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

[ttmott]

To add:
I believe the key is in Low Speed gain and counter. These are the rudder reactions below the plaining speed set point.
From what I can determine the Low Speed Gain is the rudder reaction/deflection to adjust course and Low Speed Counter is the rudder counter to oversteer. The two settings play together.

 

[alnav]

Still having a bit too much Rudder wag... I get the settings dialed in Heading Hold but then Autopilot is wagging too much at the same speed. I am going to start the entire commissioning process over again.

@ttmott I mounted my CCU low in the hull, centered in front of the engines. I wondered if that was part of the issue but my hand held compass didn't show any magnetic pull down there.

I'm intrigued by the GPS having a heading sensor but a question I would have is which heading is the AP using, CCU or GPS? After I installed VesselView, I had two sources of rudder angle, one from VV and the other the Garmin sensor. At one point I had one consuming device flashing back and forth between the inputs. I'm not sure if the AP was trying to use the extra input or not. I was able to resolve the issue by finding a setting buried deep in one of the menus, per usual by Garmin. I scanned the GPS 24 manual but didn't see anything about resolving more than one input but it might be in the AP or MFD manuals. If I were you I would see if I could bring both heading inputs up as separate data boxes to compare them (that was part of how I figured out my rudder sensors). At a minimum you would be able to see any differences and/or oscillations from one or the other.

 

[J.Wilt]

So my install is complete, here is list of what I purchased,
Two new 8612 CHARTPLOTTERS, one xsv with sonar & one gsp maps without,
GMR 4’ Fantom 124 open array
Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with Smartpump V2. Shadow drive & GHC 20 display
315 VHF and new Shakespeare antenna.
Wireless remote for MFDs and wired remote for autopilot.
Mounted wireless remote in glove box.
I asked the technician where he installed the shadow drive and he said he doesn’t like them so he didn’t instal it, he said the ones he has installed have all had problems and have leaked oil. Anyone who has the shadow drive installed experience any problems?
I will have the wired remote at my fingertips if I need to put autopilot on standby like with the old Raymaine so don’t know if I’ll miss the shadow drive. Am I crazy, is it worth telling him to hook it up?
Here are a few pictures, when boat splash’s I’ll get into engine room to see where they mounted the reactor 40 w/smart pump.

 

[rlynch03]

So my install is complete, here is list of what I purchased,
Two new 8612 CHARTPLOTTERS, one xsv with sonar & one gsp maps without,
GMR 4’ Fantom 124 open array
Reactor 40 Hydraulic Corepack with Smartpump V2. Shadow drive & GHC 20 display
315 VHF and new Shakespeare antenna.
Wireless remote for MFDs and wired remote for autopilot.
Mounted wireless remote in glove box.
I asked the technician where he installed the shadow drive and he said he doesn’t like them so he didn’t instal it, he said the ones he has installed have all had problems and have leaked oil. Anyone who has the shadow drive installed experience any problems?
I will have the wired remote at my fingertips if I need to put autopilot on standby like with the old Raymaine so don’t know if I’ll miss the shadow drive. Am I crazy, is it worth telling him to hook it up?
Here are a few pictures, when boat splash’s I’ll get into engine room to see where they mounted the reactor 40 w/smart pump.

Nice... I love the Garmin Grid mounted at arms length. installed it on our last two boats. As far as the Ghost drive (GD), I love it too. My old Raymarine required me to manually put the autopilot into stand by before I could take control with the wheel. Seems easy but gets to be a pain. With the ghost drive you just grab the wheel and you have control. The GD is adjustable as well. Mine hasnt leaked yet...

Congrats on all the new toys...

 

[ttmott]

All of the right equipment in my opinion. So take this with a grain of salt but your technician is full of you know what. The Shadow drive is a safety feature you will want. And they don't leak oil.. The Shadow drive allows you to take the wheel at any time and steer the boat when on any autopilot feature. Both on this boat and my last the shadow drive has been very useful. So, the remote is only responsive if you enter the proper sequence of inputs and you will never be on the specific level of sequencing to execute an emergent change in course with the remote. I have been with these systems for seven or eight years now and I'll tell you the Shadow drive is needed. What kind of a technician says he didn't install something because of his past experience without consulting you in the beginning.... That would bother me..

 

[J.Wilt]

All of the right equipment in my opinion. So take this with a grain of salt but your technician is full of you know what. The Shadow drive is a safety feature you will want. And they don't leak oil.. The Shadow drive allows you to take the wheel at any time and steer the boat when on any autopilot feature. Both on this boat and my last the shadow drive has been very useful. So, the remote is only responsive if you enter the proper sequence of inputs and you will never be on the specific level of sequencing to execute an emergent change in course with the remote. I have been with these systems for seven or eight years now and I'll tell you the Shadow drive is needed. What kind of a technician says he didn't install something because of his past experience without consulting you in the beginning.... That would bother me..

That all I needed to hear, Thanks!

 

[ttmott]

I'll add this also - your radar scanner may need adjusting (shimmed) based upon the attitude in the water; hopefully the technician has explained this. I set mine 4 degrees down at boat floating static in the water as my boat is about 4 degrees nose up on plane trimmed and that is where I like the radar to perform it's best.

 

[J.Wilt]

I'll add this also - your radar scanner may need adjusting (shimmed) based upon the attitude in the water; hopefully the technician has explained this. I set mine 4 degrees down at boat floating static in the water as my boat is about 4 degrees nose up on plane trimmed and that is where I like the radar to perform it's best.

Thanks for the advice, he did say there will be adjustments when the boat goes in the water and we’ll take it out to do the calibration setup.

 

[alnav]

That all I needed to hear, Thanks!

