Auto Pilot & Kicker Steering...Wireless

Byrdman

New member
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.
 
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.
 
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. :!: :thdown

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
:smilep :idea :lips :rose
 
Redƒox":1v7hbuee said:
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
:smilep :idea :lips :rose

Get real!

The long term maintenance cost of an organic autopilot is several orders of magnitude higher than the electronic variety, and they both end up in a landfill anyway. Might be far cheaper to rent one as needed. :mrgreen:


.
 
:mrgreen: 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.
 
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
 
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!
 
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... :P
 
Want one real BAD!!

Yathink the price would come-down eventually though :thup :idea I bet there is competition on the horizon for them ---- :teeth :xlol that should do it :shock:
Till then, I keep trainin the 'organic models'. Call Pirate Deb my apprentice :xnaughty :smilep :rose
 
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.
 
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.
 
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. :thup
 
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.
 
Pat,

For some more in depth information try hitting the forums on IFish.Net and ask for some first hand information. I beleive one of the guys on IFish was actually the designer. I think the company has changed hands now but if you search the archives you will come up with a lot of good information on the TR-1 Gold.

BTW: IFish.Net is a Portland Or. based fishing board. Lots of good info on fishing the Columbia for those that don't know :)

FB, I agree with you on the TR-1 Gold. There is nothing on the market that does what it does. Some are getting close but they have had the market all to themselves for many years now. If I could just get some money squirreled away I would certainly have one on my boat. Even if I did end up getting the Raymarine Auto for the main.

BTW: As far as kicker speed is concerned the Trollmaster will do the job for bunches less than the TR-1 but it doesn't have the autopilot. It is just the speed control. They are supposed to work awsome. They are basically just an R/C servo hooked up to a rheostat on a long cord. :) Since the servo has finer adjustments than the twist throttle they are much more precise for trolling speed.
 
flapbreaker":1i6q8exb said:
Before someone bashes them on their pricing might I suggest educating yourself about their product and why they can get their asking price.

...“bashing” them for the prices is an educated response after all … the vanishing middle class, rich getting richer, poor getting poorer, you know darn well what I’m talking about! And please, don’t give me the old “comy” cliché, or the “this is America cliché either” Fact is, we have outgrown that kind of government in a drastically “shrinking world”! Put that in you pipe and smoke it!
Good for you if being a slave to consumerism is a way to fend off boredom. Like I said; if I had the $ to throw at it, I would not for the simple reason of good economics and value. If more were this way, perhaps we would not have to pay the rip-off prices.
Boycott!!!
:moon
 
Red Fox:
Think of all the job's these gadgets create. Things like auto pilot's and yes even generator's.

It looks like some very nice equipment you have. (truck and camper and even a 115 hp outboard.) With all the time you spend on the water you must be living on a inheritance from some rich-guy.

C-Otter (85 angler)
 
C-Otter":9414smup said:
Red Fox:
Think of all the job's these gadgets create. Things like auto pilot's and yes even generator's.

It looks like some very nice equipment you have. (truck and camper and even a 115 hp outboard.) With all the time you spend on the water you must be living on a inheritance from some rich-guy.

C-Otter (85 angler)

Not really. But I’m sure you like to think that way. Now back to my boating you mention…

How I do it is: Make good choices; (Pay attention) you can see things coming your way that are going to cost you bigtime!! We all have a choice (free will) use it wisely and your money can do more for you, and I’m not referring to investing. 2. Be frugal. 3. fix it yourself! (that’s my favorite) LOL 4. Cruise on your kicker a lot! The mileage is phenomenal! 5. Better stop there, I gotta go to bed now.

Anyway, I really ain’t as bad or mean as I may sound on here… just since old “Stewy” got throwed-out on his ear… somebody’s got ta keep you old dogs movin! You don’t want this site all “saccharine sweet” do yas!

Hope they let me post this.

Cheers! Greg
:wink
 
I would not for the simple reason of good economics and value. If more were this way, perhaps we would not have to pay the rip-off prices.
Boycott!!! [/i]
:moon

LOL, it's hard to associate "good economics and value" with boating. In fact I hear that sucking sound right now. Gota go get my TR-1.... :thup
 
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