Auto Pilot & Kicker Steering...Wireless

Byrdman

OK, just pondering some sites this morning and found something neat...I think. Any user knowledge out there on products from TR-1 Gladiator main power steering, and TR-1Gold for kickers? Looks to offer both power and direction input....even when backing down on fish....or into the slip maybe? This could be large.

Found them on www.nautamatic.com Sorry, don't know the insert the little blue line trick.

I love my Raymarine autopilot and "hard-wired" remote set up on FreeByrd, but looking at what is new today...and also looking outside of the Raymarine set up just for knowledge base issues, I found these. I have often wanted to just change speed a bit...and had to return "all the way to the helm"...ruff life....just to do this.
Gotta get my newly purchased 18Angler set up now.

gljjr · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:27 pm Post subject:

A lot of people out here use the TR-1 on their boats. I know of 2 people that have them on their Jet Sleds and they keep upgrading when replacing the sleds. They simply won't fish/boat without them any more. From everything I have heard/read about the TR-1 it is by far the best autopilot for a kicker. Last Spring I was fishing alongside my friend on the sound and we were constantly having to saw the motor back and forth to maintain a straight line. Bob simply stood there talking with friends while the TR-1 kept the boat straight. He had the remote clipped to his belt and every now and then simply pushed a button to change course to avoid another boat or flotsam. I don't know if Bob has the wireless remote or the wired one. But either way it is definitely an addition I want on my boat. I don't think it is a good substitute for a rear helm though. Since the autopilot can't put the motor in reverse or nuetral it is really only good for cruising/trolling.

Redƒox · Guest

Yeah, real nice junk alrighty! But what gives them the right to price it sky-flippin-high like that!! I would not give them the business even if I had the daoh. There simply is not near that much value in just another electronically sophisticated ---- piece of junk!! Really, it all eventually ends up in a landfill some day anyway. Exclamation

On the liter-side: I’ll take my organic-powered “auto pilot” any day over that thing. They can cook, serve ya beer… make ya laugh…. On and on! LOL
Smile

Sneaks · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:51 pm Post subject:

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:36 am Post subject:

Sounds like Greg-n-Sneaks might be trying to lead me off course... which is why I like auto pilots. .. and I can consentrate on the cooken and fishing. Gonna add this TR-1 thing to my list of things to look at while at the SBS....but that is way out in January06...

Thanks for the feedback from the sled guys. I am more often than not on my boat alone and the auto pilot is used a bunch.

Cutty Sark · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:12 pm Post subject: TR-1

They are spendy but quite sweet. I know Tom nelson and the guys from salmon U love them. I checked them out recently too. If you fish alot they are ideal. They have pre set patterns like zig-zags and circles, and the wireless control you just keep around your neck. I would love to get one someday, have to put it on the wish list.

Sark

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sark

gljjr · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject:

The other thing about the TR-1 Gold as compared to the Raymarine unit is that they are designed from the get go for trolling speeds. This makes them much more accurate at slow speeds. When I was out with Tom the other day his Raymarine unit would hunt trying to find the correct direction. I've never heard of that problem with the TR-1 (I'll have to ask my friend Bob what his experience is to be sure).

I do know that one of the common uses by some of the guys who fish rivers a lot is to set a way point about a half mile upstream. They then set their boat speed to be the same as the current and use the TR-1 to hold them in place. They tell me it will actually hold the boat in 1 spot better than anchoring up as the boat doesn't swing sideways on them like it would on the anchor. They will also do this to back slowly down stream for backbouncing. It is a pretty slick system!

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:30 pm Post subject:

Was poking around looking for prices on the TR-1 Gold and could not quickly find any. Yall have any clues... I would kind of like to have some type of information base prior to going to the boat show circuits as to know...yep, that is a good deal and not just hype because a bunch of folks are passing thru.... you know...sort of like a school of fish in a feeding frinzy... Razz

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject:

Patrick, the durn things cost forty-nine-thousand dollars. Says so right here.

Click this for a Google search. But don't go too far down the list lookng for a good price and end up with a TR-10 Gold Toe Ring.

Redƒox · Guest

Want one real BAD!!

Yathink the price would come-down eventually though Thumbs Up

I bet there is competition on the horizon for them ---- Teeth

that should do it Shocked

Till then, I keep trainin the 'organic models'. Call Pirate Deb my apprentice Xmas Naughty

gljjr · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:27 am Post subject:

Unfortunately I don't see their price going down much. They have been on the market for quite a while now. If they were going to come down they already would have.

Byrdman · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:26 am Post subject:

Yep they are a bit spendy....but sure look nice. One of the features I like about the Raymarine remote is the ability to keep track of the depth in the palm of your hand. This too could be fixed with a remote mounted depth gauge....up front. We spend a lot of time cruising about the lake and rivers poking about in the coves just looking at folks homes/shops/docks...boats... kinda water bound window shopping. And/or at night just watching the stars get brighter as the night gets darker...

Have my order in for some brochoures. Thanks for everyone's input. This will go on the 18Angler prior to radar I feel sure.

flapbreaker · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

Before someone bashes them on their pricing might I suggest educating yourself about their product and why they can get their asking price. After all couldn't the same thing be said about the C-dory? Anyway they make 2 products. One being the TR-1 Gladiator. This really is overkill for a 22--25 foot boat. They will work but are really for large pleasure yachts. My understanding is their autopilot does some things that no one else does or something. Expect to pay 4-5k for that device. I hear they are really taking off in the yachting world.

The other product is the TR-1 Gold, which is an autopilot for your kicker motor. Again there is absolutely NOTHING else out there that will do what this device will do. Some come close but I have not found any that will navigate PLUS have throttle control. That's the clincher for me I need to be able to have throttle control. If you educate yourself about this unit you'll discover how big of a difference it will make. The most frequent comment I hear from those that have one is that they get to fish again rather than spend your time skippering. If you troll with a kicker and have to bait your guests hooks, ect. then you know just how little "fishing" you actually get done as the skipper. Anyway I'm getting one before summer.

For those interested I heard a rumor that they will be on sale starting December 1 but I'm waiting to see. Otherwise I'll check them out at the boat show. Thumbs Up

Byrdman · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject:

Doing all I can for the education. Went to their web...about a dozen times now....the last of course actually seeing the little blue line with the pricing once you get into the trolling model.... sent email requesting both infomational brochures, and if the SBS booth number they had listed was correct...because their dates did not look correct... Really want to put my hands on these puppies. I need this prior to radar I think.