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

[b_arrington]

I just upgraded to a Raymarine Evolution, but the one feature I really like on the Garmin is the Shadow drive. If you grab the wheel start maneuvering, the autopilot disengages, once you let go...it re-engages.

Raymarine doesn’t have that feature...

This is a huge plus for Garmin to me. Raymarine requires you to either push a button to disengage, or twist a little dial to change course. To my thinking, if I need to suddenly dodge a lobster pot the last thing I want to do is locate a small disengage button or a small rotary knob. Or worse, try to turn a locked wheel, then disengage the system. It takes time and precision. It seems much more intuitive to simply turn the wheel and have the system automatically relinquish control.

Also Raymarine - according to my last conversation with a rep - will NOT automatically make a when following a route. You must specifically acknowledge you want the system to make the turn and follow the next leg. Garmin will simply turn and follow the next leg of the route. Garmin also will follow a route created by autoguidance; IICR Raymarine said they did not but I could be mistaken on this point. This info was as of late 2018.

 

[b_arrington]

- The radio works as well as any other, AFAIK. No problems at all with transmitting or receiving. It does have some MFD integration like tracking personal directory contacts but those are probably not widely used. If you initiate a MOB call on the radio, the MFD will pick up the MOB point and prompt a way to get back to it which might be very helpful if that ever happened. I installed a hailer with my radio and highly recommend that; the radio is already capable so one would just need to install the external speaker. I found myself in a zero-zero visibility situation on my last trip. I was able to easily configure the radio to start fog signals, which is I think a credit to Garmin's interface-building skills.

I'd agree with everything here. The fog signal integration is kind of genius. I ended up using the hailer more than I thought I would. For one, my kids get a kick out of it when they are on the dinghy and I talk to them. Also it's useful when directing the "crew" on the bow, particularly since I have a solid pilothouse. In practical application, I came across a boat last summer that was reported adrift. I was able to use the loud hailer to easily communicate with the vessel and not get too close.

I will say that in find the trend toward very limited buttons on all VHF brands to make the systems harder / more time consuming to use. Yes, the Garmin rotary button is pretty simple to operate once you get used it it, and the menu layout is generally good. But I always compare it to the ease of use from my first Northstar NS 100 and it's direct access keypad. Simply punch in the channel you want and you're set.

 

[Skybolt]

This is a huge plus for Garmin to me. Raymarine requires you to either push a button to disengage, or twist a little dial to change course. To my thinking, if I need to suddenly dodge a lobster pot the last thing I want to do is locate a small disengage button or a small rotary knob. Or worse, try to turn a locked wheel, then disengage the system. It takes time and precision. It seems much more intuitive to simply turn the wheel and have the system automatically relinquish control.

Also Raymarine - according to my last conversation with a rep - will NOT automatically make a when following a route. You must specifically acknowledge you want the system to make the turn and follow the next leg. Garmin will simply turn and follow the next leg of the route. Garmin also will follow a route created by autoguidance; IICR Raymarine said they did not but I could be mistaken on this point. This info was as of late 2018.

Man this alone ^^^ is enough for me to switch to the Garmin Reactor. I did not know that Garmin auto handles the turn of a route. That is a huge factor and a BIG PITA with Raymarine for sure. That added to the Shadow Drive is amazing to me.

Yes, Raymarine will not auto accept the next waypoint and turn to it. And yes, you need to put the AP into standby or jog to get control again. Either of those requires more button presses to get back on course or setting auto mode again to resume.

The extra money for the Garmin Reactor system is totally money well spent!
Thank you rlynch03 for starting this thread!

 

[ttmott]

OK so the first picture is the installation of the Smart Pump at the rudders. The QD's (red lanyards) are the ones that were under the helm and used to connect to the Raymarine pump that I repurposed to be able to disconnect the Smart Pump. I simply installed a couple of Tee's and connected the Smart pump in line with the helm. The third hose goes and ties to the accumulator which is the second picture and is that hose running under the Racor and connected to a tee under the accumulator. Not seen is the rudder position sensor that connects to the Smart Pump. The power for the Smart Pump is from a new circuit breaker in the main circuit breaker panel. The third picture is the installation of the Shadow drive under the helm which is located where the Raymarine pump was installed. The fourth picture is the CCU; one wire goes to the Smart pump and one up to the helm and connects to the AP alarm and Shadow Drive. All other electrical connections are NMEA 2000 between the Smart Pump and the Garmin AP display and MFD's at the helm. The system has some excellent capabilities and user friendliness. The last picture is under the helm showing the Garmin VHF and AIS installed.

 

[ttmott]

These next pictures are the Garmin GRID controller that I mounted to the helm chairs. It can control all things Autopilot; actually anything on the MFD's. I primarily use it to bump the boat left or right when on a heading hold or it can, with a twist of the knob completely take over the AP. It's pretty slick.

 

[Skybolt]

So Tom, is the name of your vessel the Enterprise, and your document number NCC-1701?

Speechless on your photo's and the work you have done. Very nice glass helm look as well.

Couple of questions, can you elaborate on the Grid integration and is it easy to switch it into AP mode and switch back to MFD or is that not necessary?

Also on the active speaker, does that go inline with the mic? It's unclear in the documentation to me and I want to add that and a new mic to my 210 AIS that has the port on the back for that.

Not that this needs to be said, but you did an amazing job with your upgrades and looks truly amazing. Something to be very proud of. Thank you for sharing these photos.

 

[rlynch03]

That is a really great feature much easier then putting into stand by or finding jog. If your in a route, you need to start over again when you put in to standby and jog is buried not quick to activate.

