Comparisons
Marine autopilot comparisons
Compare specific autopilot models one versus one, or work through the steering decision first. Search by brand, model or boat application to find tables, practical trade-offs and a conditional verdict. These are source-based editorial comparisons, not comparative sea trials.
- Comparisons
- 27
- Product
- 23
- Concept
- 4
- Latest additions
- October 2026
27 of 27 comparisons
Raymarine ST2000+ vs Simrad TP22
Raymarine ST2000+ vs Simrad TP22 for a coastal tiller yacht: compare mounting, instrument connections, replacement scope and Australian buying checks.
Decision: ST2000+ is worth investigating for a suitable boat retaining supported Raymarine connections. TP22 is an alternative when its fit and instrument requirements align with the boat.…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine ST2000+ vs Simrad TP32
Compare Raymarine ST2000+ and Simrad TP32 tiller pilots by vessel suitability, retained instruments, mounting work and the decision to change drive type.
Decision: Choose between these units only after both pass the boat assessment. If the problem is unsuitable loading, mounting or steering condition, investigate that cause before treating…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonSimrad TP22 vs Simrad TP32
Simrad TP22 vs TP32: how to compare two tillerpilots by the actual boat, drive requirement, existing fittings and complete replacement cost.
Decision: Use TP22 when it satisfies the documented requirement; investigate TP32 when its specification is needed for the assessed boat. Buying the higher-numbered unit without checking…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-100 Tiller vs Simrad TP32
EV-100 Tiller vs Simrad TP32: separate Evolution components versus a self-contained tillerpilot, with installation, control and ownership trade-offs.
Decision: EV-100 Tiller is a useful shortlist when you want its supported system integration and can accommodate the separate components. TP32 suits consideration when a self-contained…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonCPT wheel pilot vs Raymarine EV-100 Wheel
CPT vs Raymarine EV-100 Wheel: compare standalone compass steering with an Evolution wheel-drive system, including cockpit fit and instrument requirements.
Decision: Shortlist CPT for suitable wheel installations where standalone heading steering is the intended job. Shortlist EV-100 Wheel when its drive limits fit and Evolution integration…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-100 Power vs Raymarine EV-150 Power
Raymarine EV-100 Power vs EV-150 Power: compare hydraulic package suitability, cylinder information, retained pumps and installation scope.
Decision: Choose the package supported for the steering cylinder and circuit. EV-150 is not simply a better EV-100 for every small boat, and a cheaper EV-100 package is not a saving if its…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Raymarine EV-200 Power
EV-150 vs EV-200 Power: compare hydraulic autopilot configurations, retained drive questions and the evidence needed before upgrading.
Decision: Keep a suitable EV-150 configuration on the shortlist when it meets the verified requirement. Investigate EV-200 Power when the supported drive and controller combination…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic
EV-150 vs Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic: match pump configurations, control functions, chartplotter integration and complete Australian installation quotes.
Decision: Choose on a supported hydraulic configuration and the controls you need aboard. A compatible existing chartplotter may influence the decision, but it should not outweigh an…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-150 Power vs Furuno NAVpilot-300
Raymarine EV-150 vs Furuno NAVpilot-300 for powerboats: compare steering compatibility, fishing functions, helm controls and installation requirements.
Decision: EV-150 is worth shortlisting for a compatible hydraulic installation with appropriate helm controls. NAVpilot-300 warrants a closer look when a supported Furuno function meets a…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonB&G NAC-2 vs B&G NAC-3
B&G NAC-2 vs NAC-3: compare low-current and high-current autopilot computers by the drive they must operate, including retrofit and quote checks.
Decision: NAC-2 belongs on the shortlist when the selected drive is within its supported limits. NAC-3 is the appropriate comparison when the installation needs its higher-current…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonB&G NAC-2 system vs Raymarine EV-200 Sail
B&G NAC-2 vs Raymarine EV-200 Sail: compare a specified sailing system with a sail pack, including actuator selection, instruments and commissioning.
Decision: Consider NAC-2 when a supported drive and B&G instrument arrangement match the yacht. Consider EV-200 Sail when its drive configuration and Evolution integration fit. A cheaper…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonB&G NAC-3 system vs Raymarine EV-400 Sail
B&G NAC-3 vs Raymarine EV-400 Sail for larger yacht installations: compare drive requirements, structural work, controls and ownership support.
Decision: Shortlist the system whose drive, structure and control integration can be documented for the yacht. NAC-3 and EV-400 labels do not establish compatibility or reliability by…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-100 vs Garmin Reactor 40
Compare Raymarine EV-100 and Garmin Reactor 40 packs by steering application, drive, sensor, controls, installation scope and indicative Australian costs.
Decision: For a sailing yacht under 7.5 tonnes, the EV-100 wins on sailing behaviour, pack completeness and price. For any hydraulically steered power boat, the Reactor 40 wins on Shadow…
Read the comparison →Steering decisionTiller pilot vs below-deck
Compare tiller pilots with below-deck autopilots for yachts: drive capacity, weather exposure, electrical demand, installation scope and indicative AUD costs.
