New tiller pilot -raymarine or simrad

Spyro

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Had Simrad on previous boat.and now have had an st2000 for 5 years on present boat. It's the Raymarine for me anytime.
 

alan_d

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Comparison of Raymarine and Simrad tillerpilots is a recurring thread on here and always reaches the same conclusions.

1. There is a consensus that they are not equivalent; one make is superior to the other.

2.. There is no consensus as to which make it is.
 

eddystone

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I've had two second hand ST2000's, when you open them up, the quality of the engineering is like a Chinese remote control car from a market stall, I just can't work out how they have the gall to ask £500.
If you are seriously contemplating a new one, bear in mind you could get a reasonable used wind-vane for that price..
I would not buy a new Ray one anyway, although I believe they sell the most.

I inherited an Autohelm 2000 with the boat, the one with separate control unit and ram (which fortunately seems to work OK). I get the feeling that it's a much more robust unit than the current Raymarine ST2000 and indeed has a higher max displacement rating. If your boat is over 4500kg then Simrad TP32 is only option without going to more expensive Raymarine units with separate compass and control unit. Although twice the price of the Simrad, I suspect could be better long term investment.
 

RobF

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Happy with the performance of my ST2000 (which is massively over specced for my 1400Kg boat. Have put a waterproof acrylic cover over it (same material used for windows in sprayhoods) as I've heard rumours that water ingress was possible through the buttons.
 

AngusMcDoon

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I left it on the boat, but was planning to advertise it. The motor and mechanics are fine. The buttons all beep, the - buttons work, just the plus buttons that don't extend the piston. They make it beep so I am guessing the electronics are confused.

Sounds like a blown power transistor. BruceDanforth had this on his. Fixed in a few minutes for a few pence. I'm sure he will give details.
 

ianfr

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Happy with the performance of my ST2000 (which is massively over specced for my 1400Kg boat. Have put a waterproof acrylic cover over it (same material used for windows in sprayhoods) as I've heard rumours that water ingress was possible through the buttons.

I made a cover for mine with a little window over the buttons. Acrylic canvas as used on spray hoods.
Took about an hour to make and used some off cuts.

Ian
 

Even Chance

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My old black Autohelm 1000 packed in at the weekend too. Same thing, buttons beep but dont move the motor. Motor is fine, as I tested it. No visible signs of damage to either board or components. Gutted!!! Any ideas?
 

colhel

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My old black Autohelm 1000 packed in at the weekend too. Same thingits buttons beep but dont move the motor. Motor is fine, as I tested it. No visible signs of damage to either board or components. Gutted!!! Any ideas?

I have an autohelm 1000 which is now surplus to requirements. If anyone can give us a clue to its value would you be interested?
 

SteveSarabande

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Maybe this is salvageable, I am back on the boat. Opened it up and there are broken components on the board. Capacitors c114 and c15 are in bits. The rest looks ok, I assume the power transformer is tr4 and tr7.

I can't read the circuit diagrams online so will take the whole lot back home.
 

ianfr

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Maybe this is salvageable, I am back on the boat. Opened it up and there are broken components on the board. Capacitors c114 and c15 are in bits. The rest looks ok, I assume the power transformer is tr4 and tr7.

I can't read the circuit diagrams online so will take the whole lot back home.

The file should be downloadable and printable.
 
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