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

rlynch03

rlynch03

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
May 16, 2019
1,035
Annapolis, MD
Boat Info
07 52 Sedan Bridge, 2019 Brig Falcon 360HT-30HP Honda, 2003 16' Dauntless
Engines
Cummins QSM 11 660 HP w/ ZF 325-1A
Ready to pull the trigger on a new VHF and Auto Pilot

I am committed to Garmin so hoping for some real word reviews of you folks that have the Garmin VHF 315 or Reactor Autopilot w/ Smart Pump and Shadow Drive...

Any thoughts and opinions of your equipment appreciated.
 
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Well I'm interested as well. I replaced my VHF with Icom and tied into N2k. My Otto pilot is old 0183, so I would be interested in Garmin as I have been converting all the old Raymarine over.
 
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...
 
I installed a reactor 40 this past summer. Very simple to install and operate. It is phenomenal. The most awesome piece of equipment I have installed on the boat thus far. Very intuitive. Most of my trips are not very long. Typically about an hour. Even still, that thing is on from the time I leave the dock. I can sit back and just look for lobster pots or at the radar if it’s foggy. I made a separate pod to the right of the helm chair so I can operate the control head without having to lean forward in my chair. The Pinacle of laziness.
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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.

upload_2020-12-11_5-33-13.jpeg
 
dtfeld said:
... 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...
Click to expand...

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.
 
Chief Ed said:
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.

View attachment 96101
Click to expand...
Very interested in your setup. I've installed an Raymarine Axiom 12 because i didn't want to replace my radar. I have the Garmin GPSMap 1222 as my main display. I really like the ease of use of the Garmin and their auto routing. I've been looking at upgrading the AP to the Garmin Reactor 40 to make better use of the Garmin features. I really like the shadow drive function. I would also plan on keeping my existing pump like you so glad to hear they play well together. Did you install the piece that enable the shadow drive? Looks to be some type of electronically controlled bypass valve.
 
Chief Ed said:
... 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. ...
Click to expand...

Isn't the SmartPump required for Shadow Drive support? That is unclear on the reactor page.

EDIT: Thank you Irie308, you answered my question: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/pn/010-11054-00
 
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Riptide III said:
I installed a reactor 40 this past summer. Very simple to install and operate. It is phenomenal. The most awesome piece of equipment I have installed on the boat thus far. Very intuitive. Most of my trips are not very long. Typically about an hour. Even still, that thing is on from the time I leave the dock. I can sit back and just look for lobster pots or at the radar if it’s foggy. I made a separate pod to the right of the helm chair so I can operate the control head without having to lean forward in my chair. The Pinacle of laziness. View attachment 96098View attachment 96099 View attachment 96100
Click to expand...

Dear Santa

All I really want for Christmas is for Riptide to make me one of these!!! In addition to being to too lazy to reach up and fool with the autopilot, I'm also too lazy/not smart enough to make a pod like that.
 
I didn’t install the Shadow Drive. As much as I like tech, I don’t like the idea of the autopilot disengaging without me telling it to. For instance if you the grab the wheel getting in/out of the helm chair, or kick your legs up on the dash on a long passage.

Don’t recall if the sensor came in the Retro kit. If it did, it got tossed out with the packaging. Yes, it gets plumped into the hydraulic lines and has wires from an internal sensor that connect to the ECU if you do install it.
 
dtfeld said:
Dear Santa

All I really want for Christmas is for Riptide to make me one of these!!! In addition to being to too lazy to reach up and fool with the autopilot, I'm also too lazy/not smart enough to make a pod like that.
Click to expand...

Garmin makes a hand held remote for the Reactor for the ultimate in laziness...

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/636376
 
Chief Ed said:
Garmin makes a hand held remote for the Reactor for the ultimate in laziness...

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/636376
Click to expand...
I have the newer autopilot remote. The coolest thing about it is gesture control, just point the remote in the direction you want to go, engage and the boat will steer there. I only had it for one trip so frankly am not sure if I will use that feature. I have had the cheaper remote version for years and remote steering is the way to go, at least for me.
 
Chief Ed said:
I didn’t install the Shadow Drive. As much as I like tech, I don’t like the idea of the autopilot disengaging without me telling it to. For instance if you the grab the wheel getting in/out of the helm chair, or kick your legs up on the dash on a long passage.

Don’t recall if the sensor came in the Retro kit. If it did, it got tossed out with the packaging. Yes, it gets plumped into the hydraulic lines and has wires from an internal sensor that connect to the ECU if you do install it.
Click to expand...
It is possible to adjust the sensitivity of the Shadow Drive response. So, you can dial it down to a point where a slight touch or even turn of the wheel won't make it engage. I have it and have dialed it down to the point where my grandson can sit at the helm, take the wheel, turn it all he wants and nothing happens. He thinks he is driving the boat but I am actually steering using the autopilot remote. Once I take back the seat, it will respond if I need it.
 
Chief Ed said:
I didn’t install the Shadow Drive. As much as I like tech, I don’t like the idea of the autopilot disengaging without me telling it to. For instance if you the grab the wheel getting in/out of the helm chair, or kick your legs up on the dash on a long passage.

Don’t recall if the sensor came in the Retro kit. If it did, it got tossed out with the packaging. Yes, it gets plumped into the hydraulic lines and has wires from an internal sensor that connect to the ECU if you do install it.
Click to expand...
I "think" the way the tech works is if you grab the wheel it will change course and when you release it tracks back to the route.
 
rlynch03 said:
Ready to pull the trigger on a new VHF and Auto Pilot

I am committed to Garmin so hoping for some real word reviews of you folks that have the Garmin VHF 315 or Reactor Autopilot w/ Smart Pump and Shadow Drive...

Any thoughts and opinions of your equipment appreciated.
Click to expand...
I have Garmin AIS VHF as well as a Reactor Autopilot with Smart Pump and Shadow Drive, all probably the first previous versions of what you would buy now. A quick look at the current versions didn't reveal monumental upgrades. Some thoughts on both:
- 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 second everyone else's praise of the autopilot. I did find it took some getting used to coming from Raymarine, particularly as to how it responds when following routes. Garmin seems to put its emphasis on building great interfaces it expects will be intuitive so its documentation is not great. So, checking out features hands-on is the way to go.
I did find that replacing an existing autopilot was quite complex, especially when trying to re-use existing steering system components. This needs to be planned out in detail up-front with a detailed list of required parts, preferably assisted by a very knowledgable Garmin or vendor rep. I delegated that to an installer; he screwed up and I ended up having to buy the updated version of a component I already had purchased (which wasn't returnable). I ended up wishing I had done the planning myself.
 
I have the Garmin Reactor suite as well. I will say that the AP fine tailoring is time consuming. When on AP at hull speeds the rudders were swinging quite a bit and required significant time in dampening adjustment in the setup menus.
I also have the VHF315 as well as the AIS800 - no complaints....
The shadow drive is a component of the Reactor system; it installs near the helm.
I can take some pictures of my installation of interested.
 
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