I have the Shadow Drive and also have had no problems, agree with the others that you should hook it up.
BTW, that's the autopilot remote you've got in the glovebox and it's wireless. I use mine all the time and keep it right next to me while underway. It has a heading sensor you also need to calibrate, then you can point the remote in the direction you want to go and set a heading.

 

[J.Wilt]

I have the Shadow Drive and also have had no problems, agree with the others that you should hook it up.
BTW, that's the autopilot remote you've got in the glovebox and it's wireless. I use mine all the time and keep it right next to me while underway. It has a heading sensor you also need to calibrate, then you can point the remote in the direction you want to go and set a heading.

Thanks, it will take most of the summer before I know what each piece of equipment does, fun !

 

[rlynch03]

All of the right equipment in my opinion. So take this with a grain of salt but your technician is full of you know what. The Shadow drive is a safety feature you will want. And they don't leak oil.. The Shadow drive allows you to take the wheel at any time and steer the boat when on any autopilot feature. Both on this boat and my last the shadow drive has been very useful. So, the remote is only responsive if you enter the proper sequence of inputs and you will never be on the specific level of sequencing to execute an emergent change in course with the remote. I have been with these systems for seven or eight years now and I'll tell you the Shadow drive is needed. What kind of a technician says he didn't install something because of his past experience without consulting you in the beginning.... That would bother me..

In regards to the 8600XSV MFD; which transducer did you guys add?

There is an up charge for the MFD and the it requires a more powerful transducer. So I have wondered what you think after having some seat time. We are not fishing with it so the primary use would be to see what is below the boat before the kids start jumping off.

What do you guys use the XSV for and is it worth it?

Thanks
Rich

 

[ttmott]

In regards to the 8600XSV MFD; which transducer did you guys add?

There is an up charge for the MFD and the it requires a more powerful transducer. So I have wondered what you think after having some seat time. We are not fishing with it so the primary use would be to see what is below the boat before the kids start jumping off.

What do you guys use the XSV for and is it worth it?

Thanks
Rich

Garmin GT23M-TH
It seems to show bottom detail very well as well as digital depth and water temperature.
For my boat it's installed under the port engine at the forward end of the engine and about eight inches from the inboard stringer.

 

[alnav]

In regards to the 8600XSV MFD; which transducer did you guys add?

There is an up charge for the MFD and the it requires a more powerful transducer. So I have wondered what you think after having some seat time. We are not fishing with it so the primary use would be to see what is below the boat before the kids start jumping off.

What do you guys use the XSV for and is it worth it?

Thanks
Rich

Rich, I'm not into fishing so didn't see the need for sonar and didn't purchase the XSV. You probably know the XSV is not needed for a regular depth sounder transducer.

 

[Skybolt]

... What do you guys use the XSV for and is it worth it? ...

If your not fishing you might want to consider the 1243xsv it supports one transducer. The 8600 supports three transducers and has larger screen resolution but a slightly smaller physical screen size then the 1243. The software is the same.

 

[ttmott]

Thanks for the advice, he did say there will be adjustments when the boat goes in the water and we’ll take it out to do the calibration setup.

Calibration is one thing but to set the scanner attitude angle requires wedge shims under it. So, the idea is to obtain the mount angle when the boat is static and floating then the angle at your running speed and add/subtract the two to get the installation angle. I installed a Garmin HD on my 400DA and the Garmin Fantom on my 52 - both needed to have shims fabricated and installed to get the scanner sweep plane level with horizon at cruise speed.

 

[ttmott]

If your not fishing you might want to consider the 1243xsv it supports one transducer. The 8600 supports three transducers and has larger screen resolution but a slightly smaller physical screen size then the 1243. The software is the same.

Doesn't he want to see the bottom detail so his family can safely swim? The Garmin ClearVu would probably be the best choice for what is being asked. And that requires either the black box or the xsv.

 

[Skybolt]

Doesn't he want to see the bottom detail so his family can safely swim? The Garmin ClearVu would probably be the best choice for what is being asked. And that requires either the black box or the xsv.

The Ultra Highdef ClearVu looks awesome. When I replace my 2nd MFD it's going to be the the 1243xsv with that transducer. No ambiguity of whats on the bottom.

https://www8.garmin.com/marine/PDF/transducer_selection_guide.pdf

 

[rlynch03]

Thanks guys. I have one 8616 now and looking towards the second one with/without the Sonar option. Have delayed since I will also want to replace the Radar package.

 

[J.Wilt]

Calibration is one thing but to set the scanner attitude angle requires wedge shims under it. So, the idea is to obtain the mount angle when the boat is static and floating then the angle at your running speed and add/subtract the two to get the installation angle. I installed a Garmin HD on my 400DA and the Garmin Fantom on my 52 - both needed to have shims fabricated and installed to get the scanner sweep plane level with horizon at cruise speed.

How would you get an accurate angle reading at cruising speed? Would someone have to sit up on the hardtop?
How do waves play into the correct angle?

 

[alnav]

How would you get an accurate angle reading at cruising speed? Would someone have to sit up on the hardtop?
How do waves play into the correct angle?

I agree the radar needs to have some forward tilt but I think due to the variables involved that one could only get a roughly right solution from custom wedging. I was looking at antenna mounts over the winter, thinking I might change mine out. The standard wedge seems to be 4 degrees of tilt, in fact that is all Scanstrut sells. I remember reading that 6 degrees was the most recommended. I am of the opinion that 4 degrees is about right and the cost of having wedges made probably exceeds buying off the shelf.
Scanstrut's wedge: https://www.scanstrut.com/marine/power-boat/mount/wedge/wd-rad-01