Decision: Keep the tiller pilot for coastal sailing on a boat under about 4 tonnes. Go below deck the moment the boat, the passages or the crew's need for sleep outgrow it. If the boat is…
Read the comparison →Steering decisionElectronic vs windvane
Compare electronic autopilots and windvane self-steering for offshore yachts: power needs, heading versus wind steering, redundancy, mounting and AUD budgets.
Decision: For ocean passages from Australia, fit a windvane and keep a competent electronic pilot for motoring and coastal legs. For coastal cruising only, skip the windvane and spend the…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonB&G vs Simrad vs Raymarine
Compare B&G, Simrad and Raymarine sailing autopilot systems. Review wind data, drive options, controllers, installation scope and indicative Australian costs.
Decision: Racers and wind-steering cruisers: B&G. Power boats: Simrad. Everyone else with a cruising yacht: Raymarine's EV-200 pack is complete, well supported and very good, and it is the…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonST2000+ vs EV-100 Tiller
Compare Raymarine ST2000+ and EV-100 Tiller systems: heading sensors, drive layout, boat sizing, power, installation and indicative Australian upgrade costs.
Decision: If the boat sails coastal day trips and you already own an ST2000+, keep it. If you are buying new for a boat over about 3 tonnes, or you sail overnight, the EV-100 Tiller is…
Read the comparison →Steering decisionHydraulic vs linear drive
Compare hydraulic pumps and mechanical linear autopilot drives: steering compatibility, load, power, installation, service access and Australian budget scope.
Decision: Hydraulic steering gets a hydraulic pump; there is no sensible alternative. A yacht with mechanical steering and an accessible rudder stock gets a linear drive, which is quieter,…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonNavPilot 300 vs Reactor 40
Compare Furuno NAVpilot-300 and Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic for fishing boats: feedback, steering takeover, controls, patterns and indicative Australian costs.
Decision: Boats with Garmin plotters and sonar should buy the Reactor 40; the integration is worth it and Shadow Drive is excellent. Heavy twin- and triple-outboard boats, or owners who…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonHydrovane vs Windpilot
Compare Hydrovane and Windpilot Pacific self-steering: auxiliary rudder versus servo-pendulum design, mounting, boat suitability and indicative landed costs.
Decision: Heavy or centre-cockpit yachts, and anyone who values a built-in emergency rudder, should choose Hydrovane. Lighter, faster aft-cockpit yachts and tighter budgets suit the…
Read the comparison →Steering decisionWheel pilot vs below-deck
Compare wheel pilots with below-deck drives for cruising yachts: steering capacity, exposure, mounting, electrical demand and indicative Australian costs.
Decision: Under 7 tonnes and coastal: the wheel pilot is a sensible buy. Over that, or for overnight and offshore passages, go below deck. If the rudder stock is inaccessible, a CPT or…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonGarmin SmartDrive vs Raymarine EV-200 Sail
Compare Garmin SmartDrive and Raymarine EV-200 Sail: actuator design, yacht sizing, pack contents, instrument integration and Australian quote checks.
Decision: Shortlist SmartDrive when the new actuator fits the boat and its complete Garmin installation is supported locally. Shortlist EV-200 Sail when the Type 1 drive fits the loaded…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonGarmin SmartDrive vs Reactor 40 Retrofit Options
Compare a new Garmin SmartDrive actuator with retaining a compatible drive in a Reactor 40 retrofit. Review condition, integration and installed scope.
Decision: Retain a drive only when condition and supported integration are documented. Compare SmartDrive as a complete new installation when the existing hardware is unsuitable or its…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonSimrad NAC-D vs NAC-2 and NAC-3
Compare Simrad NAC-D digital steering with NAC-2 and NAC-3 drive control. Check steering compatibility, sensor bundles and installation requirements.
Decision: Choose the architecture the vessel supports. NAC-D is not a higher-power upgrade for a conventional NAC-2 pump installation; NAC-3 is not a substitute for a required digital…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonFuruno NAVpilot-1000 vs 711C
Compare Furuno NAVpilot-1000 and 711C by vessel application, steering interface and project scope. Learn why the newer model is not a universal upgrade.
Decision: Use NAVpilot-1000 only when its application and interface requirements match the project. For a boat served by the 711C class, do not replace it solely to obtain the newer model…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonB&G H5000 Pilot vs NAC-3
Compare B&G H5000 Pilot and NAC-3 for sailing yachts: instrument inputs, sailing functions, drive selection, commissioning and complete-system costs.
Decision: Consider H5000 when its sailing functions and complete instrument architecture address a defined requirement. Compare NAC-3 when the supported configuration meets the boat’s needs…
Read the comparison →Product comparisonRaymarine EV-200 vs EV-400
Compare Raymarine EV-200 and EV-400 sail installations by drive requirements, loaded displacement, control unit and quote scope for Australian yachts.
Decision: Specify the drive first. EV-200 is an option for a suitable Type 1 installation; assess EV-400 where the selected drive requires its control capability. Neither computer choice…
Read the comparison →Frequently asked
How do you decide the verdicts?
By matching each product or concept to the boats and passages it suits in Australia, using manufacturer specifications, published information and the boat’s installation requirements. Every verdict comes with a choose-if list for each side so you can disagree with reasons.
Why compare concepts as well as products?
Because the biggest decisions, above or below deck, electronic or windvane, pump or linear drive, are made before any brand is chosen. Getting those right matters more than the brand.