Navman Autopilot

[mstailey]

Has anyone made the leap of faith to this unit yet? I reviewed a prior post by Karl who stated this perhaps had some promise. I wonder if the existing pumps (Robertson AP300DL) and rudder indicator could be used? From what research I've done on the Navman site it looks to warrant further research.

 

[Genesis]

I never got there as my AP200DL was able to be kept servicable.

But I'll say this - its hard to argue with the Navman unit on paper. I've not seen one "in the flesh" yet on the water.... but that color head unit is gorgeous, and its a LOT cheaper than the Simrad AP25.

 

[mstailey]

Talked with tech support at Navman and the scoop is I can use the pumps and rudder feedback units from my Robertson AP300 as long as it draws 20 amps or less.

So out comes the Robertson manual tonight and if <= 20 amps, here we go with the model 3380!

 

[Liquid Asset]

Please keep me posted if it works. I have a Robertson AP300 and it is on the fritz. I would love to be able to replace it and use the pump and rudder feedback. Let me know how it works.

 

[MikeP]

Before (possibly) wasting money on a new AP, check all the connections on the old one. I intended to toss my 1980 Raytheon Neco because it was very erratic. But after cleaning all the connections, it now works perfectly. I did a lot of research before I raised the Neco from the dead and had planned to buy this AP for our 53MY:

http://boating-electronics.stores.yahoo.net/comnav1001.html

 

[Maynard Rupp]

We have the Navman 5500 GPS plotter and the 4500 fish finder and fuel monitoring system. The stuff has been great for the three years that we have had it on our 36C.

 

[mstailey]

Mike,
Thanks for the link, I'll give it some research. The AP300 works great - that's not the problem. I wanted to put a 2nd control head on the flybridge and can't find one. This is one of those things that really bugs me - a really good working unit that Simrad will not even talk to me about. They just keep saying upgrade... This is the reason I would not upgrade with a Simrad unit. Yep, I hear all the arguments about new product upgrades etc, etc but to not even want to talk to me about what I have that is working. Well, you get the picture.

I mean darn, I can still get parts for an IBM XT PC.