Raymarine X-5

[nickrj]

Hi all,

Has anyone done any serious cruising on the Raymarine X-5?

ie. transocean with no aux windvane or other steering equipment?

Nick.

 

[dpm_2]

Not transocean, but over 25k nm with passages up to 5 days. Had a windvane but sold it, much prefer the X-5 plus tiller drive. Having said that I, and I know others, found the the X-5 to be over-responsive to its internal rate gyro sensor so that it would fight a heavy sea. I sorted this by adding an internal capacitor to filter the output from the rate IC. Now I'm very happy with it - low power consumption, quiet, reliable, copes with changing wind and sea conditions. I do carry a full spare system whilst cruising, just for peace of mind. I wouldn't hesitate to use it alone transocean. Many will disagree of course!!!