Garmin Grid Remote - Helm seat mod

[Irie308]

At first I thought this remote would be a novelty item that rarely gets used. However I'm really loving this thing. With the upgrade to the Garmin reactor autopilot and the ghc 50, this thing really shines. I can walk the boat thru the harbor with just a turn of the knob. Truly impressive on Garmin's part. I'm constantly leaning forward to adjust settings and flipping between my Garmin "smart mode" screens. Call me a Garmin fan boy because this remote just works as it should. Can't say enough good things about it. The only knock I will give it is that if you leave the batteries in they will die in a very short timeframe. Seems as if it doesn't power down when not in use. Therefore I have to remove the battery after every use. I can live with that based on the usability of this remote. Just a couple pics of how I added it to my helm seat. Seats are due for a refresh soon so I may come up with a smoother integration but for now it suits my needs. I didn't want to mount directly in the arm rest of the helm seat as I think the armrests are a bit small. I also wanted it to be easily accessible yet removable and not impede comfort of the helm seat. Credits to @MasterFab who milled and fitted the aluminum housing. He also made a nice teak base that I'm waiting to install when I have the seats redone.

 

[ttmott]

I totally agree - hooked on it. If you connect it to your NMEA 2000 system more features unlock and you don't rely on batteries.
My arrangement allows it to fold down when not in use and the cover is over the helm seat.

 

[Irie308]

Yup, next is to come up with a creative way to extend nmea to the helm seat without making it a trip hazard.

 

[Skybolt]

Very nice job! and I have to say I totally agree, I also thought this was going to be a novelty and it has proven to be used every time the boat moves. I made the holder from acrylic and mounted to the wall. It's also wired in as well. Sorry the only pic I could find.

 

[alnav]

I mounted mine into the bolster next to the helm chair. Most all the wiring is behind this area so it was easy to do the NMEA cable. Note the Grid Remote can be ordered with the buttons transposed for horizontal mounting.

 

[FootballFan]

Couple of questions - very interested in this topic.

I have dual Garmin 7612 mfd and fairly recent Garmin Autopilot. Can the grid remote integrate?

 

[ttmott]

Couple of questions - very interested in this topic.

I have dual Garmin 7612 mfd and fairly recent Garmin Autopilot. Can the grid remote integrate?

Yes. The GRID controls everything on the MFD's as if you were using the touch screen. The two arrow buttons on the GRID switches between the two MFD's and the Focus button cycles through the selected MFD menu items.
The knob can adjust everything from steering to Sirius XM stations and volume, to autopilot heading changes. The knob can also functionally steer the boat by pressing side to side and it is progressive.
I'm just glossing over it as there is so much more. Plus there are programmable buttons that can quick execute things.
You know where the GRID is functioning at as there will be highlighted box around the function on the MFD.

 

[FootballFan]

Tom,

Thank you for your input. Definitely something I want to look at. Have seen it on a couple of boats we have looked at recently. Just had never talked with anyone using.

 

[rlynch03]

We also love the Garmin Grid Remote. Have installed in the last two boats. As others have said it will control everything on the Garmin MFD, Radar, can steer the boat via the AP, control Radio, etc.

Although it would be cool if the Bennet trim tabs could be adjusted via N2K and the grid remote.

Previous boat, Regal 3760

Current Sea Ray

My daughter encouraged me to cut it into the armrest… It works well although I would prefer it to be on a hinged arm like Ttmott.

Not complaining though (it works well for us) I have learned that it’s there and I don’t bump it (accidentally) very often however guests tend to lean into the joystick and jack up the screen and are oblivious. Lol….

 

[FootballFan]

I feel like I am in the dark ages. Knew this was out there, but never paid much attention. Now I am becoming enamored with the idea.

If I understand correctly, this connects wirelessly to the garmin network? Like a pairing process then ready to use?

My wife has a birthday coming up, this is sounding more and more like the perfect birthday gift for her.

 

[rlynch03]

I feel like I am in the dark ages. Knew this was out there, but never paid much attention. Now I am becoming enamored with the idea.

If I understand correctly, this connects wirelessly to the garmin network? Like a pairing process then ready to use?

My wife has a birthday coming up, this is sounding more and more like the perfect birthday gift for her.

Ha, not sure if she will agree.

