Simrad Yachting Announces New Autopilot Systems
Electronics Leader Unveils Cost-Effective,Reliable and Easy-To-Use Heading Control System.
Simrad Yachting announced today its new top-of-the line autopilot systems, the AP70 and AP80. International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliant and adaptive to wind and wave conditions, the systems provide complete heading and course control for a wide range of vessels. Both the AP70 and AP80 feature six independent work-profile settings to quickly enable the autopilot to operate with slow speed, maneuvering, net hauling and helicopter pick up to name a few. Redesigned with a new color interface and intuitive graphics, the autopilots are simple to install and easy to operate. The AP80 and AP70 systems build upon Simrad Yachting’s legacy of state-of-the-art, high-performance autopilots that offer the most feature-packed and reliable solutions on the market.
Designed with adaptive software and a dynamic positions interface, the Simrad Yachting AP70 and AP80 Autopilot Systems offer user-selectable auto and navigation modes, as well as support for independent rudders and multiple thrusters. The AP70 has three rudder and thruster configurations while the AP80 offers six. Suitable for use on a variety of vessel types including workboats, passenger ferries and superyachts, as well as fishing, patrol and short sea vessels, the systems steer water jets, pods, stern drives, azimuth thrusters and tunnel thrusters. The AP70 and AP80 provide turn pattern options, feature piracy evasion functionality; and have a dedicated alarm reset, as well as unique shaped port and starboard keys for easy finger-touch identification.
“The Simrad AP70 and AP80 raise the bar in autopilot technology,” said Louis Chemi, COO, Navico Americas. “We designed the most innovative autopilots available with cutting-edge features such as advanced independent work profiles to give mariners the absolute best in performance in a full range of on-the-water conditions.”
The Simrad AP70 and AP80 autopilots feature an ultra-bright sunlight viewable 5-inch color SolarMAX™ PLUS TFT, bonded display. They operate on the CAN bus using SimNet for protocol command and control and NMEA 2000®-compatible cabling for networking. Constructed with a ruggedized, aluminum housing, the units can be flush- or bracket-mounted to suit any installation requirement. Both systems are compatible with the new Simrad QS80, NF80, FU80, S35, S9, JS10 and R3000X dedicated remote options. The AP80 uniquely features precision and economy steering modes, a USB connection for storage and loading settings, and is waterproof to the IPx6 standard. The AP70 is rated to the IPx4 standard. The new Simrad Yachting autopilot systems are protected by a two-year parts and labor warranty, and are pending HSC and HCS (United States Coast Guard, MED, CCS) approval.
