Heading sensor options

[flo]

For those of us that don't want/need autopilot and don't need pitch/roll/etc, compensation, perhaps a more affordable option for a heading sensor would be nice for us smaller boat guys. Just a thought, maybe a modernized version of the PG700 with a more up to date means of auto calibration when connected to a TZTX unit (which obviously would require a software update). The key point is Furuno quality and at the same time more affordable than the PG700 and SCX20 which can directly compete with other brands that offer decent performance at a much lower price and are adequate for non-auto pilot needs. If a more affordable solution can provide performance well enough for ARPA and not cost over $500, that should be very attractive to many. Any thoughts?

thanks

 

[Quitsa]

Given your circumstances, probably the most sensible solution is to find a used rate compass or ideally satellite compass. A lot of people swapped out rate compasses for sat compasses because of the superior autopilot performance. All you need is one that outputs NMEA 2000 PGNs, of which there are many produced by Garmin, Simrad, and Raymarine as well as Furuno. I am sure you can find one for less than $500 looking in the used market, even from a reputable used dealer like Maxmarine.

With a rate compass, it's not likely you will find a simpler calibration procedure than having to make two turns at low speed, which is typical for all the manufacturers.

 

[jp498]

Yes, barely used pg700 are readily available on Ebay, probably from people upgrading to SCX20 or similar. I install autopilots quite often and was thinking of buying the Furuno kit, selling the PG700, adding SCX20 rather than buying the individual autopilot parts plus SCX20. But it's really a buyer's market for the PG700 and I'd get so little for it, that strategy didn't make sense.

Overlay/arpa done well is just as much a reason to get the SCX20 as autopilot would be.

 

[Quitsa]

Yes, barely used pg700 are readily available on Ebay, probably from people upgrading to SCX20 or similar. I install autopilots quite often and was thinking of buying the Furuno kit, selling the PG700, adding SCX20 rather than buying the individual autopilot parts plus SCX20. But it's really a buyer's market for the PG700 and I'd get so little for it, that strategy didn't make sense.

Overlay/arpa done well is just as much a reason to get the SCX20 as autopilot would be.

Good point, the overlay and ARPA work much better with the SCX-20 than a rate compass as well as the autopilot. The radar overlay on my chart display is precisely on the chart contours and the ARPA target vectors are very accurate as confirmed by targets that also have a Class A AIS transponder that updates frequently.

But an SCX-20 would cost a good deal more than a used PG700.

 

[flo]

All good points. Thanks everyone. I’m currently running a steadycast and it’s ok. I can only get 80% accuracy according to the calibration results. Might look for a used pg700.