Product comparison
Raymarine 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.
- Option 1
- Raymarine Evolution EV-100
- Option 2
- Garmin Reactor 40
These product families offer different steering configurations, so compare the exact packages even when their prices overlap. The EV-100 is Raymarine's above-deck pack for yachts under 7.5 tonnes and small hydraulic power boats; the Reactor 40 is Garmin's course computer sold in hydraulic, mechanical and steer-by-wire packs and pitched first at power boats.
If you own a 30–38 foot yacht with a wheel or tiller, the EV-100 is the natural comparison against the Garmin mechanical pack with a third-party drive. If you own a hydraulically steered sportsfisher, it is the Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic against Raymarine's EV-100 Power or EV-150. Confirm support with the supplier for your location and the proposed installation.
Side by side
Raymarine EV-100 vs Garmin Reactor 40: specifications and installation
| Criterion | Raymarine Evolution EV-100 | Garmin Reactor 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sailing yachts to 7.5 t, small hydraulic power boats | Compatible hydraulic power boats; supported mechanical sailing configurations |
| Sensor | EV-1 nine-axis sensor core; locate according to installation requirements | Nine-axis AHRS inside the Reactor 40 course computer |
| Drives in the pack | Tiller drive, above-deck wheel drive or 0.5 L hydraulic pump | 1.2 L or 2.0 L pump, Compact pump, or partner linear/rotary drives |
| Manual override | Press Standby; wheel drive clutch lever | Shadow Drive auto-disengages on hydraulic packs when you turn the wheel |
| Sailing modes | Auto, wind vane (true/apparent), track, AutoTack, AutoGybe, Hydro-Balance | Heading, route, wind hold with Garmin wind sensor; fewer sail-specific features |
| Control | p70s / p70Rs head, Axiom MFD | GHC 50 head, GPSMAP MFD, wireless remote |
| Rudder reference | Not required; recommended on hydraulic | Not required on hydraulic packs |
| Voltage | 12 V | 12 V; 24 V on selected pumps and drives |
| Indicative price (AUD) | $2,900–3,900 complete | $2,900–5,200 depending on pack; mechanical corepack plus drive is more |
| Installed (AUD) | $3,800–5,500 | $4,200–8,500 |
| Australian support | Raymarine dealers nationally; strong in yacht marinas | Garmin dealers nationally; strong in fishing and trailer-boat outlets |
Specifications and installation scope from manufacturer documentation. Any AUD prices shown are indicative; confirm current package contents and installed costs with a dealer.
Which should you choose?
Choose if
Which autopilot configuration suits your boat?
Choose Raymarine EV-100 if…
- You sail a 28–38 foot yacht and want proper wind steering and AutoTack
- You want a complete pack with the drive in the box
- You already run Raymarine instruments or an Axiom
Choose Garmin Reactor 40 if…
- You own a hydraulically steered power boat and want to grab the wheel without pressing Standby
- You run a GPSMAP plotter and Garmin sonar
- You fish and want pattern steering with the chartplotter
Compare steering applications before comparing brands
Start with the actual steering system: an above-deck yacht wheel drive and a hydraulic powerboat pack solve different installation problems. Ask each supplier to identify the precise pack, actuator and required accessories. A family name such as Reactor 40 does not identify everything in the box.
For a yacht retaining an existing drive, obtain a written compatibility assessment covering the actuator, feedback and control electronics. For a hydraulic boat, provide the steering cylinder details. Use those assessments to choose comparable proposals rather than treating either product family as suitable for every boat.
Separate retained equipment from new installation costs
An existing chartplotter can make a familiar brand attractive, but list which controls, sensors and network components can actually be retained. Include new cabling, mounting work and commissioning in the Australian quote, and clarify whether GST and travel are included.
This comparison concerns the listed EV-100 and Reactor 40 configurations. Garmin SmartDrive is a separate configuration covered in our newer comparisons; do not transfer its package contents or steering compatibility to a conventional Reactor 40 quote.
Questions
Raymarine EV-100 vs Garmin Reactor 40: frequently asked questions
Can the Garmin Reactor 40 steer a sailing yacht as well as the EV-100?
It holds a course as well, sometimes better in a chop thanks to the AHRS. The difference is in sailing features: Raymarine's wind vane mode, AutoTack and Hydro-Balance are more developed, and the EV-100 pack includes a sail-specific drive.
Is Shadow Drive available on the Raymarine?
No. Raymarine relies on the Standby key or an MFD to disengage. Some owners fit a third-party hydraulic override sensor; most just use the button.
Which has better resale value in Australia?
Both hold value well because they are current and widely serviced. A matched-brand system (pilot, plotter, instruments) is easier to sell than a mixed one.
Autopilot training after installation
The best pack badly understood is a worse autopilot than a modest one used well. A half-day handover covers modes, override, alarms and a failure drill.