Customer ratings

My unit specifically was not working because of a plug problem. We investigated the fault ourselves (at the risk of voiding the warranty) because we were on a voyage and couldn't afford the time to return it to service and wait for a repair. Finally disassembling the plug, we discovered that one of the power pins was loose. We tighten it and it works correctly. We do not advise anyone to do this if the device does not work. The correct thing is to return it under warranty. We tell what we did, without more. Raymarine should check the devices before sending them for sale. We have also brought these facts to the attention of Raymarine

This product suffers from crippling design flaws - it is not waterproof. A simple rain damaged mine, covered by the warranty. Raymarine replaced the electronic board. - it works with an old fluxgate which is slow and inefficient. We do much better today, and for much less, with electronic chips from smartphone electronics. Raymarine has not changed this product for decades. - the actuator control does not detect the mechanical stops. This means that the engine forces each time it comes to a stop, and this often happens when you use the tacking function or when you change the course of 90, for example. I just burned an engine this way. - the gears are plastic and undersized. They wear out over time. So I broke a set of gears while sailing upwind. We can add other faults the keys are not backlit, so at night you have to go groping to change the course. All the rigidity of the cylinder is based on the plastic shells which obviously have not been designed to withstand 57 kg of deformation force of the shells which causes the seal to open. In short, this driver is obsolete, the design flaws have never been corrected, the performance dates from another era. I just broke the third on a navigation of 600 nautical miles, in normal conditions wind less than 30 knots, without noticeable swell. For outings in protected water, for a period limited to the day, with a crew, why not. To navigate offshore, go your way. I sincerely believe that Raymarine is on purpose not to correct these issues so that users will upgrade. That's what I'm going to do, but certainly not with this branded "gadget".

The device isn't capable of maintaining a course for extended periods. This is a real deal breaker for me. The cumbersome operation could be tolerated if it were able to travel in a straight line. It doesn't like waves from astern, but even in calm water, it often starts to zigzag after a short time, with increasingly wide deviations until it stops working. Other skippers have also reported these problems to me.

Since the basic functionality isn't there, every euro for the device is too much.

After an ST1000, which I was using in the third season, broke down on the second day of a planned 8-week single-handed trip (electronic failure and broken/bent piston guide), I immediately ordered the ST2000, which was sent to me by SVB in Karlskrona (it worked well, by the way). Now - towards the end of the season this device is already making terrible noises, so I will try to get Raymarin to take a look at it via SVB.
Overall, I have the impression that these devices are only suitable for very light boats in calm conditions. My boat weighs maybe 2400kg fully loaded (high estimate) and is therefore well within the recommended application range. I bought the much more expensive tiller pilot with external control, which I will install in the winter.
I hope that I have something reliable with it and that I can get the 2000ST back refurbished. 700 autopilot costs for one season would be way too much for me.
PS No, my rudder is not stiff

In 10 years I have had to change 3.
It is used 15-20 days a year, carefully stored, made a support to keep it horizontal.
Last year, as a precaution since it was starting to have problems and I wanted to take my vacations calmly, I bought a new one.
Now, after a week, the compass no longer follows the route.
When I return I will send it back for warranty work, but the summer season will be over and I can imagine that, if all goes well, it will be returned to me after no less than a month (October?) when for me it will only be useful as an ornament.
And next year the warranty expired.
And, I repeat, it is the third!! At least the others had some warning and a week of agony and allowed me to return.
Very angry, never again Raymarine products!!!
I strongly advise against it!!!

I have used this product for over 5000 miles. So I know him very well. I am on my second, forced to buy the same as a breakdown. It has some very important flaws, never corrected by Raymarine, and has been for years. A simple search on forums will confirm this. First of all, the performance in terms of heading is fair. As soon as the sea is formed, and especially downwind, he is unable to hold the boat. The reason is simple Raymarine persists in using an ancient fluxgate, which cannot detect heading changes fast enough. Result, the boat starts in switchbacks. In heavy seas, it is even dangerous. Then, this product is not waterproof at all. Truly not. A simple rain, not even heavy, got the better of the first copy I bought. A simple examination can quickly find the reason the seal does not allow a satisfactory seal between the two plastic shells and above all allows water to enter through the cylinder rod. The electronic card is not varnished, so a simple drop of water creates a short circuit and your pilot is out of service. How is it conceivable that a tiller pilot exposed to the elements could not withstand a simple downpour?!? In conclusion, this pilot has fair performance and suffers from a major design flaw in the seal. In short, do not count on it. Unless you are cruising with a motor, and only in good weather. For more demanding sailing, turn to the competition who offers a product in the same price range, but with a much better reputation. For my part, Raymarine, it's over.