Garmin VHF 315 and GHP Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot Corepack - Reviews

Garmin SD Card Reader
Garmin GMS 10 Network Expander
Garmin Bluechart G3 Vision card
Garmin Network cables
Shadow Drive
Hydraulic quick disconnects and hoses (fabricated)
40 amp circuit breaker for pump plus Blue Sea Systems fuse block/holder.
NMEA 2000 network backbone, connectors, terminators, drop cables, and power cable.
Anchor connection cable (shielded twisted pair)
Garmin GPS 019x GPS Receiver

The P79 is a poor choice for the Garmin xsv capabilities; it's very limited and I don't think it even has CHIRP. Take a look at this - https://www8.garmin.com/marine/PDF/transducer_selection_guide.pdf

Thanks for the feedback. What about the Garmin GT15M? That was my other choice.
 
The Garmin system does not come with a rudder position sensor due to the many different drive configurations (rudders, IO's, outboards). And the system will operate without a sensor but with one integrated the system uses much less energy as the rudder system is dampened - it learns.
The Smart pump is only a pump with the ECM integrated with it. The other Garmin pumps still require an ECM to control them only the ECM is a separate module. In other words you do not but it's the same either way you go.
As far as the 315 VHF I have it and two handsets. Good quality and a solid performer but I don't like the display in the handset; I have a difficult time reading it. With what I know today and the difficulty seeing the display I probably would not have purchased.

I agree with the your comments on the Garmin 315VHF. It works well enough and I wanted to be able to integrate everything so I went with the Garmin315. In hindsight, the integration between the Garmin MFD and the 315 are minimal. However, I do like the ability to add additional handsets, which we did add one to the salon. For me, the display requires reading glasses to operate.

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I installed the 210 a while back and that also has the ability for the additional handset of the 315. The VHF is located out of the way so I mounted the extra handset right by the wheel at the helm. I also need reading glasses to view the display correctly. very low contrast and small text ...
 
Recently added both the VHF315 and the Reactor 40 to our 44’ Sundancer.

Replaced the VHF mid-summer and have several hours on it already. Good radio, Tx range is very adequate. Audio output from both the handset and the external speaker are much better than the old Raymarine I replaced. Display is easy to see as well.

Just installed the Reactor a couple of weekends ago. So far, only sea-trialed it and did one short bay cruise. Very impressed, thus far. Far more responsive than the old Raymarine ST7000+ it replaced. And the integration with the 1242 multifunction displays is superb. Haven’t done a “real” trip yet, but works very well when creating a route with auto-guidance. FYI, I did the Reactor retrofit kit and kept the existing Raymarine pump. The SmartPump is great unit, but probably overkill for the small hydraulic cylinder on this boat. I had to install the GRF10 rudder feedback with this version, but I’d recommend adding it even though you have to with the Smart Pump. Rudder angle display for docking is terrific on both the GHC20 and the 1242 MFDs...

In short, I’d recommend both units especially if have (or are adding) the rest of the Garmin system.

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Ed - I'll be updating my stereo to a fusion unit and have to eliminate the old round Clarion keypad controller. I like the cup holder you replaced your keypad with. Where did you get it?
 
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Ed - I'll be updating my stereo to a fusion unit and have to eliminate the old round Clarion keypad controller. I like the cup holder you replace your keypad with. Where did you get it?
Hi Steve, I believe I got it at West Marine. Picked it up just to “fill the hole” until I found something else. It’s still there, however! Works perfect for both an ice cold beverage and/or a place to put your phone while running…
 
I think I've decided against Garmin for my VHF this round. I've been eyeing up the Vesper Cortex (https://www.vespermarine.com/cortex) which combines AIS, DSC and VHF into one device. Looks really neat and also you can do boat monitoring similar to the Boat Command and other capabilities out there to help provide info for boat telematics.
 
... I've been eyeing up the Vesper Cortex (https://www.vespermarine.com/cortex) which combines AIS, DSC and VHF into one device. ...

That is a really good decision. Nothing but great reviews every where. Also that will do While at Anchor monitoring with their app. I use that with the XB8000 and their WatchMate app.
 
That is a really good decision. Nothing but great reviews every where. Also that will do While at Anchor monitoring with their app. I use that with the XB8000 and their WatchMate app.

I have had boatcommand for quite some time and use that for my anchor watch but who knows, maybe I will use both in the future? :). I also use boat command for my bilge, checking to ensure I have electrical power, temperature sensor and other telematic functions. Very cool utility.
 
Interesting. Maybe this will net a larger VHF screen in Garmin’s handhelds…

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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Makes total sense to me! The best MFD company buys the best AIS and now AIS/VHF company (think iPhone).
 
@rlynch03 I am buying a new Vesper Cortex this year. Just waiting for the backordered Shakespeare antenna to be available. I love Vesper Marine. They make stuff that just works.
 
@rlynch03 I am buying a new Vesper Cortex this year. Just waiting for the backordered Shakespeare antenna to be available. I love Vesper Marine. They make stuff that just works.

Jay beaux- How do you like the Vesper system so far?
 
I like it a lot, but it takes a bit of getting used to. In hindsight, I would have preferred the wireless handset. Both wired and wireless handsets communicate with the hub via WiFi. The difference is a power connection or a battery.

I installed an external speaker. It’s volume is controlled independently of the handset. When you power down the handset, the external speaker will still “work”, unless you mute all VHF activity. It freaked me out the first time I was awoken to a USCG announcement! Again, takes a bit of adjustment.

The thing that I really like is that I was able to add it to the NMEA 2000 network. Ok, SeaTalkng. Then, the hub actually puts out quite a few PGNs over its WiFi network. This allows me to run Navionics on my iPad as my primary navigation system. The Raymarine E120Ws are backup. :cool: The iPad will also show, quite clearly, the AIS targets and associated information. On the Raymarine, the targets are just little triangles and the often get lost in the chart clutter. Lastly, my wife can sit on her chaise lounge and watch our progress on her phone via the Navionics app.

I also was able to connect an existing hailer speaker to the hub. In addition to being able to verbally greet kayakers and the like, it also has a horn function. It was several horn scenarios from which to choose: backing up-3 toots, 2 whistle pass, etc. The best one in my view is the fog horn. Every 2 minutes it will blast the appropriate underway signal.

Switching channels is easy and intuitive with the wheel. Or you just swipe left or right to move a few. You can set favorites so you can roll to 68 or 72, etc with just a single tap.

So in closing, I am very happy. Is it perfect? Well, nothing is. Would I buy it again? Yes, but this time a cordless handset. I can add one if I want for $650. Time will tell.

Jaybeaux
 
I also was able to connect an existing hailer speaker to the hub. In addition to being able to verbally greet kayakers and the like, it also has a horn function. It was several horn scenarios from which to choose: backing up-3 toots, 2 whistle pass, etc. The best one in my view is the fog horn. Every 2 minutes it will blast the appropriate underway signal.
Jaybeaux

I love having a hailer. Provides great close-in communications. I used mine to "communicate" with a dingy that a) should have turned because he was on my port side and then b) tried to take his path out of the middle of a narrow channel where I was constrained by draft.
 

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