Raymarine SPX-5R Autopilot review
Raymarine’s newest redesign of the SPX-5R autopilot works on helms with 1-inch or three-quarters-inch steering wheel shafts with a range of 21/2 to five revolutions from lock to lock. The SPX-5R drive is compatible with Raymarine S100 and SmartController Wireless autopilot controllers, sold as accessories. Operation is simple and intuitive: Line up the desired course, hit Auto, and let go of the wheel. To take control again, hit Standby and steer as normal. The built-in SeaTalk and NMEA interface links to the chart plotter for course setting. The SPX-5R is designed for manual cable-steered boats with laden displacements of up to 4,400 pounds and manual-hydraulic and servo-hydraulic steering boats up to 7,700 pounds. $1,950; www.raymarine.com
