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Nice package. S1 or S1G A/P ? (The S1G is supposed to be far superior)What boat ? How do you use it (fishing, cruising, etc) ? (For "hard core" use, 2 screens would be preferable (even two 8" screens)
Dont forget a heading sensor if you want to do accurate overlays.
Good point. Check the recent A/P threads by Glen E & Birdman suggesting that an aftermarket sensor (KVH) will perform much better than the Ray unit for A/P performance
Codfisher - I have heard some with C & E series and no A/P use overlay w/o a heading sensor with good results. Have you ever disconnected the sensor to see if there is a difference ?
I have a similar system (c120, 2KW) and have been really happy with it. You should get a heading sensor with the Autopilot kit. Dont be too quick to throw it out and buy a different one; mine seems to work fine, although I've been told I'm just 'lucky' [img]../jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif[/img]
The Service Tech from Ray told me that with the lastest software revision (2.14 / 2.17) and setting the GPS update interval to the shortest you should get good results with your overlay updating even without a heading sensor.
the difference in the KVH and the Ray fluxgate really comes down to two things - the KVH is much less prone to deviation due to mettalic items (therefore easier to find a spot to mount) and the calibration is automatic and more accurate, IMO
the difference in the KVH and the Ray fluxgate really comes down to two things - the KVH is much less prone to deviation due to mettalic items (therefore easier to find a spot to mount) and the calibration is automatic and more accurate, IMO
Also, I am pretty sure the RM has a gyro while the KVH does not.
I have never tried disconnecting the heading sensor.
As far as the AP is concerned if it ever starts working I will let you know.
__________________ Capt. George Full Strike Anglers
F/V Lady Diane
2005 2325 Pacific Plate Alloy Boat
USCG 50Ton Master
Maine Tidewater Guide
The S1G has a gyro, the S1 does not. Neither the Ray nor KVH sensor has a gyro. Based on the recent info, the A/P may never work properly using the Ray sensor
Codfisher - I believe the system that you refer to is for an installation that does not include a gyro A/P (either non-A/P or non-gyro A/P). The problem appears to be that all of the Ray heading data is dependent on the the small heading sensor, which is not accurate nor easy to calibrate. Glen & Birdman have confirmed better A/P results disconnecting the Ray sensor & using the KVH. Btw, both of them are using the Ray S1G.
you will not need a heading sensor is you use the S1G it has a built in 1 I have been told. I am switching from the Sport pilot to the S1G and dropped the Heading sensor ... no need for it now
We have almost the same set-up ordered for our boat, except we dont have auto-pilot yet. I'm kinda holding off on the heading sensor untill I can afford an auto-pilot. I would prefer to stay with a RayMarine flux-gate so I can run my VHF DSC function onto the chartplotter via NEMA connection and the Fluxgate via a SeaTalk connection, this way I avoid having to get the NEMA Multiplexer (All this accesory crap is getting out of hand). My understanding is if you are underway following a course, the heading sensor may not be nessary, however if you are sitting in one location with considerable yaw motion, the overlay will have problems. Thanks.
My understanding is if you are underway following a course, the heading sensor may not be nessary, however if you are sitting in one location with considerable yaw motion, the overlay will have problems. Thanks.
Your understanding is correct, except you don't need considerable yaw at all. Almost any movement, try it with your gps and watch your heading chage while eve at the dock with very little rocking motion.
It really doesn't matter as long as whoever is reading the info understands this fact.
The 'gyro' in the S1G senses boat motion, not heading,and provides input to the package to optimize the autopilot response. You still need a heading sensor.
As I said earlier, and despite the persistent mention to the contrary, if you get RM fluxgate unit with your AP package dont be too quickto discount it. Minecalibratedwithout a problemand has remained consistently accurate since the spring of this yearwithout having to recalibrate.
The 'gyro' in the S1G senses boat motion, not heading,*and provides input to the package to optimize the autopilot response.* You still need a heading sensor.
As I said earlier, and despite the persistent mention to the contrary, if you get RM fluxgate unit with your AP package dont be too quick*to discount it.* Mine*calibrated*without a problem*and has remained consistently accurate since the spring of this year*without having to recalibrate.*
I thought it said somewhere in the RM webite that if you have the S1G you dont need the heading sensor?
NO... you need a heading sensor for the RM AP's- RM is working on eliminating the rudder feedback but the heading sensor will stay a part of the package - that comes stragiht from the AP engineer I am working with on the verado project. That being said, there is nothing wrong with the RM sensor, the KVH is just an upgrade - I like it due to the lack of sensitivity for mettallic objects close. In the same locker, the RM fluxgater deflects 5 degrees more when I put my life raft in the locker with the RM sensor. With the KVH it does not deflect at all. And I need my raft in the locker due to size...
As a matter of fact - the RM AP engineer's answer verbatum from an email to me 10 min ago:
question:
Am I correct in assuming that RM will always require a heading sensor input
of some type on current and future AP's?
answer:
That is correct. Even though one of our pilots uses a GPS input, forward motion (COG) determines low end speed limit and still does not provide an actual heading. Heading will always be different from the boat's COG.
As a matter of fact - the RM AP engineer's answer verbatum from an email to me 10 min ago:
question:
Am I correct in assuming that RM will always require a heading sensor input
of some type on current and future AP's?
answer:
That is correct. Even though one of our pilots uses a GPS input, forward motion (COG) determines low end speed limit and still does not provide an actual heading. Heading will always be different from the boat's COG.
Glen,
You may ask a more specific question to the Raymarine AP engineer - ask him if you have an S1G/S2G unit if you still NEED a seperate heading sensor unit?
I've been told multiple times that with any of the "G" units, the need for a seperate heading sensor goes away. My understanding is the G units have more than "just" a Gyroscope. Just trying to make sure we get to the bottom of this.
I don't have a seperate heading sensor in my Raymarine system and my radar overlay works great on my E Series displays. I have the S1G Smartpilot Autopilot.
That is what he meant - yes... I have an S1G system...and the latest software upgrade...just installed a month ago by this Raymarine engineer himself......do you have a radar overlay sensor - if so that supplies the ap also and the flux is not needed...
raymarine electronics package 
