New Garmin Reactor autopilots

[blampied]

Looking for an Autopilot for my hydraulic steered single engine 33' semi displacement AquaStar.
(Cruise at 7 - 8 knots, but can do 20 knots when pushed)
Garmin earlier this year updated their Autopilots calling them Reactors,
supposed to be simpler fitting and setup.

Looking for feedback,
Has anyone fitted one of these new units yet?
Are they any good?
I have had Raymarine pilots in the past, but as this boat already has Garmin plotter and Radar it should hopefully make integration simpler?

P.S.
Living on the boat in the Med and would expect to fit all the components, except hydraulic connections myself. (Would need to find someone to assist with the hydraulics)

Any advise appreciated.

 

[admillington]

I have just upgraded my Garmin pilot to the reactor.

The Garmin pilots I have had on the last 2 boats have been far better than the Raymarine on the previous 8 boats.

Setup the new reactor pilot last weekend - just followed a wizard, involves going around in a circle and then running at below cruising and then the pilot took control and went from side to side.

then took the boat to Brighton and the pilot kept an excellent course hold.

Looking for an Autopilot for my hydraulic steered single engine 33' semi displacement AquaStar.
(Cruise at 7 - 8 knots, but can do 20 knots when pushed)
Garmin earlier this year updated their Autopilots calling them Reactors,
supposed to be simpler fitting and setup.

Looking for feedback,
Has anyone fitted one of these new units yet?
Are they any good?
I have had Raymarine pilots in the past, but as this boat already has Garmin plotter and Radar it should hopefully make integration simpler?

P.S.
Living on the boat in the Med and would expect to fit all the components, except hydraulic connections myself. (Would need to find someone to assist with the hydraulics)

Any advise appreciated.

 

[blampied]

Hi Alton, thank you for that.
Did you fit it yourself?
Anything I should be aware for?
It will be next month (in Spain with the boat at present, will pick an AP up on my next flying visit home) before I purchase an autopilot, as I will be fitting myself something easy to fit is a priority,
The Garmin now being my clear favourite.

 

[jfm]

Hi admillington. Can you say a bit more about the reactor upgrade please? Is it "worth it"? What are the benefits compared with your previous autopilot? Did you change just the electronic parts of the system, not the hydraulics?

 

[admillington]

Hi admillington. Can you say a bit more about the reactor upgrade please? Is it "worth it"? What are the benefits compared with your previous autopilot? Did you change just the electronic parts of the system, not the hydraulics?

JFM, I upgraded just the electronics part of the system, principally the https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sho...se-computer-unit-ghp-reactor-/prod501453.html and displays - as to "the worth it", not sure yet but Garmin assure me the course holding is far better with the new CCU.

 

[jfm]

JFM, I upgraded just the electronics part of the system, principally the https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sho...se-computer-unit-ghp-reactor-/prod501453.html and displays - as to "the worth it", not sure yet but Garmin assure me the course holding is far better with the new CCU.

Many thanks. I might give it a go. I already have GHC20 displays so as I understand it I just buy the black brick that you linked to, and connect it to N2k network, plus connect the special cable from the brick to the GHC20 square display. And connect the 2 shadow drive wires, And disconnect the old black "globe" autopilot computer. What I can't see is how you handle two GHC 20 displays, as there is only one lime green socket on the brick. Have to scour Garmin website some more...

This link is a bit helpful. http://support.garmin.com/support/s...d40-5ec7-11e4-d90c-000000000000}&locale=en_US What is the buzzer for?

 

[admillington]

Thnaks. I might give it a go. I already have GHC20 displays so as I understand it I just buy the black brick that you linked to, and connect it to N2k network, plus connect the special cable from the brick to the GHC20 square display. And disconnect the old black "globe" autopilot computer. What I cant see is how you handle two GHC 20 displays, as there is only one lime green socket on the brick. Have to scour Garmin website some more...

I had Berthon install it so I can say but I do have two GHC 20 displays. If you can't find out I will take the panels down and photograph the install.

Important to update to he latest software to fix the early Reactor bugs.

-Andrew

 

[Cumba]

I also have the Reactor installed about 6 weeks ago (was the first boat in the Netherlands to have this system installed), coupled to a GHC 20 and a 5008 plotter.
It's has been faultless os far, smooth and quick response and keeps a nice staight course. The system is coupled to 2 Volvo's D3's with DPS outdrive which I converted to Hydraulic steering.
Overall the one of the best upgrades ever. My only complaint is that the reactor is to "new" for the 5008 to control the autopilot from the plotter. I can input a course on the plotter but the\an manually select the GPS course on the GHC20. When I do a "Go To" Action on the plotter it doesn't recognise the reactor yet.
Garmin promised an update for the 5008 but up untill now no luck yet.