Autopilot for R21EC - Lowrance HDS Gen 3

[Pearl]

Contemplating an autopilot for my R21EC and am looking at a Lowrance HDS Gen 3 with their Lowrance Outboard Pilot Cable Steer kit. Seems like a nice setup with the autopilot setup in the chartplotter. I am looking for thoughts and other ideas. I do not want to change to hydraulic steering at this time. Thank you!

 

[Andrew Custis]

Wish I had more experience with different Systems. Only ones I have ever installed was the octopus driven helm unit and the Raymarine.

If you try it, be sure to post photos of the installation and a review on how it works. If my memory serves me right, there was one on here that has installed the unit you're looking at. You might do a search and see what you can find.

 

[mrrlc]

Last winter I installed a Simrad AP24 Helm Drive Kit which uses the same Drive as the Lowrance HDS Gen 3 system you are looking at. Read the install manual for the Lawrance and you'll see where the Simrad drive is referenced. Note the Simrad AP24 Helm Drive Kit has been discontinued. I added a few pictures of the drive to my album.

The autopilot works great for how I use it, just direct the boat in the direction I want to go, then push the Auto button. Since I'm usually cruising at 5-6 knots, the autopilot makes boating at slow speeds much more enjoyable without having to be at the helm at all times. The autopilot works perfect for Salmon fishing when trolling with downriggers.

I find this drive to be noisy from the gears moving within the unit when it's making adjustments, especially noticeable in the small cabin of the R21-EC. I don't have any previous experience with cable autopilots so possibly they are all noisy.

Good luck,
Bob

 

[SGIDAVE]

Contemplating an autopilot for my R21EC and am looking at a Lowrance HDS Gen 3 with their Lowrance Outboard Pilot Cable Steer kit. Seems like a nice setup with the autopilot setup in the chartplotter. I am looking for thoughts and other ideas. I do not want to change to hydraulic steering at this time. Thank you!

Hello Eric,

The AP on a 21EC is GREAT! It will be the most-used mod on your boat. I love mine.

Since Raymarine stopped producing the wheel drive, you are forced to use an Octopus-type drive like this

and combine it with the rest of the components...either the Lowrance unit or the Simrad.

Andrew Appleton installed an octopus drive and the Simrad system. Here is his installation thread.

 

[Cmjansen]

The Garmin autopilot that came on my R23 is great. Best option I added.