Lowrance autopilot cable steer

[BC FD]

There are a few posts about it and they are positive .


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[BC FD]

You need to have the right Lowrance GPS unit to make the system work.


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[Andre wallyandre]

1 minute ago, BC FD said:

You need to have the right Lowrance GPS unit to make the system work.


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Compatible with: Gen2, Gen2 Touch, Gen3 and Carbon

Also compatible with the Simrad Go series and Evo2 and EVO3

[Sarge5150]

The only feature I really want/need is the ability to maintain a heading.

 

Edited February 23, 2018 by Sarge5150

[Andre wallyandre]

4 minutes ago, Sarge5150 said:

I was thinking of switching to hydraulic this year and then adding autopilot next year.  Are hydraulics good long term?  Any downsides?

Less part in a hydraulic and it's smoother and probably less noisy. I never listen the cable motor but the hydrauic pump make barely noises.

[Andre wallyandre]

1 minute ago, Sarge5150 said:

The only feature I really want/need is the ability to maintain a heading.

 

Even if you want to do only that you need a compatible unit with a NK2000 network.

[BC FD]

Cheapest unit right now would be an HDS-7 Gen3. Gen2 are hard to find. Basic Gen3 are around $700 US I think.


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[BC FD]

West marine has a Simrad unit on sale this week I think.


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[Andre wallyandre]

1 minute ago, BC FD said:

Cheapest unit right now would be an HDS-7 Gen3. Gen2 are hard to find. Basic Gen3 are around $700 US I think.


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A Touch unit is really a + to control the AP: fast & easy

[Sarge5150]

Right but we are talking that previous unit.  I cant use that one.  I need tilt.  

 

[Andre wallyandre]

2 minutes ago, Sarge5150 said:

Right but we are talking that previous unit.  I cant use that one.  I need tilt.  

 

Then go hydraulic

[BC FD]

Might have to see if Raymarine or someone else makes a tilt unit.

 

[Andre wallyandre]

Maybe, but I doubt; with the "motor" on the steering shaft I don't know how you could use a tilt steering

[Sarge5150]

The tilt is an additional part that goes on over the shaft.  Like this unit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SeaStar-HK4200TS-3-BayStar-Tilt-Hydraulic-Outboard-Steering-HH4315-3-Teleflex-/291461899615

 

[BC FD]

You’ll have to check and see if the hydraulic unit is compatible with the Seastar systems.

[Andre wallyandre]

4 hours ago, BC FD said:

You’ll have to check and see if the hydraulic unit is compatible with the Seastar systems.

Fully compatible

http://ww2.lowrance.com/en-CA/Products/Auto-Steering/Outboard-Pilot-Hydraulic-Pack-en-ca.aspx

Edited February 23, 2018 by wallyandre

[Tyee II]

Sarge, if that is your steering system that you posted in the link, then the Lowrance hydraulic outboard pilot should work fine. You can find used HDS gen 2 units for cheap if you have patience.

[Andre wallyandre]

12 hours ago, BC FD said:

You’ll have to check and see if the hydraulic unit is compatible with the Seastar systems.

 

[BC FD]

On ‎2‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 7:19 AM, wallyandre said:

No, compatible with: Gen2, Gen2 Touch, Gen3 and Carbon

Also compatible with the Simrad Go series and Evo2 and EVO3 

Good morning.

The 2 cables that come out of the helm unit.

The larger cable coming out of the motor drive would be the drive cable and the smaller

cable coming out of the smaller part on the side of the helm would be the feedback?

Just want to make sure I have things right before I power up.

I know this sounds simple but mistakes look expensive.

Thanks

Mitch.

 

[jigstick]

these helm style autopilots require considerable space behind the dash.  I think 10inches or so.  I looked into them extensively last year.  performance reviews seemed to vary quite a lot.  Some saying they were adequate...some saying the units over heated and had sloppy steering.  They cost about $1000 as well.  If you add in the cost of your autopilot electronics you could rapidly approach $3000 and still be dealing with a cable steered boat.

 

if you have power assisted steering I think you have a better option.  Which is what I ended up doing.  For $1000 you can add hydraulic steering to your boat, and get out from under the "cable steering" debacle.  And now Raymarine offers their Evolution Type 1 hydraulic autopilot electronics package for $1800-2000. So for roughly the same cost you can have yourself hydraulic autopilot, which is much better IMHO.

[BC FD]

Pretty much already installed. Just checking on the wiring.
Paid $499 Canadian for the pilot brand new from Cabelas in Ottawa.
$749 for an HDS 7 Gen 3
Have $1500 Can into it.
Most reviews here say they are happy with these units.


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[jigstick]

what autopilot course computer and compass are you using?

[BC FD]

Lowrance autopilot cable steer.


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[jigstick]

it seems like your price on the cable steer package was mostly luck.  Here in the US they go for $1300.  Good buy for you though.  Hope it works out.

[BC FD]

Yup. Cabelas was clearing a bunch of stuff out.


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