The one feature I like about RayMarine that I could not live without, is the rotary knob and Garmin does not have one. Garmin does have the Grid remote but that is only for the MFD's, and would only be active in the AP screen. I upgraded my Raymarine pilot head just for the rotary knob and would sorely miss it if it was not there. I steer the boat with that alone when past the breakwater, pressing +/- keys is not the same feel.

Interesting. Didn't think about the loss of the rotary knob that steers the boat. I will miss that i believe.

 

[Skybolt]

Interesting. Didn't think about the loss of the rotary knob that steers the boat. I will miss that i believe.

Yes, but with the addition of the GRID remote, you might get that back. At least it looks that way according to @ttmott. If that is the case I am so going this route as well. Again thanks for staring this thread.

 

[dtfeld]

Thats awsome Tom!!

I posted in another thread, but the Raymarine remote RMK-10 cant control the AP with the rotary know...jealous. I had this setup in mind (installing it i the armchair).

 

[ttmott]

So Tom, is the name of your vessel the Enterprise, and your document number NCC-1701?

Speechless on your photo's and the work you have done. Very nice glass helm look as well.

Couple of questions, can you elaborate on the Grid integration and is it easy to switch it into AP mode and switch back to MFD or is that not necessary?

Also on the active speaker, does that go inline with the mic? It's unclear in the documentation to me and I want to add that and a new mic to my 210 AIS that has the port on the back for that.

Not that this needs to be said, but you did an amazing job with your upgrades and looks truly amazing. Something to be very proud of. Thank you for sharing these photos.

Thanks, like others a labor of love and money....
The GRID is connected by NMEA2000; it also can be wireless but it's capability to operate the AP is removed if set up wireless. I think it's a liability thing.... The buttons and knob allows the easy selection between MFD's, as well as selection and control of the MFD sub screens like the AP, Fusion Radio, Sonar, Charts, Radar, and on and on. For example you are on a heading hold with the AP and want to deviate 10 degrees port. Cycle the GRID to the AP screen and execute the 10 degree course change with the push of a button. It is very intuitive but you must execute everything in a sequence which takes some time. So, if you have a bit of a panic situation don't even think about using the GRID; get on the wheel manually. This is where the Shadow drive comes in. If you are running on the AP and need to deviate then grab the wheel and turn the boat; the Shadow drive senses manual wheel control and temporarily disengages the AP. After the system senses no more manual input the AP resumes either the heading or a correction to get back on a course. I think this is where Garmin really is superior to Raymarine.
The VHF speaker comes with the system and is connected by the same wiring that feeds the handset. I also have a second handset in the solon which has come in handy. It can serve as an intercom also.

 

[ttmott]

Also, the AP doesn't need to be active to steer the boat with the GRID. Push the knob to one side (it's a joy stick that also turns) and the boat turns that direction. The lighter the knob is pressed the gentler the turn and further the knob pressed the faster more radical the turn. I'm still learning all of the features but impressive...

 

[Skybolt]

So the AP just needs to be on and the GRID will steer the boat, when in the AP screen?. Wow, really impressive.

Just a little more on the Active speaker. I get the 315 has 3 station ports, but does the active speaker connect inline with a station mic or can it connect inline?

 

[alnav]

So the AP just needs to be on and the GRID will steer the boat, when in the AP screen?. Wow, really impressive.

There's an AP "STBY ENG" button on my Grid 20 right above the joystick. Pushing that will engage the AP, then the joystick will work, at least in my experience. The AP screen doesn't need to be up either, at least for me. I do keep an "Autopilot Overlay" on one of my MFD's so maybe some sort of AP control needs to be up.

 

[rlynch03]

Yes, but with the addition of the GRID remote, you might get that back. At least it looks that way according to ttmott. If that is the case I am so going this route as well. Again thanks for staring this thread.

Can’t wait to get it all working together... We installed the Grid into the helm seat and wired with Nema 2000.

 

[rlynch03]

There's an AP "STBY ENG" button on my Grid 20 right above the joystick. Pushing that will engage the AP, then the joystick will work, at least in my experience. The AP screen doesn't need to be up either, at least for me. I do keep an "Autopilot Overlay" on one of my MFD's so maybe some sort of AP control needs to be up.

What is the AP overlay?

 

[rlynch03]

Thanks, like others a labor of love and money....
The VHF speaker comes with the system and is connected by the same wiring that feeds the handset. I also have a second handset in the solon which has come in handy. It can serve as an intercom also.

Is that a wireless second handset?

 

[alnav]

What is the AP overlay?

It sits at the top of a screen when enabled. I think it's configured via the Menu...Edit Layout screen.

 

[Skybolt]

Can’t wait to get it all working together... We installed the Grid into the helm seat and wired with Nema 2000.


View attachment 96152 View attachment 96153

Dam, beam me up Scotty, that is sweet. Very nicely done.

 

[Skybolt]

... It sits at the top of a screen when enabled. I think it's configured via the Menu...Edit Layout screen.

Ah, a data bar for the AP. So between the DB and the remote there is no real need for the pilot head? I will still need to keep the pilot head, my current one is right in front of the wheel where the compass use to live.

I had no idea that the Garmin AP was so far ahead of the Raymarine AP. This upgrade is going to hurt as I am also upgrading two MFD's as well.

alnav - what version MFD are you using?

 

[Chief Ed]

Ah, a data bar for the AP. So between the DB and the remote there is no real need for the pilot head? I will still need to keep the pilot head, my current one is right in front of the wheel where the compass use to live.

I had no idea that the Garmin AP was so far ahead of the Raymarine AP. This upgrade is going to hurt as I am also upgrading two MFD's as well.

alnav - what version MFD are you using?

Might hurt the pocketbook a little, but you’ll love the new MFDs. So much better and easier to use than the older Raymarine’s. I went with the GPSMAP1242 (now 1243). The 8612’s are a spendier option and give you a little more networking capability...