[CA] Fluxgate Compass Replacement

[Chessyman]

Can the fluxgate compass be replaced by a rate gyro? The instllation has a Smartpilot X10 and an ST70. I have read that the rate gyros give much better performance.

Will I notice much improvement?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Chessyman,

The design of SPX autopilots, such as the X10 that you own, are designed to generate heading data from a fluxgate compass to support operation of the autopilot. The design of these autopilots also feature a rate gyro which is built into the course computer's circuitry to stabilize the heading data. In summary, the SPX autopilots already have this capability. If having heading related issues, it is recommended the autopilot's fluxgate compass be tested per the FAQ found here. Unlike the SPX autopilot's, Raymarine's Evolution Autopilots feature a solid state 9-axis sensor that monitors vessel motion in all three dimensions, providing these autopilots with vastly superior heading performance to any autopilot designs which may have preceded them.