Garmin Reactor 40 Volvo Penta Autopilot with GHC 50
- Brand:
- Garmin
- Part no:
- 010-02794-06
Image: nvnmarine.com
Where to buy
Specifications
- Heading sensor included
- Yes
- Control head included
- Yes
- Networking
- NMEA 2000
This Garmin Reactor 40 package is a steer-by-wire autopilot corepack made for boats with Volvo Penta steering. It comes with the GHC 50 instrument as the dedicated autopilot display and control at the helm. The heading sensor is a solid-state 9-axis unit that can be mounted in nearly any orientation, and its pitch and roll data lets the autopilot adjust for sea state as it holds course. Garmin says power use is lower than on earlier Garmin autopilots. It ties into the boat's electronics over an NMEA 2000 backbone.
Our take
The 9-axis sensor feeds pitch and roll into the steering, so the course holding is meant to compensate for boat motion in a seaway rather than only in flat water. It is built around Volvo Penta steering, and the install is described as work for a professional, so plan on a pro fitting it.
From our buying guide
Raymarine describes a typical autopilot as four parts: a heading sensor, a control unit, a drive and a control head. Bought alone, the parts don't steer, and Raymarine says the operator must stay at the helm at all times.
Check before you buy:
- The box list has the drive and control head you need, since packs can leave out a major part.
- It's rated for your boat the way the maker measures it. Raymarine sizes on fully laden displacement, often 20% above the designed figure.
- On hydraulic steering, the pump's range covers your steering cylinder's volume.