Raymarine wireless autopilot controller

[jtwebb]

I have one of these devices and find the battery life to be too short, not enough for a cross channel trip for example. In addition, as it dies its last act is to put the autopilot to standby. This nearly caused an accident as warning was minimal. I have queried this with Raymarine but they are not replying. Does anyone else have experience of this limitation and also dangerous behaviour?

 

[simonfraser]

yep, mine does the same, cool eh !

 

[Malcb]

Damn, then mine will do the same, but now I'll be prepared /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jtwebb]

Still can not get any response from Raymarine. Have others had equally bad support from them lately. They used to very good and helpfull but obviously dont care now they are large and important.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Haven't tried mine for that length of time yet. I think I may install another power lead or two with an extra cradle in different locations on the boat. Then from time to time, just pop it in the cradle and connect the power lead to charge it up. Perhaps one in the cockpit (protected from spray), one at the chart table and one in the saloon.

It's a shame the unit doesn't take alkaline batteries as well as the built-in rechargeables (the smaller unit has replaceable batteries - I think).

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[jonjo]

Did you purchase the version with the larger remote unit? In the end I opted for the smaller controller as I felt the battery might last as long as a TV remote.

It is too early for me to provide useful feedback on battery life.

 

[jtwebb]

I have the larger version that displays all sorts of useful information. I just feel that putting the Autopilot to standby is dangerous and could cause an accident. I guess, that having been told, Raymarine would be liable but they are not responding to my support query. I will, of course, tackle them at the Southampton Boat Show and also see what the MAIB think. All that is apart from the fact that the time available is too short.