[DG] [DG11] P70R control head with EV 100 Wheel Pilot

[Fast2tack]

I am planning to upgrade and install an EV 100 Wheel Pilot / EV1 Sensor Core & ACU 100 on a sailboat BUT I would like to use the P70R control head.

Looks like the P70R lacks the two button auto tack function but can be done by scrolling the menu and pushing the center control dial.

Any reason why the P70R control head (which is suggested for power boats) will not be suitable for a 36 foot sailboat with 13,000 lbs displacement?

Thanks in advance for any input or actual experience in this set up.

Fast2tack

[Derek - Raymarine - Moderator]

Hi Fast2tack

Thank you for your enquiry.

The p70Rs and p70s control units will both operate the EV1/ ACU100, as you say the difference is in the user interface, the p70s uses keys whereas the p70Rs uses a rotary controller, however the functionality is identical.

The differentiation was based simply on a general preference expressed by customers for a rotary controller on a powered vessel and a preference for push buttons on a sailing vessel!

The correct choice of autopilot is based very much on the displacement of the vessel, remember to include the additional weight of spares, stores etc, this can add up to 20% to the design displacement, more information is available here regarding points to consider when specifying an autopilot.

more details available here , you should also consider the type of use described here

I hope the attached information helps?
Regards
Derek