the cable down the pedestal. That is probalby the most difficult part of the install. Good luck. Your going to wonder how you did without it.
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Steve G.
Thank's Steve
The autohelm is going back tommorrow morning and the wp30 will be shipped next day air. Most sailors here use autohelm, i suppose it because most sailors here use them, go figure... Since I live on my boat and are preparing to sail south (2 yr's) I need to spend my money wisely,thank's for the input. Steve
The autohelm is going back tommorrow morning and the wp30 will be shipped next day air. Most sailors here use autohelm, i suppose it because most sailors here use them, go figure... Since I live on my boat and are preparing to sail south (2 yr's) I need to spend my money wisely,thank's for the input. Steve
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Ed Schenck
Makes you wonder.
We see all these installation problems with the A4000 for a unit that is rated at 3 or 4000 less displacement. Yet it continues to be the best seller. My guess is that people want that separate display. But a fluxgate? I had posted this tip over on "Mid-size": "I used one of those 4" or 5" diameter, heavy(thick) rubber pipe connectors that you find at Loews/Home Depot plumbing. They are about 6" in length. I had to cut out a small section to get a tight wrap around the pedestal. This provided a better(scratch resistant) base and they come with better hose clamps than Simrad provides." To run the wire I drilled a hole in the forward center of the pedestal, just under that rubber collar. I dropped a wire in the hole with a small nut on the end. From below I used one of those pencil magnets up through one of the base holes to grab the nut and wire. So far only attached the ground and 12V. Works well on an 18000# H37C in rough conditions on Lake Erie.
We see all these installation problems with the A4000 for a unit that is rated at 3 or 4000 less displacement. Yet it continues to be the best seller. My guess is that people want that separate display. But a fluxgate? I had posted this tip over on "Mid-size": "I used one of those 4" or 5" diameter, heavy(thick) rubber pipe connectors that you find at Loews/Home Depot plumbing. They are about 6" in length. I had to cut out a small section to get a tight wrap around the pedestal. This provided a better(scratch resistant) base and they come with better hose clamps than Simrad provides." To run the wire I drilled a hole in the forward center of the pedestal, just under that rubber collar. I dropped a wire in the hole with a small nut on the end. From below I used one of those pencil magnets up through one of the base holes to grab the nut and wire. So far only attached the ground and 12V. Works well on an 18000# H37C in rough conditions on Lake Erie.
Ed, it does make you wonder!
Ed: I am also suprised. I know several people that have the old navico WP5000 and some of the TP units. These units have worked well for several years. But as you stated there are a lot more of the Autohelm products out there. I suppose that it is more a matter of marketing than anything else. We have heard about so many problems with the autohelm units over the years. But that really would make sense that you are going to hear about more problems from a company that dominates the market with a product. If both companies have 5 percent returns on their product and one company makes 25,000 units and the other makes 100,000 it is obvious who you are going to hear about. Everyone I know with these newer Navico/Simrad units has been pleased with the performance. I have not heard anything negative but they are fairly new to the market. I assume that Simrad with have better QC than Navico did over the years too. There is no question about ease of installation on the Simrad WP units. Probably an hour or two depending on how much company you have when you are trying to install it.
Ed: I am also suprised. I know several people that have the old navico WP5000 and some of the TP units. These units have worked well for several years. But as you stated there are a lot more of the Autohelm products out there. I suppose that it is more a matter of marketing than anything else. We have heard about so many problems with the autohelm units over the years. But that really would make sense that you are going to hear about more problems from a company that dominates the market with a product. If both companies have 5 percent returns on their product and one company makes 25,000 units and the other makes 100,000 it is obvious who you are going to hear about. Everyone I know with these newer Navico/Simrad units has been pleased with the performance. I have not heard anything negative but they are fairly new to the market. I assume that Simrad with have better QC than Navico did over the years too. There is no question about ease of installation on the Simrad WP units. Probably an hour or two depending on how much company you have when you are trying to install it.
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david lewis
Autohelm vs. Simrad
I believe the brand preference is as simple as everyone has heard of Raytheon, they are a well known high tech company with instruments, radios, defense industry products, you name it. People will assume that a company with a "brand" name will make a good product. On the reverse side who ever heard of Simrad? Also I have an old Navico wheelpilot with belts and wires going everywhere and I never use it...too hard to hook it up, align the belts, keep the mounting screws from stripping out of the pedestal, not trip on the wires, mount the separate control unit somewhere, etc. Of the boats I see with these units I never see them being used. I do believe the new self contained units to be infinitely better and might just buy one soon. Anyone want a rats nest of wires in new condition? Anyway when Simrad bought Navico they obviously brought some good engineering to the synergy party. Happy autopiloting. Dave
I believe the brand preference is as simple as everyone has heard of Raytheon, they are a well known high tech company with instruments, radios, defense industry products, you name it. People will assume that a company with a "brand" name will make a good product. On the reverse side who ever heard of Simrad? Also I have an old Navico wheelpilot with belts and wires going everywhere and I never use it...too hard to hook it up, align the belts, keep the mounting screws from stripping out of the pedestal, not trip on the wires, mount the separate control unit somewhere, etc. Of the boats I see with these units I never see them being used. I do believe the new self contained units to be infinitely better and might just buy one soon. Anyone want a rats nest of wires in new condition? Anyway when Simrad bought Navico they obviously brought some good engineering to the synergy party. Happy autopiloting. Dave
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