Cheaper alternative to Raymarine S100 wireless AP remote control

[Irish Rover]

The auto pilot on my boat is a fairly ancient ST6001 but it works well and I'm happy with it. I single hand quite a lot and there are times when a remote control would be very useful. However not often enough or useful enough to justify the price tag for the S100. On another thread a few months ago @vic008 mentioned a Seymo unit and I had a search for it and found Remote control for Raymarine
Less than half the price of the original but still pricey enough.
Does anyone have any experience of using this unit or, better still, an even cheaper alternative.

 

[KompetentKrew]

You could do it with an Arduino or something - just inject the appropriate NMEA sentences onto the network.

The NMEA sentences used for controlling Raymarine's autopilots have been documented - I know there's any least one OpenCPN plugin that does it; if I recollect it was mentioned on CruisersForum and I found a GitHub. I thought I corresponded with the author, but I can't now find the link.

 

[mattnj]

There is a project on GitHub you can make....it's not difficult to do if you can use a soldering iron.

 

[Irish Rover]

The auto pilot on my boat is a fairly ancient ST6001 but it works well and I'm happy with it. I single hand quite a lot and there are times when a remote control would be very useful. However not often enough or useful enough to justify the price tag for the S100. On another thread a few months ago @vic008 mentioned a Seymo unit and I had a search for it and found Remote control for Raymarine
Less than half the price of the original but still pricey enough.
Does anyone have any experience of using this unit or, better still, an even cheaper alternative.

I bought one of these Seymo units from Spain and fitted it today. Seems to be doing the job fine and fitting was straightforward even for a tech numpty like me.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

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[AngusMcDoon]

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[TSB240]

I bought one of these Seymo units from Spain and fitted it today. Seems to be doing the job fine and fitting was straightforward even for a tech numpty like me.

Yikes Just seen price.!
Cheaper than paying the Ray tax and easy to install.

I appreciate the problem is getting seatalk comms working as you can't easily hard wire a relay interrupt into the Raymarine built in kit. (Easily done with their TP's)

Luckily I didn't have that problem with a B & G AP.
The solution cost a lot less and was easy to hard wire direct into the course computer terminals for a wired remote.

DC12V 2/6 Ch Wireless RF Remote Control Switch Light Receiver Transceiver 315MHz | eBay

Easy to dodge the lobby pots from anywhere on deck now!

 

[XTE]

Well, this Seymo Nautica remote control seems to be half the price of the Raymarine S100 and it can also be operated from a smart phone app, so I will give it a go. It doesn't look like great quality, but if it works it will do the job.

Remote control for Raymarine

 

[Irish Rover]

Well, this Seymo Nautica remote control seems to be half the price of the Raymarine S100 and it can also be operated from a smart phone app, so I will give it a go. It doesn't look like great quality, but if it works it will do the job.

Remote control for Raymarine

It definitely works and does the job. I've no issue with the quality - the remote unit is a bit cheap looking but works fine and I got a waterproof pouch with mine.

 

[XTE]

It definitely works and does the job. I've no issue with the quality - the remote unit is a bit cheap looking but works fine and I got a waterproof pouch with mine.

Great. Does the app controller work ok?

 

[Irish Rover]

Great. Does the app controller work ok?

I downloaded it but I've never bothered trying it. I generally leave my phone on charge in the cockpit and use my watch for taking calls, checking incoming messages etc. I can't see the point in risking a €1,000+ phone on deck.

 

[harvey38]

Forgive my ignorance but why would anyone want to remotely control their vessel whilst underway, I use out ST6000 even on short jaunts but a remote?

 

[Irish Rover]

Forgive my ignorance but why would anyone want to remotely control their vessel whilst underway, I use out ST6000 even on short jaunts but a remote?

I suppose the only thing that surprises me about your question is that it's taken 4 months for someone to ask

 

[Plum]

Forgive my ignorance but why would anyone want to remotely control their vessel whilst underway, I use out ST6000 even on short jaunts but a remote?

My wireless remote is a big help to me, particularly when singlehanded and hoisting or lowering or reefing which I do at the mast.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[FWB]

Forgive my ignorance but why would anyone want to remotely control their vessel whilst underway, I use out ST6000 even on short jaunts but a remote?

I use mine a lot. Very handy when at the mast raising/lowering the main or just sitting on the foredeck underway on engine away from the engine noise. Very useful device.

 

[TSB240]

I use it all the time dodging lobster pots or walking around the deck or at the mast base.
Fishermen here just love putting pots on the lay lines from one anchorage to another. Also easier to spot the submerged ones from the bow!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

My wireless remote is a big help to me, particularly when singlehanded and hoisting or lowering or reefing which I do at the mast.

When I had one (homemade variety) I used to sit on it inadvertently every now and then resulting in an unexpected tack.

 

[XTE]

Forgive my ignorance but why would anyone want to remotely control their vessel whilst underway, I use out ST6000 even on short jaunts but a remote?

You can't carry your ST6000 around the boat, you have to stay at the helm, so this gadget controls your ST6000 remotely.

 

[XTE]

I have decided to go all out and purchase the Raymarine S100, which appears to be about £420.00 ish. I recon that it looks better and must be better quality. And as I only need to buy it once, can move it to new boats and sell it easily if needed, it is worth the extravagance. Everything about boats is an extravagance.

 

[Irish Rover]

I have decided to go all out and purchase the Raymarine S100, which appears to be about £420.00 ish. I recon that it looks better and must be better quality. And as I only need to buy it once, can move it to new boats and sell it easily if needed, it is worth the extravagance. Everything about boats is an extravagance.

It's definitely not great value and neither is the knock off one I bought. They're both a rip off for what they are but I find it useful and couldn't find a cheaper alternative. If you're happy to pay the higher price then why not.