The Grid connects into the N2K backbone or wirelessly. I chose to go wireless to avoid the batteries and connection loss concern. Although, I am sure it works well in wireless mode. It is a reasonably priced upgrade besides the integration into your interior.

 

[Skybolt]

... If I understand correctly, this connects wirelessly to the garmin network? Like a pairing process then ready to use? ...

It can connect wirelessly (BT) to the MFD directly or via N2K when the cable is used.

Note, that when batteries are used, it does drain them very quickly as @Irie308 has mentioned. I think this remote was designed to be connected primarily with the supplied N2K drop cable which is also used for power. Be aware that the remote will not power itself off, so if the network is constantly powered, so will the remote.

You can use N2K power blocks and power section of the network separately. I have a section just for the MFD(s). So the remote turns off when not needed.

 

[quality time]

I totally agree - hooked on it. If you connect it to your NMEA 2000 system more features unlock and you don't rely on batteries.
My arrangement allows it to fold down when not in use and the cover is over the helm seat.
View attachment 145593View attachment 145592

@ttmott is that a STIDD option or custom made?

 

[ttmott]

@ttmott is that a STIDD option or custom made?

No, I made it. I’ll post a pic of the parts this evening.

Update
Aluminum channel with plate welded on ends. Hinge is a T-Slot Frame Pivot Mount I got at McMaster Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/products/pivot-mounts/t-slotted-framing-pivots-4/ I machined off the T-Slot nubbins so it bolted flush to the aluminum.
The Stidd armrest already had mount provisions for a cup holder I used for this.
Pics -

 

[Irie308]

Figured I’d post here as it’s garmin related. My autopilot makes a pretty aggressive turn when getting on course. I know there is a setting that will make this a gradual merge. I can’t seem to find it. I also don’t want to experiment with a bunch of changes as everything else seems dialed in with the help of the wizard. Anyone know where this setting is found?

 

[ttmott]

Figured I’d post here as it’s garmin related. My autopilot makes a pretty aggressive turn when getting on course. I know there is a setting that will make this a gradual merge. I can’t seem to find it. I also don’t want to experiment with a bunch of changes as everything else seems dialed in with the help of the wizard. Anyone know where this setting is found?

In the settings on the GHC20, set the Rudder Gain to a lower number. The Rudder Gain is the speed/rate the rudder moves to acquire/maintain a course. The Rudder Countersteer is the setting to correct overshoot. Same here if the correction is too harsh - set to a lower setting.
Another thing I make sure to do is set the route start point well ahead of the vessel. If it is behind then the vessel will turn around to acquire and that can be spooky.

 

[FootballFan]

In the settings on the GHC20, set the Rudder Gain to a lower number. The Rudder Gain is the speed/rate the rudder moves to acquire/maintain a course. The Rudder Countersteer is the setting to correct overshoot. Same here if the correction is too harsh - set to a lower setting.
Another thing I make sure to do is set the route start point well ahead of the vessel. If it is behind then the vessel will turn around to acquire and that can be spooky.

Thank you for the question and the response.

I experience the same thing, when I first engage AP it will fairly aggressively move the rudder. Will look at this adjustment next time I am on the boat.

 

[Skybolt]

In the settings of the mfd there is a setting to start the route from the boats position. That helps stop all of that. No sharp turns and no going back to the starting point. Works for any AP and that also allows to keep a higher rudder gain.

 

[rlynch03]

In the settings of the mfd there is a setting to start the route from the boats position. That helps stop all of that. No sharp turns and no going back to the starting point. Works for any AP and that also allows to keep a higher rudder gain.

For my setup if you are offline and select engage route that is already established the boat will do an aggressive turn to get back to your route. I do also have the setting you mention “start in the boats position.”

I think the only way to truly get rid of the aggressive hard over is to Restart the route (maybe that’s what you meant) which will do so in your exact location.

 

[ttmott]

For my setup if you are offline and select engage route that is already established the boat will do an aggressive turn to get back to your route. I do also have the setting you mention “start in the boats position.”

I think the only way to truly get rid of the aggressive hard over is to Restart the route (maybe that’s what you meant) which will do so in your exact location.

Touch the route start point and move it in front of the boat then start the route. The downside is if there is another point close sometimes the route turns to spaghetti.