Ray S1000 Autopilot - Doesn't sound good :( - The Hull Truth

scubadown · 03-11-2005, 12:27 PM

Just talked with Ray about their S1000 Wireless Autopilot System. I'm not sure this guy was too much of an expert but he was the only one who could provide any input.

The wireless hand held controller is battery powered and uses AA batteries. Battery life is only about 4 hours, so in a full day you could use three sets.

The course computer does not have a rate gyro. The rep at the Miami boat show said it did, but his guy said no and the brochure does not mention it. If it does not have a rate gyro and only relies on input from an external GPS, response could be very poor.

I was so looking forward to getting one of these, but now I am not so sure.

swamppro · 03-11-2005, 12:52 PM

I just finished training on all the new products with Raymarine. You are right about the no rate gyro. It does have good response time but you will not get good radar overlay from this unit. I know of one person that is using this unit for testing on his boat and he really likes it. He said the only thing is that the pump is alittle louder than usual but he is working on that. Other than that he said it will work just as well as any other pilot.
The 4 hours on the remote is wrong. They should last a whole season.
This will be a great unit for the 23-25 center console that likes trolling.

GaStratos · 03-11-2005, 01:20 PM

Any idea on the release date? It was supposed to be late feb. Now Ray says sometime this Spring??

scubadown · 03-11-2005, 01:24 PM

I have heard they will be released by the end of the month.

Now if the handheld batteries really last for a whole season or heck even 20 hours of run time, that makes a big difference. One spare set as opposed to 10 spare sets.

Is radar overlay the main advantage of a rate gyro? I thought it increased its performance in general?

yachtjim · 03-11-2005, 02:45 PM

I have a new release date of 3/28.* Now we'll see if they can stick to it

GaStratos · 03-22-2005, 11:52 AM

Jim,
Can you clarify the fit guide for this model.

The one on the Raymarine web site say it is designed specifically for Sportfishing boats up to 25 feet using Seastar hydraulic helms but is only designed for 5-8 CI helms, yet when you look at the Seastar list of cylinder volumes all of them (less one for single inboards) are 8.3 CI and up.

http://www.seastarsteering.com/OUTBO...D/VolCap.htm&1

Think Tweiss · 03-22-2005, 12:57 PM

GaStratos.....read the chart again......

There isn't one of those helms that can pump more than 2.4 cu inches per revolution. The first number is cubic inches, the second number is cubic centimeters.

GaStratos · 03-22-2005, 05:07 PM

The rating is not based on the helm pump capacity. It is based on the cylinder capacity (which mounts on the outboard/outdrive). These specs are at the bottom og the page.

GaStratos · 03-22-2005, 05:07 PM

The rating is not based on the helm pump capacity. It is based on the cylinder capacity (which mounts on the outboard/outdrive). These specs are at the bottom og the page.

Think Tweiss · 03-22-2005, 05:56 PM

guess I read it too fast....sorry

However, think about how much correction your boat is going to need from an autopilot.....do you think that your autopilot will ever have to correct as much as one revolution of your wheel? I did a calculation on the hydraulic pump capacity of the S1000 a little while back, and as I recall, it's pump could pump about a full revolution of fluid per second or two. That's probably fast enough for me.....
The only time I'd worry about it is if it took 10 or 15 seconds to do a 1/2 turn of the wheel.

Of course, I'm not trying to hold a course in a gale on the way to Bimini. I just want to hold the boat more or less straight while I rig and work my lines. I'm not great at looking back and trying to hold a course at the same time I'm letting out another line or clearing a line.

Your question, however, does make sense. Since the s1000 is designed for use specifically with the sea star steering, you would think that Raymarine would have the common sense to spec it appropriately. I guess when the manual is translated from it's original urdu or balinese to english, things get gorped up. I am only hoping that their technical support is not in India already....

From the RayMarine web site installation manual for the S1000 system

http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/D...337&Parent=166

The S1000 Autopilot is intended for use in:
HC5345, HC 5347, HC5348 and HC5358 SeaStar Steering systems
also systmes with HC4600, HC4645, HC4547, HC4648 and HC 4658 BayStar steering rams
Systems with hynautic K6 steering rams

GaStratos · 03-22-2005, 08:14 PM

Thanks Tweiss,
I missed the model listings in the inst. guide. I feel better about buying one with the specific model listed. I was thinking the 8.0 CI max may have been a warranty easy out for those 8.3 CI Seastar units.

I could just picture myself 30 days from purchase watching the smoke rise from the pump and looking at that number in the spec sheet while having a grand worth of that sinking feeling settle over me.

SWFLNavigation · 03-22-2005, 10:16 PM

Check out the TR-1 Gladiator.....

tommytuna · 03-22-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

SWFLNavigation - 3/22/2005 9:16 PM

Check out the TR-1 Gladiator.....

check out the price

mikejsharp · 03-23-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote:

tommytuna - 3/22/2005 10:41 PM

Quote:

SWFLNavigation - 3/22/2005 9:16 PM Check out the TR-1 Gladiator.....

check out the price

Only about four times what the S1000 costs (plus installation)

scubadown · 03-23-2005, 10:06 AM

RayMarine has responded back that the battery in the hand held will last for approximately 2 weeks depending on usage. That sounds very decent. I have one ordered.

mikejsharp · 03-23-2005, 11:53 AM

The new wireless controller standard (named Zigbee - IEEE 802.15.4) that Raymarine uses for this new design is intended for low power, long life devices. I would not be surprised to see much longer battery life from this unit - unless backlighting is used often.*Illumination*could eat up the batteries faster.

Battery life for applications like wireless alarms**is expected to be*up to five years*according to the organization that defined and developed this technology.

RonSC · 03-23-2005, 08:23 PM

Yes, but I would think that you could use the battery. That you use in a digital camera and it would last a long time.
Most time the mfg is using a standard Alkaline battery.

tommytuna · 03-24-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Only about four times what the S1000 costs (plus installation)

that was my point!

GaStratos · 03-31-2005, 11:34 AM

YachtJim,
Did they mention what year it would be released?

yachtjim · 03-31-2005, 03:01 PM

I just called Ray yesterday about them and got a chuckle from the rep I was talking to when i asked how long until they ship.* Needless to say he would not give me an answer.* I wish they would ship soon so I can get mine installed!