Garmin Grid Remote - Helm seat mod

[quality time]

Thank you, so it seems as though the GRID 20 is the preferred remote. I assumed the regular GRID was better based on the price difference. That's a welcome surprise.

 

[alnav]

Thank you, so it seems as though the GRID 20 is the preferred remote. I assumed the regular GRID was better based on the price difference. That's a welcome surprise.

Agreed. I can't think of a good reason to choose the GRID over the GRID 20, although there may be some. The GRID 20 can also be ordered in two different key orientations, one is best for seat mounting, the other for dash or bulkhead.

 

[ttmott]

The GRID was the first remote offered. It has to be hard-wired both to power and to the Garmin Network. The GRID 20 is cheaper and can be hard-wired to NMEA 2000 which provides power as well. Or, it can be battery powered and operate wirelessly. I think they are functionally the same although the 20 seems to have more buttons, would have to look function by function to see any differences.

Thank you, so it seems as though the GRID 20 is the preferred remote. I assumed the regular GRID was better based on the price difference. That's a welcome surprise.

If the GRID 20 is operated on battery some of the autopilot functions are removed. It's a liability thing.
I have it mounted on the helm chair and must say one of the best things added. If it could control the VHF then it would be The Best thing added. Posted these pics before but here are a couple again.

 

[quality time]

Thanks @ttmott. My GHC remote died last fall so I was going to replace it then realized this would be a much more usable alternative for the same price. I also have STIDD seats and own a machine shop so the mount will not be an issue. Were you able to run the NMEA wire up through the pedestal?

 

[ttmott]

Thanks @ttmott. My GHC remote died last fall so I was going to replace it then realized this would be a much more usable alternative for the same price. I also have STIDD seats and own a machine shop so the mount will not be an issue. Were you able to run the NMEA wire up through the pedestal?

There is no way I could find to route the cable inside of the post. It's attached under the arm rest then again under the chair with nylon fasteners and routed along the back of the post and under the carpet to the NMEA connect point under the helm. The mount was simple to build - some aluminum channel, plate, a little welding, paint, a machine positioner (McMaster-Carr), and some stainless screws.... Make sure there is enough slack in the cable so the chair can go up and down and rotate.

 

[We☠️Do]

580 searay I did last year.