Raymarine ST6000 Compatibility

[BobnLesley]

Our new boat's fitted with one of these, or at least that's what it says on the control head; there's seperate operating rams, computers and other gizmos too I know, it's working/controling a cable operated wheel steering. My question is will only the ST6000 control head work or will 5000's, 7000's or any of the others I've seen being sold secondhand do the same job? Similarly, will one of the Ratheon units control a Raymarine set-up or are they totally different?

 

[aluijten]

Afaik, the ST6000 is the base version. There are other control heads (bigger ones) that can also be used (ST7000 and ST8000). I think the latter was more specific for MoBos as it has a big turning knob to adjust the steering angle (sort of power steering).
They all do the same stuff. It's just the one or the other has a different lay-out of the user interface (more dedicated buttons).

If you have a separate course computer, have a look at which version it is. Some can be upgraded to have a gyro sensor for improved steering.
But beware: to make use of this the control head needs to be a different one as well (because of the software inside the control unit itself).
After the ST6000 there were also the ST6001, ST6001+ and the ST6002 (= the latest one in the series, Raymarine has gone color display after that one).
If memory serves me right you need at least the 6001+ for the gyro stuff (as wel as a compatible course computer).
The ST6001 is equivalent to the ST7001 and the ST8001
The ST6001+ is equivalent to the ST7001+ and the ST8001+
The ST6002 is equivalent to the ST7002 and the ST8002

Cheers

 

[haydude]

If memory serves me right you need at least the 6001+ for the gyro stuff (as wel as a compatible course computer).

Naaa... ST6000 good for gyro pilots S1G, S2G, S3G and SmartPilot X Series too, only less display options and buttons.

 

[aluijten]

Naaa... ST6000 good for gyro pilots S1G, S2G, S3G and SmartPilot X Series too, only less display options and buttons.

You are correct to a certain point.

Decided to look it up

From the Raymarine Course computer Model 150 & 400 manual:

The ST6001+ and ST7001+ control units have been designed
specifically to provide access to all advanced functions on the
Type 150, 150G, 400 and 400G course computes.
You can also use the following control units to operate the course
computer autopilot system, but they do not enable access to some of
its more advanced functions:
• ST6000+ control unit
• ST7000+ control unit
• ST600R remote control unit
• ST80 autopilot keypad (as part of an ST80 instrument system)
• RayPilot 650 control unit
• ST6000 and ST7000 control units


What you will not have with the older control heads is the Autolearn function. This is a routine where the autopilot has a special routine to learn the way the vessel responds at the helm.

The older course computers (model 100 & 300) cannot be upgraded with the gyro chip.

 

[haydude]

What you will not have with the older control heads is the Autolearn function. This is a routine where the autopilot has a special routine to learn the way the vessel responds at the helm.

I have an ST6000 with S1G. I just run the Autolearn yesterday after I relaunched the boat and decided to reset and re-calibrate the autopilot after a firmware upgrade.

I also contacted Raymarine asking specifically if I could replace the Autopilot computer (S1G) with a newer Smartpilot X-30 computer and keep all the other peripherals, including ST6000. The answer was yes.

 

[Bloater]

I've just had to replace my ST6000+ control head and type 300 course computer because the LCD display had failed. Raymarine have told me that the ST6002 head that I was proposing to use would not be fully compatible and I would loose all of the higher functions (including following an autopilot's track).

Just take a look at your course computer to verify what model it is first, it may well dictate what control heads you are limited to.

Ps I now have a perfectly good type 300 course computer for sale.